Last edit by: margarita girl
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
#526
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 41
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
#527
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
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Posts: 2,827
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
If one’s goal is to visit Dubai they just stay one night less at Al Maha and stay at one of the numerous properties you can get for 200-400 AED a night.
Plus the time assumes your car is parked at the resort and note the gate - if it’s at the gate then you’d need to add time for your ranger to drive you to the gate. Honestly it’s doable but pretty stupid.
#529
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Posts: 102,095
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
From what I've read, I believe it's 45 minutes to an hour. I wouldn't say that's prohibitively far if you get a rental car. I've driven that far to get dinner and a lot of people spend more than that on their daily commute to work. Is length of commute the only reason people recommend not taking day trips to Dubai?
#530
I do echo what the others have pointed out about using Al Maha as base to explore or get into Dubai
- it's a waste of time
- traffic into the city and out can be a nightmare based on the different hours of the day
I would just divide the stay into 2 - staying at Al Maha and the rest for the city. Even with your own car, it is not the most convenient thing to do. The only maybe logical one is if you want to do a few hours at some of malls on the outskirt of the center - like the Outlet Fashion Mall or the Dragon mall. Even for this I would still think it is a waste to drive in/out of Al Maha since it does take some time just to get back onto the tar roads.
Cheers!
- it's a waste of time
- traffic into the city and out can be a nightmare based on the different hours of the day
I would just divide the stay into 2 - staying at Al Maha and the rest for the city. Even with your own car, it is not the most convenient thing to do. The only maybe logical one is if you want to do a few hours at some of malls on the outskirt of the center - like the Outlet Fashion Mall or the Dragon mall. Even for this I would still think it is a waste to drive in/out of Al Maha since it does take some time just to get back onto the tar roads.
Cheers!
#531
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
I am not sure I agree with your logic. The OP said that they would extend their stay from 3 to 5 nights, so I would assume that they would go into Dubai for two of their days. If they instead spent those two nights in a Dubai hotel at an equivalent level hotel, they would be spending an additional 60,000 Marriott points, ttpically valued at about 0.7 cents each, or equivalent to $420. They would also be buying breakfast and dinner, so for two people, maybe $200/day, so $400, making the total equivalent outlay roughly $820. That is decent pay for 4 hours of driving.
#532
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
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I am not sure I agree with your logic. The OP said that they would extend their stay from 3 to 5 nights, so I would assume that they would go into Dubai for two of their days. If they instead spent those two nights in a Dubai hotel at an equivalent level hotel, they would be spending an additional 60,000 Marriott points, ttpically valued at about 0.7 cents each, or equivalent to $420. They would also be buying breakfast and dinner, so for two people, maybe $200/day, so $400, making the total equivalent outlay roughly $820. That is decent pay for 4 hours of driving.
the al maha is not the type of place i would use to just come back & sleep at night....the charm of the resort is to spend time in it....3 nights is more than enough for this place....
#533
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: SPG platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 41
I am intended to book this hotel before March 5th. The problem is that we have two kids. Does anybody know about whether the hotel will accommodate a family of 4 in one room? I called the hotel and they said the maximum can stay in one room is 3 persons. It seems odd not allowing a family to stay together.
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
#534
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXPPLT, United 1K, *wood PLT, Delta Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Southwest A-list
Posts: 392
I am intended to book this hotel before March 5th. The problem is that we have two kids. Does anybody know about whether the hotel will accommodate a family of 4 in one room? I called the hotel and they said the maximum can stay in one room is 3 persons. It seems odd not allowing a family to stay together.
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
#535
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 64
I am intended to book this hotel before March 5th. The problem is that we have two kids. Does anybody know about whether the hotel will accommodate a family of 4 in one room? I called the hotel and they said the maximum can stay in one room is 3 persons. It seems odd not allowing a family to stay together.
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
Anybody get similar experience? Much appreciated!
The rates listed on the Marriott website (cash and award) are for 2 adults. Additional people in each room will cost 1600 AED (~435 USD) per night.
#536
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: SPG platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 41
The (2 bedroom) Royal Suite and Emirates Suite fit 4 people. The (3 bedroom) Presidential Suite fits 6 people. Unfortunately they are not available for award redemptions.You would either need to book 2 Bedouin Suites with points or pay the cash rate for one of the larger 2-3 bedroom suites. Also, you don't mention their age, but children under 10 are not allowed at Al Maha.
The rates listed on the Marriott website (cash and award) are for 2 adults. Additional people in each room will cost 1600 AED (~435 USD) per night.
The rates listed on the Marriott website (cash and award) are for 2 adults. Additional people in each room will cost 1600 AED (~435 USD) per night.
#537
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
You can also order to your suite. The setup in the suite is quite amazing, it's like they bring the full restaurant setup to you. A lifesaver our first night, to just order off a menu and it all shows up perfectly shortly after.
Hi all. I've booked for two nights in September with my partner...same sex. We are both VERY respectful of local customs where ever we travel and have obviously booked twin beds. Anyone in a similar situation been, and were you treated as a normal guest and made to feel comfortable, or was it an experience to be forgotten?
Not sure whether the local staff could tell or not. Either way, the staff was insanely gracious and so nice to us - consistently. He and I slept in 1 king bed and no one batted an eye.
I would not be worried at all. It is a luxury resort and the GM is Dutch and quite available in the lobby. He's a very nice gentleman and the staff emulate his luxe professionalism.
The avocado smoothie is so good and all the juices/smoothies are included during breakfast - no extra charge. Try them all as they are wonderful.
Other pro tip for food: We met the Executive Chef and he is formerly from the Burj Al Arab. He is a true professional and the food was excellent. We also met the F&B Director - also super professional, super nice, super hospitable. Everyone who works there, including management, love the guests and are happy to speak to you.
I have some Middle Eastern descent and asked the Chef if he could make a local specialty for our last day's lunch - the Chef went above and beyond and made a 5 course lunch including handmade local desserts. It was stunning and delicious and all the guests were super envious of our clearly-not-off-the-menu food spread at lunch that day.
Finally, you can order more than 1 appetizer or more than 1 dessert. We were never charged for the extras [but we offered to pay every time; we also slept through at least 1 meal service one night]. Then again, we had one of the original/best Guest Relations Coordinators, and she commented at the end that the staff appreciated that we treated them very nicely, too, and they knew us both by name and not just suite number.
This hotel is the experience of a lifetime. Don't think about it or worry about anything - just book and go. You will love it. And I am not easily impressed.
#538
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I am not sure I agree with your logic. The OP said that they would extend their stay from 3 to 5 nights, so I would assume that they would go into Dubai for two of their days. If they instead spent those two nights in a Dubai hotel at an equivalent level hotel, they would be spending an additional 60,000 Marriott points, ttpically valued at about 0.7 cents each, or equivalent to $420. They would also be buying breakfast and dinner, so for two people, maybe $200/day, so $400, making the total equivalent outlay roughly $820. That is decent pay for 4 hours of driving.
It does not make any sense to use Al Maha as a base to explore Dubai other than the perception on "getting the $ value" more than the 0.07c per point obsession.
The dirve back and forth is NOT practical even with your own rental car.
Inside Dubai high end properties are not expensive whehter by $ or by points even if one's "priority" of a trip to a new place is somewhat twisted, staying at Dubai for the 2 days to explore / enjoy Dubai would not break the budget.
#539
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
One other thing. I was surprised by how well the AC worked in the suite we had.
I went when temps were in the 80s max in fahrenheit, but thats still warm for me.
Setting the AC to 16C and cranking the fan to max actually made the room ice cold and I had to turn the fan down and the temp up a bit!
But even stuck in your suite, the view and pool are gorgeous.
Lots of European hotels could learn from Al MAHA - if they can build strong AC systems in the middle of a desert, European hotel agents need to stop excusing their crappy AC systems that barely work.
I went when temps were in the 80s max in fahrenheit, but thats still warm for me.
Setting the AC to 16C and cranking the fan to max actually made the room ice cold and I had to turn the fan down and the temp up a bit!
But even stuck in your suite, the view and pool are gorgeous.
Lots of European hotels could learn from Al MAHA - if they can build strong AC systems in the middle of a desert, European hotel agents need to stop excusing their crappy AC systems that barely work.
#540
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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Europeans are not that keen on ice cold hotel rooms. So why should a hotel with an anual average of 90% European guests invest for the few who love to sit in a refrigerator? Our climate is modest, we do not see minus 40 in winter and plus 50 in summer, so we have AC for a modest climate. Al Maha is different, they need AC anyway and they need aircon that can deal with 45° C outside - something we hardly see in Europe,