I’ll say it right off the bat — I loved Al Maha Resort, the Starwood Luxury Collection property just outside of Dubai. It was one of my favorite uses of Starpoints ever.
Continue reading: Review: Al Maha Bedouin Suite
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The bathroom and especially the toilet look really dated in my opinion. Not sure how that fits to the rest of the property...
Hi Ben,
Do you have to book by March 8, or stay by March 8? I just tried to call SPG to book for October, but they quoted me 60k a night and said they had no idea about this promotion. Thanks for your help!
To be fair, those are Daybeds. Also, what does "behind"mean? Was it, sort of to the left or right to the room?
Seriously, you sometimes provide some good information but your overuse of Daily Mailisms is rapidly detracting from the good.
Hmmmmm.... Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed at the look of this resort; a place I *thought* I wanted to visit. I'm fortunate to have stayed over the past decade at about a dozen of the best wilderness camps and lodges in Africa, including Royal Malewane, in South Africa's Kruger National Park (where Elton John honeymooned); the River Club, on the Zambezi, in Zambia (popular with British royals); and Little Vumbura, in Botswana's vast Okavango Delta (one of the most stunning camps in all Africa). The architectural design and interior decoration of these five-star properties - all of them located literally in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by stunning vistas and every imaginable breed of wild animal - is of such a high caliber that Al Maha, frankly, from the photos you've posted, pales in comparison.
After this and the previous review I can safely conclude that we do not share the same aesthetic sense. But hey....there's room for more than one. Those bathrooms though....straight out of the 80s.
@ Leo -- And it wouldn't usually be my style either, but there was something that worked about it with the location. If it were a modern bathroom like a Cathay Pacific "cabana," it wouldn't really fit into the environment.
@ Greg -- Sorry if that wasn't clear. If the bedroom is oriented a certain direction (based on how you'd be in bed), it was behind it. So it was immediately behind the headboard of the bed.
@ tim -- It's only valid for bookings and stays through March 8, 2016, though I suspect the promotion will return again later this year (assuming things with Marriott don't screw that up).
Very impressive and a good value, indeed. Look forward to the next installment.
Ford hit the jackpot with you! Hope you have a good prenup.
More seriously - good review. I agree with the others - I"m a little disappointed. But it's more important that you enjoyed your stay!
Does the resort offer any sort of stargazing activities? Dubai is so close that I would fear its light pollution would diminish the glory of a desert night sky.
Lucky do you take any precautions traveling as a gay couple in the Middle East booking king beds? Goes against everything I always read.
@ Nickn949 -- Have no issues booking a king bed whatsoever, in particular at western hotel brands. See this post:
https://onemileatatime.com/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-the-uae/
The UAE is very different than Saudi Arabia, Brunei, etc.
@ Imperator -- Didn't seem to be a published activity, though I could be mistaken.
The gazelles are not wild, they have been placed at the resort, wild gazelles will not come this close to humans.
Did you go with your partner? Have you have found your experiences in Oman and UAE in terms of gay-friendliness? My husband and I are afraid to go....
@ Dave -- FWIW, our villa was on the other side of the resort, on a bit more of a ledge, and didn't have any gazelle visitors. So you could probably ask for a less-accessible villa.
Not Sure why my comment was deleted, but Ben, since I know you are a big fan of Emirates, you should check out this video from a former Emirates FA about what it is like to work for the company.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFhl-HMgXnU
Six Senses resorts are not for everyone. A couple of years ago when there were protests in Thailand, we took up a great deal to stay in Chang Mai at the Chedi, and at Six Senses Yao Noi (an island off the coast of Phuket). I was apprehensive about Yao Noi - the images made it look a little rustic, but given that we were paying about half the usual rate, and were getting our own compound and pool - it seemed a reasonable deal.
We got upgraded to a villa with an ocean view, and the experience was fantastic. Although the 'rustic' decor was not to my taste, it actually worked for the overall concept. Service levels were superb. We had our own 'Butler' who made sure our every wish was dealt with. For instance, at the time I was a bit of a diet coke addict. 'Coke' does not really fit within the resorts environmental ethos - but our Butler, just went down to the town and stocked the fridge with Diet Coke, at no charge. For our spa booking - it was raining, so without being asked, a covered gulf buggy was sent to transport us.
At Yao Noi, they also set us up with a boat trip around the islands, with beachside picnic. This was a stunning experience, executed with apparent minimal effort. Stunning.
Our 7 night stay was one of our most relaxing holidays ever, and I was truly sad to leave. So in short - don't dismiss the 'enviro' concept of six senses resorts out of hand. You might be very pleasantly surprised.
I chose Banyan Tree Al Wadi a couple of years ago over this property and with the images above I am SO GLAD that I did.
Please try to review the Banyan property for your readers. It was a phenomenal experience with fabulous architecture and interior design, and similar amazing environment. It is 85kms from Dubai International Airport. We were collected by a car arranged by the hotel...a nicer way than a taxi which apparently costs AED450.
We stayed in the Al Sahari Tented Pool Villa (the best of the accommodation) and were thoroughly spoiled. I had read poor things re the service levels, however, having raised this with the GM prior to arrival may have made the difference for us! It was faultless. Great restaurants, cocktail bar (incl a roof top bar).
I appreciate that just being in the desert would have given you an awe inspiring experience, however, with beautiful design and interiors it can be so much more. Personally I could not stay in the rooms that you portray above. Spoiled? Maybe but fussy. I too have had amazing experiences in South Africa (mainly the wonderful Singita properties) and New Zealand (eg: Huka etc), however, even with perhaps lesser operators the stunning location and décor/architecture of the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort in Ras Al Khaimah is as good in its own way.
You can see that you have reminded me how good an experience we had! And how glad I was to have not been lured to the SPG property!
I now recall some most interesting staff from all over the world (even Bali where I have a private villa). Some were a bit green but they had the capacity to become very good with experience, which they are gaining whilst moving around the world with Banyan Tree. It is amazing how forgiving you can be if you appreciate that they are only learning, and I can tell you we then received amazing service and care because we cared about them.
Would not need the suite, I'd just stay outside by the pool with the gazelles 🙂
Really cool!
@Pamela Hayes: 100% agree with you. However, US bloggers are about redeeming points in American properties. Thus, forget about getting reviews of a Banyan Tree which is a no points property.
@Pamela Hayes - Banyan Tree is my favorite hotel chain. The design, location, and service all combine for unforgettable vacations time and time again all around the world. I only wish more of them would join the Virtuoso preferred network.
I'm thinking to visit around march 18. I guess I'm out of luck with the promotion. Any chance it will be extended?
@Mike_E
You should read the comment to video that this airhead vegan, fair trade social conscience Greek girl made.
Seems she did not understand that the 2K a month included the free apartment rent etc.
She seems the type to sign a contract without understanding what it means.