For more information, visit their website.
Disclaimer : I was a guest of Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort. As always, all opinions are my own.
I just returned from a 2 week vacation in Japan, but for some reason it still feels like I haven't had one in ages. Maybe I'm just been fussy. Lets face it, we want to be on vacation all the time. Now ... if only that was possible. Being in UAE, we are not short of places to explore. If you cant get a vacation, you might as well go for the next best thing - A Staycation!
I have been living in Abu Dhabi for nearly 30 years now and havent fully had the opportunity to explore my city. Abu Dhabi to me starts from Yas Island and ends at Marina Mall ... yup, thats about it! Last week I visited Abu Dhabi's western region.
THE JOURNEY - Stocked up with 4 Chiquitas (the bananas of course) and a pack of Cheetos, we decided to make the big trip to Jebel Dhanna for a 2 day staycation at the luxurious Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort. Google Maps showed a little over 2.5 hours which was probably the longest roadtrip we'd ever have to undertake in UAE. After what seemed like a never ending journey with 2 caffeine breaks, 1 pee break and dodging multiple monster trucks, we finally reached the resort at 5.30pm ... a little later than expected because Mr. D thought he was smarter than Google Maps!
CHECK IN - Thankfully, this was quick. I was rather surprised when the guy at the front desk greeted me with a "Ms Dcosta?".I asked him how he guessed my name. Apparently I was one of those guests with a non-Arabic surname. We were offered a nice cold towel and a glass of fruit juice. It was such a relief from the heat and long drive.
ROOM #404 - I was pleasantly surprised by the size of our room, it was huge. But what impressed me more was the view. Our window faced the big, blue sea. I'm not too particular about views, but heck, if I get one I don't complain! If only we could have this view everyday, sigh. On the table, lay a bowl of fruits and sweet treats sure to bring a smile on any weary traveller's face :D.
Oh, and did I mention that they made this towel arrangement for us as well which I very cheekily placed on the bed ;)
Our room was equipped with a safe and coffee/tea making facilities. The bathroom was spacious and well stocked. The only problem we faced here was with the bath tub. It was pretty high and I almost fell off the first time the I got out. I got the hang of it later.
There were two things in particular that I liked about our room (besides the comfy bed of course), the first one was plants. There were real plants in the room including the bathroom. It certainly brought life to our space. The second one was that all the artwork in the room was about the sea.
BODY & SOUL RECREATION CLUB - Danat Resort has a well equipped gym which I obviously didn't use. I'm the last person to go to a gym when I'm on holiday. But yes, if you're a gym freak, this is for you. They also have a squash court, tennis court, sauna & steam rooms and indoor play area for kids. I, of course had plans of my own. I decided to pamper myself with an amazing rose scented almond oil massage! It was 45 minutes of pure bliss. They do not have a dedicated spa area but just a massage room with one or two therapists. They offer various treatments, so make sure you book in advance.
Beach & Pool - The beach at this hotel needs no explanation. It in untouched! The sand is pure and the water is pristine. We chose to just relax on one of their many beach chairs and imagine that we were in Maldives. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try out one of their many water sports like windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.
I loved their pool a lot, that's where Mr. D and I spent most of our time. Don't know whether it was because they had a pool bar? The water temperature was perfect. They even have a separate area for kids.
Playtime - As I mentioned earlier, the hotel has an indoor kids play area within their health club. They have an outdoor one as well. This is good for families with kids.
If you are a big kid (like me), you can try your hands at chess!
THE HOTEL IN GENERAL- They have a very eye-catching lobby. Basically everything revolves around the sea - the colours, paintings, arrangements. To me, blue is very pleasing to the eyes.
The hotel is green too. It isn't just a sandpit, but a tranquil green oasis with beautifully landscaped grounds. At times, I found some areas to be a bit secluded. Good for me though, as I generally prefer seclusion rather that crowds.
DINING - Well, they have 6 restaurants (pool bar included) and we had an opportunity to try 5 of them.
C-View - The lobby cafe that serves your favourite alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks and pastries. Watch out for the singer that comes there later in the evening. He's got some talent!
Tides - Brekkie was at Tides - their all day dining restaurant. I cannot say that it was a large spread, however, they did have different kinds of cuisine. There was sushi, pizza, muthabel and puri bhaji. There, you've already got 4 different kinds of cuisine. They had a live egg station too with a choice of egg benedict on the menu (which isn't a very common thing).
We also tried out the lunch at Tides, where they feature a live pasta and grills counter. I was not particularly fond of the grilled food, however, their salad and dessert selection were pretty good. Some of my favourites included fried sultan fish, hammour with saffron sauce and vegetable parmigiana.
Friday Beach BBQ - A perfect BBQ right by the beach. I especially loved the mac n cheese and lamb chops. Besides these, there were grilled veggies and salads as well. The food wasn't too bad but what could be improved on here is the setup. Summer has already set in the UAE and some of the tables were places directly under the sun without any sort of umbrella or anything. Luckily, we got a shaded table after we asked the staff to pull our table into the shade! No one there was willing to sit under the sun ... which is quite understandable.
Waves - The hotel's pool bar was fantastic. I had a tender coconut there and it looked something like this.
Couldn't figure out whether it was a mouse or what, but I liked the bartender's creativity!
Zaitoun - Read my review about the hotel's award-winning Italian restaurant here.
L'Attitude Bar & Restaurant - Read more about them here.
SERVICE - What can I say, expect for the fact that it was top notch. From Kushal at the front desk staff to Suchit my therapist, from Craig our server at Zaitoun to Ali at the pool bar. Everyone was warm, friendly and always willing to help. There was a smile on their faces everytime and it certainly made me feel like home.
THE VERDICT - If you are looking for a break from your 9-5 and prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, or if you are a big group looking for some fun under the sun, this is your place. The journey is long but well worth it. Just incase, you do not feel like driving, the hotel also arranges transportation.
For more information, visit their website. Disclaimer : I was a guest of Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort. As always, all opinions are my own.
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We stayed at the Nassima Royal Hotel a week after we got back from our winter break. For those who might now know, Nassima Royal Hotel was previously known as Radisson Royal Hotel. The new name was given about three months ago. We hadn't had a staycation in quite sometime, so this was pretty exciting. And it was good way to recover from the post holiday blues. On the day we checked in, the thing that caught my attention was the elegance and simplicity of the lobby. Not to forget the beautiful Christmas tree in the background. Since all the check in counters were full, we were taken directly to the 42nd floor for check in. Check in was swift. From the 42nd floor, I could see Dubai from a pretty interesting angle. When the staff who checked us in told me that we would be staying on a higher floor, I was ecstatic and already began imagining my view! The moment we entered the room, the curtains opened automatically to a breathtaking view of Dubai. Since our room was at a corner, we had a view of Sheikh Zayed Road as well as Jumeirah Beach. The ceiling to floor windows literally curved in from one end of the room to the other. Our room was spacious and to my surprise, I even spotted a spa discount voucher placed on the bed. I thought that this was a lovely gesture. There was a sheet on the table with a detailed description of the hotel's facilities and restaurants along with the opening and closing timings. Basically, it was all laid there on a plate for us! What I found even more interesting was the bathroom. Well, even it had those long glass windows. Thankfully there were blinds as well. The bathroom was equipped with a bathtub as well as a rainshower. Generally, I do not both about the quality of bathing products hotels use, but I have to when its from "The White Company". Good quality products speaks volumes of a hotel. As we sat in our room contemplating what to do next, our curtains just closed and opened up by themselves. This did happen a couple of time and did get quite annoying. Our room also had a full stocked mini bar. A hotel that stocks hot chocolate always gets my vote! And this one did. After a while we went out exploring the hotel's facilities. Getting to the outdoor pool and gym was quite a task. We had to go to 19th floor, get out and change the elevator. Once we reached the area, the wonderful aroma of Spa Zen drew us in. As we walked towards the other side, the first thing I spotted was the gym and then the pool. We didn't use the gym but it did look like a fully fledged gym. We hit the pool & nearby pool bar. The pool wasn't too big, however I loved the entire setup. I didn't like the fact that the water wasn't warm. There was a Jacuzzi too and the water in the Jacuzzi seemed colder than the rest of the pool. We had to literally hold our breaths before entering the water. Later, while stepping into the pool from a different area I found the water to be more warmer. Oh, and another thing - I think that I might have just found the best place to catch a sunset in Dubai! Before heading for dinner, we thought we'd freshen up a bit. Personally, I loved the rain shower in our room. It had these different nozzles pointing perpendicular to your body sort of like having a massage. The wash basin though left me almost soaked each time I used it. It was probably because of how it was designed. Each time I opened the faucet, the water would touch the base and splash directly onto me. Dinner that evening was at a traditional Italian restaurant called TRE (Read my review on TRE here). Once we reached the room, the lights went off and there was no turning back. It had been a long day. Although I would have loved to check out the pool at night. Next morning, we headed down to the mezzanine floor for breakfast. Celsius, a modern, upscale restaurant at Nassima Royal Hotel serves amazing buffets be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. The spread was excellent. They had a selection of food from all over the world. I was surprised when I saw the traditional Gujarati specialty Dhokla there as well! There were plenty of salads, breads, cheese cold cuts and a live egg station too. The best part of our stay was when the hotel allowed us to have a late check-out. That gaves us time to have a nice nap after brekkie and finally leave the hotel at 2pm. Overall, we had a wonderful stay. The staff were warm, friendly and very accommodating. The hotel is at an excellent location and is ideal for business and leisure alike.
A few weeks ago, Mr. D and I decided to visit ESPA for a Swedish massage. Its been ages since we've had a massage ... so long that I cant even remember when we had one last. This time we opted to have it separately. So, this is my side of the story. We got dropped off to ESPA via a golf cart as the walk was a bit too much for us. And then I realized how beautiful The Ritz Carlton really was. I've always visited them at night and never got a chance to see whats around me. The moment we reached ESPA, we were greeted with a lovely smile by members of the staff. As we filled in the client massage questionnaire, we were offered a cup of the most delicious saffron tea I've ever tasted! ESPA has a very Arabian inspired interior. It was quite evident from the arched walkways and the light fixtures. As soon as we were done with questionnaire, the hubs was escorted to the gents side of the spa while me to the ladies side. Before heading to the changing room, I was given a tour of ESPA. As a guest of ESPA, I could use their beautiful plunge pool and the beach. There's a secluded little corner on the beach for the spa guests. The beach was the only facility common to both men and women. There was a cold shower too (which I obviously wouldn't dare step into). After a quick tour, I was taken straight into the changing room and allowed to change. After a while, Amy, my therapist from Thailand came along and took me to my luxurious massage suite which was located on a lower level. When I entered the room, I was given a choice of two oils - one of them smelt of citrus and the other mint. Being an fan of anything mint, I chose the peppermint oil. I personally loved the idea of choosing the oil. However, I wish we had an opportunity to choose the music too. Not that I didn't like what was playing, but people have their preferences. Once my therapy started, I slowly drifted away into a different world with Amy's gentle touch. During the therapy, she repeatedly asked me whether her pressure was okay or not. To be honest, it was perfect! When I requested for "soft", she kept it soft. Hence, I didn't end up with a sore body after the treatment. Once we were done, I had a choice to stay in one of the relaxation rooms downstairs or move up to where the plunge pool was. I chose upstairs. As I lay there amidst all the greenery and waterfall (yes they have a little waterfall there) around me, Amy offered me a cup of tea and cookies and bid me goodbye. I didn't get an opportunity to use to pool nor the beach and I had to attend a buffet soon after, although I would have loved too. Overall, I had a wonderful and rejuvenating experience. The staff are professional and the spa is super clean. I wouldn't think twice about visiting them again.
I am a big fan of Italian food. Pizza, Ravioli, Pannacotta, .... you name it, I love it! However, most of the time, I order from outside or if I'm in the mood I just boil ready-made pasta and pour in some ready-made sauce . Easy right? Whenever I dine at any Italian restaurant, I always appreciate the work that goes into making that dish. Be it a simple pizza dough and something as complicated as a cannelloni. All these things seem complicated to me because I have no idea about cooking things from scratch. Last week, when the kind folks at 800-Pizza in Abu Dhabi invited me to be their guest at an Italian cooking class, I was thrilled. Finally, I would be able to make something myself. There was one person who was even more excited than I was - That was Mr. D ! His response was, "Go for it, I need Italian food at home"! So here I was, on a fine Monday morning, for my first ever cooking class. Let me tell you a bit about 800-Pizza Abu Dhabi and Cooking@Home. 800-Pizza Abu Dhabi is not new to me or to many Italian food lovers out there. They have branches scattered all over the UAE and do some amazing Italian food. Their Gelato Al Balsamico is to die for. You can check my review about them here. Cooking@Home, on the other hand is an Italian cooking class started by two lovely ladies Francesca and Christina who's passion for cooking brought them together at a totally non-cooking event ... i.e at a language course! They realized that cooking was what they actually wanted to do more than anything else. So, they started Cooking@Home where they would teach others to prepare traditional Italian food at their home or in their clients homes. On the menu today, was Ravioli Con Funghi (Ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and ricotta), pesto sauce, tiramisu and the best of them all - making pasta from scratch! We started off with Tiramisu as that was the only thing that required refrigeration and time to set. Francesca showed us how to make it right from the start. Until today, I was under the impression that Tiramisu was made from cake. Little did I know that they used biscuits in it. The good part is that most of the ingredients used in Italian dishes are readily available here in the UAE. Mascarpone cheese and Savoiardi used in Tiramisu are available at Geant or any other hypermarket. If you do not prefer coffee, you can substitute it with chocolate or a fruit syrup. Alcohol can be used too. After we were done with Tiramisu, we moved on to making fresh pasta ... yup right from scratch. We started off with the dough. This would be used in our upcoming dishes. Since there were only two wooden boards, only two of us could prepare it. I chose to sit and watch. Three ingredients, just three ingredients is all you need to make pasta - flour, egg and salt. Once you make a mound, you make pasta sheets using a pasta maker and you're free to make any kinda pasta you like. We made tagliatelle and some amazing ravioli. We also learnt to make the filling for ravioli ( a mushroom & ricotta mix ). Gosh, I cant believe how easy all this was. For the tagliatelle, we made pesto sauce using fresh basil leaves. There's no need for me to get the ones in the market anymore when I can make one on my own. Who knows what kinda stuff they put into those! A small quantity of pesto can be used for a lot of pasta and the good part is that it can be stored in the refrigerator for a pretty long time. Extra virgin olive oil is the secret! Once we were done with all the preparation, we got to have a really awesome, home cooked, meal. Francesca and Cristina totally changed my perception of Italian food. I was always under the impression that it was loaded with cheese and oil. But when you make it yourself, you know exactly what goes into it. You can make it simple, healthy and tasty too. Cooking@Home is a great way to learn the art of Italian cooking and impressing your guests. Imagine having to tell everyone that you made your own ravioli. Its also fun to learn cooking with your friends or loved ones. Francesca and Cristina are so fun-loving and friendly that they'll make you comfortable right from the start. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner like me or a pro, you'll still have something to learn from them. For more information on their cooking classes and what they offer, click here. Disclaimer : I was a guest of 800-Pizza Abu Dhabi. As always, all opinions are my own.
Did you know that October 16th is celebrated as World Food Day? Did you also know that UAE alone wastes a staggering AED 13 billion worth of food every year? Check out the food waste infographic below ... This food could easily be used to feed thousands of hungry people. Not to mention the environmental impact of all this waste. Wanna know what you can do to reduce food wastage at home ? Read below : 1. Shop smart Buy less food. Simple, right? More often than not, some of the food we buy in the supermarket will spoil before it’s eaten and get thrown away. Even if it’s only a small amount each time, it all adds up. Avoid getting sucked in by food offers you don’t need. Making a meal plan for the week can help. Then write a shopping list containing only the items you know you will use for those meals. And the number one classic piece of advice: never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry! 2. Work with what you’ve got Regularly check use-by dates and make meals using items that are reaching their expiry date. This will help reduce the amount of food you throw out, and the different combinations of ingredients can make for some exciting meals. Check out a site like foodgawker for some inspiration. And remember, if stored correctly, some foods can be safe for a few days after their expiry date. When you make a big meal, save any excess food. It can be your lunch for the following day, or simply a snack for when you get peckish. You can freeze most food in individual portions in freezer bags, too. This can serve as quick dinners in a few weeks’ time when you can’t face cooking! 3. Store food properly Proper storage of certain foods can drastically impact their longevity. Of course, the longer you can preserve food, the less you end up throwing away. You should have a cool and dry cupboard or storage area for any dry, long-life products. Sealable plastic containers, jars with lids, and resealable bags are all ideal for these foods. Choose a container that has adequate space for your produce without allowing too much air inside. Keep your fridge clean and hygienic, and at the right temperature (ideally around 4 degrees celsius) and your food will stay fresh for longer. Get into the habit of rotating your foods in the fridge each time you shop. Bring items from the back towards the front, as these will have the soonest use-by-dates. This prevents anything from being left at the back and spreading bacteria if it goes off. Getting rid of pests like fruit flies - which make your organic produce spoil more quickly - is another way to increase the longevity of your fruit and veg. 4. Serve sensible portions When we eat out at restaurants, it’s normal to get too much food. This has begun to affect our meals at home. Avoid over-serving food when cooking for friends and family by serving smaller portions at first, then dishing out any more to those who are still hungry. You might also try serving food on smaller plates - the same amount of food on a smaller plate seems like more food, as it seems to be taking up more space on the plate.. 5. Reuse, recycle Many items that you might just toss in the trash once you’ve used them still have life left in them. Take used coffee grounds for example - there are plenty of inventive ways you can use them before they go in the trash. such as keeping your fridge odour-free. You can also use old lemons to disinfect surfaces, or even clean the inside of your fridge. You could try composting. It’s nature’s way of recycling food waste. Much of what you would have otherwise put in the trash can go on a compost heap. Check out this simple how-to guide on composting from Eartheasy. Let us work together to reduce food wastage! Disclaimer : This information was provided by www.helpling.ae.
A month ago, we decided to stay at the iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers for our 5th wedding anniversary. We stayed at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi last year, and we were certainly looking forward to staying at another Jumeirah property. We left from Abu Dhabi around 12 pm that afternoon for the long drive to Dubai. By the time we reached the hotel, it was 2pm. While entering, the first thing that caught my attention were those beautiful orange flowers . They were in various shades of orange and scattered all over the lobby. Check in was swift ... and in no time we were in one of those high speed elevators heading to our room. And by high speed, I mean that it took off like a rocket! Once we reached our floor, we walked a bit until we reached the room. About our room .... I was really impressed at how huge it was! It was an usually cloudy afternoon that day, but as soon as we opened the curtains we had the most magnificent view. We had a king size bed and had a number of fully pillows. At the corner was a little desk ( sort of like your own, personal mini workstation ) and a fully stocked mini bar. I was amazed at the choice of tea available ! The bathroom had a walk in shower as well as a bathtub. JET uses my favourite bathing products - Molten Brown. At the side of the tub was a green duck (also known as the Jumeirah duck ) sitting there all by himself. He was so cute, I knew I had to take him home! After settling down, we changed into our gym clothes and headed to the gym. The walk to the gym ... i.e Talise Fitness was pretty long. We had to walk from one tower to the other and had to pass by a number of shops and restaurants until we reached there. After signing up at the reception, we saw this thing that looked like a bookshelf. However, it was not a bookshelf but spectacular a work of art of the wall. I thought that it was brilliant! The gym was packed for a Thursday afternoon, but we did manage to grab a few empty treadmills. It looked pretty much full-fledged! They were a number of machines and something for everyone of any fitness level. After an hour, we headed to our room once again and changed up to visit the pool. Mr. D and I normally visit the pool after the sun goes down. But today was our lucky day, because there was no sun! The pool wasn't too big, but it was nice. There were only about five of us there ... so even better. Next to it was a jacuzzi and a pool bar too. There were "Happy Hours" going on, so we took advantage of it. Mr D ordered a beer for himself and a cocktail for me ... and we just chilled under the lazy afternoon sun ( oops, sorry NO SUN ). Jumeirah Emirates Towers also has access to a beach nearby and Wild Wadi. We were short of time, so we couldn't visit. Besides this they have a number of restaurants within the hotel. We didn't visit any during our stay, however we have visited Tokyo@TheTowers on numerous occasions. They are my favourite Japanese restaurant in Dubai and have the most amazing king prawn teppanyaki! While heading out that evening, I finally managed to get a peak of those beautiful peacocks roaming around the hotel. We reached the hotel pretty late that evening, and there was no more talking. It was a long day, so we headed straight to bed! The following morning, as tempting as the bed was ... we managed to get our butts off it and head for breakfast. Finally, I got a glimpse of the sunlight and thought that it would be perfect to get a picture of our Jumeirah duck! Breakfast was at Mosaico, and was pretty much a feast. We waited for a while until we got a window seat ( I've got this fascination with window seats from flying too much ). Once we were seated, we started! Mosaico had everything from breads to cold cuts, cereals to salads, fruits to hot mains, etc.. Some of my favourites were the steak, veg dumplings, assorted yogurt, steak and fresh honey from the honeycomb. I liked the selection of fresh juices too, especially cucumber and celery. After breakfast, we got back to our room and packed our bags for checkout. We requested for a late checkout, and the hotel staff were kind enough to give it to us. Finally, we were able to catch up on our Friday post breakfast snooze. Check out was a breeze. There were two members of the staff who helped us out ... one of them was Fathima (I'm sure about this one ), the other was a lady from the Philippines ( I just cannot remember her name ). They were so friendly and joked with us all through the checkout process. I've never come across reception staff so full of life. They just made our day. Overall, our stay was excellent. I wish we could have stayed longer...
A little over a month ago, we had an opportunity to stay at a hotel that has always fascinated me. A building that gracefully stands out from the rest on the Corniche, i.e St, Regis, Abu Dhabi. I had stayed at St. Regis Saadiyat Island sometime last year and loved everything about it. So, I was definitely looking forward to staying at this one. On the day of our staycation, Mr. D checked us in while I stood in awe staring at the Grand Staircase in the lobby. What a masterpiece! No matter how many times we visit St. Regis I have to take a million photos. Check in was swift, and once that was done we headed to our room. Our room faced the sea. We had a beautiful view of the Marina at one window and the city at the other. The room looked magnificent. The linen on the bed looked rich and fit for royalty. I knew that I was in for the best sleep that night. I loved how the hotel made us feel welcomed with a little welcome message on the TV. One of the hotel staff also took some time to explain to us more about our room, the hotel facilities and St. Regis signature butler service. Moving on to the bathroom. The first thing that caught my attention was the big, beautiful chandelier. Our bathroom was pretty big and it had all the essentials that you'd expect from a 5 star hotel. It had a bathtub as well as a rain shower. I simply love the brand of bathing products and creams that St. Regis uses - Laboratoire Remède. I remember using them at St. Regis Saadiyat Island. They smell divine. The best part of the bathroom was that the mirror operated as a TV as well. It had its own remote control and you could actually watch the TV from your tub. This was totally new to me. Everything about the hotel was beautiful. As we waited for the elevator, I couldn't help but admire the sheer elegance around me. Later that evening, we decided to explore the hotel's recreation facilities. There's a gym and pool in the same building as well as one across the road. To access Nation Riviera (which is just across the road), you would have to go through an underground tunnel. There's a private beach there in addition to a pool, gym and children's play area. Unfortunately, we didn't visit Nation Riviera, but we did explore the facilities within the hotel itself. They have a full fledged gym with a view of the pool. First, we hit the gym for a quick workout followed by a relaxing dip in the pool. The pool wasn't very big, but it was nice anyway. Personally, I loved their over water sunbeds! For dinner, we explored some of the restaurants in the adjoining tower. There are quite a few in the hotel itself and even at Nation Riviera. However, we had an event that evening and didn't have much time to visit. Villa Toscana, the authentic Italian restaurant is definitely worth a visit. . That night we wanted to avail St. Regis signature butler service but we were too exhausted from the events that day. All we could thing about was a nice warm bath and a good night's sleep. We had availed this service at St. Regis Saadiyat Island. Just for your information, the St. Regis butler is your personal in-house butler. If you're too lazy to make coffee or tea, just give them a call. If you need help with packing your bags, they're there to help you. Nothing is too big or too small for them. The real trouble here started the following morning. Mr. D had to head to work. He wanted to have a nice shave and shower before heading down for breakfast. To his bad luck, there was no water in the bathroom. We called up the reception and they said that they would send someone over in 10 minutes. Even after 10 minutes, there was no sign on anyone. After a second call, someone finally comes over. It seemed that there was no water on 10 floors, including ours. So the staff who came to help us out took Mr. D to another floor to have a shower. It was kind of a messy situation to be in on a working day. Atleast at the end everything went okay. Breakfast that day was at The Terrace on the Corniche. The setup of the restaurant was beautiful, just like the rest of the hotel. They had an outdoor area as well. Breakfast was a feast. You had everything - salads, cereals, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, bread, pastries & other stuff. However, my favourites were the quiche and granola parfait. They had a pancake and waffle making station and a live egg counter. What surprised me most was that we had an option of ordering Eggs Benedict too. Not many restaurants have Eggs Benedict in their live egg counter menu. It's always either fried, poached, omelette, scrambled, etc. I opted for the one with ham instead of salmon. Gosh, it was fantastic! The staff were very friendly. Mr. D had to run to work so he left early. I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed. After breakfast, I got back to our room and relaxed for a bit before packing up. This time, I checked out as Mr. D was at work. Check out was quick. I had to tell the staff about the water issue and she seemed aware of it. Overall, we had a wonderful stay. We were treated very well from the moment we checked in until we left. I wish we had more time to explore some of the restaurants in the hotel and Nation Riviera too. I guess that would just have to wait.
I love staycations! They are probably the closest thing you'll get to a vacation and are easy on your pocket. So, when the team at Centro Sharjah invited me over to stay at their property, I was delighted! For those of you who might not know, Centro happens to be a brand under the popular Rotana group. They've got hotels scattered all over the UAE & GCC and are expanding rapidly. I've stayed in a number of Rotana hotels in the past and have been thoroughly satisfied with their service. So I knew I was in for a treat! This hotel is conveniently located 5 minutes away from Sharjah International Airport and is a perfect haven for travelers who want to experience luxury at a budget. As we entered the hotel premises, I was greatly impressed by what I saw. There was a beautiful fountain and lush greenery surrounding the hotel. With little walkways in between, it almost looked like a mini garden, I could have easily spent hours admiring the beautiful nature around me if it wasn't for the dreadful heat! The other thing that impressed me was the ample "covered" parking space around the hotel. You heard me, "covered" parking. Atleast we didn't have to worry about the burning hot steering & the ouch's while sitting down! Anyway, we chose to park the car ourselves rather than use their valet service. The interior of the hotel was simple, yet sophisticated. With elegant furnishing and modern decor, it had a very professional look to it. I love how Centro Sharjah brought the great outdoors inside, with plants and water features. It certainly bought the hotel to life. Although we were booked in for a studio room, the staff at the reception were unaware of this. I assumed that there was a slight miscommunication here. So, it did take a little longer than usual to check in even though we arrived at 2 pm. We were told that the room wouldn't be ready until 2.30 p.m. However, to our luck, our room was ready in less 10 minutes. I was certainly impressed by the reception staff's quick response. Our studio room was quite big, considering that this was a budget hotel. It was bright, squeaky clean with ample space. It had a kitchenette, a comfy couch, a queen size bed and an attached bathroom. As soon as we pulled back the curtains, we had a beautiful view of the pool surrounded by lots of trees. It looked like we were in the midst of a tropical oasis. The bathroom was equipped with basic essentials and had a separate walk-in shower. The kitchenette had a microwave, fridge and a kettle. Coffee, tea and water were complimentary. However, I do wish that they'd included some cutlery as well - perhaps two plates and spoons/forks? I loved the mini dining table attached to the kitchen. It sure felt like home. The room also had a built in safe and a large LCD TV that could be rotated according to our convenience. Wi-fi was complimentary, so I began showing of my room on Instagram right away ;). I cannot begin to tell you how comfy the bed was. Experienced sleepers ( Mr. D ) tested it almost immediately and gave it a thumbs up! Centro Sharjah also have a little gift store and an ATM inside the hotel. So, you don't have to worry if you've forgotten to buy a gift for your loved ones or run out of cash. They've got your covered. They also have an internet station. The are two restaurants at the hotel - C. Deli and C. Taste. C. Deli is open 24 hours and offers a variety of light bites. We were booked in on a full board basis. So, I had the opportunity to try out the delicious buffet at C.Taste. The day we arrived, we were lucky enough to experience the Friday brunch. With plenty of salads, mains and desserts we were spoilt for choice. In the salad section, I personally loved the idea of making my own Caesar salads. This was probably the only time in my life when I went for a second round of salad at any brunch. I loved the heart of palm and shrimp salad as well. For my mains, I opted to try out the food from the live cooking station. A live cooking station is the best thing that any buffet can have. We tried out the tandoori chicken and grilled creamy dory. Not only did they taste good, but were beautifully presented. Local specialties such as harees were also a part of the brunch. From the array of desserts that were there, I tried out the sticky date pudding. My oh my! It was absolutely delicious. Definitely one the the best sticky date puddings that I've had in a long time. Later that day, we went around exploring the hotel's recreational facilities. The hotel has a fully equipped gym that overlooks the pool. I used to gym during our stay because I couldn't bear the thought of that delicious food accumulating around my waist! There was a separate changing room for men as well as for women with a sauna facility. They were clean and well kept. The gym here is open 24 hours. While I was at the gym, Mr. D took advantage of the pool. The pool was surrounded by loads of greenery (just like the entrance of the hotel), it was simply beautiful. There was a separate swimming area for kids as well. Near the pool was a jacuzzi and a table tennis area. After we finished our gym & swimming sessions respectively, we played a bit of table tennis before heading back to our room. Oh & by the way, the pool at Centro Sharjah is open until 10 p.m. If you're a night owl, this is perfect for you! During dinner time, the entire dining space around C. Taste was beautifully lit up. The lights on the palm trees looked gorgeous. Some of the salads during the dinner buffet were repeated from afternoon. However, there were many others that were unique. The egg salad was a sight to see and great on the palate too! The mains comprised of Indian, Arabic and continental delights. Once again, I opted to try out the grilled food from the live food station along with butter chicken, steak and baked fish. This time, in addition to tandoori chicken I tried out the kebab as well. It was pure perfection. As for the desserts, the beautiful chocolate cups definitely stood out! After a long day, we headed straight back to our room and off to bed! The following morning, we were at C. Taste yet again for brekkie! I wouldn't dare step out of my bed at 8 a.m on a weekend, unless there was breakfast involved. This was going to be our final meal at C. Taste before checking out. They also had an outdoor dining option too. It would have been great to enjoy our breakfast near the pool in the midst of all that greenery. Sigh...maybe during the winter. Breakfast options were plenty with a live counter for egg. My personal favourites were the Potato Rosti and the Shakshanka with Lamb (sort of scrambled eggs & lamb). The channa puri wasnt bad either. The staff ensured that the food was continuously been re-filled. There was one thing however, that stood out ... and that was the date jam. Centro Sharjah makes their own date jam from the dates harvested in their own garden. It is 100% organic and free from chemicals. I found this to be absolutely brilliant - idea-wise and taste-wise! We checked out of the hotel at 12 p.m. Check out was swift. I was handed over my security refund and we out of there in less than 5 minutes. All in all, we had a fantastic stay. The staff were warm and super friendly - from the reception to the restaurant and even housekeeping. Centro Sharjah is definitely a great choice not only for travelers, but residents alike. For more information, click here. Don't forget to follow Centro Sharjah on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Disclaimer : I was a guest of Centro Sharjah. As always, all opinions are my own.
Last August, I received a gift certificate from Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah during their monthly promotion. It was for a two night stay in their two bedroom suite. I availed this voucher exactly a year later. I know, I know ... it took me one year to decide. But I'm the kind of person who keeps things until the last minute ... the greatest procrastinator the world has ever known! But you know what, something good did come out of it. Last year, I didn't have a blog and this year I do. So now, I can atleast share my experience with you. This wasn't the first time I stayed at Jannah. However, it was the first time that I would be staying for two days in a row. That meant, double the fun and double the relaxation. Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah is located in the protected area of Abu Dhabi's Eastern Mangroves. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is an ideal place to have some peace and quiet and yet get in on the action. At the entrance of this luxurious hotel apartment is a lovely little fountain surrounded by numerous palm trees. Once we entered, we found ourselves right under a long, majestic chandelier and immediately headed towards the check it desk. Check in was quick and soon enough we were escorted to our room by a wonderful "Karim". Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah do not have bellboy, and offer a more personalized and luxurious "Karim" service. Their Karims are trained to help you out in any way that you want - from unpacking your suitcase to even arranging a candlelight dinner for you in your balcony. Even though we just had one bag, our Karim insisted that he'll help us carry it to our room. We got a little tour of the room as well by our Karim. I was just as impressed this time as I was the last time we stayed here. Since it was a two bedroom suite, I even got my brother along to spend the weekend with us. Near the entrance was a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, fridge, cooker and dishwasher. From the kitchen, we could see the huge living room with plush sofas and a TV. The living room which was decorated in soft tones had a little balcony with garden furniture and had the most beautiful view of the mangroves. This two bedroom apartment is ideal for families with kids. The rooms are massive. The master bedroom had a king size bed and a balcony as well as an attached bathroom. These stylish bathrooms are well equipped with all the necessary toiletries that includes bathrobes, toothbrushes, vanity kits, etc. They even had a bathtub and a rain shower. The only difference in both the bedrooms was that one of them had twin beds and it didn't have a bathtub. Both the rooms had a safe as well as a TV. So, you could just relax on your bed, watch a movie and go to sleep! In addition to the two bathrooms, there's also a little guest toilet near the entrance. Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah do not have any restaurants of their own. However, they are tied up with Eastern Mangroves Promenade that offer a number of dining options. You can choose from a variety of restaurants serving Italian, Indian. American, Arabic and other cuisines of the world. Besides these restaurants, there's a supermarket too. So, you can just pick up groceries from Waitrose (the supermarket) and possibly make your own meal. The hotel also offers a fully equipped gym and a stunning rooftop pool. We did not use the gym. However, we did visit the pool. While the guys took a nice dip, I just lay back on the sun loungers soaking in some sun. For those who prefer a bit more adventure, Jannah also organizes various water activities like donut rides, kayaking, etc. And ladies, if you're looking for some pampering, The Nail Spa and Marquee are there to take care of you. Overall, I had a fantastic time here. I was impressed with the impeccable service, incredibly comfy beds and squeaky clean rooms. Highly recommended! For more information, click here.
A little less than 3 weeks ago, we drove for nearly 2.5 hours for our next staycation at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Resort in Fujairah. It was a lovely drive through the endless mountains of the northern emirates. However, the journey from Abu Dhabi seemed excruciatingly long and we were hoping that our two day stay would be totally worth it. The entrance to the hotel was simple. But hey! don't let that fool you. Check-in was swift and while we were there, we were offered a glass of chilled apple juice. It felt so refreshing after the heat and long drive. ROOM - Our room which was a Royal Club room was on the 17 floor of the building. The moment I entered the room, I saw "BLUE". Yes, the Indian Ocean was right in front of me. And even before exploring the room, I headed straight to the balcony to enjoy a breathtaking view. All the rooms here face the sea while the other side faces the mountains. Our room was spacious and bright in shades of grey, red and white. It gave us a homely feel. The beautiful work of art on the wall caught my attention. The bathroom was spacious and well equipped. The only drawback was that the AC didn't seem to work well on the first day. However, when we informed the staff they immediately sent the technician over and got it repaired. We enjoyed complimentary wi-fi too. During our stay, the talented housekeeping team surprised us with a towel dog and a heart made of roses. Something that we really loved and appreciated. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES - Le Meridien Al Aqah has a lovely swimming pool and a beach. The pool has a shallow side for the kids as well as water features. Do not miss out on the delicious cocktails in their pool bar! We explored the beach too. As we waddled in the waters of the Indian Ocean, we saw a number of people enjoining water sports like parasailing, doughnut rides and other cool stuff. For kids and teens, there were larger than life size games such as snakes & ladders and a little cinema as well. DINING - The hotel has a number of restaurants and bars. So, there's plenty of dining options if you are staying here on a long term basis. We tried two of the restaurants during our stay - Taste and Gonu. The buffet breakfast at Taste was good. It wasn't too big but it had everything that you'd expect from a buffet with a kids corner too. There was a live egg station and a choice of fruits, salads, cheese, cereals as well as Indian stuff like puri bhaji. For dinner, we headed to Taste again. This time we didn't opt for buffet and chose a-la-carte instead. The menu had a good selection of dishes from around the world. Their creamy seafood soup is a definite must-try! We visited Gonu Bar & Grill for dinner on the second night where we enjoyed scrumptious seafood by the beach accompanied by lovely music. To our luck, the weather seemed pretty good that evening. And even though we were outdoors, it was comfortable. The grilled squids at Gonu were absolutely delicious. The squids were so fresh. Gonu also arranges romantic candlelight dinners for couples on the beach. The setup was stunning! CLUB LOUNGE - Since we stayed in a Club Room, we were allowed to access the Club Lounge. I loved the Club Lounge for its view. Soft drinks and warm beverages were available throughout the day. However, light snacks were served only for a hour in the evening, which I found rather disappointing. Some of the hotels that we'd stayed in earlier (including Le Meridien) served finger food atleast thrice a day. The selection of snacks were good though. Plenty of sandwiches, quiche, sweet treats and more. Later, we were told that they do prepare sandwiches on request. However, it was too late. Overall, we had a great stay. The staff are super friendly and the service is great. With the exception of a few minor details, we were very well taken care off. The resort is child-friendly and offers a great getaway for residents and tourists alike.
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