Situated on an idillic stretch of sand at Dubai’s Kite Beach lies the newly opened Roda Beach Resort. A hotel that bucks the trend of five star luxury, in favour of offering guests something a little different. This new development is made up of apartments and five bedrooms villas, converted into self-contained units, ideal for those on a budget. You’ll only find one basic restaurant here, with the emphasis relying more on self-catering and exploration of the local neighbourhood.
Situated very close to Sunset Mall in Dubai’s Jumeriah 3 district, the Roda Beach Resort feels brand new. Set within a gated community, the buildings that make up the resort have a distinct Middle Eastern design, with the architectural wind towers (Barjeel) being the prominent feature. Originally used as a means of drawing air downwards to cool the buildings, they’re more of a decorative touch here but one that helps to promote a certain Arabic charm.
Plenty of staff were on hand to help with our luggage and the check-in process was particularly smooth. It’s not a big resort but golf carts are provided to ensure guests are transported to their rooms in comfort. Something that’s especially welcomed considering the intense summer heat.
Our Room:
We stayed in a one bedroom beach chalet which feels more like an apartment than a hotel room. Those on the upper levels (like we were) have a private balcony offering views of the ocean and far off Burj Al Arab and a fantatsic place to watch a sunset. Those on the ground floor are provided a small garden area, leading directly out onto the glorious sands of Kite Beach.
The chalets are perhaps not as spacious as we’ve come to expect from the Roda brand but still manage to cover all the essentials. Surprisingly, the kitchen is the highlight, with its modern fit-out which includes a large refrigerator and six burner hob. The open p;an kitchen is filled with ample cooking utensils and crockery, all of which are brand new.
The kitchen opens out into a small living area comprising of a four seater dining table, two seater couch and flat screen television. Off to one side lies the bathroom, which like its counterpart the Roda Al Bustan, doesn’t feel quite as modern as we’d expect. The inclusion of a bath tub is appreciated, considering the beachfront location.
The bedroom is a small haven when compared to the rest of the apartment. Its positioning, means you have windows on two sides to capitalise on those beachfront views. The bedroom is sufficient, with a comfortable bed, but lacks some of the mod-cons we’ve come to expect from such properties. No USB charging points, no television in the bedroom and no robes or slippers.
For a property less than three months old, the style of the furnishings feels somewhat dated. They are clearly brand new, but unfortunately the design is somewhat underwhelming and perhaps a more modern style would have helped to elevate the property a touch Perhaps an ocean theme considering the location?
The Fascilities:
The Beach:
Roda Beach Resort is positioned on a quiet stretch of sand at Kite Beach. This under-developed section of the coast is located approximately 2km north of iconic food truck Salt and the foodie hub that surrounds it. Other than the occasional splashes of colour from passing kite surfers, its more than likely you’ll have the beach all to yourself. It’s and ideal spot, as the waters are shallow, calm and inviting, Perfect for kids and those swimmers who are less than confident. With the resort right there, you can easily pop back to the room for an afternoon nap, or if you’ve forgotten something.
Summary:
Location: Roda Al Bustan. Casablanca Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai
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Website: http://www.roda-hotels.com
We were invited to stay at Roda Beach Resort. All views are our own and all photographs are © Out & About UAE.
