Al Hamra Fort Hotel - 90mins from Dubai

[MABS]

Am going next week - anyone been? thanks

Mabs, I am going on Thursday to the same hotel. Are you with Virgin? I am glad someone else English speaking will be there as I read there are a lot of Germans. My kids will need someone to talk to. How old are yours? I have DS 13 today and DD 9.

I have been on the website a few times and it isn't very good. Still haven't found a photo of the pool. Haven't got the Virgin brochure, maybe there is one in there. Just looking forward to sunshine and more sunshine. I'm going to lie and fry. The kids are taking lots of books and electricals.

Have got DD a coverup from Tesco and will have to get something similar for DS as it looks like it will be in the late 80's.

There is more than one pool - we went in Jan (2003) so only one was open, but that was nice with a paddling pool for the babies. It is right on the beach so you've got the sea to swim in too. We stayed in one of the Houses and they are lovely and peaceful - quite a sprawling site but nice all the same.

thanks all. Rose my kids are dd 13 and ds 7, think temp will prob be around 90 for following week. We fly BA on 1 April. I have been out to UAE many times, never had a bad holiday yet.

Hi MABS, you're not staying at the Mina a Salam this time? It would be great to hear how you and your kids enjoy the Al Hamra. We would love to go back to the JBH or Madinat Jumeirah (we stayed in the Al Qasr) but now that DS1 is 13 we would have to book 2 rooms and the cost becomes prohibitive Having stayed there it's hard to consider staying elsewhere! Have a really great holiday.

Copycat - I know exactly what you mean re the Mina cost,they are really increasing and it does spoil you for anywhere else. Stayed at the Meridien in Fujairah recently, it wasnt the MAS but was v v good. Also the Ritz Carlton in Bahrain was excellent as it the Shangri La and Chedi in Oman. Will let you know what i think of Al Hamra.

All the hotels are generally of such a fabulous standard in the Middle East. The Chedi has always had a top class reputation but I guess it's considered fairly 'old' now. The Shangri La has been on my travelling 'radar' for the last year or two but we haven't made it there yet. The boys want to stay at the new Atlantis hotel when it opens in Dubai in September or October (we've been to the one in the Bahamas). Will we see you there?

Now Bahrain and Fujairah would be slightly more unusual places to 'holiday' - or were those business stays? How did you enjoy Oman, Fujairah and Bahrain as destinations? I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful stay at the Al Hambra. My two kids have totally different Easter holiday dates this year so, for once, we're home this Easter .

Mabs, I'll look out for you! I am wondering whether to pack towels or not - anyone know please. Also on Tripadvisor people have been giving it 3.5 stars not the 5 it has on the Virgin brochure. I'm just going for the sunshine so I'll be happy with my books. Oh one more thing do you drink the water over there? (Sorry I sound a bit sad don't I but I haven't done a package holiday for a few years).

Rose - no its bottled water, grab some at the airoprt as you arrive. Also go to Duty Free shop at Dubai airport for booze, v expensive in the hotels always. Don't need your own towels. Have you booked Marharba Service at Dxb airport? it can have V long quues and they just meet you from plane and speed you thru,it's v good if you have kids with you.

Indeed you will see me at the Atlantis Copycat,Palm Island is fab, was there before xmas. My kids off now from 19/3 - 15/4.Loved Oman, Fuj and Bah as holidays, hotels were very good. Have been to Oman several times now, love it, it's like Dxb 20 yrs ago.

OK thanks for those tips Mabs. Will book the Marharba service - really appreciate you letting me know. I am a total UAE novice but an Orlando expert if you ever want tips for there!

it's a pleasure Rose - any questions just ask,have a good flight tmro

Mabs, just home didn't see you but kept a look out for you. We were in the village so I presume you were in the main hotel? We enjoyed it, lovely and hot. We got moved as our first room was very small and smokey.

Did you have a good time?

Rose - just back today, was in Village too! we changed to a one bed suite there with view of golf course. Really enjoyed it.