Telal Resort Al Ain, Abu Dhabi: Still Excellent Luxury, But…

Telal Resort Al Ain’s location

Staycation convenience. Telal Resort, Al Ain is just under two hours from Dubai or just over an hour from Abu Dhabi centre by car and, surprisingly, about one hour from Al Ain.

There is complete tranquillity at the Telal Resort. Nestled within the Arabian dunes, the site is partially green and leafy with views available overlooking a nearby oasis and maintains ponds for swans and other birds. Picture sitting around a lit fire as the bright orange sunset soothes to twilight where gazelle tip toe mere feet away from you. These are the magic moments that happen again and again at Telal Resort Al Ain.

Family-friendly? Yes, the Domani Villas are family-friendly but never do I feel like I’m staying in a kindergarten. To be honest, at these price points, the Telal Resort does will not attract all families.

Telal Resort Al Ain’s rooms

The nearly 230 sq metre tented villa is larger than many people’s apartments. The villa sprawls with a spacious central living room with bedrooms extending from either side. Each bedroom comes with a king-sized bed (marshmallow soft), a large free-standing stone bathtub, a separate shower room and views out towards the desert (among other things). Little touches like baked pastries and welcome notes on arrival personalize the experience.

The private V-shaped pool (heated) surrounds a private fireplace that makes for a dramatic evening and fiery sunset. The large, private outside terrace is built for al fresco villa dining, sunbathing on chaise lounges and more.

Decor, well, let’s call it eclectic. This is a good time to tell you that Telal Resort Al Ain sports a hunting lodge vibe so lots of animal skins and the odd metallic animal head is mounted on a wardrobe. Oversized driftwood-style tables and large dark wood furniture throughout. It won’t be to everyone’s taste but it’s got personality.

Telal Resort Al Ain’s service, team & facilities

BYOB. The Telal Resort Al Ain is dry, and therefore no alcohol is available for purchase at any of the restaurants, bars, nor via room service. However, Telal Resort Al Ain is alcohol tolerant, meaning you can bring your own drinks, discreetly in coolers. The hotel will provide ice buckets, wine, glasses, bottle openers – pretty much everything else! I am a big fan of this approach from a cost and selection perspective. It helps to also lower the overall cost of staying at Telal Resort Al Ain (which – surprise – is not cheap). Too often I will buy an entry-level bottle of wine at a hotel restaurant for an excruciating price. I will therefore bring much better wine to this hotel at a considerably lower price. These little things matter. However, there is not a licensed store anywhere near the hotel, so you will need to come prepared!

Driver service. Your car will be parked elsewhere on the Telal Resort compound. Hotel drivers chauffeur you around the property between the villas, main reception area, restaurant, heritage village – anywhere. They usually arrive within five minutes of calling reception.

Service. Telal Resort Al Ain’s service is one of the reasons to stay. They are attentive, friendly and engaging. It is one of those nothing-is-too-much teams. It is not gregarious nor are they constantly intruding to confirm that everything is okay. Moreover, they proactively ask for feedback (a plus in my books). The balance is right.

Food and beverage. This is a qualified endorsement based on room service. I have never eaten in the main restaurant, except for breakfast (see below). My family and guests are always impressed with the selection and quality on offer. Fattoush salads, fragrant lamb biryani, stacked chicken burgers, juicy mixed grills – there’s a lot to choose from. The Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi is the only other desert stay with a stronger food and beverage offering in my experience.

Gym. As hotel gyms go, Telal Resort Al Ain gives me what I need. For weights, there are barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells, a Smith Machine and benches. Cardio is provided with treadmills, bikes and an elliptical. There’s plenty of space for yoga, stretching and floor work. It’s sufficient for a long weekend stay.

Activities and other facilities. The world’s your oyster from zip lines, zorb balls, archery and falconry. Private sessions, booking essential. Not all Telal Resort properties come with a private pool, so there are two pools at the main resort. One is shallow, facing the desert sand dunes; a second lies below close to the spa area with water cascading from above.