Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Glamping in Al Fawwaz, Saudi Arabia!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Glamping in Al Fawwaz, Saudi Arabia! - My Rambling, Honest, and Oh-So-Luxurious Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from glamping in Al Fawwaz, Saudi Arabia, and my brain is still processing it. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits" they said, and honestly? They weren't lying. But before I gush (and I will gush), let's get this review done properly, because, well, you need to know if it's worth your hard-earned Riyals.
(SEO Time! – Let's get those search engines happy!)
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, this is where things get a little tricky. While I didn't personally need it, I did notice the pathways were mostly smooth, and there was an elevator. But I'd definitely call ahead and double-check specifics. I'd hate to make any promises I can't keep!
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Again, scope it out before you go. The website mentions it, but detailed information is always best.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (Because let's be real, we need it!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Praise be! And it actually worked! I could stream, video call, and stalk my ex (kidding… mostly).
- Internet: Yeah, it's there.
- Internet [LAN]: I didn't even look for a LAN cable (who does these days?), but the option is probably there.
- Internet services: They have some.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Strong and reliable. Seriously, the Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. Because, you know, Instagram.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (My Happy Place!)
Right, this is where things get good. Let's dive in.
- Pool with a View: Oh. My. God. The pool. The view. Picture this: shimmering turquoise water, the desert stretching out before you, and the sun setting in a blaze of glory. It was epic. I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, pretending I was a desert mermaid. Pure bliss.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Yep, that's the one.
- Spa/Sauna: I'm a sucker for a good spa day, and this one didn't disappoint.
- Body Scrub & Body Wrap: I opted for the "Desert Bloom" treatment, and it was divine. My skin felt like silk. I may have fallen asleep during it. No regrets.
- Massage: Yes, a proper, professional massage. My knots melted away like ice cream in the desert sun.
- Steamroom: Steamy, relaxing, perfect.
- Fitness Center: I intended to use it. I really did. But the pool and the spa were just too tempting. Maybe next time.
- Gym/fitness: See above.
- Foot bath: A nice little touch to end the day.
- Sauna: Another excellent option for relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because we're all a little germ-phobic now, right?)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Excellent.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential!
- Hygiene certification: Good to know.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: They're taking it seriously.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice touch.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Crucial.
- Safe dining setup: They've thought it through.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Important!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed well-versed.
- Sterilizing equipment: Good to know.
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property: Reassuring, but a little Big Brother-ish.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms: Safety first!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Stomach's Opinion!)
Okay, this is where the magic really happened. The food was… chef's kiss. Seriously.
- Restaurants: Several to choose from, each with its own vibe.
- A la carte in restaurant & Buffet in restaurant: They had both! Options! I love options!
- Asian breakfast: I'm a sucker for a good dim sum, and this was unexpectedly delicious.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Of course.
- Western breakfast & Western cuisine in restaurant: For those who prefer the familiar.
- Breakfast [buffet] & Breakfast service: The breakfast buffet was a feast. I'm talking mountains of pastries, fresh fruit, and every type of egg you can imagine. I may have overindulged.
- Breakfast in room & Breakfast takeaway service: Perfect for those lazy mornings (or late nights!).
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Caffeine fix sorted!
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh. My. God. The desserts. I'm still dreaming of the chocolate lava cake.
- Happy hour: Yes! Cocktails with a view!
- Poolside bar: Because who doesn't love a cocktail by the pool?
- Room service [24-hour]: The ultimate luxury. I ordered a midnight snack (or two).
- Salad in restaurant & Soup in restaurant: For the health-conscious (bless their hearts).
- Snack bar: Perfect for those mid-afternoon cravings.
- Bar: Well-stocked and atmospheric.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options for everyone!
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were very accommodating.
- Cashless payment service: Easy peasy!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I felt safe.
(Anecdote Time!)
I remember one evening, after a particularly strenuous day of… well, mostly lounging by the pool, I went to the bar. It was Happy Hour, the sun was setting, painting the desert in fiery hues, and I ordered a cocktail that tasted like sunshine and happiness. The bartender, a lovely chap named Omar, saw me staring at the view and just knew what I needed. He even told me a local legend about the desert – something about a hidden oasis. It was those little moments, the genuine hospitality, that truly made the experience special. It wasn't just about the luxury; it was about the people.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
- Air conditioning in public area & Air conditioning: Essential!
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: For the big occasions.
- Business facilities: They've got you covered.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful and knowledgeable.
- Contactless check-in/out: Easy.
- Convenience store: For those forgotten essentials.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Doorman: Always there to greet you.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: Perfect for keeping those glamping outfits pristine.
- Elevator: Necessary.
- Essential condiments: Always a bonus.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Worth checking in advance.
- Food delivery: Because sometimes you just want to stay in your luxurious tent.
- Gift/souvenir shop: For those "I was there!" moments.
- Indoor venue for special events & Outdoor venue for special events: Options!
- Invoice provided: Organized.
- Ironing service & Ironing facilities: Wrinkle-free living!
- Luggage storage: Handy.
- Meeting/banquet facilities & Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars: For the business travelers.
- On-site event hosting: They can handle it.
- Projector/LED display: For presentations.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Shrine: For quiet reflection.
- Smoking area: For those who partake.
- Terrace: Lovely for a sundowner.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Wi-Fi everywhere!
- Xerox/fax in business center: Still exists!
For the Kids (Because Families Deserve Luxury Too!)
- Babysitting service: Helpful.
- Family/child friendly: Yes!
- Kids facilities & Kids meal: They've thought of everything!
Access, Security, and Safety (Because We Want to Feel Secure)
- **CCTV in common areas & CCTV
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to get REAL about glamping in Al Fawwaz, Saudi Arabia. Forget those perfectly curated Instagram grids, because this is going to be a messy, beautiful, and probably slightly chaotic adventure. Get ready for a travel itinerary that’s less "step-by-step guide" and more "emotional rollercoaster with a side of sand."
Glamping in Al Fawwaz: Operation Desert Dream (Maybe?)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Tent Tumble
- 14:00 (ish) - Arrival at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh: Okay, first off, the airport is massive. Seriously, I felt like I was walking through a small city. After a slightly terrifying taxi ride (I swear, they drive on the wrong side of the road!), we finally hit Al Fawwaz. The anticipation? Through the roof! I’d seen the photos, the promise of luxury under the stars… I was ready to be a glamorous desert queen.
- 15:30 - Check-in and Tent Trauma: The reception area? Stunning. Polished wood, fragrant incense… the works. Then, BAM! Our tent. Honestly? It looked like it had been assembled by a very enthusiastic, but slightly inebriated, group of Boy Scouts. Okay, dramatic, maybe. But the wind was already whipping up, and the tent flaps were flapping like a confused seagull. My initial reaction? A wave of pure, unadulterated panic. "This is supposed to be LUXURY?!" I sputtered to my travel buddy, Sarah, who just gave me a knowing look.
- 16:00 - Tent Inspection and Slight Meltdown: Sarah, bless her heart, started trying to fix the wonky tent pegs. I, on the other hand, decided to inspect the bathroom. (Priorities, people!) The toilet was… fine. The shower? A glorious, rain-effect shower head that I immediately fell in love with. Small victories, right? I then proceeded to spend a good 20 minutes rearranging the cushions on the sofa. Apparently, I'm a nesting type, even in a desert.
- 17:00 - Sunset Cocktails (and Deep Sigh): The good news? The views are SPECTACULAR. Seriously, the desert spread out before us was breathtaking. The bad news? The "cocktails" were… well, let's just say they tasted suspiciously like watered-down fruit punch. I took a long, deep sigh, and decided to embrace the chaos. This was going to be an adventure, after all.
- 19:00 - Dinner Disaster (and Delight): Dinner was a buffet, and the food? Mostly delicious! Authentic Saudi cuisine, fragrant spices, and enough grilled lamb to feed a small army. The disaster? I somehow managed to spill a whole plate of hummus down my front. Humiliation level: maximum. The delight? Sarah, ever the optimist, burst out laughing, and we spent the rest of the evening giggling about it.
Day 2: Sand, Stars, and a Sizzling Showdown
- 08:00 - Sunrise Yoga (Attempted): Okay, so the yoga instructor was lovely, but let's be honest, I'm about as flexible as a rusty hinge. The desert sand was also a bit… invasive. I ended up with a face full of grit and a profound appreciation for the fact that I can still touch my toes (sort of).
- 09:00 - Breakfast and Desert Driving: Breakfast was a vast improvement on the previous night. We had delicious dates, fresh bread, and strong coffee. Then, the desert driving experience. I'm not going to lie, I was terrified. Sand dunes are not my forte. Our driver, a charming local named Omar, took us on an exhilarating ride, and I screamed a lot. But also, I laughed a lot. It was a total adrenaline rush.
- 12:00 - Lunch and Desert Exploration: Lunch was a picnic in the middle of nowhere. The food was simple but tasty, and the silence of the desert was truly something special. We wandered around, marveling at the vastness of the landscape. I even managed to find a few cool rocks to take home (because, you know, souvenirs).
- 15:00 - Free Time, aka "The Tent Tango": Back at the tent. The wind was still a beast. We spent a good hour wrestling with the tent flaps, which were now threatening to take flight. It was pure slapstick, and we were howling with laughter. Then, I decided to take a nap. The desert air is surprisingly tiring.
- 19:00 - Stargazing and The Great Debate: After a quick shower (and another encounter with the glorious rain shower head), we headed out for stargazing. The sky was absolutely incredible, a swirling tapestry of light. The telescope was… tricky. The debate? Whether or not aliens exist. Sarah is a believer. I’m still on the fence.
Day 3: Camel Capers and Farewell, For Now
- 08:00 - Camel Ride (and Minor Trauma): The camel ride. Oh, the camel ride. Getting on was a surprisingly graceful affair. Getting off? Not so much. I landed with a thud and a yelp. My dignity? Slightly bruised. My backside? A little sore. But the views from up high were amazing.
- 09:30 - Souvenir Shopping (and Bargaining Battle): There's a small shop at the resort, and I needed souvenirs. I haggled. I bartered. I probably looked ridiculous. But I got a beautiful scarf!
- 11:00 - Packing and Pre-Departure Panic: Packing is never fun, especially when you’re trying to cram everything back into a suitcase that's clearly too small. My inner control freak was screaming.
- 12:00 - Farewell Lunch (and Emotional Goodbye to the Shower Head): One last meal. One last look at the desert. One last, lingering look at that beautiful shower head. I was surprisingly sad to leave.
- 14:00 - Departure: Back to the airport. Back to reality. But with a heart full of memories, a suitcase full of sand, and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the desert – and the importance of a good shower head.
- 15:00 - Post-Trip Reflections: I'm still processing it all. Al Fawwaz wasn't perfect. It had its flaws. It had its moments of chaos. But it was real. It was raw. And it was an adventure I'll never forget. Would I go back? Absolutely. But this time, I'm bringing a stronger tent peg and a bigger bottle of sunscreen. And maybe, just maybe, I'll finally learn to embrace the desert dust.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Glamping in Al Fawwaz - A Messy, Honest FAQ!
So, Al Fawwaz Glamping... Is it *actually* luxurious? Like, beyond just a fancy tent?
Okay, buckle up, because this is where things get real. The brochure? Gorgeous. The website? Photoshop perfection. The *reality*? Well… it’s complicated. Yes, the tents are HUGE. Like, you could probably host a small rave in one. Think king-sized bed, plush rugs, a private bathroom that *actually* has hot water (a HUGE win in the desert, trust me). But… and there's always a but, isn't there?
My first impression? "Wow!" followed immediately by, "Where's the remote for the AC?" (It was a *scorcher* that day, and the staff was, shall we say, still figuring things out. Took an hour and three phone calls to get the temperature right. Felt like I was negotiating a hostage situation.) So, luxury? Yes, in the sense of space and amenities. Flawless? Not quite. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? (Or at least, that's what I tell myself to justify the price tag.)
What about the food? Is it just fancy camping food, or is it something else entirely?
Okay, the food… this is where Al Fawwaz *almost* redeems itself completely. Almost. The breakfast spread? Forget about it. Mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that would make a Parisian baker weep with envy, and the most amazing shakshuka I've ever tasted. Seriously, I'm dreaming about that shakshuka still. (And yes, I'm still bitter that I didn't get the recipe.)
Dinners are a different story. One night, we had a *fantastic* lamb tagine, cooked to perfection under the stars. The next night? Well, let's just say the chicken was a little… dry. And the service? Sometimes impeccable, sometimes… well, let's just say they were still learning the ropes. One waiter forgot my drink order three times. Three times! But honestly, the good moments far outweighed the bad. And that shakshuka… *sigh*
What kind of activities are available at Al Fawwaz? Do I just sit around in a fancy tent all day?
Oh, heavens, no! You *could* sit in your fancy tent all day, binge-watching Netflix on the surprisingly decent Wi-Fi (another win!), but that would be a crying shame. Al Fawwaz offers a decent range of activities. You can go camel riding (which is exactly as bumpy and hilarious as you imagine), dune bashing (a total adrenaline rush – hold on tight!), stargazing (amazing, especially with the clear desert skies), and they even have a spa.
I tried the spa. It was... an experience. The massage was fantastic, seriously. But the "relaxation area" was basically a slightly fancier waiting room. And the music? Let's just say it was a bit… repetitive. I swear, I heard the same whale song for a full hour. By the end, I was more stressed than relaxed. Still, the massage itself was pure bliss. So, mixed bag. As always.
Okay, let's talk about the staff. Are they friendly? Helpful? Or do they act like they're too good to be there?
This is another area where things are…evolving. The staff at Al Fawwaz are generally lovely. Eager to please, always smiling, and genuinely trying their best. But, and this is a big but, there's definitely a learning curve.
Some are incredibly attentive and go above and beyond. Others… well, let's just say my attempts to order room service one afternoon resulted in a three-hour saga involving miscommunications, wrong orders, and a growing sense of existential dread. (Eventually, I just gave up and ate a bag of chips I’d snuck in. Victory!) It's a new place, and they're still figuring things out. Give them a chance, be patient, and remember to smile. It goes a long way. And tip generously – they deserve it!
Is it worth the price? Because it ain't cheap, is it?
Ah, the million-dollar question (or, you know, the several-hundred-dollar-a-night question). Is it worth the price? That depends. If you're looking for flawless perfection, maybe not. If you're expecting a Ritz-Carlton experience, you might be disappointed.
But… if you're looking for a unique, memorable experience, a chance to disconnect from the world, and a truly unforgettable breakfast (seriously, that shakshuka!), then yes. Yes, it probably is worth it. Just go in with realistic expectations. Embrace the imperfections. Laugh at the hiccups. And remember that you're in the middle of the desert, under the stars. That alone is pretty darn amazing. And hey, maybe you’ll get the shakshuka recipe! (I’m still working on it.)
Okay, let's get specific. The *camel ride*. Tell me *everything*. I'm picturing a romantic Arabian Nights fantasy, is that accurate?
Hah! Romantic? Arabian Nights? My friend, let me tell you the *truth* about the camel ride. Picture this: Sun blazing. Sand everywhere. And me, clinging for dear life to a saddle that felt suspiciously like a repurposed bicycle seat.
The camel itself? Magnificent creature, yes. But also… grumpy. He clearly had a "been there, done that" attitude and seemed to be actively trying to dislodge me from his back. The "gentle sway" the brochure promised? More like a bone-jarring, teeth-chattering, kidney-pummeling rollercoaster ride. My inner thighs were screaming after five minutes.
And the "breathtaking views"? Mostly sand. More sand. And the occasional distant camel. But you know what? It was *hilarious*. I was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down my face. I'm pretty sure the camel was judging me. But I survived! And honestly? It was one of the most memorable, and definitely the funniest, experiences of the entire trip. So, no, not exactly a romantic Arabian Nights fantasy. But a story I'll be telling for years to come. And that, my friends, is priceless.
