If you are tired of gray inclement everyday life, and therefore you urgently wanted to go to the sea, there are not many countries where the weather will be warm at this time and comfortable water temperature. In addition, the list of visa-free countries for Russians is not so great.
If you exclude the familiar to all of Egypt and distant exotic countries with a long flight, you should pay attention to resort hotels in the UAE. A visa to this country is issued easily and quickly (within a week), and pricing policy has changed significantly in recent years.
If you do not consider the pathos of expensive hotels like Atlantis, located on the artificially built island of Palma, you can choose quite acceptable options for quality relaxation at a very affordable price.
So, you decided to go to the UAE. Tours, prices for which are more affordable (from 20,100 rubles for two for seven days and nights), offer accommodation in hotels located away from the beach, where you can get on the hotel's shuttle bus or on your own.
Please note that in Dubai, hotels on the first line are quite expensive. That is why a significant part of tourists choose to relax in the emirate called Sharjah, located just twenty minutes from Dubai.
Sharjah Features
Of the seven emirates that are members of the UAE, the oldest and therefore conservative is Sharjah. City streets and public beaches do not allow women in very revealing clothing, and men in shorts.
This does not mean that you should close with a burqa, but you still need to cover your shoulders, décolleté and knees. Sunbathing without the upper part of a bathing suit is prohibited even on private hotel beaches. The press mentions cases where European tourists were arrested for appearing on the street in defiant clothes.
The emirates are an Islamic country and require compliance with Sharia law from both local residents and guests. The use of alcohol in public places is absolutely unacceptable. Even with the all-inclusive system in hotels, alcoholic beverages are taboo.
Therefore, in the UAE, and even more so in Sharjah, it is very difficult to buy alcohol. Thanks to this, vacation for families with small children becomes even more comfortable.
If you want a really calm and measured rest without noisy drunk parties in the neighborhood, Sharjah, which is only well reviewed by tourists, is perfect for you.
The only place to have a drink in Sharjah is the Wanderers Club, opened in 1977 for adherents of rugby and diving. There is a British bar with classic English food and traditional spirits. Visiting the club is allowed only to its members and their guests.
Weather in Sharjah
One of the main reasons for choosing a vacation in the UAE is the weather. Sharjah is most convenient for visiting from October to April, when the air temperature does not rise above thirty-five degrees. The rest of the year, the weather in all emirates is very hot and hard to tolerate by our tourists. The water temperature is comfortable all year and is + 19-24 degrees.
Description of the Emirate of Sharjah
Sharjah is the most unusual emirate in the UAE, located in several geographical areas, with deserts, mountains and endless sandy beaches of the Persian and Oman gulfs, green parks and beautiful gardens.
Tourists are attracted by the rich history and cultural traditions, many museums and monuments, cozy restaurants and colorful oriental bazaars. Prices in Sharjah are much lower than in other Emirates (15-20%). So, for example, excursions in the UAE are very expensive, an average of $ 100 per trip or a city tour. In Sharjah, you will pay no more than $ 70 for an adult and from 30-50 for a child.
If you are interested in a budget quality vacation in the immediate vicinity of the beach, a large number of three-star hotels are offered, not inferior, but often superior in comfort to Turkish and Egyptian ones. One of these hotels is Al Seef Hotel Sharjah 3 *.
Hotel location and description
Al Seef Beach Hotel 3 * is located in Sharjah, near the picturesque coast of Al Khan Bay, at a distance of three kilometers from the city center. The popular aquarium can be reached in just a few minutes.
The small, cozy hotel combines elegant design, traditional Arabian comfort and modern amenities to satisfy travelers with children and people who are traveling on business.
The hotel has 97 rooms, the beach is located across the road, just a few minutes walk. There is an indoor pool, sauna, gym, children's playground. There are two restaurants and a cafe in the lobby. There is an internet cafe and free internet access with high speed Wi-Fi.
No smoking in public areas. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available at an additional cost.
The hotel offers a free shuttle service to Sharjah and Dubai to visit famous shopping centers and entertainment complexes. In order not to depend on the schedule, independent travelers can rent a car by contacting the front desk employee at the reception.
Hotel Rooms
Hotel guests can choose the following room types: standard rooms, executive suites, junior suites. Each of the rooms is equipped with a balcony and climate control system with individual control, which is very important in hot weather.
In the rooms you will find a standard set of furniture, bedding and toiletries, a telephone, a modern 42-inch flat-screen cable TV, a refrigerator, tea and coffee making sets.
You can use the personal safe for storing valuables. Smoking or non-smoking rooms are available upon request. It is possible to install a third bed or cot for a child according to your desire. Room service is available around the clock.
Supply system
Hotel guests are offered a BB (breakfast) and HB (two meals a day) system. In the case of half board, you choose whether it will be lunch or dinner. This option is ideal for people who before lunch want to be on the beach, and after lunch or in the evening go on excursions or shopping.
Restaurants and cafes
The main restaurant of Al Seef Beach Hotel 3 * is luxuriously decorated in a marine style, which is located in the lobby of the hotel and has an open kitchen area.
The restaurant offers international cuisine and gourmet seafood delicacies, which you can choose directly from the window. It is possible to eat in the form of a buffet or an a la carte menu.
You can also have lunch or dinner in the private restaurant Kazan, which offers the best dishes of Russian and traditional - Eastern and European cuisine. This establishment is not included in the Al Seef Hotel 3 * system.
If you want to have a cozy time in a relaxed atmosphere with a cup of aromatic strong coffee, a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice, enjoy your favorite desserts and traditional pastries, or just have a quick bite to eat homemade sandwiches, Pearls Cafe invites you.
Here you can watch your favorite programs or sports matches on a large 55-inch screen in the company of other vacationers.
Beach
Vacationers Al Seef Hotel 3 * can use the beach and infrastructure of the Beach Hotel Sharjah or public, located across the road. The public beach does not provide sun loungers, umbrellas and towels, as well as changing cabins. We must not forget that Sharjah is a Puritan city, so you should be dressed on the way to the beach.
Conditions for relaxing with children
For younger guests, the hotel provides a cot in the room (on request), use of a children's corner. The restaurant has dishes for babies, it is possible to call a nanny.
Sports facilities
In addition to the indoor pool, the hotel has a modern gym. There is also a good sauna and steam room.
Excursion program offered at the hotel
For sightseeing in Sharjah, you can contact the hotel's tour desk, which offers a variety of programs.
It is noteworthy that in 1998, UNESCO declared Sharjah the Arab capital of culture. In memory of this event, a column was erected opposite the Desert Park and the Wildlife Center.
The ancient fort Al Khish now functions as a museum. It was restored by the current Sheikh Sharjah after his brother almost completely destroyed this building. A visit to the fort will give tourists a concept about the history, traditions and social foundations of the emirate.
People interested in the history of world religions will be interested in visiting the Museum of Islamic Civilization, where the letters of the Prophet Mohammed are stored, hand-written copies of the Koran’s chapters and various artifacts brought from Mecca. There you can see an exhibition of works of Arabic hand-made.
A visit to the museum of Arabic calligraphic art, representing the work of Persian, Turkish and Arab artists. There are calligraphy schools operating at the museum.
You can admire the magnificent mosque of the king of Landscape, received by the emirate as a gift from the ruler of Saudi Arabia and accommodating 15 thousand Muslims.
Each tourist, vacationing in Sharjah, traditionally visits the Blue Market, sometimes called "gold" for the color of its walls. Mosaic has been generously used in the decoration of the building. The market is considered the best place to buy gold and silver products, souvenirs and carpets, which sell about six hundred shops and shops. Shopping here is a long and entertaining process, with a prerequisite to bargain.
Opposite the Golden Bazaar there is a fish market, where you will see a variety of seafood.
The oldest and most colorful bazaar in the emirate is Al Arsa, where it is interesting to just wander around or sit in a national cafe with a cup of mint tea.
The most fun and carefree place in Sharjah is the al-Qasbah pedestrian area, which is located near the canal and is clearly visible from afar on the Ferris wheel. It offers magnificent views of the city and the bay.
You can visit many cafes and restaurants, including those belonging to world famous chains. Children will enjoy visiting various attractions and playgrounds. You will admire the singing fountain, ride a water tram.
Double-decker sightseeing buses depart from Al-Qasba.
In Sharjah, there are: the Art Museum, the Museum of the Airport, Classic Cars, the Science Museum, as well as the Maritime Museum and the Aquarium, which is most loved by visitors with children.
The Desert Park is very popular, which is located at a distance of 28 km in the direction of Al-Daid. Arriving here, you will visit as many as three museums: national history, the Arabian Wildlife Center and the Children's Farm.
In this park you will learn about the animal and plant life of the desert, see more than a hundred species of animals, closely communicate with tame animals on a children's farm.
Who is recommended hotel
Al Seef Hotel 3 * is recommended for a relaxing and comfortable stay for travelers with children, people who come for business purposes, lovers of beach holidays at low prices.
Fans of exciting shopping also often stay at this hotel to get a quality inexpensive vacation and the opportunity to easily go shopping in the eastern markets of the emirate and in neighboring Dubai.
For those who decide to combine a rich excursion program with a comfortable beach holiday, Sharjah Al Seef Hotel 3 * is one of the most acceptable options.
Hotel reviews
At tourist forums, travelers are increasingly interested in holidays in the UAE. Tours, the prices of which are more affordable, most often offer accommodation in Sharjah.
Experienced tourists are advised not to neglect the opportunity to relax in good conditions and relaxed atmosphere in hotels located near the beach.
Those who have already visited this hotel consider it to be one of the most convenient options for this, having an ideal price-quality ratio. So, a seven-day tour for two with accommodation in a standard room will cost 26,500 rubles.
Most of the visitors who visited the hotel with their children noted a calm, friendly atmosphere, cleanliness and order. Mentioned the good conditions for families with children that the hotel provides.
Al Seef Hotel 3 *, in their opinion, should be chosen if you plan to spend most of the time at sea. At the same time, it is advised to choose a breakfast-dinner system.
Family tourists with children celebrate the opportunity to swim in the pool, send their children to play in a children's corner, a large selection of dishes for baby food and a good selection of desserts in the hotel cafe.
Tourists with children recommend visiting the Aquarium, where members of the whole family will be happy to see colorful fish, turtles and other inhabitants of the deep sea.
Your children will love the Children's Farm in the Desert Park, where they can feed, play and just watch funny little animals. A trip to the Al-Qasba area will leave them impressed the next day.
Independent travelers visiting the UAE for business purposes also rate this hotel positively. They note the proximity to Dubai, the availability of transfers to administrative and shopping centers, the ability to rent a car and use an individual safe.
Such tourists recommend using the BB system due to the fact that most often have dinner and lunch in other places. Nevertheless, they highly appreciate the choice of dishes offered for breakfast by the Al Seef Hotel 3 * restaurant.
Reviews for the gym and sauna are also pretty good. Tourists note low prices for taxis and gasoline.
Travelers who like to combine a beach holiday with a rich and entertaining excursion program also appreciated Al Seef Hotel 3. UAE is a country where there is something to see. Thanks to the close proximity of Sharjah and Dubai, Al Sif residents can visit famous Dubai attractions.
In the morning, having breakfast in the hotel restaurant, you can soak up the beach, and after lunch or in the evening go to the mecca of the country's entertainment. There, experts advise visiting the green promenade Marina, look at Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Wave and Sail, as well as visit the observation deck of the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa.
In order to see everything interesting, you will not have enough for a month, therefore, settling for this in expensive hotels in Dubai, according to lovers of holidays in the Emirates, is irrational. The best option for a long holiday in the UAE is Sharjah.
Reviews of tourists say that a vacation in the Emirates, which was previously considered inadmissible luxury, is becoming available to the masses of travelers, thanks to the existence of good three-star hotels in Sharjah, one of which is Al Seef Hotel 3 *.