Dubai: Roasting away in the Dubai summer heat for the last few years, there’s always been one thought in particular that sustains me: That I’ll try to get away to Fujairah soon.
Just take a look at the weather, for one: While we steam in 42 degrees C, it’s a breezy 36 degrees on the East Coast. And that’s good, because you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors there.
That’s not to say the interiors of the Le Meridien Al Aqah, my recommendation for a hotel in Al Aqah, aren’t lovely. They are, and in fact, they are undergoing renovation with half of the rooms already refurbished in a modern, cool slate and blue colour.
Ongoing works mean they’ve got some budget-friendly offers on this summer, and having had two stays there during renovations, I haven’t found it particularly disruptive.
The summer weekday rooms are Dh698, including buffet breakfast and lunch/dinner
The Dh25 million renovations take place on floors 1-7, with a buffer floor in between the work and occupied rooms; the likelihood is that you won’t even see a hardhat. (Work runs from 9.30am-8.30pm, excluding Fridays.)
But the likelihood is that rooms will book up (most of August is already sold out) so plan ahead; the deal runs until the end of September.
But why this hotel, rather than any of the others on this mountain-backed strip of wide beach that’s fast filling up with resorts?
Simply put, I’ve never had a bad stay, and I’ve been making summer and winter trips to Al Aqah for the last eight years, trying nearly all that is on offer there in terms of hospitality, and always returning to the Le Meridien. Other hotels cost less upfront, but will charge you for every tiny thing, and the quality can sometimes be questionable. Here, you really get what you pay for, and with the slicky, friendly service and plush surroundings, it’s worth every penny.
If there’s a special offer on, as there usually is during the hottest months, you can expect to find canny Dubai-ites lounging around the pool or by the beach, reading spy thrillers to the sound of both crashing waves and the live band that lends a tropical holiday vibe to the hotel.
This open beach is a hub for watersports, from the very popular scuba diving, to kayaking, parasailing and sport fishing. I’m a rather more relaxed holidaymaker, and a post-lunch walk as far as the beach goes and back (about 2km each way) suffices, along with a swim in the (usually) cooler Arabian Sea. Once, dipping my feet in at sunset, a turtle swam past. I think that’s when I fell in love with Fujairah.
Some of the rooms here are still in the older style, with golden wood finishings (perhaps slightly dated, but in no way lacking in comfort); the new rooms are pale grey with waves of blue. The modern chic is almost at odds with the family-friendly resort feel of the rest of the hotel.
The 105 renovated rooms have been designed by Emirates Airline’s Amani Al Lauz, VP Facilities interior design & Maintenance, who drew inspiration from the local environment.
“The natural beauty and colours of Fujairah were my main inspiration,” said Al Lauz. “Fujairah is renowned for its rich, diverse and unspoiled natural beauty which includes waterfalls, oases and long beaches. This is reflected in the carpet design, the art on the walls and even the soft fabric used in the upholstery all combined to give the room a relaxing look and feel,” she said.
A couple of years ago the all-day dining restaurant was given a facelift, with soaring ceilings and a bright and airy feel. It’s best experienced at breakfast and lunch, when sunlight streams through the windows; the breakfast in particular is that spectacular hotel breakfast you dream of. Here, you can wake up from that dream and go down and eat it — offerings including Western, Arabic, Chinese and a kids area that the grown-ups will hover around, too. Evenings have buffets themed by country, or sometimes seafood or barbecue. I’d recommend trying one of the other outlets for dinner, including at least one evening spent at Gonu, the beachside bar and grill that’s metres from crashing waves. There’s a Thai, Italian and Indian restaurant on offer; for a light meal, the pool bar does a ridiculously good grilled chicken and avocado sandwich.
