Detailed Review
The 4 star Hatta Fort Hotel is an exclusive mountain retreat offering the ultimate in relaxation and seclusion from the city’s hustle and bustle. Set in 80 acres of manicured gardens, surrounded by the majestic Hajar Mountain range and wild nature, it is the ideal destination for leisure, business and incentive stays. In addition to breathtaking surroundings, this luxury hotel caters to all needs with world class dining, entertainment and a host of sport and leisure activities.
Enjoy the delicacies of gourmet dining at the Jeema Restaurant offering an impressive international a la carte menu amidst a backdrop of landscaped gardens. The glass-enclosed Cafe Gazebo overlooks one of the resident pools and serves light dishes in comfortable surroundings. The adjoining outdoor terrace invites you to relaxing moments while enjoying the stunning mountain views.
Less than an hour’s drive from Dubai and ten minutes to the border of Oman, the journey to the Hatta Fort Hotel leads through some of the most interesting and stunning landscapes in the U.A.E.
Press Quotes
"...a peaceful retreat in an 80-acre oasis." Telegraph 05
Independent Reviews
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"Good base for desert explorations, with fine mountain views"
Hatta Fort Hotel
By Vanessa Kaoukji
Open since 1981, and part of the Relais and Chateaux group, this is the grandfather of hotels in Dubai. Walking into the hotel is like walking back into the 1980’s, but there is something about Hatta Fort hotel that makes it one of the most charming places to stay in Dubai. Situated in the Hajar mountains, you have to drive through Oman, albeit for only five minutes, on the hour long drive from the city. This is due to a strange kink in the border but means that Hatta Fort hotel is not only a great getaway from Dubai, but is a good stopping point on a trip to Oman. The craggy scree-covered mountains attract hikers and Hatta pools, natural rock pools with turquoise waters only half an hour from Dubai, attract weekenders. Sadly these pools have become littered over the years and because both the Omani and Dubai governments turn a blind eye, it is up to the hotel to periodically clean up the area. There is plenty here to keep even the most active guest busy. There are walking, hiking or running tracks around the property and into the mountains or the hotel can organise a trip to Hatta pools for a picnic. There is also clay pigeon shooting, golf and archery at the hotel. If you want to get a feel for old Dubai, have a wander around Hatta village. There is not much here other than a few café’s, but the Heritage Village set up by the government, will give an idea of how things used to be. Abetter display of kitsch cannot be found than in the bar in the main hotel. The barman refers to it’s as James Bond’s bar, which is pretty accurate. Brown faux suede, mirrored walls, cream leather sofas, walnut ceiling – it’s a fantastic place to enjoy a drink before dinner. Al Jeema restaurant is the more formal of the hotels two restaurants (the other being open-air and overlooking the pool). It is not a very atmospheric room, but a couple singing covers of age old songs keep the place alive. The food is good and staff will gather to simultaneously lift the silver domes off your plates. The 50 chalet-style rooms are spacious and charming. Vaulted pine ceilings are what give them the chalet touch and although it is totally incongruous to have chalets in the mountains in Dubai, you can’t help but fall in love with them. Bathrooms are small but clean. Every room has a balcony with a view of the mountains and bougainvillea climbs up the wall to the roof. The rooms interconnect on either side to other rooms, which is very convenient for families or groups of friends but it does mean that you can hear your neighbours coming and going. One other down side is that the highway runs just outside the hotels grounds so although you can’t hear anything from you room, lying by the pool you will hear lorries barrelling down the road. For its faults the staff here are very friendly and helpful. Many of them have been employed at the hotel since it opened and are like a part of the family. There is a charm here that nowhere else in Dubai has managed to capture, and nothing can beat the sound of the birds that accompany you from the main building to your room or the sight of the mountains.
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