Dar al Masyaf is beautiful hotel within the extensive Madinat Jumeriah complex. It comprises a series of villas modelled on old Arabian summerhouses, set amidst meandering waterways, peaceful gardens and exclusive pools.
Each summerhouse contains a number of spacious guest rooms with roomy balconies which overlook the canals, gardens or face out to the Arabian Gulf. Sit on the balcony and experience a palpable serenity or relax in your sumptuous room complete with king bed, tiled floors and an extravagant bathroom boasting exquisite Amouage toiletries.
Guest rooms are arranged around a majilis, or traditional seating area, in an open air courtyard with cool tiles and trickling fountain. Complimentary evening sundowners and snacks are served here by the villa butler or, when the summer heat makes sitting outdoors uncomfortable, in the indoor majilis where you can mingle with the small number of other guests in the villa – many of whom will count their visits to this gem of a hotel in double digits.
Travel around the complex is by golf buggy or by abra – a small wooden boat. Just make a call from your room and your transport will be with you almost immediately. Gliding almost silently along the beautiful waterways in an abra is a unique Dubai experience that is not to be missed.
Madinat Jumeirah resort is modelled as a small Arabian city and features 40 restaurants, a souk (market) in traditional style, an award winning spa, a gym as good as any independent health club, and Dubai’s longest private beach. It would be easy to spend your whole holiday here without the need to leave.
One of Dubai’s most loved hotels, Dar al Masyaf, combines tranquillity and exclusivity with the facilities of a resort. In a city blessed with an abundance of luxury hotels, Dar al Masyaf is unquestionably one of the best.
From US$490 with breakfast
– Getting around the resort’s beautiful waterways on an abra
– Stunning views of Burj al Arab from the long private beach and around the resort
– Feeling of exclusivity and tranquillity but with a large resort’s facilities on hand
– Villa butlers were sometimes hard to locate
Steve and Candice
Review Team
An all-inclusive five-star club that feels like a grand old hotel. Meliá Varadero has 490 rooms in a five-storey pyramid surrounding an open-centred column with hanging gardens lit by a large skylight. The best rooms — The Level — are on the fifth floor, where there’s special VIP services too.
I was treated to an almost unbelievable suite during my visit. It had the best view you could imagine from a bathtub, overlooking Meliá Varadero’s long white sand beach. While the bathtub had jacuzzi jets, if I’d had time I could have also enjoyed another jacuzzi on the huge balcony with views of the Caribbean sea in not one but two directions. My balcony would be an ideal place for a cocktail party, or just lounging in the sun in privacy. The multi-roomed suite had a living and dining room, large bedroom, two bathrooms, a walk-in closet and three entrances to the deck.
Spectacular!
Meliá Varadero has several restaurants to choose from, so guests staying for a week (or more) have plenty of selection. I chose seafood for my dinner at Fuerteventura Restaurant — it was delicious. Guests also have a buffet restaurant, a steak house, a Japanese restauarnt, another specializing in Creole and seafood, another in paella and Mexican cuisine, as well as snack bars near the pool and beach, and several places for cocktails. The Level guests also have a private lounge which serves a large continental breakfast as well as snacks and drinks in the day and evening. Room service is available for The Level guests at no extra charge.
Meliá Varadero has a beautiful pool, with swim-up bar of course, right next to the main building, which you pass on the way to the beach. The snorkelling right in front of the hotel must be great: there’s easy access from the white beach, and the area next to the small cliff on which the hotel sits is perfect for sea life.
Other facilities include tennis courts, a fitness centre, beach volleyball, video games room, kids club, wedding and conference facilities.
Stays usually combined with airfare; consult your travel agent
– Wifi in The Level rooms — a rarity still in Cuba.
– I got to try a new fruit — mamey!
– Special green fees at the Varadero Golf Club, right next door.
– The main elevators can be a bit slow, but the side elevators are usually empty.
– Colours in rooms give a 1950s vibe — matching the vintage cars throughout Cuba — but might not be to everyone’s taste.
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
Not far from the famous Monkey Forest, Alaya Ubud is in the heart of the bustling Balinese arts and cultural city of Ubud. Alaya Ubud features gorgeous rooms, delightful Indonesian and international cuisine, a beautiful pool, and the award-winning DeLa Spa.
The local Balinese culture is reflected in the overall beautiful design of the resort. Rooms are thoughtfully decorated with bamboo accents. The spacious “Alaya Room” I stayed in featured a gorgeous bathtub in a unique setting. Excellent natural lighting, a lovely balcony, and comfortable bed made for a wonderful stay. Freshly picked flowers on the bed and a jackfruit snack were notable small touches. I loved the unique in-room kimonos, in lieu of the typical hotel bathrobes.
The on-site DeLa Spa was voted as the “Best Luxury Spa Group” in Indonesia by the World Luxury Spa Awards. Enjoy relaxing massages and a number of spa treatments at DeLa Spa. Lounging poolside at the Alaya Ubud was lovely with its comfortable sun loungers and helpful staff. It’s the prefect place to cool off and relax for the afternoon.
The Petani Restaurant, which features the finest Indonesian and international cuisine has wonderful dining options throughout the day. I enjoyed fresh breakfast choices and a gorgeous lunch, and I was happily surprised when the staff went above and beyond to cater to my plant-based vegan diet.
Always looking to improve the guest experience, the resort is currently undergoing an exciting property expansion. The project brings new accommodation features such as a second swimming pool, gym, kids’ club, wedding pavilion, and a new restaurant set within an exquisite antique Javanese joglo set in the picturesque rice fields. The exciting improvements should be finished by July 2017.
From US$100 per night. Rooms include daily afternoon tea, fresh tropical fruit, turn down service, air-conditioning, along with many other amenities.
– Beautiful outdoor pool.
– Cuisine at The Petani restaurant was unforgettably delicious.
– The warm and welcoming staff who were always happy to help.
– Construction noise from current resort upgrades – to be completed by mid-2017.
Katherine Wright
Review Team
Sitting right on the ocean, Meliá Habana has spectacular views of the bright blue sea. There’s no beach here, but no need — the spectacular pool beckons.
Meliá Habana has the biggest pool of all of Havana’s city hotels — it looks like a river meandering through the palm trees. Part of it flows under the main building, so you’ll have no fear of sunburn while enjoying its cooling waters. Around the hotel’s three pools and lush gardens, there’s plenty of space to work on your tan too.
The hotel’s 397 rooms are well equipped and have large balconies, many with views of the sea. All rooms come with wifi (free for The Level) as well a minibar restocked daily. Junior suites and suites have hydromassage tubs too. As with other Meliá hotels, The Level has even nicer space with special extras, better views and extra services such as a private restaurant and free 24-hour room service.
Meliá Habana has an abundance of places to sit back and relax. A sports bar and cigar bar cater to specific interests, and the lobby bar has light snacks and drinks under its flying red heart airplane decorations. You can choose to dine at several restaurants including the Miramar for breakfast, lunch and dinner, La Scala for Italian, La Bella Cubana for Asian fusion, and Vadado for The Level guests. El Cobo, at the pool, is perfect if you don’t want to change out of your bathing suit. And no matter when you’re hungry, you’ll find à la carte snacks and a grill at the 24-hour Bosque Habana.
If you’re coming to Havana with kids, Meliá Habana is a few metres from the National Aquarium and a short distance to the Trompoloco Circus and La Isla del Coco children’s fun park.
Stays include free shuttles to Old Havana, a UNESCO world heritage site, throughout the day and evening.
From US$250, though stays usually packaged with airfare; consult your travel agent
– Fabulous staff
– One of President Obama’s first stops on his March 2016 visit
– Great if you want to be able to see the ocean, but don’t care if you swim in it
– None!
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor