Reply To: Subtle/understated UAE leisure hotels

[Rob]

Madinat Jumeirah remains the most impressive resort built anywhere in the last 30 years. And, unsurprisingly, at up to £1000 per room per night over peak dates the staff are treated well. Some of the kids club staff have been there for 10+ years.

Overdevelopment nearby has ruined it a little but if you never saw it before you won’t know the difference.

If you go outside school hols the DaM villas can be good value.

Oddly I recommend the cheaper ones because, furthest from the beach, they are quieter and because you need a boat or buggy to get around which is cool. The beach ones aren’t great because your villa is surrounded by people all day, whereas the cheaper ones overlook the lagoon.

Emyr can book them for free brekky and a $100 resort credit.

We were there over New Year.