Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort, Review: Defining Relaxed Luxury in the U.A.E.

Luxury is about details. Details which are often extra or unnecessary but enhance one’s experience. Luxury can also be the absence of something such as when complication, noise, and chaos are replaced with simplicity, quiet, peace.  Luxury is a term often overused but in some cases it is a proper descriptor;  such is the case with the Ajman Saray, a Starwood Luxury Collection Resort in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Ajman is an oasis just a 40 minute drive from Dubai.  It is not as well-known as Dubai or Abu Dhabi but that is slowly changing due to its wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and clear waters, and new offerings of luxury hotels.

The Ajman Saray is located on a natural stretch of pristine beach with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf.  This is a medium sized hotel of 205 rooms and suites with rooms facing the beach and sea. The décor is distinctly Arabian and pays homage to the cultures across the Sahara from Morocco, to UAE and Oman. Throughout the hotel, the refined palatial Arabian architecture and interior design draws inspiration from the region through Mashrabiya motifs and intricate Zellij tiles as well as lush courtyards, tranquil oases and cooling fountains.  There are iconic sultan arches around the property as well as beautiful and ornate Moroccan lamps at every turn.  The colors are light and reflective of the region with rose pink, blues, and yellows. This is a relaxed luxury. Not the ostentatious luxury or extravagance to the point of being gaudy. It is just simply finest things done well.

 

The property is a member of the Starwood Luxury Collection. This collection was created with unique and authentic luxury hotels providing first class accommodations, excellent service, and memorable experiences. The delights and surprises begin at check in where instead of the predictable welcome drink, guests are offered cooling mint chocolate chip ice cream.

The rooms, like the rest of the hotel, are beautifully decorated. Each room is like a scene from an Arabian Nights Dream with  beautiful décor with the ubiquitous Moroccan lamps, comfortable king sized bed with crisp soft white linens, lime green leather high back headboard, and umpteen pillows. The room had all the expected accessories of a true five star hotel including Lilly coffee maker, plasma and desk.

The bathrooms are fabulous as well with the deep soaking tub and window overlooking ocean below. There is a separate walk-in show with overhead rain shower. On the expansive terrace there is a day bed and chairs and table. The views are breathtaking and face the pool scene and manicured gardens below and the beach and ocean just beyond.

Couples will find the Ajman Saray the perfect place to escape and reconnect with each other. Extra care is given for special occasions for couples celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary such as rose petals spread over the room, on the bed in the shape of a heart and in the bath. It’s the special touches such as these that make the Ajman Saray one of the region’s top resort options.

 

 

 

 

There are several classes of accommodation varying in size and additional VVIP amenities. The exquisite Royal Suite has an expansive private terrace with lofty sea views. It is literally fit for royalty with a luxurious living room with Arabian-inspired patterns, a separate bedroom, dining room, private study and a spa treatment room.

The Ajman Saray does everything well. The dining options are no exception and features five restaurants and lounges, each offering a distinct epicurean experience.  Their signature restaurant, Safi, is sure to provide its guest with fabulous and memorable culinary experience along with a few surprises. The décor is particularly appealing and looks like an upscale fisherman’s wharf restaurant from the Martha’s Vineyard or the Chesapeake Bay.  Nautical maps, sailboat sketches, port holes, and compasses with white washed panel walls set the stage for the exceptional dining experience ahead.

 

 

 

Guests escorted to the table will first notice the open kitchen with chefs scurrying about while paying acute attention to each dish from the preparation to the plating. There are comfortable seating couches and a bar in the corner. Following the New England Wharf theme this is a fresh fish market display with many caught just that morning on ice to choose from. The display fronts a blackboard with chalked descriptions of the catch of the day as well as the day’s specials.

But the star attraction of Safi is the food. The theme is Asian seafood so expect something out of the ordinary and delicious. Away from Asia, it is easy to find one or the other, Asian or Seafood cuisine, but rarely do the two come together for such an excellent culinary experience. The chefs are from all over Asia and bring their specialties from home and influence each other and create an alchemy of Asian seafood fusion. Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines all have their traditions and specialties represented in the menu as well as the preparations. The staff such Ricaleanne, from the Philippines, ensure that each guest has an exceptional dining experience and provided  recommendations, as well as insights to the dishes and preparation along with a healthy dose of friendly conversation.

The sushi is a good place to start along with the gulf shrimp, and the seafood salad. The gulf shrimp is a particular standout with fresh shrimp wrapped if kafti dough over Vietnamese mango salsa and plum sauce.  Put this dish on your culinary bucket list; it is an absolute triumph. The multi layered and complicated tastes and textures will long be remember. The large prawn, with crunchy kafta dough with spicy and sweet mango and plum sauce were beyond delicious. The sushi was fresh, and the rice was prepared just right. The seafood salad was a standout as well and delightfully not what was expected. Steamed calamari, mussels, shrimp and veggies all combined with the wonderful Thai style lime dressing and Asian spices.

For the main courses the Wok Fried Seabass is a spectacular option. The chefs prepare a whole seabass, deep fry it into a curled and crisp fish and then drape with chili sauce and cashew nut and a side of steamed rice. The presentation was as delicious as the meal itself which was fresh, spicy and quite memorable. A second great option is the chef recommended surf and turf which is grilled beef tenderloin with tiger prawns, sautéed vegetables and a black pepper sauce. Dinner at Safi is a must have experience when staying at the Ajman Saray or for guest stopping by from Dubai or the other local hotels.

The next stop on the culinary adventure at the Ajman Saray is the Morocco for authentic and authentic Moroccan feast in their Mejana restaurant.  The restaurant serves up contemporary Arabic cuisine and is decked out in Moroccan décor with wall art and décor as found in the shops and cafes of Marrakech. The restaurant serves traditional Arab dishes such as tagines, couscous, kofta, and hot and cold mezzah. Each dish is delicious and in particular the Tagine Barkouk which is lamb seasoned with saffron, cinnamon, prunes, and honey should not be missed.  Another delectable dish is the Reyash Ghnam which is the grilled and marinated lamb chops.

Breakfast at the all-day dining restaurant Vista provides an excellent way start off the day. Guest will enjoy the expansive buffet with shiny terrines providing all types of western, Asian and Middle East dishes. The live cooking station provides eggs and omelets of every type and there is a wide selection of fresh fruit, juices and pastries. The stand out among standouts and a must have, no matter the calorie counting diet of the guest, is the Ajman Saray French toast. Forget everything you know about French toast, this is something of another level or from another galaxy. The chef takes thick cuts of French bread, soaks them in a batter of eggs and cinnamon nutmeg and the places and healthy layer of orange marmalade in the center of the two slices and then gently fries. Warning: For the rest of the guests’ lives, this will be the dish by which all other French toast will be judged.

 

The hotel has numerous activities so one will never get bored. The swimming pool is a design and relaxation masterpiece. The design is wonderful with large urns flowing water reminiscent of an Egyptian Pharaohs palace. Under the wooden trellises of the pool is a Jacuzzi spouting jets of water to relax tired muscles. Past the arching bridge there is a second pool, this one is temperature controlled cool water with jets of water fizzling upward from below so it is always cool and refreshing, no matter how hot it may become.  Aside from the luxuries indoors you’ll also be drawn to the wonderful beach that Ajman is known for. Perfect white sand, gentle waves and blue waters invite couples for a stroll while holding hands and walking in silence. There are also plenty of chaise lounges and umbrellas on the beach or on the manicured lawns to laze about and relax.

 

There are plenty of this to do from trips to Dubai for shopping and sightseeing, to other natural pursuits close by.  There are a range of water sport activities, a fully-equipped fitness center and a dedicated children’s club.

As with the other aspects of the experience at the Ajman Saray, they get the most minute of details done right. The spa provides a wonderful experience of pampering, relaxation and deep healing. This is a Goco Spa which is known for providing the top spa experiences internationally. In fact it is the same company providing services at the region’s most famous resort, the Burj al Arab in Dubai.

The couple’s treatment is an ideal experience for the stressed out spouses. It is a way to relax, heal and connect in a wonderful and common experience. The VIP spa suite is luxurious with a large day bed, Jacuzzi tub, steam room and separate treatment room all wonderfully decorated with views of the ocean and beach.

The deep tissue is one of their many treatments from beauty, to wraps, relaxing and therapeutic treatments.  This is an experience and a few hour retreat. This is not the place to stop by, this is the spa outing is one of the day’s highlights. The treatment will begin with time in the steam room to begin to relax the muscles and as the pores open and toxins release through sweat. The skilled and capable attendant will then begin with the foot ritual of orange blossom and rose petal oil where the feet are washed massaged and exfoliated.

The massage provides deep and lasting relaxation with penetrating deep strokes from head to toe deep penetrating. The therapist will adjust the pressure from light to dark based on the client’s needs. After a few minutes, the guest will surely drift off into deeper state of relaxation. The Deep Tissue massage is intense, restorative treatment specifically designed for tight, stressed and aching muscles.

The Ajman Saray, A Luxury Collection resort, is a special property dedicated to providing a memorable and delightful vacation experience to the discerning guest. This is relaxed luxury set on a beautiful beach in Ajman in a hotel that provides the finest of accommodations, service, dining, and pampering perfect for the couples looking to get away, reconnect, and rejuvenate.

 

Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort

Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Street

Ajman,United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 6 714 2222

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