The Desert Diva When I first came here, I was given the advice “remember you are in a foreign country and things can happen slowly and differently to back home. You can fight it and get angry and have a dreadful time here, or you can accept the cultural differences and choose to make the most of your stay in the Middle East.” This is the best advice anyone could pass on to a “western” expat!
Hotels
I haven’t been to all these establishments and have only added comments for the ones I have visited.
Ayla Hotel
GPS – N24 13.706, E55 44.641
Click here for website
This is the newest hotel in Al Ain, and it is a local, dry hotel.
Ayla Bawadi Hotel
GPS – N24 09.675 E55 48.367
Opened in 2015, this sister hotel to the established City Ayla Hotel is also a dry hotel.
Click here for website.
City Seasons Hotel
GPS – N24 13.402, E55 43.662
Click here for website
Danat Hotel
GPS – N24 12.488, E55 48.297
Click here for website
Having been recently renovated, this popular hotel has a choice of restaurants (recommend Luce in particular) and has a quiz on a Tuesday evening in the Horse and Jockey pub.
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana
GPS – N24 16.481 E55.46.728
Click here for website
Opened in 2014, the Hili Rayhaan is a dry hotel.
Hilton Hotel
GPS – N24 12.428, E55 47.095
Click here for website
The oldest hotel in Al Ain is the Hilton, this was built in 1970 to accommodate guests for a Sheikh’s wedding. It is a 3 star, and has a range of restaurants, bars, and a good health and fitness club.
Al Massa Hotel Apartments (Clock Tower)
GPS – N24 13.087, E55 45.512
Click here for website
Al Massa Hotel Apartments (Town Square)
GPS – N24 13.372, E55 46.096
Click here for website.
Al Massa Hotel (Al Jimi)
GPS – N24 14.525, E55 44.421
Click here for website
Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet
GPS – N24 04.673, E55 46.107
Click here for website
The hotel with the best views in Al Ain – situated near the top of Jebel Hafeet mountain. A paved road, complete with crash barriers winds up this major landmark, and once at the hotel you will find that the temperatures are 6-8C less than the city of Al Ain. Haven’t stayed in the hotel but a day pass for the pool for 100aed (including 50aed against food and beverage) is to be recommended, particularly in the summer.
Rotana Hotel
GPS – N24 13.101, E55 44.945
Click here for website
Good restaurants (recommend Zest, my favourite in Al Ain), good gym and pool
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club
(formerly Palm Sports Resort)
GPS – N24 13.192, E55 45.507
Click here for website
This facility has a wide offering for expats in particular. Constantly under development, most activities are open for non-members.
Golf Club
Good restaurant with themed buffet nights – see their website for details. Great to drop in for a coffee during the day, including during Ramadan, or for a family meal.
Rugby Club
Our local rugby team, Al Ain Amblers meet and train here throughout the season. The club has a gym and swimming pool (open to members and their guests only), offers great snack food, and a quiz and curry night on a Wednesday.
So there you have it – a quick roundup of hotels etc which are popular with expats. Hope you find this useful!
I have done a series of blogs about finding your way round Al Ain, click through on the links below to find out more.
Part 1 – shopping Part 2 – Hotels Part 3a – Leisure and Recreation Part 4 – Officialdom Part 5a – A Different World Part A Part 5b – Local WeddingsBonus – Further ResoucesAnd for information on the Industrial Area – Sanaiya
Abdulla Alsayari says:
where is the Rugby Club location … is it at Palm Sports Resort ?
Marinab says:
Yes, both Rugby and Golf club are at the Palm Sports Resort which has now been renamed the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.