Al Shamal Vacation Packages

The entire experience and service of the Mandarin needs to be lived

My stay at the hotel was generally good. The facility itself is as golden and polished as advertised—comparable to a luxury hotel in both appearance and ambiance. I checked in late in the evening while the manager was busy closing out the day, surrounded by a stack of receipts. The tone was professional, though somewhat lukewarm. I stayed in the Urban Suite, which overlooks an empty lot and a partial view of the bay. The room featured shelves lined with coffee table books and a standard fruit basket (banana, apple, orange, and plum). The bed was easily the highlight of my stay—extremely comfortable and inviting. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy the in-room coffee in the morning, as there was no milk provided for the Nespresso machine. I skipped the complimentary breakfast and went for a local restaurant. Just before checkout, I received a call from the front desk at 11:45 AM, asking if I needed help with my luggage and confirming if I was “still good for noon checkout.” While courteous, the timing and phrasing made me feel slightly rushed. All in all, while there were a few minor service hiccups , the facility is just as stunning as it appears online.

The location is accessible yet the resort feels isolated from the city. The private pool suite offers great value for money. They need to nail down some of the basics, but I will very likely come back to it.

Lived up to expectations.