Dibba Road, Al Aqah, United Arab Emirates | (888) 708-2081
Beachfront location with volleyball and loungers
Modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles
Large swimming pool and poolside bar with drinks and snacks
Spa with massages, hot tub, saunas, and a hair salon
Gym with cardio machines, weights, and fitness rooms
Nine dining options offer Thai, Italian, and international cuisine
Outdoor activities like tennis, water sports, and mini-golf
Children’s amenities like play area, cinema, kids’ and teens' clubs
Business center and nine meeting rooms available
Shops with scuba gear, clothes, and local products
Free valet parking and Wi-Fi
Ocean is subject to oil spills
Varying reports of Wi-Fi speed
Some decor looks a bit tired
Reports of long queues at registration and in restaurants
Full-board packages have drink and restaurant limits
Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is an all-inclusive luxury resort that caters to families and couples. The 218 rooms are exceptionally spacious with flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles, and marble bathrooms -- some have balconies and ocean views. With a pool, beachfront location, nine restaurants, hot breakfast, spa, and gym, the property offers all the amenities expected of a beach resort. The hotel’s beach and water, however, are subject to oil spills, and there are generally long queues to register and get a table in the restaurants. As an alternative, the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort is closer to Dubai’s main attractions, but on a quieter stretch of the beach.
Scene
Family-friendly resort with crowded spaces and a mix of modern and tired decor
There is no shortage of beach, greenery, and family-friendly activities at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. The hotel occupies a tall modern building with blue window accents. The grounds are spruced up with palm trees, bushes, and flowers. Some pathways have outdoor chess or hopscotch courts -- just the first hint to the family-friendly aspect of the hotel. One of the more interesting aspects of the hotel is an outdoor aviary filled with birds. Inside, the design is contemporary, though some spaces and furniture in the public spaces and restaurants feel a bit tired or dated. For instance, the lobby’s wood paneled walls are a bit of a throwback while decorative elements made up of the U.A.E.’s flag colors don’t really add an upscale effect that the hotel advertises. Generally, the lobby is busy, like most of the resort, with reports of long queues for check in and at the restaurants. Guests here are predominantly families, so expect some noise and children running around.
Location
Beachfront location with little to do or see in the area
Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is the perfect hotel for those who just want a beach resort getaway and don’t need a lot in the surrounding area to be entertained. The closest dining options are about a 22-minute walk away. The historic Al Bidyah Mosque takes 13 minutes to reach by car. It’s about a two-hour drive east of Dubai. It’s an hour and 45 minutes to Dubai International Airport by car.
Rooms
Modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles
Most of the rooms at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort are spacious and attractively designed with modern decor. Expect gray carpet with wavy designs, white beds with cream headboards, large photograph installments, and espresso-colored desks and dressers. Some rooms have ocean views and furnished balconies. Amenities are well-thought out with flat-screen TVs, air conditioners, free Wi-Fi, minibars, kettles, DVD players, and safes. Some Suites have kitchenettes with refrigerators, two-burner stoves, sinks, espresso makers, and dishwashers. Bathrooms are chic with black sink counter tops, white marble, and separate showers with waterfall showerheads and tubs (some of which are jetted).
Features
Pool, beach, spa, salon, gym, restaurants, kids' club, cinema room, stores, meeting spaces, and free WI-Fi
All of the expected amenities of a beachside resort are offered here, like a large outdoor swimming pool serviced by a pool bar and a beachfront location. Though from first glance the beach and ocean are inviting, the water is often polluted from oil spills and isn't ideal for a swim. The hotel provides oil washing stations on the sand for guests who want to clean themselves. Guests can treat themselves to beauty treatments, massages, a sauna, and hot tub in the spa, as well as the hotel’s salon for styling needs. The gym provides cardio and weight equipment, and additional rooms for stretching or classes. The hotel features nine dining options which includes restaurants that offer Thai, Indian, Italian, barbeque, and other international cuisine. A hot and cold breakfast is offered daily. Half- and full-board meal plans with limited drink options are only available at the hotel’s buffet restaurant. There’s lots to do here for families, like a kids’ and teens’ club, an outdoor and indoor play area, water sports, tennis courts, volleyball courts, cinema room, and mini-golf. A few stores provide scuba gear, local products, and toiletries. Business amenities include nine meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a business center. However, the Wi-Fi has received varying reports of quality. Valet parking is free.