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Sir Baniyas vs Banyan Tree vs Qasr Al Sarab vs Al Maha?

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:31

Is anyone lucky enough to have visited them all and can help me choose where to book? Its for a special occasion (me and husband) so I really want it to be worthwhile - we've never been to anywhere like this. Our main requirement is privacy i.e. we'd like a private villa with a pool that cannot be seen by anyone else and is not overlooking anyone else. Can anyone help :o)

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651

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 05:25

Been to 3 of those and Al Maha tops my list! Also love the fact that you can have a private dinner or breakfast arranged on your deck :) And the midnight swimming under a full moon - bliss!!!

crystalsindubai

713

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 02:33

It is...

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:49

Never forget the full moon night spent at Al Maha... about 3.30 am knock-knock-knock... Fench windows open... now who's walking on our terrace? So, veeery carefully I looked out - and saw two gazelles locking horns on our "green"! What an amazing sight right in front of our eyes, we watched them for good part of the hour until they drifted away.... Wow! This place sounds like a dream!

crystalsindubai

713

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 19:45

Never forget the full moon night spent at Al Maha... about 3.30 am knock-knock-knock... Fench windows open... now who's walking on our terrace? So, veeery carefully I looked out - and saw two gazelles locking horns on our "green"! What an amazing sight right in front of our eyes, we watched them for good part of the hour until they drifted away....

1403

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 17:09

Al Maha is absolutely amazing! And if you go through the height of summer it'll be ok. We went in July and just made sure they made the water in our pool heaps more chilly, which they did and it was so nice. It was too hot to do the activities included as I was pregnant at the time, but we were not there for the activities, we just wanted to chill out. Enjoy!!

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 16:07

Thanks everyone. Privacy is definitely our top priority so it looks like we'll go for Al Maha. Can't wait now!

95

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 14:57

Not Qasr Al Sarab. DH and I stayed there in November - we had actually booked a deluxe room, so in the main hotel but with a large private terrace, but no private pool. Anyway, because we ended up complaining within an hour of arriving about various things going unacceptably wrong, we were upgraded to a pool villa. The room was lovely, as was the pool, but it wasn't that private - there was another pool villa right next door with only a kind of rush matting screen between our garden and theirs. And if you walked out to the edge of the terrace at the same time as next door, you ended up right next to them! It was also possible for hotel guests standing on their balconies to see into our "private" garden. I have heard Al Maha is wonderful and very secluded, as well al Zighy Bay.

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 11:58

We've been to Al Maha and Sir Baniyas and Al Maha is far nicer and very private. The spa is lovely there too. We went in June and while it was too hot in the middle of the day it was nice by the pool in the morning and evenings. Dh arranged it so I'm not sure what we paid. Bab Al Shams is also nice but again Al Maha is much more private and special. Enjoy!

789

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 23:26

More like 60% discount (but don't quote me, as maths is not my strong point! lol) - totally worth it to wait for the summer deals. Bab Al Shams had a great offer on last summer too for GCC Residents - included 1 hr massage for 2 and breakfast (which was great) and it was quite cheap. Have fun!

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 23:19

Trying to remember what we paid...think it was around AED2400 for 1 night and the web prices at the time were AED5600 approx. per night, so a good offer I think (for a one off experience). We did the camel ride just before sunset and the jeep safari early in the morning, around 6.30-7am as I remember - both were nice! It was still humid, but the coolest time they could possibly do the activities, so bearable... That's nearly half price! I'll definitely wait :o) Sounds amazing! I'm excited :o)

789

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 23:15

Trying to remember what we paid...think it was around AED2400 for 1 night and the web prices at the time were AED5600 approx. per night, so a good offer I think (for a one off experience). We did the camel ride just before sunset and the jeep safari early in the morning, around 6.30-7am as I remember - both were nice! It was still humid, but the coolest time they could possibly do the activities, so bearable...

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 23:05

I have found that usually they won't take extra money off the stay if you are already booking the offer, but you could try it! - why not? Yes, we went last summer for the summer special and it was very hot, so it's nice to have a base tan if you are planning on sunbathing. Failing that, there are several activities you can do there - they offer you 2 included activities per nights stay (such as sunset camel ride with drinks in the dunes, falconry, nature walk, jeep safari, etc). Your food is included too, so that can take up a few hrs of your stay. There's a spa also. Was the summer special a lot cheaper than normal prices? If so I may just wait. Also did you do the activities (falconry etc) during the day, and was it ok in the heat?

490

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 23:01

Zighy bay resort in Oman looks gorgeous too. You can get a private villa with your own pool...

789

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:58

I have found that usually they won't take extra money off the stay if you are already booking the offer, but you could try it! - why not? Yes, we went last summer for the summer special and it was very hot, so it's nice to have a base tan if you are planning on sunbathing. Failing that, there are several activities you can do there - they offer you 2 included activities per nights stay (such as sunset camel ride with drinks in the dunes, falconry, nature walk, jeep safari, etc). Your food is included too, so that can take up a few hrs of your stay. There's a spa also.

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:48

Al Maha does look lovely! On the website it has a stay for 3 pay for 2 offer... could I be cheeky and ask for a residents discount on top of that? Did either of you go in the summer and was it bearable? <em>edited by dairylea on 06/04/2011</em>

789

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:42

Re: the discount - I check the web prices, see if there are any offers anywhere (i.e. Entertainer, Gonabit (not used this, but used as an example) and then simply ring the hotel direct and ask if there are any UAE/GCC resident discounts. I have only been to Al Maha so far, which was great and totally private - I'm sure other posters will be able to help you with choices between them all...There are usually lots of hotel offers in the hotter summer months - if you can wait until then...

73

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:38

Al Maha ! is amazing love love love it ! been to Baniyas too but thats a hotel and doesnt have private villas never been to the others

197

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:32

P.S. How do I go about getting a 'resident discount' without making a fool of myself?

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