Dec 12, 2018, 6:51 am
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
Mar 3, 2019, 11:31 am
#586
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Accor, CX, BA
Posts: 62
I am not sure when I should stay in Al maha and I am looking for the advice. 
I will stay in Dubai for 5 nights (first time visit), for my first two nights I will be staying in O&O Dubai The Palm, then 1 night in Almaha and 2 nights in the city.
Should I go to Al maha directly from the Palm on Day 3, or I should stay in Al maha for my last night?
Not sure if it is a good idea to go direct from Al maha to airport.
(I made my redemption booking 2 days ago and I got a firmed reply that my booking will include full board and 2 activities.)
I will stay in Dubai for 5 nights (first time visit), for my first two nights I will be staying in O&O Dubai The Palm, then 1 night in Almaha and 2 nights in the city.
Should I go to Al maha directly from the Palm on Day 3, or I should stay in Al maha for my last night?
Not sure if it is a good idea to go direct from Al maha to airport.
(I made my redemption booking 2 days ago and I got a firmed reply that my booking will include full board and 2 activities.)
Mar 3, 2019, 1:53 pm
#587
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Why do we still have this drama? Wouldn't it everything have been cleared up late last year after the initial debacle?
Yes, my bookings made on Feb 19 also now no longer have the same languages in the Rate Details which I have made a screen shot of such.
So here an email is just sent and see what they reply, or not reply.
I used the first email address in the wiki. May be I should use both.
Yes, my bookings made on Feb 19 also now no longer have the same languages in the Rate Details which I have made a screen shot of such.
So here an email is just sent and see what they reply, or not reply.
I used the first email address in the wiki. May be I should use both.
Mar 3, 2019, 5:55 pm
#588
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Accor, CX, BA
Posts: 62
Why do we still have this drama? Wouldn't it everything have been cleared up late last year after the initial debacle?
Yes, my bookings made on Feb 19 also now no longer have the same languages in the Rate Details which I have made a screen shot of such.
So here an email is just sent and see what they reply, or not reply.
I used the first email address in the wiki. May be I should use both.
Yes, my bookings made on Feb 19 also now no longer have the same languages in the Rate Details which I have made a screen shot of such.
So here an email is just sent and see what they reply, or not reply.
I used the first email address in the wiki. May be I should use both.
I booked my room on 1 March and sent a email right after the booking.
first email:
Thank you for the below email.
We are pleased to inform you that the redemption booking will be included of Full board basis.
We have received your booking on the redemption basis, yet the award certificate has not been issued for this reservation XXXXXX
We may request you to call the Rewards Team in order to deduct the points and secure the reservation.
Should you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us.
And here is the second email:
Greetings from Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa!
Kindly note that the booking on the Points Redemption is entitled for 02 adults only on full board basis includes 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus 2 desert activity per person per night.
Should you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Last edited by kcl0203; Mar 3, 2019 at 8:58 pm
Mar 3, 2019, 6:32 pm
#589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Thanks for the info. I also got an email just now from the Concierge address which I recent the email to, both the Reservation and the Concierge.
It is much much simpler than yours. One sentence though good enough to cover the main concerns.
Thank you to your email, your booking confirmation xxxxxxxx is on full board basis + 2 activities per night per person included.
Mine is a PA booking for a December stay because I need the points for a sudden April trip to Japan. Al Maha can wait.
I did voice my displeasure why do we have to go thru the drama again after the confusion last year.
It is much much simpler than yours. One sentence though good enough to cover the main concerns.
Thank you to your email, your booking confirmation xxxxxxxx is on full board basis + 2 activities per night per person included.
Mine is a PA booking for a December stay because I need the points for a sudden April trip to Japan. Al Maha can wait.
I did voice my displeasure why do we have to go thru the drama again after the confusion last year.
Last edited by Happy; Mar 3, 2019 at 7:57 pm Reason: Add Info, Fix format
Mar 4, 2019, 7:10 pm
#591
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Just booked this. I confirmed via email that it is full board and 2 activities. It looks like the Dune Drive and Horse Riding costs extra now. Is everyone seeing the same? Looks like these activities were included in 2016 (per Lucky's post).
Has anyone called Uber from this resort? Wonder how difficult it is to get since it's in the middle of no where. Trying to figure out the best way to get here and also leave.
Has anyone called Uber from this resort? Wonder how difficult it is to get since it's in the middle of no where. Trying to figure out the best way to get here and also leave.
Last edited by cruisingmickey; Mar 4, 2019 at 9:54 pm
Mar 4, 2019, 9:57 pm
#593
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Thank you!!! Do you mind sharing how you got to the resort/how you'll leave? I'm trying to figure out what to do. I'm at the Ritz Ras Al beforehand and going to the PH afterwards.
Would love it if you could share anything else that may be helpful.
Would love it if you could share anything else that may be helpful.
Mar 5, 2019, 12:11 am
#594
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: HGP Globalist, SPG P100, Hilton Dia
Posts: 425
I took an uber from Park Hyatt to Al Maha. It was straightforward but the driver did get a little lost in the end and needed to use the GPS to guide him to the entrance of the park. It costed me 177AED. We took the hotel arranged car when we left the property.
Mar 5, 2019, 12:28 am
#596
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 821
Anything should be aware when rental car in Emirates? they don't come with default 3rd party insurance?
for the StRegis bentley check: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps...gis-abu-dhabi/ they quote AED 1,000.00 for a DXB transfer. Though the distance to the Al Maha is a bit longer.I definitely wouldn’t want to be involved in a road incident in the Emirates, especially if it would involve injured third-parties, so I’m a bit wary of renting a car there.
Mar 5, 2019, 12:31 am
#597
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,281
Yes, and it was not an issue - if you have driven before in UAE and you follow the driving instructions provided by Al Maha especially on which turnoff to take from the highway.
There's ample parking and there does seem to be quite a number of guests doing this. Any basic car will do as there is no need for a 4x4.
Cheers!
There's ample parking and there does seem to be quite a number of guests doing this. Any basic car will do as there is no need for a 4x4.
Cheers!
Mar 5, 2019, 1:49 am
#598
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
If you seriously heart an Emirati citizen in a car incident, I suspect there’s no insurance policy that can prevent you from a few days to a few years in a Dubai jail, regardless of who’s at fault. Not to mention if a death is involved. There have been several anecdotal reports of tourists or expatriates who get into serious disputes with Emiratis ending up in jail or being forcibly deported.
Mar 5, 2019, 4:41 am
#599
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818
If you seriously heart an Emirati citizen in a car incident, I suspect there’s no insurance policy that can prevent you from a few days to a few years in a Dubai jail, regardless of who’s at fault. Not to mention if a death is involved. There have been several anecdotal reports of tourists or expatriates who get into serious disputes with Emiratis ending up in jail or being forcibly deported.
Mar 5, 2019, 4:42 am
#600
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818