Mina A' Salam at Madinat Jumeirah Review

Overall Rating

We have just returned from yet another fabulous stay here! We were among the very first guests to go when it opened and have returned again and again. There is nothing you can fault at the Mina, and if you could find a problem they would fix it, instantly and with a smile. We did notice this year that there were a few little cuts here and there but nothing to turn us off in any way. The prices have definitely risen in the bar etc but they had everywhere so we just got on with it! After breakfast (amazing!)we always take an abra (water taxi) from the door of the hotel to the Al Qasr pool 5 mins) which is an absolute treat even in 40+ degrees and again because the staff are so wonderful. The Souk Madinat is also right on the doorstep and you can use many of the restaurants here and charge to your room.
We have been lucky enough to stay at all of the Jumeirah hotels and each year have a family debate about which to book. Here are our thoughts:
Jumeirah Beach - family oriented with a real buzz but always busy and not so great around the pool. Great choice of restaurants and we love the massive, contemporary rooms but unless you pay more you will not have a balcony!
Al Qasr - fabulous but the most expensive of the three and much bigger so less personal than the Mina a Salam! Great pool and lovely rooms but they do not differ much from those at the Mina. Lovely poolside restaurant which we use for breakfast even when at the Mina. (You can use any of the facilities anywhere on Jumeirah no matter which hotel you stay at.)
Mina a Salam: Very Arabic in style with beds you just want to bring home (and you actually can as they sell all of the bedding) and with wonderful staff who remember us each time! Much smaller than the Al Qasr so feels a little more personal. Situated between the Jumeirah Beach and the Al Qasr so perfect for everything. Not the best pool but a lovely 5 minute journey on an abra to the pool at the Al Qasr easily sorts that out.
We have also stayed at the Dar Al Masyaf Beach Villas and they are fab. Ours was a bit far out which meant both a golf buggy and an abra to go anywhere! That definitely put us off a little but friends stayed in a much closer one and loved it!
Any of these hotels offer the ultimate in luxury and you will struggle to find fault and I have to agree with the other reviews: they are expensive but oh so worth it! I am counting down the days till we go back.