SO/ RAS AL KHAIMAH HOTEL & RESORT 5 stars

The experience unfortunately was not as expected, based on the profile of the hotel. It is limted inclusive type hotel and felt underwhelming with not much to do. With 1 restaurant running, it offers Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. The first meal we had was with some negative points: oysters with shell in it, dry meat and overcooked fish. We shared this with the staff and from there on, they went out of their way to make everything in their power to cater better standard food and excellent service. Max points to the staff in The Market. As the temperature was still very high and the uv levels on dangerous, we tried to get to know the hotel. The hotel doesn't offer a map and during check-in it was just quickly shared that scanning the qr code from the key, we will find all what the hotel offers, everything felt rushed and uncomfortable to take up more time with questions, so just decided to check the qr code. To be honest it had information but I don't think it is an honest page and neither easy. So as we couldn't find the beach/pool opening timings, we called reception to be told it is from sunrise to sunset. We confirmed that from the time of our call, it will still be open for an other 45mins. So we changed and went down to the beach in like 20mins, however the lifeguard already changed the flags and informed us that it is closed, while the sun was still up. We decided to sit by the beach bar for a drink and the DJ set, however by 7.30PM that was closed as well. By 7.30PM beach/pool/beach bar/music, everything is closed...it is dinner time, with pretty much the same food as it was offered for lunch. Next entertainment option opens at 10PM, at Savant club. As we had late dinner we went up to the club after 11.30PM and by 12PM DJ set was again over and felt like we need to leave as they would like to close. It was a birthday trip, so was looking forward for a full birthday day with swim, activities, relaxation and fun. But woke up early (after sunrise) to pool and beach closed. By 7AM the lifeguards arrived and around 7.30AM i went down to take advantage of the little time I had to use the pool prior the unhealthy UV levels kick in. The staff was still setting up, and when asked if the adult pool is open and where its location is, I was told the pool is closed. Went to check with reception and I am being told it is open. Again I check the opening timings and being told the same thing sunrise to sunset. She proceeded to start calling staff but was not getting an answer. I decided to go and try to find the pool by myself. There was a lifeguard there so I proceeded to swim. I was there for max 2hrs and at no time a staff approached me to offer me drink or snack (this in an so to say ultra all inclusive hotel), there was not even a place to get some water. After 9AM staff started showing up around the beach (not the pool), but still nothing felt usable, no service was being offered. Went to breakfast and we brought all this up with reception and was told the manager will meet me later. Due to the extreme outside temperatures there was no other activity that one could do. Went to the gym. Have to say it is extremely well equipped and the staff there is trying to showcase the potential, however again the information of what all is available is missing. The QR code page was saying there are no classes/activities on Monday, but the qr in the gym was showing something else. The spa is extremely overpriced. The sauna/steam room are ok, but it is not like you can use that for more than 20-30mins....and you end up again with having no activity, no entertainment (no music/drinks/snacks), no fun. Met the manager for a short chat in gym and later after lunch again, he seemed to be apologetic and promised things he then didn't keep or couldn't keep. Later used the pool again, had a drink at the pool and went for dinner. As the manager promised the family pool will be open at 7AM and I can use it without issues the next day, woke up early to be let down again, the pool was on the scheduled cleaning day. The cleaning was completed at 8.40AM, at this point I was on my way again towards the adult pool, but was stopped and told that I can use this pool. I swam 2 laps and stopped and noticed some black residue in the water. Thought it is only in one area, so went for 2 more laps and stopped the other side of the pool and walked through the pool to see the residue is all over. Left the pool and told the lifeguard who then called the cleaners back and told me that the pool was not cleaned properly. This residue can contain a lot of bacteria, can even make one sick. Went to inform the reception about it and was asked to talk to an other manager. She told me that pool opens at 9AM and that cleaning happens every day (not true as previous day this didn't happen) and that I went in prior cleaning was completed. Got to know also that no pool was "ready" for me at 7AM as the previous manager promised, nor the extended stay as this manager offered to have a late check out too. Then she tried to offer couples massage. We declined the late check out/massage even the apology cake/fruits/wine sent to the room, as this hotel should have been a lively lifestyle ultra all inclusive hotel, very high priced with very little to offer. Totally not worth the money paid.

My experience start to finish was beyond perfect - with us being the first big group, the team went over and above to facilitate all my requests, to treat our whole party with the most patience and respect, and creating a perfect 2 days for the team. AS our team is large, with a variety of nationalities and a variety of personalities, we will naturally not be able to 100% keep everyone happy - this is a normal for an event this size and by no means should be taken with any seriousness away from how amazing the team was. I was beyond happy and i will always recommend the resort for personal or business travels. Thank you again, for an amazing trip.