Jebel Hafit Desert Park – Pura Eco Retreat منتزه جبل حفيت الصحراوي - بورا إيكو ريتريت — Hotel in Jabal Hafeet

They got a nice thing started here. Not as good as Hatta Demani or Sedr but different. It's worth a visit to the area with managed expectations. In time, I expect they will improve as they are newly opened. Stayed in the traditional tent accomodation on their 2nd day of opening. I booked online and had a ton of questions as there are few details on their website as to what to expect. My email was rejected. I called several times and the kind person answered all my questions. They don't always answer the phone. There are few road signs and other places called "Jebel Hafit Park" on maps so be sure to put in "Jebel Hafit Desert Park" or you will end up in Mubazzarah which is 20 minutes away. Summary: -You will be asked to pay a refundable cash deposit at check in. You will need your emirates ID and a male over the age of 16 with an emirates ID to check in. We arrived at 3:30 and didn't get to check in until after 5pm due to the internet or computer system. -Slow service as they get started but management tried to make up for it and went above and beyond, hopefully it will improve as they go on. -Transportation from the tents is difficult,. You need to call a driver with no centralized or reliable phone number. We were stranded at the food truck for 2 hours. You really need to plan ahead. -Food truck isn't running smoothly yet. The food was okay but they did run out of items and not everything on the menu was available yet. We tried the chicken burger, fried mozzerella sticks, and the steak dian. Prices were decent. We didn't bother showing up for our complimentary continental breakfast due to transportation difficulty and the fact that we anticipated them being out of many items since I am pretty sure breakfast is complimentary for all the guests. Cash only. This is the only place to get food in the park. -You will need to bring your own bedding, food, cooler, and cooking supplies, fire wood and matches, water, and no electricity. Bring lanterns and flashlights. But try to pack light because you will need to transport all of your gear to their cars to be driven to your campsite. The cars cannot drive up to all the tents so you could be trekking your things to your tent. -The toilets are complicated port-a-potties. They didn't smell bad and they were cleaned regularly but the few times I had to use them, there was no toilet paper, no running water, and basically clean other than the fact that it looked like people didn't know how to flush properly because the toilets are complicated. They had water trucks filling the water in the facilities and I couldn't use them until the water truck made another run. No showers for traditional tents. -In the area where the traditional tents are, you are a 5-10 minute car drive from the main hub. The dining truck, the only place to get any food in the park, is in the area where the dome tents are. It is also a good 5 minute drive from the traditional tents. We walked around exploring the area for a few miles and didn't come close to anything but nice scenery and lots of rocks. -We tried the camel rides and the bikes. Both were fun but you can only do this at the main hub. We would have liked to take the bikes to our tent and ride around in that area. Didn't try the buggy rides as we were already staying there and had to drive back and forth in their cars. -Very serene and beautiful views of rocky mountains/desert. -Be patient. -Internet signals are weak near the mountains. Wifi stations available within...

Our stay at the Heritage tent near the majestic Jebel Hafit mountain was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by tranquil desert landscapes juxtaposed with the rugged beauty of the mountains, this unique accommodation offered an unparalleled blend of peace and adventure.

The tent itself was a haven of comfort, with its gorgeous design and fully air-conditioned interiors providing respite from the desert heat. The highlight was undoubtedly the mesmerizing firepit at the front, which created the perfect ambiance for stargazing under the vast desert sky. Each night felt like a journey into the heart of the wilderness, with the flickering flames casting a warm glow over our evenings.

Exploring the historical sites in the desert was a fascinating experience, made all the more enjoyable by the warm hospitality of the staff. From guiding us through the rich heritage of the area to ensuring our comfort throughout our stay, every member of the team went above and beyond to make our visit unforgettable.

What truly set this experience apart was the sense of adventure that came with it. Being able to park our car right in front of our tent added an element of excitement, as we navigated the rugged roads with the anticipation of a real adventure.

Overall, our stay at the Heritage tent was a perfect blend of tranquility, luxury, and adventure. With memories of starlit nights and desert explorations etched in our minds, we left longing for more. We, along with our 13-year-old son, are already planning our return, eager to relive the magic of this unique desert retreat.

Now, onto our dining experience at the Pura Eco Retreat's restaurant...

Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of Jebel Hafit, Pura Eco Retreat's restaurant is a culinary gem that perfectly complements its stunning surroundings. Our breakfast experience on April 9, 2024, was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to the exceptional service provided by GURU, the restaurant manager, and our attentive waiter.

From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality. Our waiter ensured that our every need was met, recommending delightful dishes and ensuring prompt service. The food itself was a symphony of flavors, each dish thoughtfully crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From savory omelets to fluffy pancakes, every bite was a delight to the senses.

But what truly set this experience apart was the personal touch provided by GURU. Not only did he oversee every aspect of our meal with precision, but he also took the time to share the rich history of the area, adding depth and context to our visit. His passion for the retreat and its surroundings was infectious, leaving us inspired to explore further.

As we savored our breakfast, GURU graciously pointed out key locations to visit nearby, ensuring that our time at Pura Eco Retreat was maximized to the fullest. His knowledge and enthusiasm transformed our visit into an unforgettable journey of discovery.

Pura Eco Retreat's restaurant is more than just a place to dine – it's an experience that engages all the senses and leaves a lasting impression. With GURU at the helm and a dedicated team of staff, every meal becomes a memorable adventure. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a food lover, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, this hidden gem promises an unparalleled dining experience amidst the wonders of...

The place itself is beautiful. Amazing to camp in this serene mountain area. Great for hiking & exploring the mountains. This review though is more for the facilities & experience for the Luxury Dome tent. It could have been amazing but there were quite a few things that let it down. Firstly the road to get there is so unbelievably bumpy that without a 4x4 you'll be shaken like Bonds Martini. Because you have to drive so slowly it takes about 30 minutes to get to reception once you pass through the entry gates. Then another 30 to get to the dome tents. The dome tent itself had all the facilities but unfortunately what let it down was the bed, the water & the cleanliness. The bed was incredibly hard & uncomfortable. If I'd wanted a bad night's sleep I would have done actual camping! Very disappointing. None of us slept well & I had a sore back for 2 days after. The shower when I first turned it on ran for a few seconds then stopped. Then stopped & changed temperature a number of times whilst attempting to wash. There was no evidence of sanitisation. The TV remotes were dirty with food stains, there was no hand sanitiser & no evidence they were doing anything different to normal during this pandemic. The staff had masks on below their noses. There was no emphasis on hygiene. The inside of the tent also had large liquid stains on the cream canvas. Looked like a leak had occurred. The clear panel for your view out was also dirty. We raised this amongst other things at checkout, this was dismissed as down to the weather. The weather had been poor but surely you'd wipe down the window for the quests as they arrive as this is one of the main selling points? We'd hoped to have a barbecue but arrived & found no barbecue. I'm sure we'd read it came with one but it's no longer on the website. The food available to order was provided by an on-site caterer. So we ordered dinner from the menu delivered to our tent. We ordered Taouk wraps which were mainly filled with chips. With a side of chips. Then because it did not say it came with chips we ordered more chips to go on the side. So we mainly ate chips. My daughter had a curry, which was not nice & contained a long black hair. We did however have a lovely fire pit we spent the evening sat around. This however cost 50 AED for the wood. Quite expensive. We had intended checking in then going to get all the things we needed for a barbecue & fire for the evening. However, once we'd spent an hour driving the bumpiest of roads to get there from the entry gate the thought of doing that again, twice, to go to Lulu & back put us off that idea. The breakfast would have been good, cereal, croissant, juices etc but sadly we found another long black hair in the juice. We had a lovely time because of the surroundings. The accommodation though, could have been great but ended up disappointing. When we raised our problems at checkout we were thanked for our feedback but ultimately our points were dismissed & excuses provided. Its expensive so I don't think we'll be going back. Unfortunately I can not recommend, which is a real shame given how good it...