Al Maha: A Desert Oasis Where Dreams, Gazelles, and Impeccable Service Roam Free! 😍🐫🌵
Well, six nights at the Al Maha, and what a ride! (Quite literally on a camel's back - did it three times, by the way!)
From the moment we stepped in, the view was nothing short of a desktop wallpaper brought to life. Vast stretches of golden desert and that luxurious suite of ours with its private pool made me wonder if I'd accidentally clicked on 'Paradise Mode'.
Service? Flawless. Every member of the team radiated such warmth and kindness. Special shout-outs to:
Khaya, our vibrant field guide. Falcons, safaris, and boundless energy - what a combo!
Dushan, for making every meal feel like our very first date.
Anjal, who put the ‘serve’ in ‘service’ at the restaurant.
Tracy, the human version of sunshine as our hostess.
Fahan, the buggy driver with a contagious smile.
Walking around, the gazelles seemed to be everywhere, acting like our personal welcoming committee. And oh, the oryx? They played hard to get, but they're out there in the deeper desert, trust me.
Now, the bed. Oh, the bed! With those pillows, we were 90% convinced they're filled with marshmallows and dreams. Seriously, it was like sleeping on a cloud.
Activities? Plenty! Between camel-back desert cruises, wild safaris, bird meet-and-greets at the falconry, and trying our hand at archery (I mean, who doesn't want to feel like Legolas on vacation?), we were hardly bored. A culinary mention - lunch was the star. That dinner? Good, but lunch had our hearts.
Here are a few suggestions for improvement:
I would love to see more desert activities offered, such as sandboarding and ATV rides.
I would also like to see an indoor archery range, as it can be difficult to do archery in the extreme heat or cold.
The sashimi and salmon/scallop carpaccio at the restaurant could be improved. They lacked flavor and freshness.
For the price that guests are paying (average of $1,500/night, but can go up to $3,000/night), I think it would be nice to include at least one alcoholic beverage daily or a spa treatment.
I hope that management is compensating the staff well, because everyone we encountered provided great service. Khaya, Dushan, Anjal, Tracy, and Fahan all went above and beyond to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. We're sure to remember their excellent service for years to come.