Rixos Hotels
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Almost perfect !
We recently stayed at the 5 Star Rixos hotel in Ras Al Khaimah. We booked a ten day stay for my husband’s 65th birthday. We arrived at 0200 and booked into our room. We didn’t have the best start as I’d specifically requested a quiet premium room but found ourselves in a room which looked a bit tired and was situated as close to the kids pool as was possible. However, we asked to be moved following morning and were really pleased with the way the hotel dealt with our request. Our new room was fabulous and the stress levels plummeted. Our only general disappointment was the advertised ‘minibar in room’ was only stocked with a couple of packets of cheap childrens snacks and a couple of mixer size soft drinks ( also water ). We’d anticipated a beer or G&T on the balcony but it’s not what these minibars are stocked with. The hotel and staff are superb, there’s little not to like. The food is exceptional and the beers and spirits are premium labels, not obscure cheap brands. As it is an all inclusive resort hotel the only problem we had was fitting back into our clothes for the journey home ! The speciality restaurants were all easily booked and all very good quality. We sat outside in the warm evening air, the atmosphere at all the restaurants was very pleasant. The entertainment didn’t grab us too much but we’re used to cruising so it wasn’t really that important to us. It all looked like good family fun and quite professionally done. The only odd thing we noted is that the big deep sofa chairs are grouped in a way that really reduces the available seating capacity around the main stage. Two people can easily take up six seats and with nowhere else to sit comfortably we didn’t bother in the end, otherwise might have sat with a nice relaxing G&T while we watched the shows and the world go by. The hotel has a lot of staff. They’re everywhere and always friendly,polite and helpful, full marks to whoever is in charge of training ! The swimming pools sometimes had more lifeguards than swimmers and they were all highly attentive, no doubt very reassuring for those with small children. One minor irritant (but also aware this is a family hotel and we were a bit older than the main core of family groups) was the incessant whistle and clapping noises that came from the pool while the morning fitness events were taking place. The hotel is split into three blocks which form a bit of an ‘arena’ around the pool which makes any noise bounce around a bit. Otherwise all very peaceful - but also noting they the hotel was running at much reduced capacity. One point of note was the amount of good quality sun beds available, both around the pool and on the beach, finding one was never a problem. The whole hotel was spotless and everywhere you look someone is sweeping or wiping. Everyone was very compliant with mask wearing but in the event of forgetting to wear one, especially in the restaurant, a member of staff would either politely make you aware or offer you a mask. There were a number of readily supplied mask stations around the hotels, always available and readily supplied. We had a day out at the Dubai Expo, the hotel concierge service was first class, organising taxis and providing local transport details. As with just about everything we experienced, nothing was too much trouble for the staff. A lot of reviews pick out individuals to mention specifically but we’d prefer to give a special mention to everyone we came across, rather that miss out anyone who also deserves a shoutout. The service really is good here, it was just a shame we couldn’t all see each other smiling with the infernal but necessary masks. Well done Rixos, you weren’t perfect but you were pretty close. We’ll come back again and happily recommend to anyone who asks.. Thanks for a lovely stay.