Last edit by: margarita girl
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
#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!
#213
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, BA Silver, Aegean Gold, Aeroplan 25k, AA EXP
Posts: 2,822
#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
"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
#217
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
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!
#218
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.
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.
#219
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, BA Silver, Aegean Gold, Aeroplan 25k, AA EXP
Posts: 2,822
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.
#220
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 269
does this mean you won't get any of this if you paid 60k?
#221
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,682
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...
For my booking at 66,000 the confirmation definitely highlights the food, but it doesn't mention activities...
#222
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA LT PLT
Posts: 204
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.
#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.
That being said, Al Maha is among the worldwide top 3 hotels for me.
#224
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
This is what I also know about the Al Maha. It is an all inclusive.
#225
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA LT PLT
Posts: 204
"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.