TRIED & TESTED HOTEL
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, Ajman B A C K G R O U N D One of two Oberoi properties in the UAE, Oberoi, Al Zorah, has been open for just over three years. Surrounded by nothing but beach and natural mangroves, it is an urban retreat and well branded as “The UAE’s best-kept secret”. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? There is so much attention to detail, from the hand-crafted wooden furniture and fabrics to wood carvings. There is not an inch of ground uncultivated into breathtaking landscaping. With contrasting textures from wood to concrete, grass to stone, it is a patchwork of high-end architectural design, inside and out. While modern, it stays authentic to its Indian roots, with nods here and there paying homage to the brand’s essence. Trees are resort feature, from olive trees to magnificent towering palms, all interwoven with broad geometric waterways. W H E R E I S I T ? 40 minutes by road from Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International airports, the resort is located on the outskirts of Ajman, the smallest of the UAE’s seven emirates.
Surrounded by nothing but beach and natural mangroves, it is an urban retreat R O O M S I stayed in a premier room with private terrace and ocean view. The design was modern, with an open-plan layout, yet warm and flooded with light from the floorto-ceiling windows leading to the terrace. A walk-in wardrobe, huge sofa, grand bathroom with walk-in shower and standalone bath, were some of the features, as well as tech extras like the iHome system, Apple TV on request, and high-speed Wi-Fi for multiple devices. There are nine room and suite categories, the largest of which is 339sqm three-bedroom pool villa.
F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel has two main restaurants, a poolside dining venue and The Library. Vinesse, for all day dining, offers a huge array of options from authentic Indian cuisine to mouthwatering meats. With outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, it’s a winner for breakfast where the à la carte menu is extensive. Getting even closer to the water, Aquario, on the beach front, serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a seafood emphasis including delicacies ranging from oysters to caviar. The scallops are not to be missed, but the modern take on fish and chips was delicious too. The Library is a cosy space for coffee and snacks, while the pool bar serves a range of food and drinks in a relaxed setting. B U S I N E S S Three business rooms can
be converted into U-shaped or boardroomstyle set-ups. They are equipped with automatic drop-down screens, Wi-Fi projectors, video conference facilities and more. Secretarial, courier, printing and translation services are available on request and a business centre has two private workstations with laptops, desktops and Macs, as well as printers and scanners.
BEST FOR Incredible service and impeccably trained staff
DON’T MISS Sundowners on the beach
PRICE From AED 1,200 (US$320) per night (weekday) for bed and breakfast (for two) in December
CONTACT Al Zorah, Al Ittihad Road, Ajman; tel: +971 (0)6 504 4888; oberoihotels.com
L E I S U R E The hotel has excellent spa
and fitness facilities and offers group yoga classes, table tennis and beach volleyball, all very much suited to corporate teambuilding events.
V E R D I C T One of my favourite UAE hotels to date – and that’s a big statement in a country which punches well above its weight in the hospitality stakes. I felt relaxed literally from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. Melanie Swan
DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
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