Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (888) 616-5829
Located on
Dubai's largest private white-sand beach
Fresh, contemporary rooms with high-end amenities
Home to the
famous and lively Barasti Beach Bar
Wide range of
water sports and beach activities
Large swimming
pool with swim-up bar
Excellent kids'
club and two shaded pools
Free Wi-Fi
Beach bar gets
very noisy
Free Wi-Fi can be slow
This 220-room Meridien
hotel is an upmarket, family-friendly resort set on Dubai's largest
private white-sand beach. As well as a choice of pools, guests also have access
to a wide range of beach and water-based activities -- including a playground for the kids, tennis court, beach volleyball court, and more. Rooms are nicely modernized and most open to furnished balconies with sea
views, though noise from the famous on-site beach bar can be an issue late at night.
While some will love the beach party vibe, those looking for a more serene
break might be better suited elsewhere. Wi-Fi is free, but can be slow.
Scene
Part of a twin-hotel complex featuring a lively and popular beach bar
With its shimmering blue glass facade and silver pillared portico, on
first sight Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort could pass for one of the
glitzier hotels in Dubai. Stepping inside however, beyond its smart
contemporary reception area, much of the property is already starting to feel a
little dated -- especially in comparison to some of the area's newer offerings.
The 10-floor property is part of a twin-hotel complex with its sister hotel the Westin right next door (the two properties share extensive gardens and
facilities). The hotel is home to a large and lively beachside area
dominated by the famous Barasti Beach Bar -- a Dubai institution popular with
fun-loving crowds of all ages. The beach bar can get quite raucous -- and annoying --
for those who are looking for a good night's sleep.
Location
On Dubai’s largest private white-sand beach just off the busy Al Sufouh Road
The hotel is situated
on the southern end of Dubai’s largest private white-sand beach just off the busy
Al Sufouh Road that services the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach districts. While
its location means easy access to Dubai Media City and Jumeirah Beach Residence
-- both just minutes away by car -- it is a bit away from some of Dubai's tourists
attractions including the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building) which is at least a
20-minute drive away. Dubai International Airport is also relatively far away,
at around a 30-minute drive in good traffic.
Rooms
Refurbished rooms that open to balconies with sea vistas -- though also loud music
Following a major
2012 renovation, all the hotel's 220 rooms have been very nicely revamped in
fresh and bright contemporary styling with smart fixtures and plush
furnishings. Most sea-facing rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and glass
doors that open to furnished balconies with superb panoramas of the marina and
Jumeirah Palm archipelago opposite. Amenities are also suitably high-end and include robes and slippers,
iPod docks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. While Wi-Fi
is free in rooms it can be slow unless you pay to upgrade. Loud music from the
popular beach bar can also be an issue in beach-facing rooms.
Features
Huge range of water sports and beach activities on offer plus huge pool, playground, tennis courts, and fitness center
A real highlight
of the hotel is its huge range of activities available with an emphasis on
water sports. Children are very well catered for with a kids' club and two
shaded children’s pools -- one with a waterslide -- and games on the beach. The
hotel's main free-form swimming pool has a swim-up bar and jetted tub section,
while there's also a separate pool for laps. There are two on-site restaurants, a cafe lounge, and a poolside bar, however the main event is the now renowned and
hugely popular Barasti Beach Bar that has live music and weekend clubbing until
late. Guests also have free use the facilities of the large and slightly more
luxurious Westin hotel next door. Guests wishing to stay active can take advantage of the tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, and fitness center. Wi-Fi is free, but can be slow.