InterContinental Fujairah Resort

★★★★★Al Aqah Beach, FujairahSpecialist pick

Overview

InterContinental Fujairah Resort sits directly on Al Aqah Beach on the UAE's east coast, roughly ninety minutes from Dubai. It's a five-star IHG property with 190 ocean-facing rooms and suites, and its trump card over the west coast is the water itself — clear, calm Gulf of Oman sea that makes proper snorkelling and diving possible right off the beach.

The beach here is real sand and it's private, with the Hajar Mountains behind you and four temperature-controlled pools if you'd rather stay out of the sea. Families are well looked after — Planet Trekkers kids club runs supervised activities for four to twelve year olds, there's a teens club too, and a dedicated children's pool near one of the main pools. O Spa by L'Occitane gives parents somewhere to disappear to. Weekends feel unhurried rather than buzzy.

Go for the diving, the clear water and the quieter east coast pace rather than for nightlife or a huge choice of restaurants — dining is solid but not extensive. Summer (June to September) is hot and humid on this coast, so pool and indoor time matter more than beach time; winter months are far more comfortable for actually using the beach and water sports.

private beach
four temperature-controlled pools
planet trekkers kids club
separate teens club
padi dive centre
water sports including kite surfing
o spa by l'occitane
tennis and volleyball courts
club intercontinental lounge
beach fire pits

Rooms

Good to know

Meal plans: Room only · Bed & breakfast · Half board · Full board · All-inclusive
Paid at the hotel: The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
Cancelling: Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow

Eating and drinking

Nama Global Dining — The resort's main all-day restaurant, doing an international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner with an à la carte menu that leans Levantine. Open-plan with an outdoor patio over the ocean — easy with children at breakfast and dinner.
Drift Seafood Kitchen & Bar — Right on the beachfront, cooking prime cuts and seafood on a Josper grill. It's the resort's dinner-with-a-view spot — relaxed rather than formal, good for an evening out once the kids have eaten.
Horizon Lounge & Bar — The lobby lounge and bar, split into two connected areas with a terrace looking over the resort and beach. Teas and pastries in the afternoon, cocktails and mocktails in the evening — a meeting-point rather than a full dinner venue.
Beach Bar — A casual beachside spot for cocktails, mocktails and shisha. Best used as a sundowner stop rather than for a sit-down meal.

Getting there

It's about a ninety-minute drive from Dubai via the E84/E89 through the Hajar Mountains, and a similar run from Abu Dhabi will take considerably longer given the extra distance. The nearest airport is Fujairah International, roughly 45km away, and there's also a complimentary transfer between the resort and the Etihad Rail Fujairah Passenger Station. Self-driving is straightforward and most families do it themselves rather than booking a transfer.

Ask about InterContinental Fujairah Resort

Another room type, more than one room, or a date that is not showing — send it over and a specialist replies with what is available and what it costs, usually the same working day.