HOTEL REVIEW: Bin Majid Hotel and Resort, RAK

Bin Majid Entrance from E11

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This review is for Bin Majid Hotel and Resort and not to be confused with Beach Hotel by Bin Majid Result and Hotel.

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It has become a family tradition every summer in UAE to spend weekends out of town with friends. Going out of town is our way of relaxing from busy weekends due to work and traffic everyday and let the kids have fun on weekends. So for this year we chose Bin Majid Hotel and Resort in Ras Al Khaimah as our summer destination.

Ras Al Khaimah by the way, is about an hour drive from Dubai. And Bin Majid Beach Resort is accessible via Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohammed Road (E311) exit 119 or via Umm Al Quwain-Ras Al Khaimah Road (E11) from Dubai. 

Bin Majid Hotel and Resort is a Four Star hotel located in Ras Al Khaimah close to Marjan Island and Al Hamra mall. 20 minutes away is Dreamland Aqua park and Barracuda wine shop which are part of Umm Al Qwain.

We reached the hotel 11am. Unfortunately the rooms that were assigned to us were yet to be ready by 2pm. But some of our friends were very lucky to be checked in because the rooms assigned to them were available.

The reception building
photo posted with permission from Ms Melanie I.

Reception Area

Checking in was a breeze in 5 minutes. Hotels in RAK also have started to implement the Tourism Dirhams fee just like in Dubai. The reception staff were very friendly and accommodating. After the checking our reservations, I was given access card the another set of cards for beach towels. We were lead to the Cabanas, just across the reception building where our rooms were located.

The Entrance to the Cabanas

The Cabanas

The cabanas are equipped with mini bar, safety box, colored tv with international channels cabinet, and individual AC control. I thought it was hot inside the cabanas because the roof was low. But it was cool inside because the roof was thickly heat insulated. In the middle, there was a small garden and a small cabana bar that serves alcohol.

photo posted with permission from Ms Ruby C.

There were actually three swimming pools at the resort. The cabana swimming pool, the swimming pool close to the restaurant and the biggest pool close to the sea. But the swimming pool near the cabanas was under repair so we had to walk like 2 minutes to the biggest pool. The biggest swimming pool is attached also the kids pool separated by a safety net to keep away the children. Sun beds with beach umbrella were available, towels were also available, a table tennis table and board games were also available near the toilet. There was also an area for beach volleyball. The swimming pool is attached to a bar that serves cold beverages and alcoholic drinks. 

There two or three lifeguards who were stationed around the pool area. 

The small swimming pool close to the Restaurant

The main swimming pool close to the beach. 
this photo is taken from the resort website

The beach facing Marjan Island

Bin Majid beach is facing Marjan Islands, a group of reclaimed islands with hotels and resorts and other tourist destinations. From the beach, you could actually see construction activities in the island. The beach resort also provides water sports activities like banana boat, jet skis, pedal boat and kayaking. There is also an outdoor playground area where kids can enjoy see-saw and slides. During weekends a live band at the beach is also available to entertain the guest while enjoying the barbecue. 

Life Guard chair at the beach

I was surprised to find out the abundance of Sikad-Sikad in the shores of Bin Majid resort. Sikad in Tagalog means "to kick slowly" in English. I tried to GOOGLE the English equivalent word for it and it turned out to be Jumping Sea shell. I don't really know if it is the accurate translation but it made sense because the way the shell moves along the sand is by using its small claw to kick or Sikad on the sand to move around. Hence the word Sikad Sikad.

Sikad Sikad or Jumping Sea Shell in English?

Sikad Sikad is an edible sea shell that is best cooked with coconut milk. Other version also is just simply to boil in water with salt and ginger or you may add malunggay leaves. Once it is cooked you will need a pointed stick or pin to remove the edible meat inside the shell. Some people use the shell as decorations in Philippines. Think about a Pinoy ingenuity. Anything doesn't easily get thrown away!

I was satisfied with everything at Bin Majid Resort except the breakfast the next day. I must admit that I am easy-to-please human being but when it comes to food, I was expecting a little comfort after the whole day of swimming and being under the sun. There was a hotdog, scrambled egg and fried potatoes and other arabic food available.  Coffee and juices were also available and fruits and salad. But thinking about how we paid the hotel at very discounted rate of AED 255.00 and enjoyed the hotel facilities which are up to standard, I will give the breakfast a passing rate. 

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How to get there by car:
via Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohammed Road (E311) exit 119 
or 
via Umm Al Quwain-Ras Al Khaimah Road (E11). 

Nearby Attractions:
Al Hamra Mall
Dream Land Aqua park

Address:
Address: Al Jazeera Al Hamra, 
Ras Al Khaimah, 3133, United Arab Emirates Phone Number: 800 5700 / +971 7 2067000E-mail: contactus@binmajid.com 

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Top 10 Things you can do in Dubai for FREE and Almost FREE

1. (window) Shopping

If you are low on budget and just want to oogle at the latest fashion trend and latest gadget then head to any Dubai malls for window shopping. You don't need to buy just yet. Just to pick out few things in mind to buy later when money comes. But during DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival and DSS (Dubai Summer Festival), shops in the malls are offering hefty discounted prices. 

2. The Beach

Dubai beaches rival the powdery sands and white beach of Boracay in Philippines. While some area are exclusive to hotels close to the beach, there are still areas that you can enjoy the whole year sunshine for free. Some beaches that are open to public in Dubai are: mamzar beach, JBR beach and Kite beach.

3. Visit Gold Souq

I have been to the Gold Souq many times but every time I visits the place, I am always amazed by the grand display of jewelries and diamonds in each showrooms, from a small earrings as small as mongo seed to as big  full chest plate dotted with hundreds of precious stones. Gold Souq has become a must destinations for all people visiting Dubai. 

Security is tight though and a regular police patrol can be seen in the area. 

4. Ride the Abra

I must admit it's not actually free. But for just 1 AED you can enjoy one of the most popular boat ride in UAE. Abra or water taxi, is a wooden boat the holds 20 people. It ferry passengers from Deira side to Bur Dubai Side and vise versa for less than 10 minute and is probably the best option to beat the traffic.

The creek separating the Deira Side and Bur Dubai serves as trading hub from earlier time and continues to do so until today. Traditional bigger wooden boats are stationed in the side of the creek loading cargoes and sails to nearby countries in nearby countries in the gulf and northern Africa.

There are two routes: Deira Old Souk to Bur Dubai Station and Sabkha Station to Dubai Old Souq. Sabkha- Dubai old souk runs 24 hours boat service.

There also customized tour of the creek and you may approached any driver and they will be glad to help you out.

 

5. Visit Dubai Museum

Dubai Museum is located in Fahidi Fort in Bur Dubai. For a fee of  5 aed, the visitor can get a glimpse of Dubai 's pre oil era. There are life size replica of old market and pearl marchant. There is also a short video of history of how the oil was discovered in Dubai that spured the development of life and infrastracture in the city.

6. Visit Dubai Mall - Dubai Aquarium - Burj Khalifa - Water Show

Where would you want to see one of the biggest indoor aquarium in the world? Of course inside one of the biggest shopping mall in the world, Dubai Mall. It's free to view the aquarium from outside but there is a fee if you access the underwater zoo the aquarium tunnel.  

Not only Dubai Mall has over a thousand shops and services, but within its roof houses a number of indoor entertainments. There is of course the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo, Ice rink, Sega Republic, Kidzania and luxury cinema.  

Just outside Dubai Mall, Dubai fountain, and Burj Khalifa, the tallest building building can be viewed. The access to the viewing deck can be accessed from Dubai mall for a fee.

A fountain show at Dubai Fountain starts at 0600 pm in the evening for every 30 minutes until 1000 pm. The show is animated with lights and music. 

7. Spice Souq

Spice Souq is a traditional market located close Dubai Gold Souq. The shops located in Spice Souq sells a wide variety of herbs and spices. In addition, there are also traditional carpets, household materials, textiles and artifacts being sold. 

8. Dubai Heritage Museum

Is located in Shindagha area in Bur Dubai. A few minutes walk from Dubai Museum. It showcases traditional custom, cultures and crafts. Entrance is free. 

9. The Walk

Is a long strip of road with restaurants and shopping outlets located in Jumeira Beach residence. I love to visit the place for a late night dinner. As of this writing, Dubai Eye is under construction at the reclaimed island close to the shore. At the estimated height of 210 m, will be the highest Ferris Wheel in the world when completed. 

10. The Parks

If there is one thing in Dubai that impresses me is that how the city is transformed from a dessert to green city. Almost any empty spaces in the city are being transformed into flowering gardens and bigger spaces are converted into public parks.

Public parks charges a minimum of 5 aed at the gate,

The big public parks in Dubai are Zaabel park, Creek Park, Mamzar park and Safa park (under construction to gave way to Dubai Canal). Other Smaller community parks are free and are located close to residential areas.

disclaimer: all photos here are not mine. they were taken from GOOGLE images.