If you literally translate Dar Al Masyaf from Arabic language in English, you learn that the name of this gorgeous and unique hotel means ‘the summerhouse’. Not sure how your summerhouse looks like, but we presume there are not many summerhouses out there that can beat the incredible luxury and perfect service which you will find in Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. It starts already upon arrival at the property. The impressive and never-ending driveway with the beautiful, golden statues of horses immediately makes it clear, that this is not just another hotel you are arriving at. That feeling only gets stronger once you walk into the lobby and you are greeted by the first members of the service team.

Location & Hotel

The Jumeirah brand is prominently present in Dubai, where the company originated. It is a global luxury hotel company, with twenty-six properties in the Middle-East, Europe and Asia. In the neighbourhood of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf alone, you will find several properties of the Jumeirah group, of which the most famous one is probably Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, still known to many people as the only seven star hotel in the world. All properties of the Jumeirah group are luxurious and represent perfect service at unique locations. Apart from these unique hotels, Jumeirah also has more than eighty-five restaurants in the portfolio, of which three have been awarded Michelin stars.

The hotel is situated next to the private beach of Jumeirah group. You reach the lobby via a stretched driveway, decorated with gorgeous golden horses. After being overwhelmed by the beauty of the driveway and the fountain in front of the lobby, you immediately realize this is not a humble resort. Also after walking in, the experience remains impressive. The splendid entrance area full of mirrors, black and white colours and the most amazing flowers will take your breath away. But don’t worry, you will immediately be approached by very friendly and courteous staff, who will treat you like royalty. After a quick check of your passport at the counter, you will be guided to a buggy station, from where you will be transported to the villa in which your room is located.

From the moment the buggy starts driving, you cannot avoid noticing how immense and beautiful the whole resort is. There is literally green everywhere. Before arriving at the low-rise building that looks like an ultra-luxurious villa and where you will find your room, you drive by swimming pools, you notice the Abra boats that sail on the meandering Madinat waterways, the beach is always nearby and for sure you will get a glimpse at the monumental Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel.

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is located twenty-six kilometres from Dubai International Airport, which takes you twenty-five minutes by car. Bazaar Souk Madinat is just across the bridge and the Wild Wadi Water Park is next door. The Mall of Emirates and the Dubai Marina can be reached after a ten minutes taxi drive.

Rooms & Suites

Once you walk into the summerhouse where you will spend the night, you notice the beautiful, traditional arabesque design with contemporary detailing. Each summerhouse has nine to eleven rooms. These rooms have views over the Madinat Jumeirah waterways or over the Arabian Gulf. Literally thirty seconds of walking brings you from your summerhouse to Jumeirah’s private beach which is two kilometres long. Sunrises and sunsets are truly spectacular here. At the beach, you will notice the pier where at the end of it, you will find Pierchic, one of the restaurants of the resort. The right side of the beach is characterized by the world famous view, consisting out of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.

The resort offers 290 suites and villas, which can be booked across 12 different categories :

• King Deluxe Arabian Summerhouse : 109 units and 60 sqm in size
• Twin Deluxe Arabian Summerhouse : 35 units and 60 sqm in size
• King Deluxe Gulf Summerhouse Arabian View : 16 units and 60 sqm in size
• Twin Deluxe Gulf Summerhouse Arabian View : 46 units and 60 sqm in size
• King Deluxe Gulf Summerhouse Ocean View : 40 units and 60 sqm in size
• Twin Deluxe Gulf Summerhouse Ocean View : 8 units and 60 sqm in size
• Suite 1 Bedroom Arabian Summerhouse : 18 units and 120 sqm in size
• Suite 1 Bedroom Gulf Summerhouse Arabian View : 3 units and 135 sqm in size
• Suite 1 Bedroom Gulf Summerhouse Ocean View : 8 units and 135 sqm in size
• 2 Bedroom Malakiya Villa : 2 units and 280 or 275 sqm in size
• 3 Bedroom Malakiya Villa : 4 units and 531 or 338 sqm in size
• 2 Bedroom Royal Malakiya Villa : 1 unit and 644 sqm in size

During our stay, we were booked in a King Deluxe Gulf Summerhouse Ocean View. The room was situated on the second and thus highest floor of the summerhouse. Once you walk into the villa, you are welcomed by your butler, who is available for you at all times. Whatever help you require, they will take care of it. We used the butler service mainly to call for a buggy. As the property is huge, often you might require a buggy to visit a restaurant or to go to the main lobby area. Once you ask the butler to arrange the buggy, within seconds it is available. It almost feels like they are literally waiting for you at all times. The level of service is faultless.

With the setup of the summerhouses, even though you are in a huge property, the atmosphere is very cosy and personal. The welcome area of the summerhouse is a beautiful environment in traditional Arabic style and with dark wood furniture, where you can sit and unwind. It is also in this area that you do the check in. Evening time there is an open bar in this same area, where free flow of Veuve Clicquot Champagne or other drinks and nibbles is offered for free between six and eight o’clock. In the central area of the summerhouse, the majlis, there is a pool and you also find mosaic fountains, a wind tower and palm trees. The whole place is serene and relaxing, and feels far away from the bustling city life and the high activity level you can expect at a big resort like this.

One floor up, we found our stylish room which was very nicely decorated in a warm style and again with luxurious Arabic influences. Obviously, in the room you will discover your comfortable bed, but also a nice sofa area with a coffee table and a flatscreen television. The huge, marble bathroom has a beautiful free-standing bath and there is a shower and toilet separated from the rest of the bathroom by glass doors. In the bathroom, there is also a table with mirror where make up can be done and a double sink with amenities. Our favourite spot in the room however, was the terrace from where the views over the green, lush garden, the beach, the sea and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah were breath-taking.

Gastronomy

As Jumeirah has built several properties next to each other in this area, for guests it is very easy to enjoy the gastronomic offering of all of them. More than fifty restaurant and bars are within walking distance or can be reached via a buggy ride of a few minutes. Thanks to this, as a guest you have access to regional and international cuisines, from refined gastronomy over casual dining to beach options.

Some of the food experiences that can be found nearby the comfort of your own room :

• Pierchic : Italian refined restaurant situated on the private pier of the Jumeirah Al Qasr property.
• French Riviera : The place to be for modern and classic dishes that are typical for the south of France and the Mediterranean.
• Arboretum : Exquisite dining amidst lofty ceilings, foliage-inspired décor and an expansive terrace.
• Al Fayrooz Lounge : The ideal spot for afternoon tea, in an Arabian inspired environment and overlooking the beautiful waterways of Jumeirah Madinat.
• Pai Thai : Authentic Thai restaurant on the side of the waterways of Jumeirah Madinat.
• Tortuga : Colourful Mexican restaurant, where you can find traditional Mexican food, cocktails and mocktails. 

During our visit, we explored Pierchic and French Riviera. In the surrounding properties, we went to Shimmers in Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Kayto in Jumeirah Al Nasseem and Al Muntaha in Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Pierchic :

The location of the restaurant is very unique. You reach it via a walk over a private pier above the pristine waters of the Arabian Gulf. If you visit the restaurant during evening time, once you start to approach it, you see fire that is setup along the pier and which creates a unique atmosphere. Upon walking in, you immediately notice that Pierchic is aiming for a true fine dining experience. Service is elegant and refined, and rather formal. The menu consists of traditional Italian classics. Expect dishes such as tuna tartare, parmigiani di melanzana, linguine alle vongole or tagliata di manzo. Behind the stove is chef Beatrice Segoni.

French Riviera :

French Riviera consists out of two parts. You have the restaurant, which is located next to the swimming pool, and which we visited for breakfast. Refined food is served a la carte by professional staff in a very nice environment full of lush greens. But the restaurant also has a location on the beach, only metres away, which is called French Riviera Beach and which is truly a gem. Situated literally on the beach and with a DJ playing the perfect music choice, this is the place to be for a wonderful atmosphere. The staff is focussed on every detail, and delivers an impeccable service while creating a very friendly, casual but still refined atmosphere. And then the best part still needs to come : the amazing food that chef Kim Joinié-Maurin is serving here. Before joining Jumeirah, Joinié-Maurin was heading the kitchen of a three Michelin star restaurant of Joel Robuchon in Singapore, and that shows. Expect to eat the most tasty, surprising dishes, while overlooking the beautiful sea. Definitely try the crème brûlée toast perdu, the onion tarte tatin and the scrambled eggs with truffle. The chef, who grew up in South of France, takes culinary memories from his youth and turns them in incredible, delectable dishes. In our opinion, French Riviera Beach alone already gives you enough reasons to book a room in Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf.

Shimmers :

In Shimmers, which is also located on the beach, you will find a lively, high-end atmosphere which we would describe as casual chic. A DJ creates a great vibe, and the food is truly amazing. Italian chef Roberto Rispoli, originating from Pompeii near Naples, is in charge of the kitchen, and serves food which is inspired by Greek cuisine. Expect dishes such as carpaccio of tuna or sea bass, tartare of Gambero Rosso, grilled lobster, calamarata calamari or beef cheek stifado. See our separate article about this restaurant for more information.

Kayto :

Kayto is a rooftop restaurant, with a chic and refined look. We visited the restaurant evening time. At that moment, a DJ was playing rather loud, upbeat music, which creates a loungy kind of atmosphere in the restaurant. The kitchen is headed by chef Cristian Goya. The chef’s family originated from Japan but moved to Argentina. This inspired the chef to start cooking the typical Nikkei cuisine. Expect great, traditional Nikkei dishes such as sushi, ceviche and tataki.

Al Muntaha :

Apart from being a unique restaurant, Al Muntaha also gives you the opportunity to visit Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Once you walk into this magnificent hotel, you cannot avoid being impressed by the gorgeous, luxurious environment and the top-notch service of every staff member you meet. On the twenty-seventh floor of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, with incredible views over the Palm Island and the Arabian Gulf, Chef Saverio Sbaragli serves very refined, delectable Italian and French dishes. The amazing food of Chef Sbaragli was also discovered by the Michelin Guide, who rewarded Al Muntaha with one Michelin star. See our separate article about this restaurant for more information.

Hotel assets

Many guests will just enjoy the sand, the sea, the incredible views and the wonderful atmosphere on Jumeirah’s private beach. But for who wants to embark on activities, there are plenty of options :

• Two kilometres of private beach : ideal for walking, swimming,…
• Talise Spa : Situated within Jumeirah Al Qasr, you will find twenty-six treatment rooms in this serene sanctuary, which is recognized in the region as being one of the best spa locations for complete relaxation.
• J Club : huge gym and sports facilities
• Pools : 7 private pools near or at the beach
• Watersports, tennis, …

Why go?

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is a wonderful, calm and relaxing haven. It is situated at an incredible location, at a private beach of two kilometres long. The architecture throughout the property is truly gorgeous and with the beautiful Jumeirah Madinat waterways, it feels like being in a theme park, but then an exclusive, luxurious and upscale one, genuine and without the theme park aspects you don’t want during a hotel stay. All of the staff across the property is clearly there with only one mission statement : pamper the guests. There are plenty of options to eat and to drink and all of them are of surprisingly high quality. It is hard to describe Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf without using many superlatives.