Staycation Sofitel

Every year after coming here - except when we head to India - we try to go on a staycation at a local resort during the summer. This year wasnt different. I did the honours of scouting for the ideal hotel bargain that didnt burn too large a hole in the pocket. 

This time I zeroed in on Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island in the shape of a date palm, that has a bevy of luxury hotels and villas on its fronds and crescent. After dilly dallying with hotels in nearby emirates, I returned to my search in The Palm. That's when we Sofitel the Palm threw up a deal - for 949 AED, a family of four (with two kids under 18) could enjoy a weekday stay on half board. Though it meant V had to take two days off - which he rarely does - it was too good to miss. For one, with kids over 12 years we only had the option of taking two separate rooms or premium suites that cost over 2000 dirhams. And most provided only complimentary breakfast - a deal is a deal only when you get at least half board.

The last time we stayed on the Palm was in 2016 I think in the iconic Atlantis hotel, which graces the centre of the crescent around the palm design. It had cost over 2k then for half board when our children were under 12. It was a special offer for UAE residents then. Though it was too crowded for comfort, the hotel was worth experiencing. It has an adventure park and underwater aquarium apart from other kids activities. Food was fantastic. The rooms overlooked the sea.

I expected the same with Sofitel on the east crescent of the Palm when I bought the coupon first and messaged the hotel to book the junior suite for us. However, I failed to mention that we wanted a sea-facing room since the photos shared on websites had tantalising sea views and I expected all room to face the sea. Moreover, I had to make umpteen phone calls, whatsapp messages and emails before they informed me that a room has been reserved for us.

Imagine our disappointment when we were given a room with a less than partial view of the sea and more of bush and lawns leading to the sea! Since we checked in little after the stipulated 3 pm, all other rooms had gone and we couldnt change what we got - a ground floor suite in one corner that meant a long walk. 

The hubby threw a tantrum - he said he expected me to goof up somewhere. He expressed his displeasure to the reception staff who shrugged that we hadnt specified our requirements. It spoiled our mood, but he bucked up soon enough to head to the pool and sea - after the customary room photographs. V is one person crazy about photographs in various locales. I feel he often forgets to enjoy a place and is only bothered about the best background for photographs.

Mira, who had blow dried her hair and did other minor beauty treatments to look chic, had announced that she will not be going to the pool and instead just wanted to chill in the room. She wore a frock for the first time in many years - and not her usual live-in black jeans (her strange theory being that blue jeans will make her thighs look fatter). However, we had to stand guard for the men who decided to jump into the waters, and sweated it out under the beach umbrellas. This is peak summer time in the UAE and the temperature is nearer 50 degree Celsius.

Ice creams and a smoothie gave some respite until sun down. Dinner we chose to have The World Eatery; we had to choose the restaurant at check-in itself and were told it would be ala carte. While I rooted for a seafood restaurant, the rest wanted international fare that wouldnt limit them to seafood especially with Ash being allergic to shellfish. So we skipped Porterhouse Grills and Steaks and Zoya (Indian) nearer our room and took a buggy ride to World Eatery 2 km away.

We got the next shock when we were told that we could choose one each from the starters, main course and desserts, while kids had to choose the same from a kids menu. V threw another tantrum and scowled and ranted, so I took over and told the apologetic Filipina waitress what all we would like from our limited options. Surprisingly we were too full by the time we finished though it didnt taste all that great. 

Sofitel is a sprawling property and has one to three-bedroom apartments and various other long-stay rooms. The Goan chap at the concierge divulged that rooms would be full in a couple of days as a team of cricketers were arriving over the weekend and with bio bubbles in place for them, some 200 rooms would be all theirs.

Me and Mira slept on the sofa bed in the hall  - Ash and V taking the big bed - after watching TV in our individual rooms. The suite occupies 65 sq m I think, and is pretty spacious with a stand-alone tub, separate bathroom, toilet and dressing room. Although it initially looked like a maze finding my way to the bath.

Breakfast was buffet at Manava (Tahitian for Welcome) near our suite. Still we trooped in late, by 9 am after coffee in the room (this time I had packed a can of evaporated milk as the complimentary stuff is not enough). Sitting outside the room and sunning myself and taking a short walk, I felt this was equal to a Kerala morning with bushes and birds - sparrows and mynahs - for company. This was an experience we hadnt bargained for when we cribbed about the lack of sea view earlier.

We gorged ourselves at the buffet, and decided another day's stay would make us gluttonous and unhealthy. The kids ate all that is forbidden by V at home - nutella and chocos and waffles and so on. I liked the cold cornflakes with nuts and raisins the best, and decided that I must make it a breakfast option although V says oats and cornflakes dont agree with his tummy. We dont progress beyond puttu and upma and idli for breakfast except when V gets into a salad fad.

We got an extra hour before we checked out. The kids were loath to leave, and we promised them another stay at another place. Some other time - which is not likely until next year.

p.s. The best part was them leaving a slice of cake and a box of chocolates wishing Vinod a happy birthday!