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Al Maha offers an idyllic, adults-only retreat in the pristine desert of Dubai. (Pic: TripAdvisor)
In the 14th edition of the TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards ranked Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa as the best hotel in the UAE.
Millions of reviews and opinions collected over a one-year period are used to create each Travellers' Choice list.
TripAdvisor's list, released last Wednesday (Jan 20), is among several lists of top hotels in various categories.
The following are the 10 top hotels on the UAE list.
Al Maha offers an idyllic, adults-only retreat in the pristine desert of Dubai.
The suites offer traditional architecture and antique furnishings. Each has a spacious bathroom with luxurious amenities and a private temperature-controlled pool with panoramic views out over the sand dunes.
Guests of Al Maha have a choice of 2 desert activities per day including horseback riding, camel trekking, and four-wheel drive safaris.
The tranquil spa is in a lush landscape and offers relaxing body treatments as well as a sauna, steam room, and hot tub.
Al Maha offers gourmet dishes and light snacks, made from fresh organic ingredients. Meals can also be served in the guest rooms.
Hotel Rooms: 42, Hotel Chain: The Luxury Collection by Starwood
Next to Wild Wadi Water Park, with complimentary access for guests, this hotel offers a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi and spa.
Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf's luxurious guest rooms and suites are all located in Arabian-styled houses. Rooms are decorated with furnishings of authentic Arabic style, and have luxury bathrooms.
Facilities of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf include a wide range of water sports and tennis courts. The hotel's spa The Quay Healthclub offers massage treatments.
Madinat Jumeirah has 41 restaurants, cafes and bars. The Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf itself has 3 restaurants – a Thai restaurant overlooking the waterways, an Italian restaurant and also a seafood restaurant.
Hotel Rooms: 283, Hotel Chain: Jumeirah
On Dubai Marina promenade, the 5-star Grosvenor House offers an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi.
The modern rooms and suites include 42-inch flat-screen TVs and floor-to-ceiling windows. The marble bathroom comes with Bvlgari amenities, a soaking tub and rain shower.
Guests have full access to the beach, pool and recreational facilities at Grosvenor's partner hotel, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. A free shuttle service to Le Royal is offered. The Retreat Health & Spa offers a variety of treatments including massages.
The Beach Mall is a 10-minute walk from Grosvenor House, and Emirates Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away. Dubai International Airport can be reached in 20 minutes by taxi.
Hotel Rooms: 749, Hotel Chain: The Luxury Collection by Starwood
Inspired by the great pyramids of Egypt, Raffles Dubai is a stunning landmark in Dubai’s skyline.
Handcrafted ornaments and luxurious fabrics decorate the rooms at Raffles Dubai, each with a generously-sized private balcony with views of the Dubai skyline.
Raffles' spa beckons with a pampering menu to relax and revitalize. It includes saunas and steam rooms. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and an extensive gym.
A shopping adventure lies around the corner as Raffles Dubai adjoins Wafi.
Hotel Rooms: 252, Hotel Chain: Raffles
Situated on 2 km of private beach, 5-star Jumeirah Al Qasr offers extensive landscaped grounds with canal-style waterways, rooms with furnished private balconies and a seafood restaurant suspended over the Arabian Gulf.
Guests relaxing on Jumeirah Al Qasr's private, sandy beach are offered free fresh fruit and cool towels. Talise Spa features overwater treatment rooms. Other on-site amenities includes a large pool complex with dedicated children’s areas and a marble lobby lounge with palm trees.
Free access is provided to Wild Wadi Water Park, which is linked to the Madinat Jumeirah by a canal-style waterway. The hotel is also next to Madinat Jumeirah Souk.
Hotel Rooms: 292, Hotel Chain: Jumeirah
Ideally located a 5-minute drive from The Dubai Mall, this 5-star hotel offers views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. It features a business center, gym and 3 restaurants. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas.
Featuring elegant furnishings and contemporary artwork, the accommodations at The Oberoi, Dubai have a balcony or floor-to-ceiling windows.
Dining options include an all-day dining restaurant, an Indian specialty restaurant and a contemporary Pan Asian restaurant.
Hotel Rooms: 252, Hotel Chain: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
Serenely set within the Liwa Desert, this secluded retreat with stylish desert castle décor offers a breathtaking panorama. It also features an outdoor pool, spa and a gym.
Qasr Al Sarab’s accommodations feature luxury fibers and earthy hues. All rooms have sliding glass doors opening to a terrace with desert views. They have a deep soaking bath, rain shower and a pillow menu.
The hotel’s Desert Excursion Centre organizes camel treks, dune bashing and desert walks. The Anantara Qasr Al Sarab also has a tennis court and a kid’s club for younger guests. Added activities include horseback riding, archery and mountain biking,
After a day of desert exploration, the outdoor pool surrounded with lounge chairs and palm trees provides a refreshing activity. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a relaxing massage at the Anantara Spa or try the authentic hammam.
This desert resort is a 2-hour drive from Abu Dhabi and has free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Rooms: 206, Hotel Chain: Anantara
Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, this 5-star resort boasts 14 international restaurants and bars. Its Roman-themed spa has saunas and 5 Hammam pools. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Guests can sample modern Mexican cuisine, at the award-winning Maya restaurant. Room service is available 24 hours.
To relax, guests at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Dubai can enjoy a swim in the infinity pool or practice water sports. The spa offers various treatments including reflexology, facials and aromatherapy.
Jumeirah Beach Residence is a great choice for travellers interested in beaches, relaxation and food.
Hotel Rooms: 504, Hotel Chain: Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts
Featuring a rooftop pool, Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate offers modern rooms. Complimentary access to Private Beach Club on the Palm Jumeriah with complimentary shuttle service. It boasts 8 restaurants and bars including a nightclub.
The spacious rooms feature a modern, Moroccan-inspired décor. Each comes with a flat-screen TV and a minibar. All rooms are en-suite with a bath tub and walk-in rainforest shower. Free WiFi available for guests.
Guests can work out in the gym, which includes aerobic equipment and free weights. Relaxing massage treatments and facials are offered at the Safar Spa.
Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall is located next to the hotel, Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali are a 5-minute drive away.
Hotel Rooms: 396, Hotel Chain: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
The hotel is just 5 minutes away from Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the Embassy District and Zayed Sports City. It is 12 minutes to Downtown Abu Dhabi and an 18 minutes drive to Yas Island with Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Yas Mall, the city’s ultimate destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Hotel Rooms: 203, Hotel Chain: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts.
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