Simply put the Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah is one of the best managed properties I've ever stayed at (out of over 100+ five star properties I've visited). Service exceeded expectations at every turn and staff were responsive, warm, and not bothersome at all which is a fine line that many luxury hospitality brands cross all too frequently.
I almost always find something at a five star resort that seriously doesn't meet my expectations, but there really wasn't a single thing I could find worth complaining about here.
Rooms: 19/20 (highs: huge rooms standard, exceedingly comfortable beds, pillow menu, and all personal care products are either organic or all natural ingredients with no synthetic chemicals and often with ayurvedic formulations; small suggestions the blackout curtains could be a bit more comprehensive and the windows could insulate sound a bit better but overall the room over-delivered)
Location & Setting: 18/20 (highs: you can hear birds chirping almost everywhere on the property which gives it a feel very much not what you'd expect being in the middle of the desert, the beach is clean and inviting with picturesque sunset views, resort grounds are green and lush and perfectly maintained; small item worth noting is the resort is about 4 or 5 kilometers south of what looks like an oil refinery and storage facility which is just part of being in the UAE but still it is in the back of your mind whether the air/water might be polluted due to proximity)
Service & Ambience: 19/20 (highs: staff accommodated almost every request, provided service with a smile, and weren't overbearing at all, property is 7 years old but feels almost brand new with clean modern design, good house/techno music played at just the right volume throughout the key public areas; small piece of feedback, I asked three staff members about open use of spa facilities including steam/sauna and never heard back on that - for a five star resort these days steam/sauna/cold plunge are basically standard open access facilities for guests)
Food & Venues: 18/20 (highs: the Indian cuisine here is the standout as it should be for a brand from the subcontinent, in room dining and breakfast were very good and they delivered breakfast to our room on request which they didn't have to do [special thanks to management for accommodating that request]; Vinesse may not have been a standout in terms of culinary experience, and we didn't eat at Aquario so I can't speak to that venue, but overall we ate very well and were satisfied)
Amenities & Facilities: 18/20 (Highs: the main pool is enormous and perfect for luxuriating with ample privacy, it also looks like they are building an addendum to the property with a second pool with a better view to the ocean; the fitness center is well equipped with both a yoga/movement space as well as standard Matrix machines and freeweights; the only downside of the entire property was wellness/spa amenities which again I didn't get a clear answer from staff if the steam/sauna were available for use if you didn't book a treatment, also a spinning machine and a pull up bar would have completed the fitness center)
Overall resort score: 92/100
For anyone looking for a luxe staycation less than an hour away from the often jarring busyness of Dubai, this is an incredible escape that should be near the top of your list. One of a rare few five star resorts I have stayed at that really...
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