The United Arab Emirates is a great place for a respectable and relaxing holiday, although you can’t call it budget, of course. Domestic tourists choose a country, as a rule, for winter holidays. An acceptable cost of accommodation in the resort of Fujairah is offered by the Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort 3 * hotel. We will tell you more about the complex itself, its rooms, the services and entertainment offered, as well as the reviews of guests who have already had time to relax in this place.
What is Fujairah
The easternmost emirate of the UAE is significantly different from other regions of the country. Firstly, it is located on the shores of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea, and the rest of the resorts - in the Persian Gulf. Secondly, the nature and infrastructure here is also completely different. Instead of quicksand and numerous skyscrapers, tourists can enjoy magnificent mountains, green oases and clean sandy beaches. Only about 150 thousand people live in Fujairah, so the resort is perfect for a relaxing and quiet holiday. Local attractions include the Old Portuguese Port, the Old Town Fort and the Archaeological Museum.
The weather here also differs from the western emirates. The climate in Fujairah is more humid, so the heat is easier to tolerate. Tourists often come to the UAE in December for New Year's holidays, but this month the city may be a bit cool for swimming in the sea. The most suitable option for a holiday in Fujairah is considered to be the period from the end of August to November, as well as the spring months. In summer, on the contrary, it is too hot and stuffy here.
More about hotel location
A small but cozy hotel located directly on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Private beach area is located about 100 meters from the complex, so tourists can easily walk to it without problems. Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort is close to a camping area and large landscaped park. The hotel is located on the Dibba – Horfakkan highway, which is one of the main in the country. Thus, the location of the hotel is convenient, which is quite important for a good stay. Near it there are also many infrastructure facilities: restaurants, cafes and small shops.
The only, but rather significant drawback is the remoteness from the capital. And although Fujairah has its own airport, it practically does not accept tourists. Most often, travelers arrive in Dubai, because the prices for flights here are much cheaper, and because of the greater number of flights. Fujairah can also be reached by taxi or local bus. However, the distance between cities is approximately 150 km, so such a trip is likely to take several hours.
Important information about the complex
It is worth noting that Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort (Fujairah) can hardly be called a hotel for a respectable vacation. It is more likely suitable for a budget holiday for picky tourists, but the service here is maintained at a good level. The complex was built in 1980, but do not worry about the old room stock. The last restoration here ended in 2011. Moreover, the hotel annually undergoes light cosmetic repairs. For tourists, it offers 96 rooms. All of them are in a single residential building. The total area is approximately 52,000 square meters. m
It is important to know that the hotel does not have Russian-speaking staff. To maintain communication with employees, you need to at least speak a little English or have a dictionary with you. When registering guests, a passport is left at the reception as a security deposit. At the same time, the hotel does not provide for the settlement of single people - it only accepts couples, including with children. But it’s impossible to come here with animals. Arriving in the UAE in December, tourists will also have to pay for a special Christmas dinner. Check-in at the hotel starts at 15:00 and ends at 21:00. You need to leave your rooms between 10:00 and noon.
Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort: description of rooms
This hotel is considered small in size, because it offers only 96 rooms. Most of them are designed for couples without children. However, there are also spacious apartments accommodating up to 6 adult tourists.
We list the main categories of rooms that the Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort offers:
- Standart - one room with a private bathroom. Choose from 2 single beds or 1 double bed. For a fee, you can rent a cot. The bedroom windows overlook the garden or the sea. Area - 32 square meters. m
- Deluxe Room - rooms that are similar to the previous version in terms of characteristics, but instead of a window there is a spacious open balcony that overlooks the garden. The area is slightly larger and is 35 square meters. m
- Bedroom Chalet - spacious rooms, consisting of a bedroom and a bathroom. It offers a double and bunk bed. The windows overlook the garden and the sea. Area - from 42 to 46 square meters. m
- One Bedroom Doublex - spacious rooms, the area of which is 73 square meters. m. Located in separate buildings and equipped with their own patios.
Additional room facilities
And although the Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort has only three stars, it offers a decent mass of amenities in the rooms that make your vacation a lot more comfortable. Let's talk about them in more detail:
- Plasma TV with a connected set of satellite TV channels, most of which are presented in English. In addition, some rooms have multiple TVs.
- Central air conditioning cools most of the apartments. However, some rooms of higher categories are equipped with an individual split-system, which you can configure at your own discretion.
- Kitchenette in some rooms. Includes a minimum set of dishes for making hot drinks, as well as a microwave, coffee maker or kettle.
- Refrigerator or minibar for storing food and drinks. You can use them for free, but their content is not included in the price.
- Electronic safe for storing valuables, documents and cash.
- Built-in hairdryer, set of towels for each guest, a set of toiletries in the bathroom.
Service at Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort
The UAE is famous for its reverent attitude towards tourists, and this hotel was no exception. For the needs of guests there is a developed infrastructure that helps to improve the quality of rest. So, guests can get all the necessary information at the reception, which is open around the clock. The administrator will help tourists exchange currency, rent a car, and connect wireless Internet. These services are usually provided for a fee.
For guests combining leisure with work, a modern business center has been opened, where you can use computer equipment, as well as rent a conference room. You can park your car in the free parking lot located next to the Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort 3 * hotel. If you are worried about the safety of your car, then for a fee you can always rent a separate garage. The hotel also has a laundry room, a relaxation room and several small shops.
What kind of food does the hotel offer?
For the convenience of guests, the hotel offers several food concepts at once. So, if desired, tourists can only pay for breakfast, and at other times dine outside the hotel. You can arrange half board, which includes not only a morning meal, but also lunch or dinner. Drinks in this option will not be included in the price. Finally, for those tourists who plan to spend most of the time on the territory of the complex, full board is provided, which includes a full breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Guests can eat at Al Merjan Restaurant, which is open all day. In the morning and afternoon, a common buffet is served here, where guests can choose their own meal. In the evening, guests are served an à la carte menu. For a bite to eat or a cocktail, go to the poolside bar. There is also a cafe on the ground floor. In the evening, from 18:00, the Ocean View Bar opens until midnight.
Beach vacation
The Sandy Beach Hotel in Fujairah is perfect for a beach holiday, because it owns a separate equipped section of the coast, intended only for guests. Its length is approximately 250 meters. It is completely sandy, and the entrance to the sea is gentle, which means it is suitable for swimming with young children. At the same time, the hotel does not have a pier or a pier. All guests at the beach can use free sun loungers and sun umbrellas, as well as towels. But the hotel does not provide mattresses.
Near the main building of the hotel is equipped with a small pool, the area of which is 128 square meters. It is filled with fresh water, and hotel staff constantly monitor its temperature, so you can swim here, even if it's cold to swim at sea. The pool also has sun loungers and umbrellas. Open from 09:00 until late in the evening.
Other entertainment options
Other entertainment options at Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort are also aimed at a quiet and relaxing holiday. Water leisure options are available on the beach. For example, tourists can go snorkelling or diving. If desired, for a fee, you can rent a catamaran, a motorless boat and even a canoe. On the beach, tourists love to play volleyball and polo. At the same time, equipment for games is provided free of charge.
In the evening, you can spend time in the billiards room or in the room equipped with soft sofas and TVs. It is also worth knowing that the hotel does not have animation and entertainment programs.
What the hotel has to offer for tourists with children
The Sandy Beach Hotel in Fujairah is perfect for families with children, because youth companies and bachelors cannot be accommodated here, which means that most of the time on its territory is quite quiet. In addition, guests under 12 years of age are given significant discounts on accommodation. When checking in with children, tourists can also ask the administrator for a cradle in their room, but they are not always available. The restaurant also has chairs for feeding, which you can take for free.
But entertainment at the hotel for children is not provided. There is no shallow pool or playground. Therefore, when coming here, parents must themselves organize leisure activities for their child.
Positive reviews
Most reviews of Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort describe this place as a good option for families. Guests note that for a low price a considerable number of amenities are offered here. Therefore, guests recommend this hotel, but only for a relaxing and measured stay. In their reviews, they highlight the following advantages of the complex:
- the hotel is always clean and quiet;
- the beach is never crowded, there are always free sun loungers;
- water in the sea is very clean, almost transparent;
- Friendly staff who speaks good English;
- the hotel has an excellent park where you can take a walk in the evening.
Hotel criticism
Despite the huge number of positive feedback, tourists also share their unpleasant impressions. However, guests note that in general, the shortcomings can not be called significant, so they are unlikely to spoil the rest, but you still need to know about them. We list the main disadvantages of this hotel:
- the high cost of cocktails in bars and restaurants;
- too hot water in the pool, so swimming there in hot weather is not very comfortable;
- not the best location, as the hotel is remote from the city center and from the airport;
- the hotel has no entertainment program, so in the evenings on its territory it is very boring;
- old furniture in the rooms.
Thus, Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort is a great option for a cheap vacation in the United Arab Emirates. The complex, of course, does not reach the famous luxurious complexes of this country, but it has everything you need for a good vacation.