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Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]

Old Dec 12, 2018, 6:51 am
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Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]

Old Sep 7, 2018, 9:41 am
  #211  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: IHG - spire amb, Marriot - tit, Radisson - plat, Hilton - gold, Accor -gold, GHA - plat
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by beastieb
What number did you call ?
I called the UK Marriott number, they promptly transferred me to SPG.
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 9:44 am
  #212  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: IHG - spire amb, Marriot - tit, Radisson - plat, Hilton - gold, Accor -gold, GHA - plat
Posts: 282
I have just checked the app for the middle of January. Under the cancellation policy - "the time for cancelling without penalty has passed....". That's like 4 month in advance!
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 10:12 am
  #213  
GVA
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
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Posts: 2,822
Originally Posted by dimon84
I called the UK Marriott number, they promptly transferred me to SPG.
any refund of points ?
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 3:11 pm
  #214  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA LT PLT
Posts: 204
I just made a reservation at 60k/night. So now I'm holding one at 66k and one at 60k. Room type for both is the same, Bedouin King. This is my cancellation policy--WOW!

"Cancel by 4:00 PM Hotel time 30 day(s) prior to arrival to avoid a 90 Night penalty. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes."

On the 66k/nt reservation confirmation:

Special Services for All Rooms:
Rate Plan: SPG Suite Upgrade
DINNER Per Person/per Night
AWARD REQUIRED Per Room/per Night
BUFFET BREAKFAST Per Person/per Night
LUNCH Per Person/per Night
CHARITABLE DONATION Per Room/per Stay
OTHER Per Person/per Stay
Tourism Levy Excl Per Room/per Night

On the 60k/nt reservation:
Special Services for All Rooms:
Rate Plan: SPG Free Nights
DINNER Per Person/per Night
AWARD REQUIRED Per Room/per Night
BUFFET BREAKFAST Per Person/per Night
LUNCH Per Person/per Night
CHARITABLE DONATION Per Room/per Stay
OTHER Per Person/per Stay
Tourism Levy Excl Per Room/per Night
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 4:13 pm
  #215  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Originally Posted by margarita girl
I just booked a 5 night stay for 240K points. My confirmation says this:




I assumed all these things are included. Is that not correct?

Yes all is included.
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 5:14 pm
  #216  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
I had a reservation a two-night reservation for 132K points (66K per-night) I cancelled and rebooked the same 2 night for 120K.
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Old Sep 7, 2018, 5:59 pm
  #217  
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Originally Posted by h8stn4d
This is my cancellation policy--WOW!
"Cancel by 4:00 PM Hotel time 30 day(s) prior to arrival to avoid a 90 Night penalty. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes."
I had similar at a different hotel where I can cancel up to two days in advance without penalty.

If you cancel after 12:00 PM hotel time on Sun, 09 Jun 2019, the forfeiture amount will be a 90 night stay.

Bit of a shocker, isn't it!
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Old Sep 9, 2018, 3:04 am
  #218  
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
Just tried calling SPG about this... twice.

First call: the agent was adamant that Al Maha is still part of the SPG program, SPG is alive and well and its Ts&Cs still apply.
He insisted that it's still 66k per night even though the app and website say otherwise, as it's an all suite hotel.

Second call: agent immediately confirmed that the cost has gone down. She cancelled my old reservation and rebooked at the lower rate in less than a minute. Refunded points are already in my account.
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Old Sep 9, 2018, 2:39 pm
  #219  
GVA
 
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I was able to call and get a reservation for next year adjusted down to the regular 60k per night rate. Took 3 calls though.
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 12:05 am
  #220  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 269
Originally Posted by beastieb
I emailed the property directly and they advised
"the minimum points required is 80000 per night based on full board basis, which includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Two Desert activities per person per stay."
does this mean you won't get any of this if you paid 60k?
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 5:02 am
  #221  
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Originally Posted by randomdude
does this mean you won't get any of this if you paid 60k?
I think this just means that the property can't decide whether the points required are 60,000, 66,000 or 80,000. This kind of thing really should be addressed by now.

For my booking at 66,000 the confirmation definitely highlights the food, but it doesn't mention activities...
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 6:29 am
  #222  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA LT PLT
Posts: 204
Originally Posted by beastieb
I emailed the property directly and they advised
"the minimum points required is 80000 per night based on full board basis, which includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Two Desert activities per person per stay."
Where did you find the email address? Would you mind sharing it? When I made my 66k reservation, i was specifically told (by phone) that the res included everything...2 activities and 3 meals/day.
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 9:20 am
  #223  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: SPG/Marriott Platinum Premier, Skywards Gold, HH Gold, M&M FTL
Posts: 16
Afaik there is no rate at Al Maha which does not include full board and desert activities. Would not make sense for you anyways because you're in the middle of nowhere.
That being said, Al Maha is among the worldwide top 3 hotels for me.
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 1:38 pm
  #224  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Originally Posted by Travelsam
Afaik there is no rate at Al Maha which does not include full board and desert activities. Would not make sense for you anyways because you're in the middle of nowhere.
That being said, Al Maha is among the worldwide top 3 hotels for me.
This is what I also know about the Al Maha. It is an all inclusive.
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Old Sep 10, 2018, 2:20 pm
  #225  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA LT PLT
Posts: 204
Originally Posted by Travelsam
Afaik there is no rate at Al Maha which does not include full board and desert activities. Would not make sense for you anyways because you're in the middle of nowhere.
That being said, Al Maha is among the worldwide top 3 hotels for me.
This may be completely wrong, but:

"Two activities per day were included with the full board price. Note that if you manage to find a bed-and-breakfast rate only, activities were 250 AED (~$68) per person...."

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/12/al-...-hotel-review/

Maybe the rate is for those who have more than 2 in a room, or want to do more than 2 activities a day? Who knows?

I have a bunch of questions I'd like to ask. I sent an email to Marriott a week ago or more asking for an email address for the hotel and haven't heard a peep from anyone.
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