Fodor's Expert Review Dar Al Masyaf

Like the summer houses preferred by the Arabian sheikhs, Dar Al Masyaf offers an intimate hideaway for those who want seclusion. Each two-story courtyard house, complete with barjeel (traditional wind tower), comprises a number of spacious rooms and suites that surround a private pool. Although the attractions of Madinat Jumeirah are nearby, Dar Al Masyaf can only be reached by taking a hotel abra (wooden boat) across the waterway that links the hotels with the surrounding properties. Guests can luxuriate at leisure, tucked away from the hustle and bustle while their private butlers serve cooling drinks. Some villas have direct beach access, others are in verdant gardens or surrounding inner courtyards with trickling water features. This hotel really is something out of Arabian Nights.