Danat Al Ain Resort — Hotel in Central District

Danat Al Ain Resort, once a symbol of luxury, now stands as a glaring example of neglect and mismanagement. From the moment you step onto the property, it’s evident that time has not been kind to this establishment. The once-grand architecture now looks outdated, with faded paint, worn-out furnishings, and an overall sense of decay that makes it feel more like a relic of the past than a functioning resort.

Check-In and First Impressions: A Disorganized Mess

The check-in process was anything but smooth. The front desk staff seemed overwhelmed and undertrained, struggling to handle even the simplest requests. The lack of professionalism was striking—slow service, missing reservation details, and an overall attitude of indifference set the tone for a disappointing stay.

Rooms: A Step Back in Time (and Not in a Good Way)

The room was a major letdown. The décor felt decades old, with furniture that had clearly seen better days. Stained carpets, peeling wallpaper, and dim lighting created an atmosphere that was more depressing than welcoming. The bedding felt cheap, and the mattress was so uncomfortable that getting a good night’s sleep was nearly impossible. Worst of all, the air conditioning unit rattled throughout the night, making it feel like sleeping next to an old generator.

Cleanliness: A Serious Concern

Hygiene standards were shockingly poor. The bathroom had visible mold around the shower area, and the towels had an odd, musty smell—almost as if they hadn’t been properly washed. The floors were dusty, and it was clear that housekeeping was cutting corners. For a so-called “luxury resort,” this was unacceptable.

Dining: Overpriced and Underwhelming

The dining experience was equally disappointing. The food quality was mediocre at best, with bland flavors and subpar presentation. The breakfast buffet, which should have been a highlight, felt more like a cafeteria-style setup with lukewarm dishes, stale pastries, and an uninspired selection of fruits. Worse yet, the service was painfully slow, and getting the attention of a waiter required more effort than it should in a supposedly high-end resort.

Amenities: False Promises and Poor Maintenance

Danat Al Ain Resort boasts a range of amenities on paper, but in reality, most of them are poorly maintained. The swimming pool, which should have been a refreshing retreat, was murky and overcrowded. The gym had outdated equipment, some of which were out of order. Even the spa, advertised as a place for relaxation, felt more like an afterthought, with a lack of ambiance and unprofessional staff.

Service: Indifferent and Unprofessional

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the stay was the service. The staff appeared disinterested, often giving the impression that they were simply going through the motions rather than genuinely caring about guest satisfaction. Requests for simple items like extra towels or room service took an unreasonable amount of time, and follow-ups were often ignored.

Overall Verdict: A Resort That Should No Longer Be in Business

Danat Al Ain Resort is a textbook example of a hotel that has failed to keep up with modern standards. From poor service and outdated facilities to a lack of cleanliness and overall disorganization, there is very little to justify its existence as a “luxury” destination. For travelers seeking a quality experience in Al Ain, there are far better options available. Avoid this resort unless you’re looking for a stay filled with...

We reached from Dubai with pre confirmed booking pool view. Parked the car in front. Hotel staff pick up the luggage but none approached for valet parking.  Went to park car myself as i saw the parking on left while approaching the hotel.  No meet and greet, none on the door.

Stood in queue for Check in at 1.24 pm and reached the chekin desk at 1.42 pm.  Check in staff Mr. Awab was polite. He alotted a room to my friend and informed that as me and my friend requested for same floor will take some time and he will call to provide a room.  Asked if any other floor is fine as well.  Was told will check with the housekeeping colleagues and will call me.  I went to my friend's room. None called me. His room has no pool view. We decided to speak to duty manager Mr. Mahmood. He provided him a pool view room. I waited more time and provided me a room on inner courtyard side but no pool view and the duty manager sternly told me the room provided is final.  We were too tired to bargain as it was more than 2 hours in lobby waiting for a room. Another guest sat in front of me to speak to duty manager and he has the same problem. His friends got a room and he didn't get a room.  In this time none asked for a glass of water or a juice ( maybe due to Ramadan month) or any refreshment towel.

Lobby was overcrowded with people and kids running here and there.  We went to our room and encountered a new problem.  The room key card.  It didn't work.  In 2 nights stay we went to lobby around 7 times to reprogram the key and few times asked the room service staff to open the door. Staff told not to keep the key card with the mobile phone and we carry the key cards separately but still same issue. The key problem stayed until the last moment.  Room was OK but noise is unbearable.  Kids screaming,  running in corridors,  people chatting and talking loud. I thought of taking a nap but instead was cursing myself for choosing this hotel.  The room has no pool view but instead opens on inner courtyard area.

Decided to visit the pool area.  Only one pool was open as the kids and the Olympic size pool was under renovation ( was informed while booking so we understand). Sun loungers are very few and pool was overcrowded in peak hours.

Night sleep was disturbed because of noise from corridors and mosquito bite. Bathroom shower was loose and only points at 1 point near to wall and need to stand touching the wall to shower. Room service supervisor Mr. Harsha was very helpful.

Food was OK but the Cafe was very overcrowded during the peak hours.  They have 2 more restaurants.  Was better to divide the dining with the other Cafes as well.  We sat outside for breakfast and there was no water or glass.  I went to bring water bottle and glass. The door between the outside dining and the inner Cafe was not sliding door and very inconvenient to open the door with food in hand.

At last checked out and left.  This hotel is not worth your money.  Need good change in service and building renovation to make it a nice hotel.  Will not...

Subject: Feedback Regarding My Stay and Staff Interaction

Dear Hotel Management,

I hope this message finds you well.

I’m writing to share some important feedback regarding my recent stay at your hotel. While my experience began on a very positive note, it was unfortunately interrupted by a disappointing encounter with one of your staff members.

Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by Mr. Mohamed at the reception (Egyptian nationality), who was exceptionally polite, calm, and helpful. His manner set a perfect tone for what I hoped would be a relaxing stay.

However, a minor misunderstanding at the pool regarding age restrictions led to an interaction with the Duty Manager, whom I believe was Mr. Mahmoud. From the moment he arrived, his approach was cold, dismissive, and frankly unwelcoming. He didn’t offer a smile, failed to maintain eye contact, and repeatedly made hand gestures that implied I should be silent — even before I had begun speaking. His tone was inappropriate and lacked the courtesy and professionalism expected in such a role.

His “solution” to the issue was vague and impractical, and his overall attitude made me feel more like a problem to be dealt with than a guest to be understood. I was shocked by how casually he spoke to me, as though I were unfamiliar with how hotels operate. Disappointed, I considered checking out — not because of the hotel itself, but because of how I was treated.

But the next day, everything changed when I met Ms. Maysa at the reception.

She was everything a hotel guest could hope for — professional, graceful, empathetic, and composed. With a calm smile, she invited me to sit down, offered me a drink, and listened with genuine attention. She apologized sincerely and respectfully — not only on behalf of the hotel, but also in a way that honored her colleague. She even sent a thoughtful guest gesture to my room, which deeply moved me.

To be completely honest, Ms. Maysa is the kind of person who deserves to hold a managerial position such as Duty Manager. Her ability to manage difficult situations with such emotional intelligence, class, and diplomacy is far more in line with the standards of a five-star establishment. If she had been the one handling the situation from the start, I would have undoubtedly extended my stay and left with a completely different impression.

This message is not merely a complaint, but a sincere suggestion that those who demonstrate true leadership and guest-centered thinking — like Ms. Maysa — be recognized and promoted. In contrast, Mr. Mahmoud’s approach damaged my trust and gave me a negative impression I never expected from a hotel of your caliber.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback. I hope this note helps in continuing to build a team that reflects the excellence your hotel promises.

Warm...