Dubai is one of the destinations I am most often asked about for spring travel. Great for a beach vacation, too. Coming out of the confines of the emirate of the same name, however, I am starting to suggest a quiet luxury resort as the ideal antidote to hectic Dubai vacations: The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, one of the UAE's best-kept secrets. Just think, here you can take a swim in the country's largest swimming pool!
1. An enchanting location
Less than an hour's drive from Dubai, Ajman-the smallest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates-is a perfect retreat for those who love tranquility. Framed by mangroves, Al Zorah is nestled on a tranquil stretch of the Arabian Gulf, next to a golf course. The Hajar Mountains rise to the south; downtown Ajman is a 15-minute drive away.
2. Avant-garde architecture
The hotel appears to float on vast expanses of water, and features cubist architecture. There are 15 villas, eight two-bed and seven three-bed, and 74 rooms and suites. Natural fabrics, wall-mounted wood carvings and iron cage lamps. Windows fill the exterior walls, and beyond them, the garden or terrace offers outdoor space with views of the sea, pools, and mangroves.
