| Product: |
Al Fujahrah |
| Date: |
02/07/04 (174 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Beautiful scenery (amongst the Hajarr mountains) , Brilliant facilities in the hotel, a lot of interesting arabic heritage not only in hatta but throughout the Fujairah emirate, and just outside, the town of Al Ain which has ruins dating as far back as 3000 BC,
Disadvantages: Not much to do in the area in terms of nightlife (-but can still drink), Hotel was a bit dated.
I would like to start off at what a beautiful place. The city of fujairah laps up water from both the arabian sea and the Indian Ocean, and when staying there (and getting up early) you will really appreciate the beautiful sunrise. The scuba diving on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, is also a delight.
I am however going to describe my stay in the Hatta Fort Hotel, which is on the border of both the Fujairah, and the Dubai Emirate (emirate is another word for state or county)
Initial Note
When in Dubai, visiting my parents, me and my fiance were a little bored in my parents home. It was the middle of July, and therefore Dubai was relatively quiet - with temperatures soaring close to 50 degrees celsius.
We had heard from friends that the Hatta Fort Hotel was doing a special offer, that if you purchased dinner on a Friday night for 250 dirhams (Approximately £42) you were given, on the night of your dinner, a free nights stay. So I thought well, for £42 why dont we go up.
My parents gave us a lift from their home in Dubai to the hotel, which is approximately and hour and a halfs drive. For obvious reasons, if staying in Dubai, you may not be able to be as fortunate as we were with a lift and therefore may need to arrange a taxi.
If you are staying in one of the Jebel Ali International Groups hotels, such as the Oasis beach, I believe that you can arrange transport to and from your hotel to the hatta fort, for little to no cost.
However, if staying in a different hotel, such as the Burj Al Arab, or The Jumeirah Beach hotel (Jumeirah International group), or for example a holiday inn, you will need to book a taxi.
Dubai transport can take you directly from your hotel to the Hatta fort, for approximately 100 Dhs or £16 each way. Meaning a combined total of £32. I would however advise that you call the Hatta Fort hotel initially, to see whether they have any transport arrangements set up, t
hat could cater for you.
* First Impressions *
The route up to the hotel is a very picturesque one. Initially as you leave Dubai, you will enter the immediate yellow sand desert.
Yellow sand in the Emirates is a haven for wildlife, and am almost certain that you will see camels, and a veriety of the local wildlife. Around this area you will expect a view of Low Lying, Flat Topped trees, similar to ones that you would expect to see on the plains of Africa.
As you move further away from Dubai, the plant life will subside, and the desert sand turns red. This is a very beautiful stop, and if possible is a nice place to take photographs if possible. In the distance all you can see is a barren red desert.
If the sun begins to set on your journey, ask the driver to stop. If you get out of your transport, and walk not far off the road on to the top of a road-side dune, the beautifully Red Arabian sun will be setting against the rolling dunes. This view has been photographed so many times, and is regularly used by the UAE tourist board, and hotels such as the Hatta Fort.
After this stop, you will begin to see the beautifully rugged hajar mountains in the distance, and will also notice that the sand begins to turn black and rocky. As you enter the mountain range, you will notice (depending on time of year) a much lusher and greener environment that you will have exprienced in Dubai.
There are hundreds of intermittent rivers, or locally termed wadis, that run riot among these mountains, carving huge gorges, and canyons. They are extremely beautiful, and if look closely will notice palm trees, and more often than not, spots of agriculture here and there.
* Arriving in Hatta, and Entering the Hatta Fort Hotel*
As you enter hatta (which is a much older settlement than Dubai, and has a more traditionally rich culture too) you will see a roundabout formed in the shape of a fort.
You will then
turn left in to the hotel where you will see how beautiful it is.
As you enter the gates, there are acres of green irrigated grasses, and intresting rock gardens that make the hotel look extremely appealing - a very big contrast to the almost barren rocky surroundings.
We got out of my dads car, and went in to the lobby. This was the point where I was little off-put. The decoration in the lobby, lets say, reminds me of a corny 1980s film, with black leather angular sofas, angular plastic doors and finishes to tables and decorations, and black and grey marble.
In the background I could hear an 80s styled take off, of Celine Dions single, the power of love. I looked at my fiance and cringed, and to be honest feared the worst.
We approached the lobby, and was very quickly booked in to our room, after revealing the offer in a local magazine, and paying our money. We carried our rucksacks up to the room, and as we entered were pleasantly suprised.
* The Room *
The room was very spacious, and although a little dated in terms of style, was clean, and equipped with all of the modern conveniences.
Our room was a chalet, and had a sit out patio looking out to the rugged mountain scenery. Inside the room there was, most importantly a telephone, with lots of different numbers to dial for customer service and instructions on how to dial back in to Dubai, as well as how to dial international numbers. Also, the room included a mini-bar, which may i say was priced very reasonably, a colour television with access to satelite and movie channels, 2 bath robes, and, although useless to me, a hairdryer.
The beds were relatively comfortable, and again were very clean. All rooms also come with an ensuite facility, with all of the normal mod-cons (shower gels etc) a shower, a bath, a toilet and a sink. Again very clean.
* The restaurant *
The dinner which we had bought, was for a meal in the Jeema res
taurant located on the second floor. This restaurant has clear glass around its whole perimiter allowing its guests to look out on to the mountains whilst dining.
The meal which we bought with the offer was a set- menu, which was very appetising. Although, may not be applicable if you stay with the Hatta Fort, included a small sample entree of delicacies that included salmon on granary toast with grilled mozerella, Cappucino of Wild mushrooms, and fried mozerella cheese encased in bread crumbs. Absoloutley delicious!
My main course consisted of a parma ham pizza with 3 different cheeses, complemented by a rocket salad. Again very nice, followed by a small tiramasu and coffees.
The whole experience was very pleasurable. However, if staying in the hotel, and obviously not on a set menu, they have a very wide selection of international dishes, including local food, such as Saloona (Mutton in Juices with boiled potato and spices) served with rice.
If you like you can also sample the food at the pool-side restaurant, which has common foods, with ligth snacks such as club sandwiches and burgers.
* Things to do *
Although I never opted really to do anything but relax by the pool there are a lot of activities that can be done at the hatta fort hotel.
Outdoor activities include:
- 4 wheel drive trips into the wadis where you can see the old irrigation or falaj system that the locals still use today. These trips are a little pricey but are apparantly very much worth the money - allowing you to see breathtaking views, and rich cultural sites.
- Shooting clay plates, and archery - not my cup of tea personally. (whatever floats your boat as my mother says)
- Golf
- Jogging and cycling through some of the many nature routes in the area.
- and Swimming, which are temperature controlled, so that you dont get too hot in the summer, and too cold in the winter.
Indoor Activities
include:
- A beauty Salon
- A gym, a pool table and table tennis.
I also noticed on the following morning that there were childrens activities going on, with minders.
* Some points to consider*
Firstly, I would like to straighten out one thing straight away. There are a lot of beliefs, or ignorances to that fact that nowhere in the middle east serves alcohol, or provides nightlife entertainment.
If you believe this, you are far from the truth. 5 of the 7 emirates of the UAE allow alcohol to be purchased from Hotels and shops. Other countries which also allow alcohol in the middle east include Oman, Qatar and Bahrain (only for personal consumption and not resale). The only places which I believe to by dry of alcohol, is Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
I would also like to mention that there is not much in terms of clubbing or night entertainment at the Hatta Fort Hotel, being a remote, and quite small settlement.
*Conclusion*
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Hatta Fort Hotel. The views are breath-taking, the food gorgeous, facilities more than ample, and activities endless.
If you are in Dubai, and are wanting to experience something a little different, Hatta Fort Hotel is the place for you.
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