Oberoi Al Zorah: A modern coastal visit.

Although it may not sound that way, it’s actually been awhile since I’ve spent a night away from my villa.  I’m not sure if it’s some form of nesting, or just that I’m wildly comfortable (and productive) with my current status quo, or that friends keep having amazing birthdays, but Hubs and I haven’t been away for a proper night in quite some time.  Wanting to stay in the country, and ruling out Abu Dhabi, I debated the new Intercontinental in Fujairah, but in the end, the Oberoi Al Zorah won out.  I do love the Oberoi brand and have been fortunate enough to stay in both the Dubai property, as well as the Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra near the Taj Mahal (one of my favorite hotels in the word).

An easy drive from Dubai, the Oberoi Al Zorah is roughly an hour from our villa.  Even before reaching the property, there is beautiful landscaping, and no traffic (a departure from my visit to the Fairmont Ajman).  Pulling up to the hotel, the main buildings are quite modern in design, and because of the small number of keys (around 90 in total), the location feels immediately intimate and private — really, an impression unlike most of the other hotels in the country.  For those looking for a comparison, I see a version of the Chedi in Muscat.  Altogether the original aesthetic is one I enjoy.

We arrive early, and although our room isn’t ready, we can access the pool.  After a small miscommunication with where to go and where to store our luggage, we’re finally by the pool and enjoying mango ice lollies, cold water, and cool towels.  After yet another small miscommunication — I got to the building to look for our keys at the same time someone from reception comes to find us and tell us our room is ready, we’re on our way to our room.

Pros

• Huge rooms.  I do love extra square footage, and our Premiere Room had this in spades.  What would most likely pass a suite in the rest of the world, the floor to ceiling windows, open terrace to enjoy sundowners on, and overall spaciousness are market leading.  We both comment on how much the shower is more or less our #showergoal for our dream house.
• Mobility friendly.  As someone who used to work with Olds™ I am always aware of properties that make it easier for those who might have challenges.  Fortunately, the Oberoi has, for the most part, clearly been designed with guests of all abilities in mind.  More of this please, UAE!
• Value for money.  Our room, with breakfast included, was roughly AED1300 (inclusive of VAT and other taxes). For the brand, this feels like a win, and I expect prices would drop even further over the summer.
• Stunning pool. Longer than an Olympic size pool, not only did I (mostly) love the design of the pool, a focal point at the property.  Even landscape architect Hubs is impressed.

Cons

• Lack of ambient music.  We’ve well established my sensitivity to sound, and the lack of music (at the pool especially) seems like a giant oversight (especially as there are speakers in place).  Given the acoustics of the pool area, we were subjected to one exceptionally loud child (Albie) for most of the afternoon.  If someone can tell me what shouting ‘Dinosaurs Now’ on repeat means, I would be grateful.  If not music, then some sort of water feature to provide white noise in some capacity.
• An adults-only area.  Ahem, for the most part, I don’t mind kids, however, if parents aren’t going to really be supervising their children, I’d love a place for those looking for a quieter experience.  We also got seriously creeped on by a boy on our second morning — parents nowhere to be found, and I thought kids wandering the property without parents also to be a bit strange.
• Immature landscaping/design elements.  When your husband is a landscape architect, you tend to notice these sorts of things (or, they are pointed out to you, repeatedly).  Whether or not I’m used to other global properties where there are less noticeable mistakes (utility boxes and fire hydrants), the Al Zorah seemed to have a nearly constant intrusion of elements that weren’t integrated into the environment.  I mention this against more mature properties, like the Four Seasons Ubud.  I’m pointing this out today because the Oberoi has been open almost a year, and these oversights feel like details that should have been worked out by now.
• Average food.  I hate to write this one, and while we weren’t able to experience the seafood restaurant, I found the main venue, Vinesse to be a bit boring (and slightly overpriced) in its offers.
• Lack of privacy in the villas.  As a comparison, the old Banyan Tree (now Ritz Carlton) property in Ras Al Khaimah is our go to for complete chill out time.  While the villas at the Oberoi look amazing, a walk through the grounds shows they are not 100% private.  Honestly, for the price point, I would want complete and total privacy.  Skinny dipping what.

Hot Tip

• Don’t tell guests who are checking in that the reason the room isn’t available due to the previous guests had not checked out.  Yes, of course hotel rooms are used, but knowing our room was ‘in use’ was a bit off-putting.

Would I go back?  I would.  If you’re looking for an easy break that feels miles away, Al Zorah is the property for you.  I wish this style of privacy could be repeated at other locations in the country.  While missing something of a ‘wow’ factor, it’s still a lovely place to stay.

Who is this best for?  While I don’t think the property is worth a special trip for visitors to the UAE, for residents, this is one to add to the list.  As Hubs said, ‘this is Middle East five star, but not five star in the rest of the world.’

Where is your favorite staycation destination in the UAE?