Review: Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah

If you want a relaxing weekend away from the crowded city life, Fujairah is a good destination to head to. And while you're there, try Le Méridien Al Aaqah Beach Resort, where you will find more than a room and a swimming pool.

With a 230m long golden beach, Le Méridien Al Aqah is a resort with a luxurious touch that you can sense the moment you step into the lobby. This sense will continue with you to your room, where you will see the modern unified style and colours all over the hotel.

Standard and superior rooms are available for guests in the first 14 floors, while members of the Royal Club are accommodated between the 15th and the 21st floors. AME Info stayed in one of the Royal Club rooms, which was spacious with an amazing view of the beach and the swimming pool - one of the biggest in the UAE. The bathroom was quite big with a bath tub separated from the shower.

Le Méridien's Penthouse would be appreciated by big families. With a cost of Dhs15,000 a night, the penthouse consists of a living room, a lounge, three bedrooms, a dining room, one guest room and three bathrooms. This Italian style presidential suit also comes with a Jacuzzi in its main bathroom.

Free wifi was available in the Royal Club lounge for club members. Internet connection was also available in rooms and the business centre for 55 fils per minute.

Dining choices

Taste, referred to as the hotel's signature restaurant, is highly recommended for dining, and it's well known for its delicious roasted crispy duck served with egg noodles and honey sauce. Meaning 'taste' in Indian, the Swaad restaurant offers traditional Indian food with an exotic blend of herbs and spices. Both restaurants also offer good wine lists.

Open buffets are also available at the Views restaurant, with a mix of eastern and western flavours and a venue overlooking the hotel's swimming pool and the beach.

For more exciting evenings, the Astor's Bar located on the 20th floor, will provide guests with a night with the stars that decorates all of its walls. The bar offers a range of drinks including cocktails, beers, wine, as well as non-alcoholic mixes.

While waiting to check in or out, you can always have some tea or Arabian coffee and dates or even just surf the internet in the stylish Tea and Dates area located just in the lobby.

Looking for adventure

If you're looking for some adventure, head to the diving centre, run by Al Boom Diving and join one of the trips the company organises on a daily basis. In addition to diving, you can enjoy other beach sports, including volleyball, banana boat rides, Donut rides, water skiing and boat cruises.

Staying on land, you can visit the health club equipped with gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms, and Jacuzzi.

But best of all, you can head to the spa and choose between the Indian Ayuvredic Centre, supervised by an Ayurvedic doctor, and Spa Al Aqah that offers a range of exotic, Thai, European and Aromatherapy treatments that will leave you feeling completely relaxed.

Spa services are also offered in your own room with just a phone call and the options include some aromatic creamy baths and exotic oil massage sessions bejeweled with candles, rose petals and soft music to ensure a complete indulgence of the senses.

To ensure parents will enjoy their stay, Le Méridien gives kids a special treat through the Penguin Club that arranges special pirate's evenings in addition to a group of daily entertaining activities including animation, movies, and sports starting from 9:00am till 6:00pm.

Outside the hotel, visitors will always have the chance to join traditional dhow cruises or practice mountain biking and hiking in the Hajar mountains of Fujairah, something they are not likely to enjoy in any other emirate.

See also:
Fujairah: a growing tourist destination
Fujairah targets tourism for economic growth