Tockalosh

Folks of the board, quick question to the enlightened please
Promised the wife and kids a weekend away (this weekend 7-9th May) so its a bit of a rush job.
2 options that appear to be nice but never been to any

Rotana or Hilton

If you have recently stayed would welcome your thoughts on the places please

2 adults and 2 kids under 6

and must have a bar

scrubbedexpat141

Is Sandy Beach / Sandy Bay available?

Tockalosh

yes it was. is it ok ? looked a bit lebo ?

scrubbedexpat141

Right.

It's old, it's not dirty or grubby, just old and a bit worn out. BUT, you get a two bed chalet, BBQ every night, take your own grog, snorkel round snoopy, go banana boating, go kayaking, play beach volleyball, go in the pool etc.

We stopped at the Rotana for lunch on our way back from Sandy Helmet and hated it. It was a proper package holiday resort. Sandy Helmet - park right outside the villa, mini kitchen with a decent fridge so can stock up the beers and meat.

Can buy coal from them every night, wake up and the BBQ has been cleaned. I honestly would rather go somewhere like that than a Rotana / Hilton.

Only downside - it's miles from Fujairah city so make sure you take enough food and booze to last, probably a big cool box too to make sure you have room to keep all the beer cold.

Tockalosh

Thanks for the heads up on that and its definitely one to keep in the bag. This trip is definitely Rotana and Hilton, Mrs needs a break

scrubbedexpat141

In that case - Rotana was fine, it was just busy when we were there with some awful Russian singer by the pool belting out stinking tunes.

Nothing wrong with it though.

No idea about the Hilton

Tockalosh

4575 aed for 2 nights inc Tax at the Rotana. This seems a bit steep for a ground floor room
its cheaper to jump on a plane to Doha and go get rat arsed at my mates.
I thought summer season was upon us and cheap rates.

scrubbedexpat141

**** me, you staying in a suite?

Brains1983

She truly is awful.

I'd second Sandy Beach if you don't mind it being a bit basic. fine for me and the family, however friends who enjoy the 5* brunch scene were not impressed.

The Rixios (sp?) is also very nice.

Tockalosh

Thanks for this. I am definitely a Sandy Beach sort of guy but the Mrs needs a bit of something nice to cheer her up. No way I am paying Rotana prices for a decent room though. and 150 aed for wireless connection in a 4 star hotel these days is a joke

scrubbedexpat141

Bastards.

DXBtoDOH

I like Sandy Beach. Went there a few weeks ago. Hasn't changed in years. A nice antidote to the glitz and glamour of Dubai.

Hilton ain't a bad hotel either.

Bit sad to see the entire coastline is slowly but surely becoming massively developed with hotels and resorts. It's impressive what's been built/changed since 2008 when I saw the East Coast for the first time. It was miles of date groves nestled against the Hajar mountains and only a few hotels. Back then there was only one fast food outlet in Fujairah and that was KFC. Now there's even a Carrefour, which is admittedly handy for loading up on food for camping or beach bbq.

archie159

Stayed in the Iberotel there a few years ago - was much cheaper than the Rotana, and is very nice. Some friends staying at the Rotana came around for a drink and wished they had stayed with us instead.
Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort (Fujairah, United Arab Emirates) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

Tockalosh

ok Scampi

got in touch with Sandy beach as it was growing on me. No chalets but have booked an apartment in the block.
Any tips I need to know before heading off this weekend ?
Is the liquor store easy to find in Fuj or bring from Dubai ?

Millhouse

there is an amazing, albeit very simple and cheap, afghan restaurant near there. I can send you the GPS coordinates if you like.

The hilton is very old and tired and fujeriah city is a hole. better to stay up the road.