Royal treatment in Fujairah

As summer heats up, most residents of Dubai looking for a holiday try to leave the Emirates to head for cooler climes.

However, those hard pressed for time who cannot jump on a plane should not despair as they can always head out to Fujairah, which is always a few degrees cooler than Dubai.

And on the Eastern Coast, the place to stay is the Royal Suite of Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, which lies at the foot of the Hajar mountains and overlooks the waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Priced at more than Dh18,000 a night, this penthouse offers spectacular views from each room. The Royal Suite offers 750sq m of private luxury with Italian décor and furnishings.

It has a massive master bedroom, two huge lounge areas, two additional bedrooms, a large dining room with a balcony, a luggage room, walk-in closets and four bathrooms. And the bathroom connected to the master bedroom comes with a jacuzzi. There is also a fully-equipped kitchen with direct access to the service elevators.

Patrick Antaki, General Manager of Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort told Emirates Business: "The Royal Suite comes with a 24-hour butler service. Also the guests there have customised catering service. They never have to order their food from the hotel menu. They just tell us what they want to eat and we make it for them.

"Our staff caters to every whim and fancy of the guests. Once there was a guest who wanted to throw a surprise party for his wife's birthday. He wanted us to arrange for fireworks. However, he made the request for the fireworks at the last minute.

"As you know, in the UAE you have to have a licence for that. So our staff worked very hard to ensure we had the licence and in the end, the guest had a private party at the beach, with a live band and beautifully laid out table just for the two of them, followed by a spectacular display of fireworks."

Guests can also enjoy a wide range of exclusive services, including express check-in and checkout, complimentary high-speed internet access, complimentary refreshments throughout the day and access to the Royal Club Lounge, complete with a daily happy hour in the evening.

Guests can also order a spa in their room. The team from the Al Aqah Spa will transform your bathroom into a private oasis with special decorations, music and rose petals so that you can melt into the tub and soothe your body and mind, while listening to the relaxing music. The Al Aqah Spa menu offers a silky smooth Chocolate Bath, creamy Milk Indulgence Bath, Ultimate Sensuous Bath and re-invigorating Vitality Bath.

However, if you would rather enjoy all the facilities such as the sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, then you are well-advised to head for the Egyptian-themed spa to enjoy an unparalleled array of wellness therapies. Treatments range from Elemis Aromapure and Exotics to Thai, Balinese, European aromatherapy massages and facials.

Those looking to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul will benefit from exclusive treatments available in the ayurvedic centre, based on ancient, natural regimens that originated in the south Indian state of Kerala.

You can choose from exotic massages or a range of health programmes specifically created for you by the resort's qualified ayurvedic doctor, who can be consulted for ailments such as sleep disorders, backache and stress.

A wide selection of dining options tops off the Al Aqah experience for those with a discerning palate. With eight outlets, offering everything from Thai to Indian to a sumptuous seafood buffet, guests are spoilt for choice at the resort.

However, the toast of the resort are the Thai restaurant Taste and the Indian Swaad.

Outdoor types looking to burn off calories from the restaurants can take advantage of the resort's leisure facilities, which range from kayaking to yoga. Guests can pick from a menu of beach and water sports such as beach volleyball, banana boat rides, donut rides, water skiing, boat cruises, fishing charters, snorkelling trips, glass bottom boat trips and a crazy golf course. There is also a professional dive centre with daily dive trips.

Antaki said: "You don't find this unique combination of the mountains and the sea in many places."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.