Al Ain is undoubtedly one of the popular holiday destinations in the UAE. It is where Ed and I usually go whenever we need to take a breather. Fondly called as The Garden City, Al Ain is a total opposite of Dubai; no skyscrapers, no bizarre structures, lots of lush greens, and time seemingly moves slower!
Now that my parents are here again on a short vacation and I think they have seen much of Dubai already, we decided to let them have a whole new experience; a change of environment by having a lazy family staycation in Al Ain.
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The Hotel
For a laid-back family retreat in Al Ain, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana is an excellent option. With the luxurious, contemporary, and alcohol-free environment, it captures the true essence of Arabian hospitality. The exterior of the hotel is warm and welcoming, and the staff that greeted us when we arrived at the driveway are just as pleasant!
The recreation amenities are quite impressive. The hotel has a huge outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, a well-shaded kids playground, a full-size tennis court, state-of-the-art gym facilities, and a spa. Hili Rayhaan basically has everything for everyone; making it an ideal family holiday accommodation.
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| Hili Rayhaan by Rotana |
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| 5-star property in The Garden City |
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| Outdoor temperature-controlled pool lined with sunbeds |
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| Fully equipped gym at Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club |
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| Guests can keep fit at the gym facilities or relax at the spa |
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| Shaded play area for the kids |
Premium One Bedroom Suite
We stayed in a one bedroom suite. It has a sophisticated living and dining room, a kitchenette with a minibar, and a nicely furnished sleeping space. Connected to the living room and the bedroom is a huge balcony with a good view of the swimming pool. The bathroom is extra spacious as well. It has a bathtub, a separate shower, and an additional guest toilet to accommodate everyone's comfort.
Equipped with almost everything we need for an excellent stay, we relished every minute we spent in the hotel room and almost thought of not going out at all! But we're in Al Ain - a naturally beautiful and historical destination - so we had to drag ourselves away from the snuggly couch to see the attractions nearby at sunset!
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| Living Room at the Premium One Bedroom Suite |
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| Comfortable king size bed |
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| Love the warm tones in this swanky accommodation! |
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| Me and my fam having lunch at the suite |
Attractions Nearby
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana is located in Hili; a thriving tourist district in Al Ain. Getting to and from the hotel is a breeze, even for us public commuters. Al Ain Bus Station is about 20 minutes by cab, and prime tourist spots like Al Ain Oasis, Al Ain Museum, and Al Ain Zoo are easily reachable as well.
A 30-minute drive from the hotel is Jebel Hafeet; the highest peak in Abu Dhabi, the second in the whole UAE. Reaching the topmost viewing deck is gratifying, especially after you traverse through one the greatest driving roads in the world! Yes, it's zigzaggy but still bearable for those who are prone to motion sickness like me.
To top it all off, Jebel Hafeet is one of the best spots to catch the sunset in the region!
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| On the way to Jebel Hafeet |
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| One of the best driving roads in the world they said! |
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| We reached the top deck just in time for sunset. |
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| Lucky to have this spot for sunset viewing all to ourselves. The deck is usually crammed with visitors during weekends. |
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana has multiple dining options. It has a high-end restaurant serving International cuisine, a cozy cafe in the lobby, an outdoor pool cafe, and an extensive in-room dining menu.
Although the hotel is conveniently in direct conjunction with Hili Mall, I was glad we didn't have to go out to search for a restaurant or go to the supermarket. It was Ramadan during our stay, hence it helped that room service is available with the touch of a button, 24/7! Our meals were served promptly, all were beautifully plated and sumptuous! With the excellent quality, it was pretty much like dining in a fine restaurant but in the comforts of our suite!
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| Breakfast in bed? Yes, please! |
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| Mixed Grill for lunch. Those lamb chops are to die for! |
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| The in-room dining menu also has several healthy options, like this Baby Spinach Salad. |
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| The portions are huge, ample for sharing if you want to. ;) |
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| Sundeck Pool Cafe: a casual spot for light bites |
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| Lovely interiors of Elements restaurant |
Suhoor at The Orient Tent
As it is my parents' first Ramadan, I have been orienting them with the practices ever since they arrived. So, we all went to The Orient Tent to experience Suhoor. Suhoor is a meal taken before sunrise; before the day of fasting starts.
The Orient Tent is a bespoke Ramadan majlis at the poolside of Hili Rayhaan by Rotana. The opulent yet relaxed atmosphere is complemented with sounds of live oud music. Middle Eastern favorites, traditional Ramadan beverages, and healthy dishes are featured in the buffet. Although we don't fast, witnessing and taking part in the tradition is a wonderful experience.
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| Ramadan Drinks at The Orient Tent |
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| Sprawling buffet and live music |
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| Found a lot of healthy options in the buffet, definitely a good way to start the day! |
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| Hot mezze to start with, followed by Middle Eastern dishes |
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| Arabic sweets |
Overall
We had the best family time at Hili Rayhaan by Rotana. The superb service and high-quality meals were not a surprise as that is what Rotana is famous for! This hotel group loves to pamper their guests, usually leaving us longing for more treasured times in their hotels and resorts!
But a noteworthy thing about Hili Rayhaan is its location. It is in close proximity to the attractions in Al Ain and a shopping mall is located just next door, yet the hotel remained to be a tranquil hideaway when you just want to bond with your family or leisurely laze around.
But a noteworthy thing about Hili Rayhaan is its location. It is in close proximity to the attractions in Al Ain and a shopping mall is located just next door, yet the hotel remained to be a tranquil hideaway when you just want to bond with your family or leisurely laze around.
Hotel Info:
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana
Bani Yas Street, Al Ain
United Arab Emirates
Contact # +971 (0)3 705 3333
Location Map:
We were invited to stay at Hili Rayhaan by Rotana.
Opinions in this blog post are my own.
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