Dec 12, 2018, 6:51 am
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
Dec 30, 2018, 6:42 pm
#422
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 41
They asked me to forward my confirmation email to them, which I assume they used to verify the date of the booking. Without the email, I don't know if they would have approved mine...
Dec 30, 2018, 9:29 pm
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Dec 31, 2018, 10:37 am
#424
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
Happy to say the GM politely confirmed I will still get the full board and two activities. Wish I didn't have to first endure the Reservations agents saying no twice, but I get this isn't a standard situation. Looking forward to this even more now since it doesn't appear to be an opportunity that exists for booking anymore (with points).
Dec 31, 2018, 10:42 am
#425
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
And there is apparently no need to commit fraud to hurt them. They are now ranked #45 on TripAdvisor after being top 10 before this fiasco. Although I think most people take TripAdvisor rankings with a grain of salt, especially when looking at a hotel like this, I have to think that this will hurt them.
Dec 31, 2018, 10:29 pm
#426
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 149
I made a booking October 9 and previously talked about issues about going from a points to a cash booking and I did receive an email confirmation from hotel that this is a points booking and it has switched over. However, now when I check my 'rate details', it says room only and food and activities to be paid directly to hotel. I thought all bookings made prior to December 11 were full board...
Jan 1, 2019, 12:12 am
#427
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold, United Silver, BA Bronze
Posts: 322
I made a booking October 9 and previously talked about issues about going from a points to a cash booking and I did receive an email confirmation from hotel that this is a points booking and it has switched over. However, now when I check my 'rate details', it says room only and food and activities to be paid directly to hotel. I thought all bookings made prior to December 11 were full board...
We have just completed our three night points stay. Total cash cost was about $150 as we took the 4x4 drive with the surcharge.
In short, we loved it. We got one of the rooms with the best views over the desert without any other rooms being visible. The food was universally good to excellent, the best we have had in an all inclusive. Service was friendly and efficient. The pool was fantastic and well heated.
As others have noted, the villas and furnishings are worn, the hotel lets itself down here. We had doors with gaps which we had to spray insect repellant and the bath taps leaked. A renovation is needed.
A note of caution on late check out, the hotel appears very unwilling to do this. The person checking us in seemed nervous when the topic came up (I believe as a Plat Premier I am entitled to 4pm without question) and then was visibly relieved when I said we did not require it. If you need it, I would email in advance.
For those unable to secure full board, you have a difficult decision. We rented a car and it takes around an hour to get to downtown Dubai, other than service stations we could not see food nearby. I would not return without full board due to the amount of hassle involved.
I will share the welcome letter at a later point. The wording is very confusing, it says points stays have the charges but full board does not. The hotel staff just referred to mine as full board even though I booked with points.
Finally, I was concerned we might get second class treatment due to the generous points booking. We did not at all and were thanked for our loyalty.
Happy to answer any follow up questions.
Jan 1, 2019, 12:06 pm
#431
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 149
They are, mine said this but full board was honored.
We have just completed our three night points stay. Total cash cost was about $150 as we took the 4x4 drive with the surcharge.
In short, we loved it. We got one of the rooms with the best views over the desert without any other rooms being visible. The food was universally good to excellent, the best we have had in an all inclusive. Service was friendly and efficient. The pool was fantastic and well heated.
As others have noted, the villas and furnishings are worn, the hotel lets itself down here. We had doors with gaps which we had to spray insect repellant and the bath taps leaked. A renovation is needed.
A note of caution on late check out, the hotel appears very unwilling to do this. The person checking us in seemed nervous when the topic came up (I believe as a Plat Premier I am entitled to 4pm without question) and then was visibly relieved when I said we did not require it. If you need it, I would email in advance.
For those unable to secure full board, you have a difficult decision. We rented a car and it takes around an hour to get to downtown Dubai, other than service stations we could not see food nearby. I would not return without full board due to the amount of hassle involved.
I will share the welcome letter at a later point. The wording is very confusing, it says points stays have the charges but full board does not. The hotel staff just referred to mine as full board even though I booked with points.
Finally, I was concerned we might get second class treatment due to the generous points booking. We did not at all and were thanked for our loyalty.
Happy to answer any follow up questions.
We have just completed our three night points stay. Total cash cost was about $150 as we took the 4x4 drive with the surcharge.
In short, we loved it. We got one of the rooms with the best views over the desert without any other rooms being visible. The food was universally good to excellent, the best we have had in an all inclusive. Service was friendly and efficient. The pool was fantastic and well heated.
As others have noted, the villas and furnishings are worn, the hotel lets itself down here. We had doors with gaps which we had to spray insect repellant and the bath taps leaked. A renovation is needed.
A note of caution on late check out, the hotel appears very unwilling to do this. The person checking us in seemed nervous when the topic came up (I believe as a Plat Premier I am entitled to 4pm without question) and then was visibly relieved when I said we did not require it. If you need it, I would email in advance.
For those unable to secure full board, you have a difficult decision. We rented a car and it takes around an hour to get to downtown Dubai, other than service stations we could not see food nearby. I would not return without full board due to the amount of hassle involved.
I will share the welcome letter at a later point. The wording is very confusing, it says points stays have the charges but full board does not. The hotel staff just referred to mine as full board even though I booked with points.
Finally, I was concerned we might get second class treatment due to the generous points booking. We did not at all and were thanked for our loyalty.
Happy to answer any follow up questions.
Jan 9, 2019, 9:01 am
#432
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BKK, SFO
Programs: Star Gold, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, EY Silver
Posts: 185
Al Maha to include meals and activities for award stays, according to Gary at View from the Wing:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...ies-after-all/
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...ies-after-all/
Jan 9, 2019, 9:06 am
#433
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
That’s a great development, the awards remain one of the best value in the system.
One small comment on the blog post: the narrative of Marriott riding in vs. the hotel is slightly misleading, as after all the hotel is managed by... Marriott.
One small comment on the blog post: the narrative of Marriott riding in vs. the hotel is slightly misleading, as after all the hotel is managed by... Marriott.
Jan 9, 2019, 12:01 pm
#434
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 540
Great news. Glad I held on to my Points Advance booking rather than cancel it...I had a feeling something like this would happen. Now my question is, which makes more economical sense, taking a cab from Dubai Marina to the resort and then another cab from the resort to the airport, or just renting a car from the airport and driving myself roundtrip? Curious how the costs compare. Can someone answer?
Jan 9, 2019, 12:10 pm
#435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
Al Maha to include meals and activities for award stays, according to Gary at View from the Wing:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...ies-after-all/
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...ies-after-all/