Dec 12, 2018, 6:51 am
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
Dec 23, 2018, 6:53 pm
#346
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 11
When pulling up a dummy booking if you hit “room details” it says complimentary breakfast buffet. When you hit “rate details” it says room only redemption stay and food, activities and incidentals will be paid to the hotel. Is “room only” inclusive of what is in the “room details” tab so the award stay will at least include breakfast?
Dec 24, 2018, 2:33 am
#347
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold, United Silver, BA Bronze
Posts: 322
My original SPG reservation (now migrated to Marriott) is now showing as points but with the food/activity surcharge. No change from my side and it still shows the link to the original SPG reservation number.
I'm emailing the hotel to re-confirm that they remain complimentary.
I'm emailing the hotel to re-confirm that they remain complimentary.
Dec 24, 2018, 5:59 am
#348
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold, United Silver, BA Bronze
Posts: 322
Hotel have confirmed I remain on full board. Recommend others confirm the same if in doubt. I will be printing the email and taking it with me later this week!
Dec 24, 2018, 11:38 am
#349
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA platinum, Club Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 111
" Thank you for the below email.Further to your below query, pleased to inform you that the property is already been migrated to Marriott, hence the points redemption reservation will be on Room Only basis.The Inclusions which you will see on the SPG website is already been expired.Should you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us."
Dec 24, 2018, 2:15 pm
#350
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE, WJ Gold, Bonvoy Titanium Ambassador
Posts: 134
Same situation where I had booked previously in September then due to migration reservation switched to cash so Marriott rebooked. Sent hotel the old and new confirmation numbers and they confirmed activities and full board included under new reservation number despite website saying other. I envision having to use this email during the check in process.
Dec 25, 2018, 7:31 am
#351
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
I emailed them to ask about mine and they just said that points bookings are room only. I guess I'll have to cancel my booking, which is a shame since I was really looking forward to this hotel. Good thing I hadn't bought the flights yet 
I asked about the cost of meals + activities and whether anything is waived for platinum members:
I asked about the cost of meals + activities and whether anything is waived for platinum members:
Breakfast (Buffet)– AED 160+5%vat
Lunch(Set Menu) – AED 260+5%vat
Dinner(Set Menu) – AED 490+5%vat
Desert activities can be reserved at the cost of AED 270 per person per activity
As Platinum Guest one of our best suites will be allocated for you.
Early check in and late check-out will be provided subject to the hotel availability.
Free WIFI will be provided.
Sherry wine will be placed in your suite as a welcome drink.
Arabic dates and nuts will be placed in your suite as welcome amenities.
You will have the chance to choose your welcome amenities as Platinum guest ( 1000 Marriott Points or breakfast or Local Gift)
Lunch(Set Menu) – AED 260+5%vat
Dinner(Set Menu) – AED 490+5%vat
Desert activities can be reserved at the cost of AED 270 per person per activity
As Platinum Guest one of our best suites will be allocated for you.
Early check in and late check-out will be provided subject to the hotel availability.
Free WIFI will be provided.
Sherry wine will be placed in your suite as a welcome drink.
Arabic dates and nuts will be placed in your suite as welcome amenities.
You will have the chance to choose your welcome amenities as Platinum guest ( 1000 Marriott Points or breakfast or Local Gift)
Dec 25, 2018, 7:36 am
#352
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
Oh wow, that adds $545 a night to the cost of the booking, and that’s if the price of food is for the room rather than per person - I didn’t find that very clear. Not unfair, but those of us who got in quickly did well.
Dec 25, 2018, 9:15 am
#353
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,232
i just canceled my booking at this hotel later next year just because i can't afford it.
if i need to stay there, i would rather pay cash instead of point.
very disappoint with this 'Marriott Enhancement'.
if i need to stay there, i would rather pay cash instead of point.
very disappoint with this 'Marriott Enhancement'.
Dec 25, 2018, 10:01 am
#354
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All Over
Programs: DL Gold, AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, CC Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 574
I emailed them to ask about mine and they just said that points bookings are room only. I guess I'll have to cancel my booking, which is a shame since I was really looking forward to this hotel. Good thing I hadn't bought the flights yet
I asked about the cost of meals + activities and whether anything is waived for platinum members:
I asked about the cost of meals + activities and whether anything is waived for platinum members:
Dec 25, 2018, 11:12 am
#355
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA platinum, Club Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 111
Lucky you, i booked the hotel with points the 13th of December on the Marriot site and the rate still said food and activities included,i sent an email to the hotel and the answer has been this
" Thank you for the below email.Further to your below query, pleased to inform you that the property is already been migrated to Marriott, hence the points redemption reservation will be on Room Only basis.The Inclusions which you will see on the SPG website is already been expired.Should you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us."
" Thank you for the below email.Further to your below query, pleased to inform you that the property is already been migrated to Marriott, hence the points redemption reservation will be on Room Only basis.The Inclusions which you will see on the SPG website is already been expired.Should you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us."
Dec 25, 2018, 12:21 pm
#356
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Even it is per room, one would fare far far better to take a nice cruise on a nice ship. just sayin.
That would cause many point booking cancellations made after Dec 11. Hopefully that would also help the standards do not slip further.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:25 pm
#357
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
Wow, that adds $738 per room per night then assuming 2 people choose the free breakfast with status but have lunch and dinner and do 2 activities per day. That’s a bit ridiculous - the food, while lovely, is not clearly well over priced by Dubai standards. As a benchmark, the dinner is priced the same as the most expensive Hakkasan tasting menu.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:25 pm
#358
formerly known as daveland
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY, USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, Delta Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 2,969
Thanks so much for posting this. I booked the day before you and was SURE it was still included in the rate terms but there was no way to verify because of course the reservation on Marriott.com now shows the room only.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:26 pm
#359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Though if one has to fight for honoring the booking, it sets a poor tone long before the stay. The property needs to come up other ways to get their cost structure working instead of cutting the all-inclusive part because its location basically makes the guests captive to the hotel's meal plan.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:33 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Wow, that adds $738 per room per night then assuming 2 people choose the free breakfast with status but have lunch and dinner and do 2 activities per day. That’s a bit ridiculous - the food, while lovely, is not clearly well over priced by Dubai standards. As a benchmark, the dinner is priced the same as the most expensive Hakkasan tasting menu.
I read a Chinese trip note last night - the writer was from Canada, they had one night at Al Maha in their Middle East trip last year. I believe the couple paid about $1K for the night, booked thru agent in Chinese market. They traveled with another couple. Apparently the group was not impressed at all by the foods (not a single word about it!) but did enjoyed the desert setting and the sunset riding into the desert - though it obviously pales to their subsequent trip to Namibia, that included the Dune 45 as well as Etosha.
Last edited by Happy; Dec 26, 2018 at 10:32 am