The Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort

★★★★★Ajman Corniche, AjmanSpecialist pick

Overview

The Ajman Saray is a Marriott Luxury Collection beach resort on Ajman's Corniche, roughly 40 minutes from Dubai. It is the first beach-side Luxury Collection property in the Middle East, with 205 rooms and suites, so it suits couples and families who want a proper five-star beach weekend without Dubai's traffic, crowds or price tag.

The beach is real sand and private, backing onto the Arabian Gulf, with two outdoor pools split between adults and families and a kids' club for the little ones. Zihn Spa handles the grown-up downtime, there's a squash court and gym, and the six restaurants and bars mean you rarely need to leave the property over a two-night stay. Service is the Arabian-hospitality kind rather than rushed, and the pace is noticeably quieter than JBR or Palm hotels.

This is not the place for big waterslide parks, endless shopping or Dubai-level nightlife on the doorstep — Ajman city itself is low-key, and you'll want a car or the hotel's Dubai Mall shuttle if you fancy a change of scene. The resort dates back to 2011, so some fittings feel a touch more traditional than the newest Dubai openings. Summer is properly hot by the pool from May to September; winter weekends are when it really shines.

private beach
two outdoor pools
kids club
zihn spa
205 rooms and suites
six restaurants and bars
private balconies, sea or creek view
complimentary shuttle to dubai mall
squash court and gym
eco-certified resort

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

Vista — The all-day dining restaurant with an international buffet and live cooking stations. Breakfast and dinner here, and it's the easiest option with children thanks to the variety on offer.
Bab Al Bahr Beach Bar & Grill — A beachside grill spread over two floors serving salads, sandwiches, seafood and meat straight off the grill, plus a livelier evening scene with DJ sets and themed nights. Works for families by day, more of a couples' spot after dark.
Mejhana — The Arabic restaurant, built around multicourse mezze, tagines and charcoal-grilled meats with Middle Eastern and Indian influences. A sit-down dinner rather than a quick bite, best suited to couples or families happy with a slower pace.
Safi Restaurant & Bar — Steak and seafood with Pan-Asian touches, freshly prepared to order, in a modern setting with sports-bar energy and good views. Open for dinner and cocktail hour, family-friendly by billing.
Al Shorfa — The lobby lounge for Arabic coffee, tea, pastries and a proper afternoon tea. A relaxed daytime stop for parents wanting a coffee while the kids wind down, rather than a dinner venue.
Escape Equestrian Bar — A quiet, members'-club-style bar for evening cocktails, light bites and desserts. This is the adults' spot for a nightcap once the children are settled.

Getting there

It's about a 40-45 minute drive from Dubai and around 20 minutes from Sharjah, with Dubai International Airport roughly 30 minutes away and Sharjah International closer still. Complimentary parking is available on site, and the hotel runs a shuttle to Dubai Mall if you want a day out without driving yourself.

Ask about The Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort

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