Sun, sea, sand and shopping … these are some of Dubai’s biggest attractions, and there is no shortage of any of them in the popular Jumeirah Beach area. This is where some of the city’s best hotels are situated, including the award-winning Habtoor Grand Resort. The resort overlooks the white sandy beach and the Arabian Gulf – however, it is not only the panoramic views here that will impress you.
Private Beach
The Habtoor Grand Resort is part of Marriott Hotels’ Autograph Collection, which is synonymous with luxury and grandeur. Featuring sumptuous interiors, abundant facilities and its own private beach, the 446 rooms are spread over two towers, named Sunset and Sunrise, and face either the beach or the gardens.
Hotel Grounds
We arrived at the hotel in the morning, exhausted after an overnight flight from Portugal. To our delight, our rooms were ready, and we were treated to an early check-in and breakfast at the Club.
Hotel Entrance
After a hearty breakfast, we headed to our rooms, dropped onto the uber-comfortable beds and caught some much-needed sleep for a few hours. If our rooms had not been ready, it was a relief to know that the hotel has a Travellers Lounge with beds which guests can use.
Entrance Lobby
We stayed in a two-room suite with our children. They were huge Club rooms, with Arabian decor in calming hues of green, blue and white, and full-length windows offered sweeping views of the surroundings. Dressing rooms separated the spacious bathrooms from the bedrooms, which were furnished with sofas, working desks, minibars and flat-screen televisions. Enticing bowls of fresh fruit and platters of sweet delicacies stood on the coffee tables.
Bedroom
The bathrooms featured stained glass windows with mosaic-tiled walls, rain showers and bath tubs. Plush dressing gowns, slippers, toiletries by Elemis and thoughtful amenities such as toothbrushes, razors and combs were provided.
Bathroom
The Club rooms have complimentary access to the Habtoor Grand Club, where guests can have breakfast, afternoon tea, and all-day hot beverages and soft drinks. Savouring the barista coffee with gourmet snacks, while enjoying the views from the club balcony was one of the highlights of our stay. From the balcony we could see the Ain Dubai - the world’s biggest largest ferris wheel - the Burj Al Arab, and The Palm island with Atlantis at its crown.
Club Lounge
Club access also entitles you to complimentary airport transfers, and a late check-out at 2 pm.
There are a whopping 14 restaurants and bars to eat and drink in, including a South African steakhouse. We enjoyed a feast of authentic Italian flavours at Lucianos, the poolside Italian restaurant. Lobster bisque, grilled salmon and steak, parpadelle pasta with porcini mushrooms, and refreshing flavours of gelato were among the dishes we enjoyed.
Lucianos
Breakfast, in the mornings, was at Al Dhiyafa Grand Kitchen where we indulged in a delicious buffet of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Al Dhiyafa Grand Kitchen
There are many facilities at the hotel to keep one occupied, including the Elixir Spa and gym, three swimming pools, a water sports centre, tennis and squash courts, and boutique stores.
Elixir Spa Display
During our stay, open-air movies under the stars were being screened too. The Jungle Kids Club and dedicated kids pool area with waterslides will keep children under 12 entertained.
Swimming Pool
When you are ready to leave this opulent sanctuary and explore Dubai, the hotel is a short walk away from the Dubai Marina, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Skydive Dubai. If you want some retail therapy, the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service will take you to some of Dubai’s most popular malls. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the Marina in the evening, where we watched brightly lit boats competing with illuminated skyscrapers.
Skydive Dubai
The staff were professional and friendly, and went the extra mile to keep us happy. This family-friendly Arabian resort ticked all the boxes for my family. Great location, impeccable Arabian hospitality, world-class cuisine, and rooms you could live in forever.
Ain Dubai - View from the hotel
For more information, visit the Habtoor Grand Resort or book here.
Book your activities in Dubai here.
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Disclosure: 7
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
