destination page

[mary-j]

I have recently mentioned in a few of my posts that the Middle East is not featured much, only one property in Abu Dhabi, but none in the more popular Dubai. Today I went in to the destinations page and there are more properties there for Middle East but wondered why they were not in any of the auction pages? I noticed that The Fairmont Dubai was featured in the destinations page and would be especially interested in that one. We stayed there in October and the service we received was exemplary. it was the first time we had stayed in the city as we normally stay on the beach in Dubai, but was blown away by the service in this hotel. We didn't miss the beach at all as The Fairmont has 2 pools on the 12th floor with exceptional views across Dubai city. They have a sunrise pool and a sunset pool so you get the sun for the whole day. Ii thought this was an excellent idea. Also this hotel is mainly a business hotel but caters very well for leisure guests too, but we found that as they only have a small proportion of leisure guests they do tend to treat you so well. Also the pools are quiet as most of the business clients are either out working or in the business centre.Are those hotels featured on the destinations page, but not on auction. likely to become available?

[thepiranha]

Mary-j, have you visited or stayed at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai? I recently found out about the hotel and it looks absolutely amazing. I'm wondering if it's as lavish as it looks on the internet.

[mary-j]

Hi,

no, i've never stayed there and not visited either. I do know many people who have stayed there and most loved it but there were a few who were not too impressed. when it did first open there were so many problems but hopefully that was just the usual teething problems you get with a hotel of this size just opening. personally, I wouldn't stay there as it is just too big for me. We now prefer smaller and quieter hotels, although I think that if I was going to Dubai with children then I would definately consider it.It is more or less the same as the one in the Bahamas. I have a friend who is a travel agent and they were out on a fam trip and she got to stay in their "Lost Chamber Suite..............on my God!!!! The pictures she took were amazing. The walls of the suite are actually the fish tank. Go into their website and check these suites out. hey, mabe LL oculd get them and feauture them in one of their auctions!!!

I think it has now got over the teething problems butthere are still a few things that would put me off staying there.

Apparently the sand is not very nice. The beach at the Atlantis was man-made and the sand was brought over but it is not like the usual soft white sands on the beaches in dubai. Also, around the pool area, the sunloungers are placed in rows very close to each other,There are row after row of sunloungers which doesn't sound very private as you are fairly close together. Most of the other Dubai hotels have their loungers placed well apart, but obviously due to the sheer size of Atlantis, they do need to have so many of them.

Yes, it is very glamourous and an amazing hotel, but don't think it is for me. Maybe it is becauseI have now been spoiled with the smaller hotels and I tend to often go for ones which have your own pool, I think Atlantis is just too big. Saying that, if someone was to say to me that they are going to send me there for a complimantary stay, then i would jump at the chance!!! I think if I could afford it, then I would stay in one of their Lost Chamber Suites, just for the experience. if someone was looking for somewhere different to stay for maybe a honeymoon or something, andcosts wasn't an issue, then these suites would be a wonderful choice.

Go check them out on the website if you can.



cheers,

[jashermd]

Hi Mary-J,



I've noticed a lot of hotels appearing in the Destination sections which never appear in the auctions (or at least they haven't in the time I've been on LL). I was interested in the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, but when I rang LL I found out that it was included because it was a luxury hotel in Stockholm, not because it had a particular relationship with LL. It seems that being included in the Destinations section doesn't necessarily mean that a property has or will offer auction packages. Maybe one of the moderators could comment? There used to be a way to see all of the properties which were in the LL portfolio (and hence might in theory offer auctions) but this option seems to have disappeared.



I have seen packages for the Fairmont properties from time to time, so you may just have to keep an eye on it. I'd suggest marking it as a favourite in your account settings and checking on it from time to time.



Cheers,

Julian

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Jashermd. I agree with you. I looked for Maryland properties and found a great selection! Unfortunately, none were offered as LL auctions! I was disappointed. I would hope that these hotels would join LL and provide opportunites to visit!