The Oberoi brand was founded by Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi in India in 1934. Since then, the family-run business has expanded to over 30 hotels internationally, and is celebrated for providing the right blend of luxury, richness and seclusion. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, Ajman, is no different. With just a handful of private suites and luxury villas, the resort can host around 200 guests at any one time, but in walking around the estate or relaxing by its 280-foot long infinity pool, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re one of only a handful.
Space is key to the brand’s ethos and as such, rooms are designed with a new-age luxury in mind — minimal in decoration, and cool and contemporary; counter-intuitive to the maximal culture across neighbouring Dubai. Each overlooks the ocean and offers pristine views of Ajman’s beautiful sunsets along with the resort’s stunning gardens. Bathrooms are a definite high note: spacious with walk-in showers, double sinks and an over-sized bathtub.
In dining, we recommend at least one visit to seafood restaurant Aquario. The menu is refined and not overwhelming. For starters, anything from the tuna tarter to seafood bisque are good options, and for mains, the fresh fish counter with your choice of seasoning is a must-try. Desserts are light and refreshing. In keeping with its nouveau luxury feel, menus across the resort — including poolside and all-day dining restaurant Vinesse — are curated with a clean eating-conscious guest in mind. Think sizeable selections of nourishing juices and superfood-led salad options for afternoon breaks overlooking the ocean. Pancakes, waffles and a delicious selections of pastries still feature on the breakfast menu for those who prefer a more indulgent holiday menu.
The spa is a must-visit before check-out. With its towering walls and maze-like structure, it’s designed so your journey from start-to-finish is one of complete solitude and discretion. Treatments range from two-hour long journeys to humbler but just as effective 60-minute facials and massages. Ingredients draw from nature and send you into a state of total relaxation. Then there's the lavish, floor-to-ceiling glass library — unique to Al Zorah and the perfect place to while away an evening or snag some respite away from the Middle Eastern sun. Overlooking the resort’s water feature and home to a plethora of coffee table finds — it’s the embodiment of the Oberoi’s intellectual extravagance.
Five To Try
30 minutes in the Spa's Hammam room enjoying the private sauna and steam area before heading towards your treatment room is refreshing and detoxifying.
Balinese massage in an open-air treatment room.
It would be a wasted stay without a round of golf on the Al Zorah championship course. We recommend early morning or late afternoon for sunset views.
Dinner at seafood restaurant Aquaria, at least once.
Walk or bike ride through the surrounding mangrove forests.
From now until the end of September, the resort are running special rates for guest, inclusive of a three-course dinner at Aquario.
