We have just returned from our first visit to Dubai spending our first 5 nights at the Al Maha. I have to disagree strongly with some of the other reviews criticising this place, as it truly was "heaven on earth"!
We were greeted on arrival after a long overnight flight, they quickly checked us in and took us down for some breakfast before we retired to our beautiful suite which looked directly over a watering hole, teeming with wildlife (which never needed to be herded by the field guides as was implied in another review!).
After a nap we phoned our field guide who came down to our suite to explain the various activities we could participate in. Thanks to Christelle and the other field guides who made it all so much fun! We did the dune drive, wildlife walk, falconry, archery, sunset drive and wildlife drive, all of which were fab. (Much enjoyed the Oryx Poo Spitting Competition, although you have to have a good sense of fun to be offered this little gem of an extra - stuffed shirts need not apply!!)
As it was around 50 degrees most days, it was too hot to eat outside, although some did! Other reviews have criticised the food for not being 5 star, I have to say we never had a bad meal and we are real foodies! It was all of the highest quality, if it was not on the menu, ask, and they will do their best to provide what you want, the waiter service was fantastic and the birthday cake produced for me was absolutely delicious.
You could eat until you burst - with big breakfasts, 3 course lunches, 5 course evening meals and room service all at no extra cost. Also the laundry service was free, and some of our clothes had never been so well ironed!
The only things needing to be paid for were drinks, mini bar, and spa treatments. There was water available free in suites and in the spa at all times of the day and sherry left in your suite along with tea and coffee making facilities.
If you are a person who needs to be entertained, likes noise or feels the need to mingle with other guests then this place is not for you! It's a real haven of peace where you can completely relax and enjoy your privacy.
Our nights consisted of: a cocktail at the bar chating with Upul, (the friendly barman, who organised my birthday treats and the wonderful Sri Lankan dinner) followed by a wonderful dinner, a nightcap and then bed.
So if you are looking for attention to detail, personal service of the highest standard, good food, interesting wildlife, and above all peace and quiet (apart from the noise of the laughing doves!) then this place is well worth the money.
We will be going back, all be it at a slightly less hot time of year!

We had our honeymoon and I was like paradise. It's expensive but it worths every penny spent. It's a 7-star heaven in the desert. With your private swimming pool you are like a king.

This is without doubt an excellent place to go to truly get away from it all.

The arrival - after about 5km of unsealed roads we get to a beautiful, cool and imposing main lodge (it was 110F outside). We were given a very professional and easy going welcome. They knew who we were and cut short the check-in to take us to the restaurant before lunch closed at 230pm .

The room - After lunch, check-in was completed and we were taken to our room - actually a stand-alone octagonal building, very high quality fittings / bed / furniture / bathroom with an unhindered view of the desert over our own private pool, not huge but enough for a swim. We were not overlooked in any way. Jumped straight in! Complimentary high-speed internet is included.

The service - they must make an incredible effort to remember everyones names and dining preferences. Everyone, down to the gardeners knew our names and that we were vegetarian. We were greeted wherever we went. We have stayed at many top end hotels and this was the best of the best for service.

The food - there is a set menu, with a range of choices and a vegetarian option, but if you fancy something else, they wil rustle it up for you, no bother. For example on day one we didn't fancy the lunch menu option and asked for a penne arrabiata - 15 minutes later they arrived and very good they were too. The barman, Upul, suggested a Sri Lankan curry for an evening meal - it was easily aranged, we were shown a special menu they designed in detail in the afternoon and it was great. He even made special efforts to bring a wider range of vegetarian hor's de ourvres to the bar for us. Wine was not free, but was good quality and well priced for Dubai.

The gym - small, but new equipment and overlooking the shared, larger pool area. They even have one of the new powerplate machines.

The Spa - my wife had a few treatments, collected in one of the house buggy's - they'll pick you up and drop you off anywhere, anytime. She said it was great.

The activities - again very easy going and inclusive. There are a range of options such as a falconry display, sundowners in the desert via camel or 4x4 Landcruiser, visit to the larger dunes / desert drive via 4x4 Landcruiser and so on. Now I'm not normally one for boring staged events, but all were great. The best was the desert drive, with some serious dune driving at high speed, marvellous. Thanks to Dreis, the guide allocated to us at check-in who sorted all of our stuff out, all was done flexibly and knowledgeably. Most of the guides are South African or similiar and come from African lodges, they know their stuff about the local flora and forna, believe me. Al Maha is well respected where they come from.

The departure - again excellent, relaxed and professional. We paid about £500 a night all in, but spent nothing else. We got to see and hear the desert and we got true peace and quiet and total choice over what to do and when.

We stayed at the Burj Al Arab for a few nights after and booked a Rolls Royce Silver Seraph to take us there (about 90 minutes away). They sent a newish Rolls Royce Phantom instead; and much fun it was riding in a $500K Rolls down a dirt track for 5km. You don't get to do that every day.

Al Maha is very good and we will be going back.

We travelled to Dubai in May 2007 for 10 days and stayed in Al Maha Resort for 2 days. We were absolutely amazed. Everything was beyond our expectations. We have travelled around the world but Al Maha and Dubai are one among the best places in terms of 'holiday dreams and being spoilt'. I do not think there was a single thing I could complain about.

The service, food, staff, accommodation, the client centred approach were just out of this world. Everything was possible and everything just worked. You also have your own swimming pool and a lot of privacy! Afterwards, we stayed in One & Only Royal Mirage hotel, Dubai that we highly recommend as well. Dubai is a place we are planning to visit again

Kind regards,