Canadian World Traveller Winter 2018-19 Issue

68
The Al Bait Sharjah Hotel Dubai
by Olivia Balsinger
Just 25 kilometers north of Dubai along
the Arabian Coast’s southern peninsula,
yet feeling worlds apart, Al Bait Sharjah
is the region’s jewel that is still most entirely
off the mainstream tourist radar—and thus
right up my alley! It is widely known as the
United Arab Emirate’s cultural hub and is
filled with a historic legacy stretching back
some 6,000 years, intriguing museums and
captivating souqs. It also boasts stunning
mountains on one side and dramatic coastline
on the other, creating a beautifully scenic
picture. Oh and if that isn’t enough, it is
one of the hot new international art destinations.
So it goes without saying that I am
incredibly excited to stay at newly opened Al
Bait Sharjah.
The five-star hotel is a boutique property
with just 53 rooms and suites inside four
converted heritage houses that were once
owned by local families who made an
impact on Sharjah’s history either culturally,
politically or intellectually. The name Al Bait
Sharjah actually translates to “The Home” in
English, and staying here really feels like
sleeping in a really wealthy friend’s vacation
home. The rooms come in a number of sizes
and styles. I loved the Heritage Rooms,
which are each uniquely decorated and
come with a stylish “Asian meets Arabian”
aesthetic. They also look out over a private
traditional inner courtyard filled with greenery
and a water fountain and there are plenty
of cushions and rugs to sit on and stare
out the windows from. The suites are also
sweet (aptly named!) and come with all the
modern comforts you can think of and plenty
of space to move around. I loved the living
room with its traditional rugs, cushions
and lanterns and the minimalist vibe in the
bedroom.
The property is also part of a larger bespoke
historical restoration project known as Heart
of Sharjah, which merges Islamic heritage
with contemporary open design. Beyond the
hotel, Heart of Sharjah is filled with restaurants,
galleries, cafes and atmospheric local
bazaars. There are also plenty of amenities
on the hotel grounds to take advantage of.
Don’t skip a service at the spa, which is a
luxury oasis that offers a range of Middle
Eastern influenced treatments using organic
artisan products. There is also a state of the
art gym on the property with Technogym
equipment and a pool.
For onsite dining there are no less than four
choices, always. Try The Arabic Restaurant if
you want gourmet Emirati fare served family
style; while The Restaurant does a more
traditional international menu. The Cafe is
where to get your caffeine buzz on with a
cup of Arabic or Turkish coffee as well as
some excellent people watching. And finally,
my favorite, having a sweet treat at The
Ice Cream Shop, which creates an array of
homemade flavors that are far from your
generic chocolate and vanilla selections.
The Emirate of Sharjah also hosts a number
of internationally acclaimed events including
the Sharjah Formula 1 Powerboat
Grand Prix, The Dubai World Cup of
horseracing and The Sharjah Biennial, one
of the Middle East’s most prestigious art
events. In an area of the world so modern
and extravagant, The Al Bait Sharjah does a
stellar job at maintaining its authentic, timeless
charm.
Ghmhotels.com/en/al-bait-sharjah
Canadian World Traveller Winter 2018-19