From US390+ per night
– The attentive, personal and friendly service from the guest services team
– Nothing at all
Through the gently incense-scented corridors, over the Persian rugs and past the Arabian lanterns. Surely I’m in a palace and not a hotel?
The One & Only Royal Mirage resort is outstanding and the 48 room Residence & Spa section is its piece de resistance. My suite was spacious, comfortable and perfectly laid out, with a mosaic tiled shower and large sized Molton Brown toiletries as well as a roomy balcony with views of the hotel gardens and the Arabian Gulf.
The hotel’s Arabian architectural style and interior design is simply stunning. It’s well established but has been recently refurbished and is in pristine condition. It felt like home immediately – if my home was a exquisite palace. I needed a lot of assistance from the dedicated team assigned to each Residence and Spa guest and they were unfailing in their support and kindness. I had a broken foot and was using a wheelchair for most of my stay and I would call for assistance and somebody would be there, with a smile, almost immediately. ‘My’ team were fantastic, coming to me at regular intervals in my room, by the pool or wherever I happened to be, with ice packs for my foot. Certainly no sheikha in her palace has had more attentive service.
The beautifully kept gardens have decorative pools with trickling fountains and lead to a 1km long private beach and also contain a large private swimming pool just for Residence and Spa guests.
I dined at the Celebrities restaurant which, despite the less than appealing name, had good service and very good food. Breakfast was also of a high standard, ordered off the menu and cooked to order.
I’ve tried hard to think of any negatives about the Residence and Spa and have drawn a blank so far. I arrived expectant. I departed enchanted.
