Umluj Hotels with Wi-Fi

We stayed in a 1 Bed Pool Villa for a few nights on our Saudi Arabia trip and unfortunately while there was much to enjoy about the experience, the service standards were below other Six Senses and similar luxury resorts we have visited. The positives: * Stunning setting in the wadi/dunes/mountains * Well-appointed rooms and beautiful architecture of the property, particularly the covered oasis * A good balance between healthy/local/international favourite dining options. The negatives: * This is the first ＞USD1,000/night property I visited where there wasn't as much as a sight of senior management and this lack of visibility shows with service lapses. * Relative to the St. Regis we also stayed at during the trip, the staffing levels were considerably lower which impacted the experience. * The main heated pool was cold particularly in the windy weather. We and I heard other guests suggested this was the case but no one picked up on it. No surprise the only people braving the pool were children and their freezing parents! * Despite fewer than 20 rooms being occupied on some of the days (my guess) we had to wait for a buggy for 10-15 minutes despite resort being compact and easy to drive around in less than 3 minutes. When I complained about it, I was asked to show understanding of everyone being incredibly busy serving such a small number of guests. The staffing, not the number of guests is the obvious problem. * I have asked on multiple occasions whether a family bike can be provided to us (other SS properties we have visited tended to have one) but it was only provided after I have complained on multiple occasion about the buggy waiting times. The bike provided had a failed break with only one working which made it a little more thrilling to ride the beast of a bike. * I had to request a confirmation of departure transfer the evening before because no one contacted me about it despite providing the details prior to arrival. Turns out there wasn't one booked. I twice requested car seats for our two children but the car came with none in sight (despite there being two seats as requested on arrival transfer). * I was appalled when not a single team member came to see us off for our departure. Once I paid the bill, we were left to find our transfer car without so much as a ”thank you for staying with us”. I guess I should be thankful that I didn't have to put the suitcases in the trunk myself.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a lot of great hotels, and don’t mind paying up for great experiences, but sadly I think Nujuma takes the cake for one of the most scandalous voluntary robberies I’ve ever subjected myself to (up there with the Santa Marina in Mykonos, interestingly both Marriotts). Besides the fact that $2,700/night is AT LEAST double, and maybe three times what’s a fair price for the quality, the most insulting part about it is that once you book, they reveal that the astronomical price doesn’t even include the cost for the boat ride to and from the property. On top of that, the food is both very poor and very expensive (and you obviously have no other option since you’re stuck on a small island), so there’s really no end to the grift. I was so disappointed by lunch that I didn’t bother having dinner. The property is very unremarkable, the tranquility of walking or biking around spoiled the constant buggies and supply carts that will pass you every 2 minutes, and the views are spoiled by overlooking the adjacent St Regis. The rooms, while spacious, are quite charmless in my opinion. On top of it all - the hotel failed to honour my Amex benefit of a guaranteed upgrade on availability, and didn’t apply my credit either until I insisted on it twice and showed them proof I booked through Amex. It’s the only time this has ever happened - these benefits are usually applied automatically. If you’re looking for a small private island retreat, go to Amanpulo in the Philippines instead - FAR more beautiful island, far better hotel, better food, for a far lower price. There’s just no comparison.