Hotel Review: The Fantastic Mina A’ Salam at Madinat Jumeirah

View of the Mina A' Salam

View of the Mina A’ Salam

When trying to pick a hotel in Dubai, it can be a rather daunting task.  With over five hundred hotels to choose from, there are no shortage of options from budget hotels to five star hotels.  After researching many options on Trip Advisor, my wife and I decided to stay at the Mina A’ Salam at Madinat Jumeirah.  As part of the Jumeirah Group, which operates luxury hotels in the Middle East, Far East, and Europe, the Mina A’ Salam hotel is part of the large Arabian style resort in Dubai called Madinat Jumeirah.  In addition to the Mina A’ Salam, Madinat Jumeirah includes the Al Qasr hotel, Dar Al Masyaf and Malakiya Villas.

This large resort is situated on the Arabian Gulf in a nice, centrally located position in Dubai.  The private two kilometer beach in front of the hotel is reserved for guests of the hotel so the beach never seemed real crowded.

2 km beach in front of Mina A' Salam.  View of the Burj Al Arab in the background

2 km beach in front of Mina A’ Salam. View of the Burj Al Arab in the background

The resort is interconnected with three kilometers of waterways with over forty restaurants and bars situated in the hotels and along the waterways.  Luckily the Madinat Jumeirah provides abras (small boats) to ride along the waterways which makes any area of the resort easily accessible.

3 km of waterways interconnect the Madinat Jumeirah

3 km of waterways interconnect the Madinat Jumeirah. Numerous restaurants along the waterways.

The heat and humidity in Dubai can become oppressive, especially during the summer months.  The Arabian Gulf offers a chance to cool down with very pleasant temperatures for swimming.  If you don’t want to swim in the Arabian Gulf, there are multiple pools throughout the resort that can be used by any of the guests.  Also, complimentary access is given to the nearby Wild Wadi Water Park at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which was just a short walk or buggy ride from the Mina A’ Salam.

View of one of the pools at Madinat Jumeirah

View of one of the pools at Madinat Jumeirah

If you have had too much sun, the Souk Madinat is connected to the hotel and is based off a traditional Arabian market with ample shopping options.   Should you want to venture away from the resort, most major attractions in Dubai are only a short taxi ride away, although the resort was so nice that it was tough to leave.  The service at the resort is excellent.  Fresh complimentary fruit is delivered daily to your room in addition to multiple bottles of water and nightly turn down service.  Around the pool and beach, free ice pops and fruit were provided by the hotel staff.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Hotel Room at the Mina A' Salam

Hotel Room at the Mina A’ Salam

Overall, the Mina A’ Salam is a fabulous hotel with an excellent location, access to the Arabian Gulf, and plenty of dining and shopping options.  If you don’t plan on staying at Madinat Jumeirah, the resort complex is still worth a visit, even if it is just for a relaxing dinner along the waterways.  It was the perfect hotel for a stay in Dubai.

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Comments

  1. Great idea for a blog! Love hearing about your vacations. Would love to join the two of you on a trip…. someday…..

    • Hi, Red Monkey,Just want to share some good experience with you about Al Mahara. We (i.e. a failmy with 3 persons) stayed at Burj Al Arab for 2 nights last August and had dined in Al Mahara where we experienced a wonderful meal. In fact, Al Mahara’s service is excellent and the food is good (but not exceptionally delicious) although the environment is not so outstanding. Furthermore, we got a surprise after finished the meal : a delicious free chocolate mousse cake (approx. 1 lb)was delivered to our table & was greeted “Happy Anniversary” by the waiter. (Actually, we did not have any “Anniversary” to be celebrated. The cake was only a free gift from Al Mahara.) Besides, the bread (delicious and with difference types) and desserts are also free. Only drinks, soups and main course are charged. It’s great that there is no service charge for the meal. Therefore, it is worth to try when you visit Burj Al Arab next time.

  2. Hey Bobbi, thanks for commenting. Tonya and I would love for you and Nick to join us on a vacation someday!

    • Bascially, people can only get into Burj Al Arab if they have letetr to prove that they will stay there for night(s) or they will have meal in the restaurant(s) inside.On the other hand, people can go to the Shopping Mall and restaurants inside Souk Madinat Jumeriah. However, I wonder if any permission should be get to go to the hotel area.Redmonkey

  3. Dear Red Monkey,I just read your bold very details, thank a lots you share a great ereexipnce in Dubai, its help me lots to plan the trip to Dubai with my boyfriend !!By the way i just want to ask if i planning to have a drink in skylounge inside the hotel n also go to that Souk Madinat Jumeriah you mention it but i am not the hotel guest, can we still go there or need to pay for entry fee ?Once again thx so much for your help !!

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