Last edit by: margarita girl
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai [Master Thread]
#601
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: West Coast, U.S.A.
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium; UA Silver
Posts: 75
We used the transportation service at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers to get to the Al Maha and plan to use Al Maha's transportation service to go from the Al Maha to the airport (DXB). The driver had been here before so he did not get lost.
#602
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
https://airportstaxitransfers.com/tr...-Dubai-Airport
Is anyone tipping their field guide?
#603
These guys are fairly competitive for transportation. $55 from airport to Al Maha.
https://airportstaxitransfers.com/tr...-Dubai-Airport
Is anyone tipping their field guide?
https://airportstaxitransfers.com/tr...-Dubai-Airport
Is anyone tipping their field guide?
Cheers!
#604
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 821
#605
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
Like any major city, can be busy at peak periods and light at off-peak. Around the Al Maha resort and surrounding areas there is virtually no traffic. What is your route?
#606
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Accor, CX, BA
Posts: 62
bad news ...
i made my Al Maha booking with the point advance function at 60k points + 20AED.
After they modified by schemee, my booking was change to 85k points + 20AED.
Are they allowed to do that?
i made my Al Maha booking with the point advance function at 60k points + 20AED.
After they modified by schemee, my booking was change to 85k points + 20AED.
Are they allowed to do that?
#607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
There was was a lot of discussion as to whether or not Marriott would honour PA rates for hotels whose category increased. I believe they said yes, but who knows. You will have to call in when you want to apply your points.
#608
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
Just completed a 5 night stay and thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Arrived late one night and was assigned a king bed Bedouin suite facing the watering hole. I forgot to change my reservation to 2 beds when my friend decided to join me. King bed was immense but thought I’d ask for a suite with 2 beds. I was upgraded to an 1800 sq ft Royal Suite for the final 2 nights. It’s basically 2 identical Bedouin Suites (one with a king, one with 2 singles) with an extra foyer and living room joining them. Wonderful!
The food in the restaurant was outstanding. After the first day, I was offered a vegetarian menu and a healthy eating menu every meal. My friend who is not a vegetarian, raved about the Wagu beef, lobster, prawns, etc.
We took full advantage of the activities by booking 2 every day. On top of that, we took a yoga class, used the gym, did a private tour of the camel farm and did a dune bashing drive (loads of fun). We loved our field guide, Nathan.
(For those who are concerned about animal welfare, the camels seem to be well treated. They are housed in large, clean outdoor pens with shelter from the sun and are bathed every other day. The males and females are segregated and the dominant males are kept in separate pens even though they are all next to each other. These are retired racing camels and many bear barbaric branding and other scars from their previous life but no fresh wounds. They weren’t wearing the nose covers that they wear out in public and many of them gently nuzzled my hand when I reached into the pens. The camel jockey used a floppy piece of black plastic tubing to guide the camels (no sticks or bull hooks). There was even a 2 yr old baby at the farm as one of the female camels arrived pregnant.)
The resort pools are all kept at 31C so very warm for swimming. When we weren’t eating or doing an activity, we did some walking around the property or out to the watering hole, and just enjoyed relaxing by our pool.
Note that the evenings can be quite cool (12-14C) so make sure you bring something warm to wear.
I don’t have a single criticism of this wonderful property or its staff, and it was an absolute steal at 60K pts/night.
The food in the restaurant was outstanding. After the first day, I was offered a vegetarian menu and a healthy eating menu every meal. My friend who is not a vegetarian, raved about the Wagu beef, lobster, prawns, etc.
We took full advantage of the activities by booking 2 every day. On top of that, we took a yoga class, used the gym, did a private tour of the camel farm and did a dune bashing drive (loads of fun). We loved our field guide, Nathan.
(For those who are concerned about animal welfare, the camels seem to be well treated. They are housed in large, clean outdoor pens with shelter from the sun and are bathed every other day. The males and females are segregated and the dominant males are kept in separate pens even though they are all next to each other. These are retired racing camels and many bear barbaric branding and other scars from their previous life but no fresh wounds. They weren’t wearing the nose covers that they wear out in public and many of them gently nuzzled my hand when I reached into the pens. The camel jockey used a floppy piece of black plastic tubing to guide the camels (no sticks or bull hooks). There was even a 2 yr old baby at the farm as one of the female camels arrived pregnant.)
The resort pools are all kept at 31C so very warm for swimming. When we weren’t eating or doing an activity, we did some walking around the property or out to the watering hole, and just enjoyed relaxing by our pool.
Note that the evenings can be quite cool (12-14C) so make sure you bring something warm to wear.
I don’t have a single criticism of this wonderful property or its staff, and it was an absolute steal at 60K pts/night.
#609
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Accor, CX, BA
Posts: 62
That is normal. Even for people who booked and paid with points, the reservation will now show 85K pts.
There was was a lot of discussion as to whether or not Marriott would honour PA rates for hotels whose category increased. I believe they said yes, but who knows. You will have to call in when you want to apply your points.
They will firstly deduct 85k points and return 25k to my account afterwards. i.e. I cannot confirm my booking with 60k points only
#610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,754
The normal way handling PA booking is to add the point difference into your account and IMMEDIATELY issue the eCert on the same call.
You should do the HUCA thing and keep calling until you find a competent rep / supervisor knows how to do it.
#611
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Accor, CX, BA
Posts: 62
That is not how normally done.
The normal way handling PA booking is to add the point difference into your account and IMMEDIATELY issue the eCert on the same call.
You should do the HUCA thing and keep calling until you find a competent rep / supervisor knows how to do it.
The normal way handling PA booking is to add the point difference into your account and IMMEDIATELY issue the eCert on the same call.
You should do the HUCA thing and keep calling until you find a competent rep / supervisor knows how to do it.
i just called again and the call was handled by another person
he was able to proceed the booking and the eCert was just issued.
#612
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 821
arrive Dubai Airport at midnight and drive to AI Maha, there's no toll road, right?
the activity is reserved when I check in, right? or should I email them in advance?
Thanks!
the activity is reserved when I check in, right? or should I email them in advance?
Thanks!
#613
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
I think there are 7 included activities. You have to choose which one you want to do, so if you want to do a 06:30 activity, you should email them. Archery is midday.
#614
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,754
I know it is very frustrating that many CS reps are ill-informed, not properly trained. However we as the customers, armed with the knowledge. would know what is right what is wrong and need to stand up to protect ourselves.
Enjoy the stay.
#615
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 149
I called in March 4 to complete the reservation for 240,000 points but due to one issue or another, the points were never deducted from my account. The CSR insisted everything was good and the e-cert was issued. I called back once a day for the next 3 days and all CSR said everything was good but I knew it wasn’t since no points were deducted.
Finally reached a competent CSR who added the 100,000 points needed to complete the reservation and the points were deducted immediately. He also added 10,000 points as a goodwill gesture.
Answer is HUCA many times.
Finally reached a competent CSR who added the 100,000 points needed to complete the reservation and the points were deducted immediately. He also added 10,000 points as a goodwill gesture.
Answer is HUCA many times.