Last edit by: margarita girl
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
#497
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 540
How accommodating has this place been for early check-ins/late check-outs? Say for instance I wanted to arrive at noon on check-in day and leave in the evening on check-out day (flight back home is 2am from DXB). I'm Marriott Plat.
#498
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold, United Silver, BA Bronze
Posts: 322
We arrived at 1pm and the room wasn't ready until around 2:30pm. I didn't push the issue as they said we were upgraded to one of their best rooms (which turned out to be the case, we were delighted with how secluded it was) so we were happy to wait.
For late check outs they seemed extremely reluctant, although I didn't request one. I suggest not counting on it. As I was corrected earlier they are not obliged to provide late check out to platinums.
For late check outs they seemed extremely reluctant, although I didn't request one. I suggest not counting on it. As I was corrected earlier they are not obliged to provide late check out to platinums.
#499
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 199
Few questions regarding the timing of meals and activities. Check in as at 2pm - will we get lunch on this day? Same thing for check out - will we get lunch on this day?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
#500
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Meals - you choose whether to have lunch either on the check-in day, or check-out day.
Activities - I think you can time them as you wish subject to the activities timetable and the overall number of activities per stay.
Activities - I think you can time them as you wish subject to the activities timetable and the overall number of activities per stay.
#501
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 39
Anyone notice that many reward nights are only available for twin rooms not king? Any chance the hotel can change this upon check in?
Also so interestingly the hotel has started to offer two cash rates, one for full board and one without full board. This may be to allow the property to charge for full board on award stays in the future.
Also so interestingly the hotel has started to offer two cash rates, one for full board and one without full board. This may be to allow the property to charge for full board on award stays in the future.
#502
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
Yes, I noticed only twin beds available when booking with points during high season (even when kings are available for the same price), however, not the case during low season, when king rooms are available for points. That means that both are standard rooms, so they are again violating Marriott's rules, but not nearly as egregiously as previously. I have put a note on our reservation requesting a king room, but if we end up with twins, so be it.
#503
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
Few questions regarding the timing of meals and activities. Check in as at 2pm - will we get lunch on this day? Same thing for check out - will we get lunch on this day?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
Granted I'm staying there as solo traveller (no discount for being 1 person )
They also granted me a 4pm check out but unfortunately I need to leave the resort at 2 pm(booked a transfer for 2 pm).
The FD suggest that I could check out earlier .. like 1 pm and then have the lunch while waiting for the car to arrive.
Which I did.
The FD also said that since the rate is supposedly for 2 peoples, I could order two courses at the restaurans for breakfast lunch and dinner.
The meal portion are generous, so I dont think I can survive eating double meal there
Activities, some activities are flexible so you can book 2 activities back to back if needed.
#504
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Chicago
Posts: 319
I need to travel to the property from Abu Dhabi, and after my stay, travel to Dubai.
Any advice on how to do this in a cost effective manner? I assume I’ll have to hire a car for the trip to Dubai (I assume there won’t be taxis at the Al Maha)? But perhaps I can take a taxi from Abu Dhabi?
Any advice on how to do this in a cost effective manner? I assume I’ll have to hire a car for the trip to Dubai (I assume there won’t be taxis at the Al Maha)? But perhaps I can take a taxi from Abu Dhabi?
#505
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 110
Few questions regarding the timing of meals and activities. Check in as at 2pm - will we get lunch on this day? Same thing for check out - will we get lunch on this day?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
We'll be staying for 2 nights so I'm wondering when our 4 activities would be? 1 on day 1, 2 on day 2, and 1 on day 3?
On check out day I arranged a taxi from dubai to pick up and the hotel was proactive in calling the driver to confirm. I did not want to push the check out too much past 12 so we left the room at 12:45 and checked out. After check out the hotel offered lunch. Driver arrived at 2PM so that worked out. Once you check out they seemed flexible what time you left and offered all the amenities for that day. Said if the driver did not come they would arrange hotel transport and we could use the spa until time to leave.
#506
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 110
Happy hour is 6-8PM upstairs, buy one get one free. You can have the drinks during dinner downstairs - which is a 5 course affair that seemed to take us 2 hours to get through.
#508
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 39
Yes, I noticed only twin beds available when booking with points during high season (even when kings are available for the same price), however, not the case during low season, when king rooms are available for points. That means that both are standard rooms, so they are again violating Marriott's rules, but not nearly as egregiously as previously. I have put a note on our reservation requesting a king room, but if we end up with twins, so be it.
Ive seen other hotels like the St Regis Maldives use breakfast to remove standard rooms from award inventory. Every property should be forced to have a certain amount of rooms available. Particularly after peak season pricing is implemented.
#509
As for the drinks, I am not sure, but on my 2nd night I did the same, I took my 2nd glass of wine down for dinner, and no one really said anything - so not sure if this is ok or they just kept silence for the sake of not nitpicking.
Prices were as expected on the higher side, I believe the cheapest red wine by the glass was about 58 AED - which for me the Merlot was to my taste.
I will write a more detailed report later, but I will surely be returning next year again for another round - hopefully nothing changes much from current offerings - which I found to be more than sufficient.
My only surprised was the number of Chinese/Korean tourists at the property.
Cheers!
#510
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 110
I guess I missed you by a day, as I checked out on the 3rd (though I did have lunch). I hope you had a good time as that was the day where the place was hit by the minor sandstorm and rain which cooled things down a bit. Luckily my previous day I already enjoyed the heat and the pool. How were the activities on that day?
As for the drinks, I am not sure, but on my 2nd night I did the same, I took my 2nd glass of wine down for dinner, and no one really said anything - so not sure if this is ok or they just kept silence for the sake of not nitpicking.
Prices were as expected on the higher side, I believe the cheapest red wine by the glass was about 58 AED - which for me the Merlot was to my taste.
I will write a more detailed report later, but I will surely be returning next year again for another round - hopefully nothing changes much from current offerings - which I found to be more than sufficient.
My only surprised was the number of Chinese/Korean tourists at the property.
Cheers!
As for the drinks, I am not sure, but on my 2nd night I did the same, I took my 2nd glass of wine down for dinner, and no one really said anything - so not sure if this is ok or they just kept silence for the sake of not nitpicking.
Prices were as expected on the higher side, I believe the cheapest red wine by the glass was about 58 AED - which for me the Merlot was to my taste.
I will write a more detailed report later, but I will surely be returning next year again for another round - hopefully nothing changes much from current offerings - which I found to be more than sufficient.
My only surprised was the number of Chinese/Korean tourists at the property.
Cheers!
We were told by our guide that about 80% of the guests there have been chinese for some time now. They get large groups of them.
We did all the activities except the archery
We had a amazing time too and will be back some day.