LASTMINUTE TRIP

Last resort

A look inside chic new property JA Lake View

The history

Fun fact: the first Jebel Ali hotel opened its doors in April 1981, when the Dubai skyline and the variety of hotels available was considerably smaller than it is now. Fast forward almost 40 years, and as the city has grown, the hotel has developed into a full scale, experience packed resort, sprawling over one million square metres. Now called JA The Resort, it’s split between three hotels; JA Beach Hotel, JA Palm Tree Court, and, the newest opening, JA Lake View Hotel.

The location

Surprisingly it’s a breezy 18-minute drive from Dubai Marina.

The look and feel

The 348-room hotel is designed to be spacious and relaxing, with a focus on light and space, and a neutral colour palette complementing the natural surrounds of the green landscape and saltwater lake. Parts of the hotel are solar-powered, and you won’t find a plastic bottle or straw in sight across the hotel.

The facilities

JA Lake View has a split-level infinity pool that overlooks the golf course and comes complete with a swim up bar. There is also a smaller adults-only pool for a more secluded dip. But it’s the larger complex – JA The Resort – with its prime location on an 800m stretch of private beach and with numerous activities available that makes it really special. There are over 40 activities to choose including a spa, golf, horse riding, water-skiing and much more. Plus, there’s the JA Shooting Club, just a five-minute drive away from the resort.

The rooms

Rooms are spacious, each with their own balcony. We also love the voice-activated assistant, Alexa, who provides instant virtual assistance to guests in their rooms.

The food and drink

Restaurant 81 serves as the all-day dining restaurant, while elsewhere you’ll find

Kinara by Vikas Khanna. Plus there’s the gastro pub Republik, chic rooftop bar,

Bibe and Phoenicia, serving contemporary twists on Middle Eastern classics.

The room rates

The hotel has very competitive allinclusive option, including food across all its restaurants. House drinks are also unlimited from 11am to 11pm. Rates start at Dhs895 per night.

“THE HOTEL HAS DEVELOPED INTO A FULL-SCALE, EXPERIENCE-PACKED RESORT”