Al Qasr — Restaurant in London

This place was a huge disappointment.

I wish I could have said different.

I made the booking for us and our three children, for 7pm yesterday. I confirmed we would have until 9.30pm.

Not once was it mentioned the kids would not be allowed to eat until iftar time, that we would not be able to purchase menu items aside from the iftar, or that the restaurant is only serving food for 2 hours from iftar time.

I would have steered clear.

The children were so excited, it was our final iftar meal out this ramadan. They were solooking forward to the menu.

But to expect them to wait an hour from 7 in the restaurant before eating, and thats already an hour past their dinnertime, is ridiculous.

The way in which this was conveyed was also highly unsatisfactory and very poor customer service.

We were shown to our table, and then flatly refused the kids eating anything. Nothing small, no starters, which they could give us themselves we would not touch their buffet setup, or to purchase separately off the menu.

The explanation was that previously, customers had complained about people eating early and left bad reviews apparently. Who complains about young children eating a little food?! As if it would all finish. This indicates perhaps an issue with supply of menu items which one would expect in a buffet.

The point was why not tell me on the phone? It was clear we were coming with kids. Why book for 7pm if we are not allowed to eat??The manager spoke as if the two hour slot is clearly advertised, it isn't.

To top it off, he was speaking to my husband not me, even though I was speaking to him and my husband was not. I foubd this extremely rude and disrespectful that he was completely ignoring me and speaking over me . Not letting me get a word in but telling my husbsnd he's not going to argue.

Who was arguing?! We were just incredulous at what we were hearing, trying to sort something for the children. If he had been upfront, we would not have booked.

In the end he offered some chips but we were told we would have to sit away from the main area lest a customer (there was no one else in the venue yet) should think we were eating all the buffet food. We could have gone to a pfc for that. My kids were not interested.

We just felt so unwelcome. Reviews were the priority not great customer service and kindness towards children. He bent down to my son to say I know, i have a little one...what?? But then you're going to refuse to give the hungry munchkin any food?

Well, here's a review for you. Parents, avoid this place.

I made a last minute booking standing in the venue, being so upset at the way we were treated whilst the manager had left us to get the chips. Imagine that, customers googling somewhere else to eat because your place was so inhospitable.

We actually ended up going to SPICE KHAZANA, a restaurant literally a few mins away.

Here we were reallocated to a lovely table downstairs when they hadn't had space at first. The children were happily munching on delicious starters come iftar time. As were other kids, whilst the adults supervised. That's how it should be no? A lovely atmosphere and exactly the evening we...

“The Perfect Stay – Unforgettable Experience at Jumeirah Al Qasr”

If I could give Al Qasr more than five stars, I absolutely would! My stay here was nothing short of perfection, and it truly set a new standard for hospitality.

From the moment I stepped out of the taxi, I was blown away by the architecture. The lobby took my breath away. The fresh flowers were a beautiful sight. Greeted by a very warm welcome from the staff. Check-in was seamless, we arrived at the hotel at 9am, check in was meant to be at 2pm, but they had our room ready. We were personally escorted to our room – a thoughtful touch that instantly made me feel special.

The room itself was a masterpiece of comfort and style, combing traditional Arabian and modern design. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud, the linens were luxuriously soft, and the attention to detail was impeccable. The bathroom was a spa-like sanctuary, complete with premium toiletries. The view from my room overlooked the lake where the abra’s (boats) whisked guests around the resort with the iconic Burj Al Arab as the backdrop! I could have spent hours soaking up the scenery!!

The hotel’s amenities were second to none. The on-site spa was a heavenly escape, and the dining options were extraordinary. Each meal felt like a culinary journey, with the chefs delivering flavors that were both innovative and unforgettable. The breakfast buffet, was a treat with something for everyone, including local specialties. The award winning buffet held every Saturdays from 1-4pm was the highlight. I can honestly say, worth every penny!!

What truly set this hotel apart, though, was the exceptional service. Every staff member I encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to ensuring my stay was perfect. Whether it was a thoughtful recommendation for a local hidden gem or a small surprise left in my room, the personalized care I received was unparalleled. In particular Maruf, our housekeeper did an exceptional job. Jitu was another employee who was extremely friendly and went above and beyond for us.

The location was ideal, away from the hustle and bustle. It sure was a peaceful retreat where I could fully unwind.

I can’t recommend Al Qasr highly enough. It’s not just a place to stay – it’s an experience you’ll treasure forever. I’m already counting down the days until my next visit!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (If I could give...

They've recently launched a new menu and have a Lebanese chef in the kitchen cooking up a storm. I went to Al-Qasr years ago and really wasn't impressed! Since then the management has changed and I can say that the food has improved massively! I only tried the Mediterranean dishes so cannot comment on the other food

Toad and I really enjoyed the starters. The halloumi was delicious with a lovely balsamic glazing and the crackers with the fiery sauce balanced the creaminess of the cheese well! The naan style garlic bread was devoured by the kiddos and went really well with their fresh hummus! We both really really enjoyed the batata harrara! Spicy with a lovely tang to them

For mains we had the Alqasr platter and sadly it wasnt as nice as I would have hoped. The wings were very succulent and tasty but both Toad and I did not enjoy the spicemix of the kebab and chops (I thought they had too much Turmeric). That said, we fed this back to the manager who was very receptive. In his own words, they've newly opened and were looking for feedback. everybody has a palate and he said some people had loved them, so it may well be my palate

Dessert was a lovely creamy Kunefe and baklava which we literally devoured! I have to say that service we received was excellent! My little ones wanted oranges for dessert (proud mama) so they brought out a plate of oranges covered in chocolate sauce. I was really touched and I always appreciate service that goes the extra mile, especially when the kids are in town

Whilst its not the best Lebanese Ive ever had, the ingredients are all fresh and its pretty decent for a local! I decided to do an aunty pose and hold the platter up! Clearly...