Al Maha Dubai - Bedouin Suite
Al Maha Dubai - Bedouin Suite Bedroom Area
An incredible desert resort that is thoroughly worth of its Marriott Points redemption. With its fantastic perks, breathtaking scenery, and impeccable service, this resort is a must-visit at least once in a lifetime.
Al Maha Dubai - Bedouin Suite
My Sixt Experience in the Middle East
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Abu Dhabi Highlights
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AUH-MCT Etihad Regional Business Class
Oman Air First Class Lounge
MCT-BKK Oman Air First Class
Gate43 Airport Hotel - Deluxe Twin Lake View
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge BKK
BKK-SIN Thai Airways Business Class
One of the aspirational properties to redeem hotel points would undoubtedly be Al Maha Dubai, A Luxury Collection Resort. This is an award redemption that includes 3 meals (lunch, dinner and breakfast) along with two complimentary desert activities!
Hearing of its possible devaluation soon, I opted for a speculative award booking at the beginning of the Middle East's winter period, which isn't excessively cold, especially during the day.
Price: 120,000 Marriott Points redeemed for 1 night.
Check-In
Landing at Dubai Airport, I hopped on the pre-arranged transport, utilizing my Hertz Platinum status obtained through a status match with my Hilton Diamond status. While booking this, I was acknowledging the relatively high cost of private transportation in the Middle East!
After approximately 30 minutes of highway travel, the driver turned onto what appeared to be a sudden sand road at the side. Following another 10-15 minutes, during which I enjoyed stunning desert views, we reached the entrance of the resort. The vast size of the resort became evident as it took an additional 5-10 minutes to reach the lobby.! This wasn't surprising, considering its location in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Throughout the journey, occasional glimpses of wild Oryxes could be seen against the desert backdrop – truly amazing!
Finally reaching the lobby, a staff member promptly greeted me and guided me inside. The lobby was exceptionally beautiful, offering a direct view of the desert – one of the rare surreal moments that felt like a living wallpaper.
The guest manager then escorted me to a private spot in the lobby where welcome drinks were served. Notably, this level of treatment was quite impressive for a mere Marriott Silver member. Subsequently, the check-in procedures were settled, and I was asked if I would like to book any activities from a comprehensive list. Despite some activities requiring additional fees, the complimentary options were already quite enticing.
In the end, I chose the desert hiking tour, which involved getting up super early 😪. Fortunately, jetlag worked in my favor for this activity.
I was then given a brief tour of the resort, using a buggy (the compound is super big!), before arriving at the base level room: the Bedouin Suite!
Room
The 75sqm Bedouin Suite is remarkably spacious! From the room map, I realized that the location is very private, nestled in a private location surrounded by lush greenery near the Timeless Spa. Notably, the more luxurious suites are situated on the opposite side of the reception, appearing closer to the main reception building.
The use of a wooden key for the suite adds a unique touch, although it may feel a bit cumbersome when carried outside.
Upon entering the suite, you will enter the porch area where the mini bar is located. A generous welcome amenity of house-branded whiskey was provided! Perhaps a bit more than one person might need 😂
Continuing into the suite, you'll find an ultra-spacious main living area featuring a comfortable double bed and a seating space that opens up to a view of the plunge pool and the desert landscape. Delightful welcome amenities such as local nuts, sweets, and dates adorn the coffee table.
Concealed within the cabinets are a standard-sized TV and a sufficiently large wardrobe. A functional working desk (but who wants to do work here?!), is conveniently positioned, with a welcome letter outlining the benefits.
The standout feature has to be the outdoor plunge pool, perfectly oriented toward the desert. Heard that wild animals like gazelles and oryxes might visit the pool as a watering hole! The outdoor space also serves as a delightful lounging area, complete with a dining table and loungers for enjoying the pleasant winter temperatures in the evening and early morning.
Bathroom
What better way to complement the main suite than with an exceptionally luxurious bathroom! The Bedouin architecture takes center stage, evident in the intricate wooden doors and tiles that embellish the space.
A generously sized bathtub beckons, complete with bath salts and a luffa for a truly indulgent experience. I found myself spending quite a while here, even opting to watch Youtube while soaking for a longer-than-expected duration (a rare occurrence for someone not particularly keen on bathtubs).
The shower area impressed with its exquisite finishing touches, and the water pressure was nothing short of excellent.
Bathroom amenities were provided by Byredo, fast becoming one of my favorite brands due to their diverse range of scents
The toilet, while basic, lacked a bidet (perhaps a drawback for bidet enthusiasts?).
Lounge
After completing check-in, I called a buggy and promptly headed back to the main reception area. Light snacks, along with tea and coffee, are offered at the Coffee Centre from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, and also in the mornings from 5 am to 8:30 am.
To me, the light snacks weren't exactly "light" and were quite impressive, resembling a substantial afternoon tea spread! One of the more impressive afternoon tea servings.
I also enjoyed chilling around the Bar Terrace, where waiters would take drink orders. The terrace provides a lovely outdoor setting with a fantastic view of the desert.
Activities
As mentioned earlier, guests have the option to choose two complimentary activities. I opted for the evening ATV ride and the morning desert hiking.
I had sufficient time to enjoy the afternoon light bites while waiting for the evening ATV ride, which starts at 5.30pm. Apparantly the camel ride was much more popular, with only a few guests taking the ATV option. The guests on the camel ride left slightly earlier, and after experiencing it, I was glad to have chosen the ATV option. It was more comfortable, and allowing us to reach the main lounging point earlier than the rest. Along the way, I encountered interesting inhabitants of the desert.
Upon reaching the main lounging point, alcohol (champagne of course 🍾) and some light snacks were already arranged. I politely took a glass of champagne offered by the staff and admired the breathtaking desert sunset scenery. The surroundings were surreal and incredibly peaceful, with only our group in sight as the sun set behind the desert horizon.
Stepping on the soft sand was a truly surreal experience, and I totally recommend this activity!
The following morning, I embarked on the desert hiking activity with the same guide who drove the ATV the previous day. With several years of experience at the resort, his knowledge of the desert, its vibrant wildlife, and ecological systems was informative. The early morning temperature was pleasant for me, and I thought that my activity choices were excellent.
Side note: on the way back to the resort, I encountered gazelles up close, grazing on the grass! Additionally, I witnessed a gazelle drinking just as I was about to visit the plunge pool. These were truly amazing experiences that you definitely will not be able to encounter in Singapore!
Just before check-out, I discovered a small informational board near the reception toilet, depicting various birds that visit the nature reserve. Very interesting!
Dining
Wow there’s so much to share about my dining experience here! Let's start with dinner. Upon returning from my ATV ride, I found a delightful surprise on the coffee table – a small box of chocolates. Opting for the convenience of dining in my room, I took advantage of the complimentary dinner delivery service (but of course the food options will be more limited). The dinner menu included:
Arabic Mezze (appetizer)
Beef Biryani (main course)
Date Mousse (dessert)
The dishes were absolutely delicious, and while the portions were generous, I couldn't finish the Arabic Mezze, leaving some for the next day 😄
For breakfast, I headed to the main restaurant after my desert hike. The restaurant offered stunning views, creating an enjoyable ambience with the morning coolness and the sounds of birds chirping.
With my hand-pressed black coffee and juice at hand, I perused the menu, which featured a mix of à la carte hot items and a buffet with continental and local offerings. The variety of honey caught my eye! I went with the "Al Maha" egg shakshuka, banana and oats pancakes, along with a mix of fruits and pastries from the buffet. I have to say that Al Maha Dubai provided one of the most diverse and high-quality breakfast experiences I've encountered in hotels and resorts, absolutely enjoyed that!
For lunch, I enjoyed a three-course meal, including:
Burrata (appetizer)
Dorado Fish and Chips (main course)
Pistachio and Vanilla Hibiscus Mousse (dessert)
The burrata was good, although my all-time favourite remains unmatched (Prego!). The Dorado Fish lived up to its description – tender and with the perfect texture. The dessert was one of the most unique I've tried. It was indeed a great way to conclude this memorable stay!
Facilities
Although guests already have their own plunge pool, they can choose to go to the main swimming pool, which is situated beside the gym. The spa, sauna, and steam room are also housed in the same building. The main pool remained mostly unoccupied, given that each villa has its private pool. The plunge pool (and huge bathtub) proved to be sufficient for my needs. 🏊♀️
There is also a business center situated close to the lobby area.
Service
Service was impeccable! I appreciated their personalized and friendly approach, and they were incredibly accommodating. They allowed me to check out first while enjoying lunch, ensuring I could savour the fully dining experience! I was truly grateful for that.
The activity guide was also very amiable, engaging in small talk during various parts of the activities. The staff at the restaurant and evening reception were equally friendly and welcoming! Thumbs up.
Conclusion
I departed from Al Maha Dubai with reluctance after experiencing one of the most unforgettable stays in a resort. Wished could have stayed longer! It's a must-visit once-in-a-lifetime destination. I plan to bring my missus along for the next stay.
My pre-booked car from Sixt arrived, and I set off for my next destination, another city within the same country.
