Bab Al Nojoum Bateen Liwa — Hotel in Mzeerʻah

I’d like to preface this feedback with the following: Every person we interacted with was absolutely wonderful, unfortunately, it was clear from the beginning there is service/operational training and supervision missing.

2nd time at Bab Al Najoum, 1st time at Liwa. My first visit was Mugheira and it was exquisite, well oiled machine. We were met at reception with Arabic coffee and dates and then checked in. The receptionist, although friendly, did not greet us, or introduce herself, she simply confirmed we were checking in, took our emirates ID and told us to wait. No tour of the property, no explanation of facilities, timings, confirming any special occasions…she only tried to upsell us the full board upgrade.

The drivers of the buggy’s were by far the friendliest, every single one of them, nothing was ever too much, they made conversations on the drive and genuinely engaged, I think his name is Reshan, the first driver who drove us was the best - please recognize the buggy team in your next team get together.

The amenities and villa’s are lovely. Everything you need. It was very windy on our way there so no surprise to see a lot of sand in the pool, but across 2 mornings, no attempt to clean the pool was made.

The first night we ordered room service, average chicken Caesar and fusilli pasta.

1st breakfast was interesting. Again, not busy; but not much attention, only interaction was to get the Villa number. We were there at 9:30, but the team was struggling to replenish anything, it just seemed disorganized.

Housekeeping staff were friendly and efficient, cleaned relatively quickly and effectively and noticed the drain in the kitchen was slightly blocked and organized engineers without being promoted to check it out.

Dinner in the same restaurant was disappointing. When we arrived, we were 1 of 2 tables in the restaurant. No one introduced themselves, no welcome to the restaurant, they just assumed that we were having the buffet and because it only started 20 min later, neglected to offer us any drinks. I didn’t even know there was al la crate as an option. The first interaction again, was to ascertain which villa we were in to see how they must charge us, and they were very clear that dinner wasn’t included. This was when we figured out there was an a la crate menu to which one iPad was out on our table (2 diners) and the screen kept locking after 5-10 seconds, seriously annoying. I had to get up and ask for cocktails, I ordered alcoholic cocktails, strawberry and passion fruit margarita, and they confirmed that I wanted alcohol. There was no assigned waiter, no one brought us more water after asking, no one checked on the table, yet there were more than enough waiters and or managers walking around. We weren’t offered another drink at any time. The food was well presented and some dishes were tastier than others.

The next problem was our key cards. None of them worked after 2 attempts to get new ones, they gave us the manual key, which also didn’t unlock the door. They then wanted to send IT to fix the door etc but it was late and we wanted to rest.

Last day breakfast was ok, restaurant was really busy, tables weren’t being cleared fast enough, weren’t set up with proper cutlery and dishes were taking ages to replenish. Coffee machine ran out of beans and coffee had to be made elsewhere.

Check out was smooth and seamless, and an apology was extended to for the key cards again.

Would love to return, but some serious service etiquette training, as simple as engaging in conversation. My request for extra towels before arrival was not met. I had also mentioned in my pre-arrival email that it was my first time and nothing was acknowledged at check in.

This place has the potential to be a real game changer in desert luxury escape, the aesthetic and facility is...

The hotel premises and surroundings are absolutely gorgeous. Rooms are specious with a beautiful pool overlooking the desert dunes. Unfortunately we had a very mixed experience due to the staff.

Check in: very friendly. Great first impression!

All inclusive drinks are included with the meals and by the pool. Alcoholic drinks which are included are quite limited.

Some staff members were exceptional, such as the buggy cart driver and also the pool lifeguard who guided a fun hike to a nearby camel farm, included in the package.

Now the bad part: everything you ask seems an effort. Upon entering the restaurant, there's no one to seat you. No one offers a drinks menu or asks for your drink order. Sometimes tables aren’t prepared. You'd think that once you sit down the staff comes to prepare the table, however this doesn't happen.

One morning at breakfast I noticed no tables outside were prepared.After inquiring with staff about eating outdoors, I was assured it was possible. However, upon going outside, no table was prepared. Despite repeated requests, including asking for table setup, cutlery was provided but no water. You have to ask for every single thing that should come naturally.

During my two-night stay, I had six meals at the restaurant. Unfortunately, my first drink always arrived after I finished my first plate. The staff never offered additional drinks either, making ordering a continuous challenge with a minimum 30-minute wait.

During a quiet lunch, I requested 2 G&Ts while at the buffet, aware of the typical 30-minute preparation time. Despite this, the staff took an additional ten minutes to come outside and take our order, resulting in an awkward repetition of our request.

It seems that, besides the lifeguard, there is no staff assigned to monitor the guests at the pool, so it’s not clear how or from whom to order anything.

Our last morning we wanted to enjoy a quiet morning at the bungalow’s pool. Unfortunately there was very loud construction going on at the bungalow next door which ruined the beautiful natural setting. The resort is really big, and by the amount of people in the pool and restaurant I could tell it was far from full. I think it’s unacceptable to place guests in a bungalow next to construction while there are tons of other bungalows available. Or alternatively the hotel could leave a note in the room the day before, informing about the construction next door ahead of time (this is normally done in other hotels this way if no other options available). I’ve posted a video in the review so you can actually hear the sound.

I would have given this feedback upon check out is only someone would have asked me “how was your stay?”. However upon check out, when handing in the room key and asking to check out, the only words said were “ok it’s all settled”. No good bye whatsoever was said by the reception staff.

I would also like to point out that there was zero consistency: the receptionist that was so friendly and engaged upon check in, was later on the day just looking at her phone while passing through reception and didn’t even look up when we or anyone passed by. This is the same staff that did our check out. The restaurant staff occasionally replied very professional with a “certainly! My pleasure” while the next day the same staff would not even look at you.

Lastly, I know this resort is quite new. However I noticed a pattern in the reviews where other guests are addressing the same/similar issues. To see that after operating this hotel for one year the same issues still persist just shows how the management has been unable to improve this issue so far. The resort has enormous potential, but it’s sad that it seems that the staff lacks proper training, or just simply...

Located harmoniously among the vast, awe-inspiring dunes of Liwa, Bab Al Nujoom Resort is a tranquil oasis worth every bit of the 3.5-hour drive from Dubai. As an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, this exceptional place offers a sandy getaway that embodies simplicity, elegance, tradition, and comfort.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the friendly personnel who immediately made us feel at home. The resort's ambiance exudes a sense of peace and serenity, allowing guests to unwind and reconnect with nature.

What truly sets Bab Al Nujoom Resort apart is the outstanding service and warm hospitality extended by its dedicated team. Throughout our two-day stay, every member of the staff went above and beyond to ensure that our experience was nothing short of extraordinary. We highly recommend booking the all inclusive package, so that you can fully enjoy all that this place has to offer.

Chef Ashish, with his culinary expertise delighted our taste buds with his creations, deserve special mention for their outstanding contributions to our time there. We highly recommend the lamb chops, as they were the best we had ever had.

The housekeeping, spa, pool, culinary, reception, and internal transportation teams, worked tirelessly to make our stay memorable. Their collective efforts seamlessly orchestrated the immaculate cleanliness, delectable cuisine, efficient room service, and attentive reception that characterized our experience.

Our romantic getaway weekend at Bab Al Nujoom Resort was truly magical, filled with unforgettable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. One of the highlights of our stay was the special dinner arranged at our villa, where a cozy fireplace was lit, creating the perfect ambiance for an intimate evening.

As we dined under the starlit sky, we couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the desert landscape surrounding us. The attentive hospitality of the staff ensured that every detail was taken care of, allowing us to relax and immerse ourselves in the enchanting atmosphere.

From the moment we arrived until the moment we reluctantly bid farewell, we were treated with care and warmth that surpassed our expectations. Each interaction with the staff left a lasting impression, reminding us of the true meaning of hospitality.

I wholeheartedly recommend Bab Al Nujoom Resort to anyone seeking a haven of exceptional hospitality and service. Your commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for the genuine care and warmth you extended to us.

We hope to...