MANY TRAVELERS WHO ONCE HAVE VISITED THE ARAB EMIRATES ARE ATTEMPTING TO BECOME HERE TO RETURN HERE ONCE AGAIN. HOWEVER, NOT EACH OF THOSE THOUGHTS THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL AND USUAL OAK, WITH ITS GIANT SHOPPING CENTERS, NUMEROUS RESULTS, SMOKED SHENDER BTW, AT LEAST ATTRACTIVE TO TOURISTS.
We decided, without further ado, to look left and right, or rather, to the west and east from the Dubai International Airport, where the main airlines traditionally land, bringing guests from Russia and the CIS on board their aircraft, and went first to the west, that is to the capital of Abu Dhabi for exploring new areas, and then to the east, to the emirate of Fujairah, on the Indian Ocean. Follow us, you will always have time to return to Dubai ....
Wonder Island Yas
There is, of course, nothing especially miraculous in it; there is no ordinary island, of which there are a great many in the coastal waters of the emirate capital. Actually, the whole city of Abu Dhabi is located on different islands, interconnected by large beautiful bridges. In this sense, Yas Island stands out only because it is one of the most recent, completely given up by the metropolitan authorities for modern buildings, and it is on it that the unique Yas Marina Circuit race track is located, on which Formula 1 races will be held again in November Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, ending the next season.
Given the scale of this event, the mayors understood the need to build a large number of hotels near the race track to accommodate all fans arriving here from around the world. So, Yas Island has turned into a unique area, completely built up with brand new hotels and places for entertainment (you should definitely mention the Ferrari World theme park, which occupies a significant part of the island), becoming a place of attraction for the local and international "glamorous" audience.
Describe every hotel on the island - not enough time or effort. They are all nice, comfortable and lovely. We looked into recently opened hotels belonging to the same Rezidor Group chain to get a general idea of the lifestyle of the miraculous island of Yas.
So, the place of attraction for us was the "four-star" hotel Radisson Blu, Abu Dhabi Yas Island and its "associate" - Park Inn Abu Dhabi Yas Island, class "3 stars". This couple attracted attention, firstly, with an elegant appearance with red-blue-green-yellow stripes on the facade, and secondly, with the fact that a cozy business hotel under the Park Inn brand was first opened in the UAE. Yes, one more clarification. In theory, Radisson Blu is a brand of five-star hotels, and Park Inn is a four-star hotel, but in the case of Abu Dhabi, only one hotel on the island has the status of "5 stars - this is the flagship hotel Yas Hotel, all the rest, regardless of rank and ranks, they should have made room for one star, but this circumstance does not prevent Radisson Blu from providing excellent services for all 5, and Park Inn - for a solid "four", although at noticeably reduced prices for accommodation, which cannot but please frugal guests .
If we talk about the territorial proximity of these hotels to airports and major attractions, they are located just a 7-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 20 from the center of the capital and only 45 minutes from the neighboring emirate of Dubai. Radisson Blu offers 397 rooms, 30 of which are suites, with spacious balconies overlooking the lagoon or Yas Marina Circuit. The neighboring Park Inn has 204 rooms and suites, quite large, with bright, modern decor. Each room is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: satellite TV, free wireless Internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, safes and minibars; in bathrooms - care products from the French company Anne Semonin. But do not try to get there during the "Formula 1". All rooms at Park Inn have already been booked by those arriving in November.
Both hotels share several swimming pools located in the courtyard, as well as Shams Pool Bar or Sans bars, which serve any drinks from morning to evening. It also created a professional golf course with 18 holes, according to experts - one of the best in the UAE to date. Very soon, probably, by the high season, a beach will be equipped on the coast of the lagoon, while the coast looks uninhabited.
But the grateful audience with great pleasure "freezes" in the restaurants and bars of both hotels. So in Radisson Blu all day, without taking a break for sleep and rest, you can eat in the Assymetri restaurant, where in the buffet mode you can try dishes from all over the world, accompanied by wine, beer or soft drinks. The Park Inn also has a Mint Restaurant all day long. Dinner is better at themed restaurants. At Radisson Blu, this is, of course, Italian Fellini with chef Thomas Marchi, who cooks food from his mom and aunts cookbooks. At Park Inn, you should definitely check out Amerigos, a contemporary Mexican restaurant, for the best signature snacks, hot dishes, Mexican beer and cocktails. Enjoy a cup of coffee throughout the day at Radisson Blu's Fast Rack Lobby Bar. Businessmen at Radisson Blu Hotel have a business center, meeting rooms and a Galaxy banquet room for 445 guests, while Park Inn has a business lounge with computers and office equipment.
Well, of course, one cannot fail to say about the Health Club and the spa at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Ultramodern equipment, cardio simulators and instructor services are in the gym; branded facial and body treatments on Anne Semonin products, massages, aromatherapy for women and men - this is already at The Spa. Tell me, do you really need something more to have a good weekend with your family? Prices for accommodation and meals, by the way, are very affordable, compared to hotels of the same class in Dubai. There is something to ponder.
In the mountains
So, in thought, we leave the hospitable capital, having given ourselves the word to return to Yas Island again to visit all the neighboring hotels that stand there literally on each other and are united by the common name Yas Island Plaza. Now we are heading east to the Le Meridien Al Aqha Beach Resort.
This luxurious resort complex is located in the emirate of Fujairah on a private beach sandwiched between the majestic Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean, just a 45-minute drive from Fujairah city center and a 1.5-hour drive from Dubai International Airport. Picturesque natural landscapes with mountains, coastal fjords and palm groves surrounding this resort attract those who crave real privacy away from the bustle of the city. Beautiful underwater coral reefs with many diverse marine life are a favorite place for divers to visit. Recently, it was here, in Fujairah, attracted by Russian tourists, usually vacationing at the resorts of the Egyptian coast in Sharm El Sheikh. Probably not by chance.
This pleasant hotel in all respects offers 218 rooms and suites overlooking lush gardens, a swimming pool or a luxurious beach and sea. For businessmen, the hotel has 35 Royal Club rooms located on five club floors. Some deluxe rooms have their own equipped kitchens. Each room has central air conditioning with individual temperature control, satellite TV, safe, telephone, Internet access, minibar. Bathroom and dressing room, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, DVD player complete the list of possible amenities. In addition, club room guests are offered additional services: check-in at the hotel, free high-speed Internet access, snacks and drinks throughout the course in the Royal Club Lounge.
For sports, outdoor activities and entertainment all conditions are created. Own equipped sandy beach, spacious landscaped area, inviting for walking, a temperature-controlled pool, three tennis and squash courts, a professional diving center (PADI), a large selection of water sports, as well as hiking in the mountains and cruises to Musandam Peninsula awaits those who are bored just sitting in rooms or sun loungers. If it is hot outside, then a fully equipped fitness club, gym, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, Spa Al Aqah, a beauty salon and ayurveda center are at the guests' disposal.
A good stay at this resort, especially the whole family. Especially for the smallest on the territory of the resort there is the Penguin Club children's club, there is a swimming pool with water temperature control, a playground, as well as professional staff responsible for recreational activities and outdoor games throughout the day. In addition, guests can always resort to babysitting services.
If someone is confused by the sufficient remoteness of this resort from the noisy centers of Dubai, then for others this is a clear advantage. The hotel offers special packages for honeymooners, as well as free transfers to the international airports of Sharjah and Dubai. Here you can rent a car for independent trips around the country.
Food lovers will not be disappointed either. The cuisine of Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa is varied and of very high quality. The international restaurant Sapore is located in the pool garden, Indian cuisine in all its splendor is presented in the Swaad restaurant, Thai in Taste. Bar Gonu Bar & Grill is waiting for guests of meat lovers, the beach restaurant complex Baywatch Village - those who can’t sit indoors; Views International Restaurant, the 24-hour Tea & Dates Lobby Café and the Astros top-floor bar offer a range of culinary experiences.
For various celebrations, the hotel has a Hajar banquet hall for 600 guests, usually holding birthdays and wedding ceremonies. An open area with a stage for 1000 guests is designed for large presentations and concerts. Businessmen are offered a fully equipped business center, secretarial services, as well as event organization services, corporate trainings, wedding and family events.
... But the main scenery, against which the unhurried life of the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa complex in Fujairah unfolds, is the majestic Hajar mountains, painted in outlandish colors. How beautiful they are at sunset! Honestly, Vladimir Vysotsky was right, who said that "only mountains can be better than mountains" ... And another tiny detail is sand. On the beach. It is not white at all, it is black, of volcanic origin, surprisingly beautiful in appearance and unusual to the touch. Even for his sake alone, it’s worth a short time to leave east of Dubai, then to be sure to return.
