My Favorite Dubai Beach Club: Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa

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I like to call this golf/beach resort my secret mini getaway destination. Sadly, the secret has already been out in the two older posts that I wrote on this magical beach club. You can check them out again here and here.

Now although I’ve been to most of the five-star Dubai beach clubs, and most recently have checked one out in Abu Dhabi, I must admit that I always find myself coming back to this lovely and secluded beach club: the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa.

There’s something about this beach club that is not found at any other location in Dubai. For the most part, its location outside of the city makes it perfect for a mini getaway when you don’t have time for a short or long trip on a jet plane.  The atmosphere is unlike any other in Dubai….you feel transformed into a different and classy world. Where comfort, top of the notch facilities, and a chilled vibe are the only existing  elements.

Honestly, I could go on and on about this place without getting tired. But let me take you on a journey of how I spent my day at the resort last week.

 

I started my day by chilling by the infinity pool…the pool is spacious with a shallow area for children. It also has these cool fountains that are fun to play with for the kids, or just lounge under as an adult 🙂

 

The Infinity Pool at JA Beach Club
The Infinity Pool at JA Beach Club

 

Peacocks are found everywhere at the resort
Peacocks are found everywhere at the resort

 

After lounging by the infinity pool and going for an incredibly refreshing swim, I headed to Captain’s bar for a light lunch. The bar is located by the 800 meter wide beach, and is completely  shaded. I had the Arabic mezza plate and a Caprese salad.

 

Arabic mezza plate at Captain's bar
Arabic mezza plate at Captain’s bar

 

Caprese salad at Captain's bar
Caprese salad at Captain’s bar

 

I had booked a treatment at the spa at the beginning of my day, and so I decided to use the spa wet room facilities before my treatment starts.

The spa wet room facilities include a jacuzzi, a steam room and a sauna room. They can be used by anyone who books a treatment at the spa. My favorite part is without a doubt the jacuzzi. I’ve been day-dreaming about soaking in the jacuzzi for a couple of weeks, if not months!

 

The Jacuzzi at JA Golf Resort and Spa
The Jacuzzi at JA Golf Resort and Spa

 

Sauna Room at JA Golf Resort and Spa
Sauna Room at JA Golf Resort and Spa

 

Tip: Don’t miss out on the experience showers available at the spa. These are to be used in between lounging in the steam, sauna or jacuzzi!

 

Signature Treatments at the Spa:

The spa offers a variety of signature treatments on a daily basis. On Tuesday – the day that I was there – the treatment was for a traditional Hammam and scalp massage!

I’ve only had a Moroccan bath once, but this was my first time to try a traditional Hammam treatment, and I’m so glad that I did!

The treatment left my skin feeling baby soft and tender to touch. It also removed all the dead skin cells and left me feeling lighter, fresh and so rejuvenated. The therapist was also great as she exerted just the right amount of pressure while scrubbing my skin. I also have extremely sensitive skin and the treatment was gentle and didn’t irritate my skin or anything. The spa used Elemis products in all its treatments. In the traditional Hammam, a Moroccan black soap was used in addition to the Elemis products.

The treatment included a highly relaxing and soothing scalp massage. I didn’t want it to end!

 

After my treatment was over, I made my way to the beach to catch the last sun rays before the sun sets! and if you’ve been following me on my Facebook Page, you would know that I can’t be at the beach and not have an iced latte!

 

Iced Latte at JA Beach!
Iced Latte at JA Beach!

 

 

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Me at my favorite Dubai Beach Club!
Me at my favorite Dubai Beach Club!

 

The JA Beach at sunset...
The JA Beach at sunset…

 

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It may be the end of another day at the chic and classy Jebel Ali Beach Club, but I’m certain that I’ll go back there for more relaxation and unwinding by the beautiful and pristine beach…

 

Marina at the JA Golf Resort and Spa
Marina at the JA Golf Resort and Spa

 

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All I could think of while waiting for the shuttle bus to take us back to the city, was: I want to just live out here and never leave!

I think the energy in that place is just so amazingly positive, that I always leave a much happier, peaceful and relaxed version of my typically sad and depressed self!

Do you want to know what makes this resort unique?

The fact that you have access to a great number of activities all in one single place! You can choose to do any of the following:

  • Activities for kids.
  • 800 meter wide beach access.
  • Access to four swimming pools, including one with salt sea water!
  • Access to a variety of water sports.
  • Golf club.
  • High-end spa.
  • Two hotels; Jebel Ali Beach Hotel and Palm Tree Court.
  • A number of dining and bar options.
  • A boat marina!

As you can see the options are endless of how you can choose to spend your day at the Jebel Ali Golf  Resort and Spa. In case I missed anything, have a look at their web site and plan a day out or more for you and your loved ones 🙂

 

http://www.jaresortshotels.com/Hotels/Home.aspx

 

A shuttle bus service is also available to transport guests to and from a number of landmark locations in the city!

 

Since I didn’t get to spend much time on the beach this time, because of my spa treatment. I’m definitely planning another trip to this magical resort soon. Most likely it will be after my summer term at University ends. And I would love to stay at the Palm Tree Court residence for a night or two. I might even try out some water sports while I’m there. And who knows, maybe, I will finally finish reading that book about blogging!

 

Ending this post with a picture of where I would like to have a romantic dinner date with my potential partner (once I meet him) 😀

 

Seriously, who could wish for anything better than this? 🙂

 

Rebellious Diva signing off…

 

Romantic Date Destination at JA Beach!
Romantic Date Destination at JA Beach!

My Unsponsored Beach Day!

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So it seems that most of my fans can’t really afford to spend time reading my posts…and I’m honestly getting tired of trying to promote my posts, my Facebook Page or my baby blog. That’s why, I have decided to write short posts (OK mostly because I don’t have the time to write long posts anymore with the University commitments and stuff) and to spare you the agony of having to go through lines and paragraphs of content that you might not even find interesting!

Having said that, if you are someone who just happens to actually read my posts from beginning to end, then speak now or forever hold your peace (or something like that). Oh and do comment on  my Facebook Page’s link to the post, as the comments section on the blog’s web site is currently messed up and I haven’t got the time to sort it out (didn’t I tell you I’m short on time these days?!)

 

I had done a couple of brutally honest  beach club reviews before the crazy Dubai summer months began. You can check out my latest one here.

 

But since I felt like I was melting in the shade while doing that review and since it wasn’t sponsored by any entity and since I developed a small facial skin defect after doing that review, I decided that I had gone too far with my blogging compromises and that it was time to regain some of my sanity before I went out and did another Dubai Beach Club Review.

Fast forward four months later, I find myself back on the beach club review track. This time, joining the Russian, Italian and British tourists at one of JBR’s private stretches of beach: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa.

As my blog’s title suggests, my day at the resort wasn’t sponsored in any way. I paid the exact fee for the weekend day pass (350 AED), I took my own photos, I paid for my own lunch at the walk and later the two refreshingly tasty iced coffees that I had!

And I would like to add that I was doing this for the rest of the beach club reviews that I had previously done on this awesome (even if no one agrees!) blog.

Now in staying true to my words in keeping this post short and simple, I present to you: My Unsponsored Beach Day in images 😀

 

The Rebellious Saudi Diva after a stressful week of blogging and studying
The Rebellious Saudi Diva after a stressful week of blogging and studying

 

A Failed Attempt to Read my Blog inc. Book
A Failed Attempt to Read my Blog inc. Book

 

 

See? didn’t I promise to keep this post short and sweet? That was my lovely beach day in a nutshell…I was delighted to have my intelligent and sweet friend Sarah as my buddy for the day. We always have fun and interesting conversations since we both come from similar backgrounds and cultures (Iran and Saudi)…We basically support and empower one another since our parents always seem to be against what we are doing or even planning 🙂 Yes, it can be tricky and complicated at times….well, more like all the time 😀

I’ll never forget that summer night when me and Sarah were sitting at one of the juice bar cafes at JBR walk (over a year ago) when we first met…we were talking about how our lives are full of struggles and how nothing ever comes easily to us. Then Sarah lifts up her small bottle of water and says: “For us, even this is a struggle.”  Referring to the act of drinking bottled water! Yes, it’s a sad reality I know….and I hope that you will sympathize with us by at least following my random and silly posts on my blog’s Facebook Page and maybe commenting on a post or two.

 

OK, so maybe the post didn’t end up being as short as I had planned it to be…but I guess I still have to practice writing shorter posts. Especially after the extended and detailed reviews that I was mentally doing earlier.

Until the next post, you can continue to hear my endless rants and follow my silly posts by becoming a fan of my Facebook Page.

Beach Diva Signing Off…

 

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Dubai Beach Club Review: Fairmont The Palm

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I wanted to squeeze in a beach club review before the month of Ramadan begins. Since I’ll be fasting and there is absolutely no way anyone can visit a Dubai beach in the summer without having anything to drink or eat! I also wanted to check out Fairmont The Palm‘s beach and pool club while they have their summer promotion rates going on.

Summer Promotion Rates

Validity of the promotion: Until the end of August

Adult day pass fee: 195 AED (without the food and beverage voucher) and 265 AED (inclusive of a 100 AED F&B voucher)

Kids (ages 5 to 13): 99 AED (without the F&B voucher) and 130 AED (inclusive of a 50 AED F&B voucher)

 

Pool and Beach Facts

  • The hotel has four pools; two adult-only pools and two family pools.
  • A resident DJ plays by the pool bar on Friday evenings from 5 to 10 pm.

I was informed by the hotel’s Operations Director – Frederic Bellone that the beach was partially closed due to construction work “to expand the private beach area and to make the bottom of the ocean more gradient.”

Mr. Bellone also mentioned that the expansion work should be completed within a few days. So you can still head down to the beach club and enjoy their summer promotion. I would suggest that you ask about the construction work when calling to book your day pass. As booking in advance is required for the Fairmont’s beach club.

 

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Is free Wi-Fi Available at the Beach?

Unlike Madinat Jumeirah properties, Wi-Fi is only available for in-house guests and club members. Outside guests need to pay 100 AED for a day’s use of the hotel’s Wi-Fi.

Pros

  • Relaxed and laid-back ambiance with chill-out Arabian fusion tracks playing in the pool area.
  • The adult-only pool is a good spot for contemplation and meditation. With a couple of fountains pouring water into the pool, the sound creates a calming effect that can be used for meditation. The pool is also surrounded by palm trees, so looking up to the sky does feel like you’re on vacation. Especially when combined with a beautiful bird flying by the water and the fountain’s peaceful water sounds.
  • A complimentary bottle of still water is provided for all pool and beach guests.
  • Complimentary locker access. Inside the locker is a coat hanger, a bath towel, a small towel, and a plastic bag for storing your wet swim suit.
  • The beach and pool day pass also includes access to the spa’s modern and state of the art gym, steam room and sauna.
  • The facilities are super-clean and well-maintained to high standards.

 

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Cons

  • I wasn’t informed about the partial closing of the beach when I called to book the day pass and ask about the beach/pool access. I only found out about it when I got to the hotel. This meant that I had to lounge by the pool for a few hours until the construction work was over at the beach and I could go into the water. But that wasn’t a problem, as I could always use some meditation at the pool’s relaxing fountains 🙂
  • The staff at the beach area seemed to be in a rush to close down the sun umbrellas and fold back the lounger cushions when it wasn’t time for sunset yet. Maybe it’s a routine practice and part of their job description, but it gave me the feeling that they were rushing to end their work day chores as soon as they could! The beach area wasn’t busy anyway, and so it didn’t seem like they would have a lot of wrapping up to do at the end of the day.
  • The food quality at the pool bar could use some enhancement. More so since the Fairmont on Sheikh Zayed Road is associated with great brunch and food options. I will be talking more about the food in a while.
  • The front section of the ocean’s ground has rocks and is not smooth for walking. I believe that the management should consider making the ground surface smooth for walking. Especially for kids.

 

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What to Eat and Drink?

To quench my thirst, I ordered an orange ginger tea cooler. Which was basically orange juice with a hint of ginger. It was a refreshing drink for a hot summer day.

 

Orange Ginger Tea Cooler
Orange Ginger Tea Cooler

 

For lunch, I had a chicken breast burger on wheat bread. I was delighted to see a healthy option for a sandwich on the menu. But I was disappointed as the chicken was a bit tough and didn’t look like it was cooked up to good quality levels. The taste of the food was average, and could use some improvement.

 

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A few hours after lunch, it was time for my coffee break. And for that, I ordered a banana soy latte at the beach. It’s a blend of bananas, soy milk and a shot of espresso. The first time my drink was prepared, it had a lot of ice blended in it. And so the taste of the latte was somewhat non-existent from the excess of ice that was used. But when I asked for less ice to be used in preparing my latte, it tasted much better and was such a revitalizing and cooling summer drink.

 

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Will I go back?

I would love to go back to the Fairmont’s beach club for three reasons:

  1. To take advantage of the summer promotion rate while it lasts.
  2. To check out the pool atmosphere on a Friday evening when the resident DJ is playing. I went on a Saturday and so I missed it. (Please take note that this will continue after Ramadan only).
  3. To see if I can meet a potential husband at the pool or beach (note: most guys at this beach club are very fit with buffed-up masculine bodies and wash board abs) 😀

 

Link:

http://www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai/

 

I will leave you with some random images from my day at the Fairmont The Palm’s beach club. You can also check my Facebook page for more images and other cool posts.

 

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