Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

Imagine being a guest at someone’s home and asking the host for a glass of water. There are two possible scenarios: the first that you will get exactly that, and the second, especially in light of Arab hospitality, the water and some sweets or a snack.



But then there is a third scenario that I discovered at Meydan Hotel. Needless to say, the following story is a tale of despair. During my visit to Meydan, I was asked to fetch some water myself, from whichever restaurant might be open and serving it. Remember the massive property only has seven lavish dining outlets.



I suggested that may be a little inconvenient and so the kind receptionist thought it was better for me to get it from my room. Considering we cannot even ask guests in our homes to do the same, it comes as a shock that a five star property would treat you worse. If that’s not the opposite of Arab hospitality, then what is? The stark contrast was a shock and a major setback.



Having said that, the multi-million dollars property looks nothing less than a few elaborate mansions pieced together behind glass walls. But who wants to live in a palace where hospitality is absent. Other than the fact that the hotel is a destination property in the middle of Nad Al-Sheba (which is impossible to find without getting lost), it should probably focus its attention on premium hospitality. The grandeur can never make up for it. But talking about grandeur, it is definitely a winner. We heard Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum has a special table reserved at all times for him at one of the dining venues.



Meydan Hotel is designed in the shape of a wave in motion across the 67 million square feet Meydan racecourse. During every World Cup, the Meydan racecourse pays homage to royalty, celebrities and people from all across the world. Kylie Minogue was this year’s surprise performer at the Dubai World Cup 2015. The golf course, stables and architecture make it a state-of-the-art facility. It has a 2,400-meter left-handed turf racetrack and a left-handed 1,750 meter Tapeta synthetic dirt course.  Royalty lives in the lavish suites adjacent to the race-course with the best views, especially for women who want to enjoy it in the privacy of their rooms.



The Meydan has a total of 285 rooms and suites. The rooms are comfortable; the deluxe ones are bigger than your average in the Middle East, including a television screen facing your bathtub in the bathrooms. Make sure you know how to work the lights and every sensor possible, or you will be stranded for 20 minutes without any help and perhaps three rounds to the reception to get things working in your room. Incorporated with horse shoe motifs, most of the rooms face the racecourse and come with balconies. However, once the sunsets, a strange, abandoning feeling sets in. That is when you wish you were in the middle of the city, as opposed to in pitch-black darkness without any company.



But let’s face it. The hotel or at least the valet does a decent job facilitating their Arab guests. Most cars are from Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. The perks of it being far away and cheaper than most is that it can host a variety of guests in bulk and serve you, when they do, in the comfort and privacy of your lavish suites. Room service can be hectic, with loud and thunderous knocking at your door. What happened to the door bell and letting your guests settle in with some peace of mind? But you can only hope this will change. Overall, hats off to the spectacular megalomaniac structure that is inspiring yet over powering in its grandeur and essence. If you want to experience Meydan Hotel at its prime, make sure to visit during the races. The hotel attracts want-to-be-on-page-three socialites with bizarre outfits and hats during elite races.



Meydan Hotel is part of the avant-garde movement that has changed the status quo with its ability to adopt modernism and empower the region.