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Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa: Traveler Reviews

Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4 of 5 stars 82 reviews
82 Reviews
5.0 of 5 stars
46
4.0 of 5 stars
20
3.0 of 5 stars
7
2.0 of 5 stars
7
1.0 of 5 stars
2
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#36 of 291 hotels in Dubai
Show Hotel DetailsHide Hotel Details
  • Hotel class: 4 of 5
  • Rooms: 113
Address:
Endurance Village
P.O Box 8168
Dubai 8168
United Arab Emirates
Check Rates: $705 (€494) Avg. Price
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TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

( 11-15 of 82 )
“Great place, but lacks the shine on the fifth star”

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Mar 4, 2008
3/3 found this review helpful

The location in the middle of the desert feels (and is) miles from anywhere. The main road to Dubai from the hotel is pretty trying with lots of traffic and construction delays. Don't use Bab al Shams as a place from which to explore Dubai. That said, Bab is such a relaxing place that you may not want to leave.

The room (ground floor with "garden") was great. Lots of space for two adults and infant in cot (sharing the room). Facilities were good, so too the aircon. Clean and welcoming. Garden space was fine - a relatively private place to relax, but not much more than patio size.

The food was good at the Indian restaurant - highly recommend. Breakfast was a huge buffet with great variety. The roof top bar was good but unadventurous. For a five star place, the nibbles were disappointing and the cocktail list could do with further ideas.

The main negative comment is the lack of awareness by the staff. On the whole, they are all very nice, but just lack a sense of "switched on-ness". You are paying top dollar for Bab and you feel that it could deliver a bit more. There are exceptions - the chef in the Indian restaurant went out of his way to make some puree vegetables for our baby son, the room maids were quick and efficient, and some of the staff by the pool were great.

The front desk was general chaos with no one seeming to take charge of a problem, or ownership of sorting it out. Room service was painful in getting an order through (an not worth the wait / hassle when it arrived).

Bab al Shams may be five star, but they just lack the sense of service found elsewhere in the world. As a location it is fantastic and facilities are great, but be aware that staff awareness for client need is not high on their list.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Setting & facilities
    • Disliked — Lack of switched on-ness by staff
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JHUK's Summary
Date of Stay: February 2008
Traveled with: Family with young children
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 35-49
Member since: February 06, 2007
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
most likely
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Pet owners, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Spa
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $705 (year-round)
Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology
“Perfect get a away stuck in the desert outside Dubai”

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

5 of 5 stars
Copenhagen
Jan 14, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

This hotel is perfect for a desert experience without risking your life in a sand storm or running out of water! Very nice luxury property (like all of the Jumeirah resorts) and a truly once in a lifetime luxury desert experience. Highly recommended for every one who visits Dubai. One or two nights is enough to give you the "desert feel".

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
thegreatdane's Summary
Date of Stay: January 2008
Member since: March 27, 2006
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Average price*: $705 (year-round)
Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology
“One night stay was really nice!”

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

4 of 5 stars
abu dhabi, united arab emirates
Dec 25, 2007
2/2 found this review helpful

We stayed only one night. We did alot in that one day and had a great time. Girls swam, rode camels and horses and played in the sand dunes, rode bicycles and played miniature golf. Our room had a direct view of the sand dunes. Quite peaceful and quiet little balcony which I had coffee in the morning and listened to the birds. The breakfast was nice in the morning and it had all types, even Japanese breakfast foods. We went the night before to the dinner in the dunes. Your regular belly dancing, camels, horses, etc. Expensive, but food was good. I don't know if I would stay more than one night here. We had fun for two days and we definetly paid a grand price for it. Definetly a Jumeriah property - the staff is friendly and well trained.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — near sand dunes and activities
    • Disliked — price
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
alibeth's Summary
Date of Stay: December 2007
Traveled with: Family with teenagers
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 35-49
Member since: March 08, 2005
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Great food / Wine, Spa
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $705 (year-round)
Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology
“Honeymoon”

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Nov 20, 2007
3/3 found this review helpful

Pure unashamable luxury! You are greeted with arabic tea and dates when you check-in. Typical arabic rooms with views of the desert, complete with amenities in the bathroom, mini bar and daily treats of fresh fruit.
Once a week all guests are invited to the managers cocktail reception, where we met the manager and mentioned we had just got married, when we returned to our room a bottle of wine and cake were waiting for us.
The pool area is something else, very relaxing and the most comfortable sun loungers I've ever used.
Just before dusk every evening we were treated to a falconary show on the dunes along with rugs and cushions to sit on and camels to add to the ambiance.
All the bars and restaurants are of a very high standard, and make you feel very very special being in such a wonderful place, it's like being in a different world.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LuvlyHols's Summary
Date of Stay: November 2006
Member since: November 19, 2007
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $705 (year-round)
Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology
“Amazing Resort with subpar Service”

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

4 of 5 stars
Newport Beach, California
Nov 7, 2007
4/4 found this review helpful

LOCATION: Excellent. You get the feeling that you are really in the middle of the desert and yet only 45 minutes away from the main parts of Dubai. Not the best location if you want to spend most of your time seeing the sites of Dubai. More for relaxation but there is a complimentary hotel shuttle that departs at 10:30AM and comes back in the evening time (one per day).

BED/SHEETS/PILLOW: One of the most comfortable beds I have ever stayed in. Sheets were of high quality linens and pillows were down and perfect (I must admit I rarely give such high reviews of hotel beds).

LIGHTING: Ok, not great in the bathroom and poor in the bedroom. One of the darkest rooms I have ever been in, but perhaps it’s part of the Arabic theme.

BATHROOM/SHOWER: Bathroom was really nice, with a large tub and great shower with very strong pressure and consistent temperature that can get very hot.

TOILETRIES: Excellent quality even though in unusual packaging.

CLEANLINESS: The entire room and hotel common areas are exceptionally clean.

A/C: Quietly kept our room very cool. Disliked that we could barely feel the air on our face.

CLOSET SPACE: Enough space for 2 to unpack most items.

STYLE OF ROOM: Exceptional! Arabic theme was great and the room had beautiful furnishings and décor. It was nice seeing the sand from our room. Supposedly all rooms are the same size, the only difference is the view.

QUIET/LIGHT: Our room was very quiet at night yet sometimes could hear foot steps from the room above (it may be better to get an upper floor room, not sure how this would affect the view).

FOOD: Good to excellent. We had 3 meals here and found the pool restaurant to be good and the Indian restaurant to be excellent (and I eat Indian food all the time).

TV/INTERNET: Great size TV (not flat screen). Tons of English channels. Internet is wired in the room and is fast.

SERVICE: This is where the hotel doesn’t impress. Fortunately everyone is nice but they just don’t deliver good service. There are tons of staff everywhere at the hotel but they don’t seem to help out the guests proactively. Expect to hunt them down for your request and to perhaps ask twice to get things done.

COMMON AREA: Spectacular. It’s the perfect setting with the perfect hotel style to make this hotel special. The infinity pool is impressive as it appears to end in the sand dunes. The lobby area is also themed and very well done. Camels and falcons are available to entertain guests before sunset.

TIPS:. Definitely go to the Indian restaurant. A cab ride to town will be from 70 to 100 Dhs (US$20+). If you want to eat the the Burj (sailboat hotel), make reservations before you leave on your trip, all the restaurants book early and there is only one at the top. Be sure to book lunch since we were told there is not much of a view at night. Perhaps book a few nights here and a few in the city. I strongly suggest staying here if you can deal with the fair service provided, the resort is truly amazing and a real desert experience.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Resort Common Areas
    • Disliked — Poor service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TravelSnob1's Summary
Date of Stay: November 2007
Member since: December 19, 2005
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $705 (year-round)
Call now to book: 866 245 9039 from Destinology

Reviews of Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

( 11-15 of 82 )
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Address: Endurance Village | P.O Box 8168, Dubai 8168, United Arab Emirates