Irishbeekeeper

Hello my lovelies
So Ive done almost all the coastal towns but have never been to AlAin in the 6 years that Ive been here.
Been trying to figure out which hotels to stay at and what to do with the kids there. Then this news comes along and I think its a sign that I need to do this now

Al Ain Oasis opened to public as Unesco World Heritage site | GulfNews.com

So, the choices are, Ive been told :

1. Hilton AlAin
2. AlAin Rotana
3. One to One Hotel & Resort AlAin

anyone been to either? yes, no, maybe?
yes go on a weekend? or do not go on a weekend?

scot47

20 years since I was there. I got the distinct impression that nothing ever happens in town. I was there for a TESOL Conference and my employer (Saudi Arabian Airlines) picked up the tab. Ah the good old days !

Pongo

1.Rotana
2. Hilton

Forget the other one.

Zoo/safari park
Jabel Hafeet
Wadi Adventure
Bounce
Al Qattara heritage village and oasis/falaj
Various Forts
Al Ain FC if they have a home game
Hop over to Oman
Drive into the desert/picnic

IKnowNothing

The Mercure half way up Jebel Hafeet has a great view from the bar too....

Millhouse

I vote for the Hilton over the Rotana. Forget the others.

Hilton isn't actually as nice... But the garden rooms are great and the pool has a slide for the ukids. Rotana is a nicer - adult hotel.

Make sure the Hilton isn't having a pool party when you stay. It's very loud and goes on to 2am.

Things to do:

The zoo is absolutely excellent
The hot springs are nice but fake. Great for a BBQ.
The water park ai good.
The oasis is shite.
Jebal hafeet is... Kinda pointless but you may as well drive up it and have a cup of tea when you get there. And you can think of me running up and down it twice in late April.

I love Al Ain.

frequentflyer1234

I lived in Al Ain for 6 1/2 years.

Rotana is the best place to stay.

Restaurants and pool bar are better than any of the other hotels.

Inselaffen

found the Hilton to be very dated with small rooms.

mission

if that Mercure is anything like the one in Doha, I'd keep well away...it's got to be one of the most sh*ttest hotels around

mission

I'd 2nd the Rotana, I stay there a few years ago - the pool bar is awesome

TheShed

Second that - Mercure at Jebel Hafeet is probably some of the worst hotel food I ever had the misfortune to taste,

IKnowNothing

I only had a few beers and admired the view from the terrace!

Inselaffen

Hilton has a small booze shop.

GolfGardener

The Rotana's certainly good, but the Danat hotel is worth considering also. Nice pool for the kids, a decent bar and a couple of excellent, good value restaurants (Italian and Indian).

Pongo

Concur, the Indian is pretty good...

Meow

I was last there about four years ago. I thought I'd travelled back to 1978.