Saturday, May 28, 2016

HOTEL REVIEW: Bin Majid Hotel and Resort, RAK


Bin Majid Entrance from E11
----------
This review is for Bin Majid Hotel and Resort and not to be confused with Beach Hotel by Bin Majid Result and Hotel.
----------

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. 

-----------------------------------

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 

-----------------------------------




No comments:

Post a Comment