Business Platinum Card from American Express
130,000 MR points
Review: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Room Type
Bedouin Suite
Elite Status
Marriott Titanium
Date
May 2019
Rating
Middle East 2019
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23 Comments
Middle East 2019
- Booked: A Journey Through the Old World
- Impressions from Middle East 2019
- Review: St. Regis Istanbul
- Istanbul, A Cultural Crossroads
- The Captivating Caves of Cappadocia
- Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul
- Review: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
- Visiting the Pyramids on a Cairo Layover
- Review: W Amman
- Exploring Amman & The Dead Sea
- Review: Petra Marriott Hotel
- The Ancient Rock City of Petra
- The Crimson Sand & Stone of Wadi Rum
- Review: Sheraton Oman
- Review: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- The Decadence & Delight of Dubai
- Review: W Dubai The Palm
- Review: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse B)
- Review: Emirates 777 New First Class Geneva to Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse A)
- Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Toronto
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Are there any problems or downside to booking during the month of Ramadan?
Nothing major that we experienced during our Ramadan visit. Only small things like the afternoon snack spread being housed in a separate room from the main lobby and patrons being asked not to bring their food outside of the small room, etc.
Thank for a very detailed report Ricky. Can I ask if, by any chance, you know the complimentary room service dining that you mentioned still there now? If so, does it mean we can order this any time of the day in addition to the three complimentary meals per day that we are receiving?
Hi Ricky, Excellent report. What did you do for tips in a resort like this?
I’m normally pretty casually about tipping, but at Al Maha we were extremely impressed by Kiran (the head waiter)’s service so we left him a $20 in an envelope at the end of our stay.
We were there a couple of years ago, just prior to the Marriott takeover. Indeed a most enjoyable hotel wiuth the activities they provide. The falconry was quite informative though more of a demonstration than anything else. We really enjoyed the desert drive and the dune bashing (not for the easily motion sick).
While I loved the experience I’m not certain I personally would be able to do more than four days, as I feel it would be a bit derivative. With that said, I also use the caveat that we were there in the dead of summer and it would rapidly hit 50C midday, so there was not much to do except lounge and cool off (I like walking around).
In that time we did not have enough points to book our stay. For those in similar predicaments but perhaps with some extra funding on hand, there are often 3 nights for 2 or 4 nights for 3 offers using a Mastercard which is what we used at the time. As we went in the dead of summer the room cost was less and the expediture was not as difficult to swallow.
Great review and wonderful timing for me.
I’ve got a 5 night stay for 240k point coming up this weekend – my last points redemption since the devaluation.
If any other readers will be there would be great to meet up to share travel tips!
Just completed my 5 night stay. By far the best resort I’ve ever stayed at.
I could go on and on with my positive comments but suffice to say I will be returning here one day, whether on points or cash.
A few tips:
-Excursions: Falcon show, Desert drive, and Camel ride are a must. For the Camel ride, lean backwards (not forwards as in the above article…you’ll regret it otherwise). Skip the nature walk, it was a lame walk around the resort with limited information.
-Food/drink: FYI sparkling water is ~9 USD a bottle. We assumed it was complimentary. Alcohol in general is also expensive but sparkling wine and beer are complimentary once you reach the dunes at sunset as part of the camel ride.
Finally, this resort is also a great option for non-Elites since all meals are included.
Did I say forwards? I meant backwards. Forwards and you’re eating sand.
Fixed that.
Would you have stayed longer than 3 days if you had the time? I’m considering doing 5 days, but I’m on the fence considering what’s available, and how much value there is to sitting around getting fat :p
Yes absolutely. I was regretting not doing 5 nights at the end. But that’s just me – I have the flexibility to get my work done in the presence of the precocious gazelles, after all, so I’d have a blast for 5 days.
Other friends of mine as well as some people on FlyerTalk seem to think they’d just get bored out of their minds if they stayed 5 nights.
What a beautiful setting … and thank you for sharing your Middle East trip with us. I am looking forward to my stay in February. I understand Al Maha covers a vast area. Do you have a resort map to visualize the layout of individual Bedouin Suites?
Totally agree Ricky, hands down the best use of 60,000 points per night I have ever used! I ate so much food I was struggling to finish my food by the end of my stay. I also thought the fee for the 4×4 excursion was worth it. So much fun! The starry night sky view from my private heated pool is something I will never forget.
Awesome review! I stayed here a couple of months ago and I left with the same feeling. I only stayed for 1 night (due to time constraints) but I do not regret it at all.
@kyle As for transportation, I rented my own vehicle at DXB and found that the drive was pretty similar to North American driving. Traffic was only around the airport area but beyond that it was a smooth ride
Thanks for the detailed review Ricky.
You timed your review perfectly – I got 5 nights in Al Maha coming up in November!
Like Kyle said, would you mind sharing the transportation options and their costs to/from the resort from/from the city/airport?
Thank you!!
Hey Ricky, great review. Do you mind sharing the cost of transportation to and from the resort? I’m heading there in the new year and trying to figure out the best way to get to and from the resort both efficiently and cost conscious. Thanks!
Either hiring a driver or renting a car would be best. I arranged a driver through GetTransfer.com, although there are many other similar services in Dubai. Both the rides from W Dubai The Palm to Al Maha and from Al Maha to the airport came in at around US$55–60, which is much cheaper than what Al Maha’s private transportation would’ve cost.
Awesome thank you so much. I’ll look into GetTransfer
Did you consider using Uber? Just wondering why you chose GetTransfer.com
Uber was ~300 AED (~US$80), and would only be available going out to Al Maha and not on the return journey anyway.
Thanks Ricky. Just booked a round-trip from a DXB airport hotel to Al-Maha on GetTransfer. Will report back on my experience so other readers have another DP.
I can confirm GetTransfer was a great option. Ended up booking with a carrier called Executive Limo. Pick up and return were on-time and went very smoothly Price was $102.00 return. Gave a small tip to both drivers.
Thanks so much Jules!