Dec 12, 2018, 6:51 am
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
Jan 13, 2022, 7:29 am
#1217
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 74
Thanks! I think the main concern is the signal strength throughout the property, especially if there aren't enough access points/repeaters. That, along with the latency to Europe or US based zoom/teams calls could lead to lag and a degraded experience.
Jan 13, 2022, 6:09 pm
#1219
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 443
I shared a similar experience a few posts above; just adding that my experience was also around new year
Jan 13, 2022, 9:50 pm
#1220
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: SFO/JFK
Programs: Hilton: Gold, Starwood: Platinum, Hyatt: Platinum, AS: MVP Gold
Posts: 630
Is it possible to have guests come hang out for a day? We have some folks nearby we’d like to invite over for lunch.
Obviously we wouldn’t expect their meals to be included, but is this even possible?
Obviously we wouldn’t expect their meals to be included, but is this even possible?
Jan 13, 2022, 10:19 pm
#1221
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
theres a security checkpoint prior to entering the reserve where only reserved guests are allowed to enter. May want to email the concierge about this request but I'd think its a no unless youre some VIP
Jan 14, 2022, 1:49 am
#1222
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Plat, Starwood Plat, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Diamond, CO Pres. Plus, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 1,213
email the concierge:[email protected]
Jan 14, 2022, 10:04 am
#1223
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14
Jan 14, 2022, 4:30 pm
#1224
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 47
Was here in Dec for 2 nights and would recommend 3 nights as a sweet spot for us, as its take a while after the drive out and getting oriented to the place ,it would have been nice to have another day to take it all in after we had got settled into the vibe. Highly recommend.
Jan 14, 2022, 5:54 pm
#1225
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 443
We stayed 2 nights. Having arrived at checkin time it was ample time to enjoy the activities and also the spa. We think three nights would have been ideal, as it would have been nice to enjoy the Villa itself and pool for a full day. With the activities, we felt we were always doing something and wish we had stayed one more night-
Jan 15, 2022, 2:59 am
#1226
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
One night is enough to get a feel for the place. Two nights means you get a little bit of downtime in between the meals and the activities. I think you really need three nights plus, in order to enjoy the feeling of properly unwinding and relaxing, assuming you enjoy that kind of holiday.
I'm planning to do a 5-nighter before they ruin redemption rates when it goes dynamic.
I'm planning to do a 5-nighter before they ruin redemption rates when it goes dynamic.
Jan 15, 2022, 1:45 pm
#1227
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Plat, Starwood Plat, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Diamond, CO Pres. Plus, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 1,213
I do tutoring via Zoom, so I'm just looking to have a place - my room or someplace quiet elsewhere - where I can hold my various sessions. Since they're mostly with students in the US, they'll be later in the evening or at night. I do have one student who's based in Greece and one in the Canary Islands.
Jan 20, 2022, 3:30 am
#1229
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Programs: BA Blue, Qatar Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 494
Just an FYI, it seems corkage is 150AED per bottle (they said they are fine with me bring a couple). Not too bad at all considering how much a glass is (we are going for 5 nights and have done a few times, so not sure if the 150AED is the normal price).
Jan 21, 2022, 6:06 am
#1230
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Whether you bring the wine to the restaurant or enjoy it with your meal in the villa, the message I would convey is "make sure you bring enough wine to Al Maha" 
I hate the wine mark-up in the UAE and Al Maha is definitely in the more expensive end in terms of alcohol.
I hate the wine mark-up in the UAE and Al Maha is definitely in the more expensive end in terms of alcohol.