Located at the very beginning of Dubai’s best-known tourist thoroughfare, the veteran resort sits at a prestigious spot amid deceptively generous grounds.
As well as a prime stretch of beach you’ll find lush lawns, plenty of trees and extensive acreage behind the imposing main buildings.
There is even a family of ducks making the most of the water features - not something you see every day (unless you work at The Irish Village).
If you wish to be beside the sea, there’s a beach bar on hand to keep you hydrated and fed.
But if the large main pools beckon, you’ve also got decent seated, partially shaded, areas in which to partake of a menu with plenty of lunch choices, including a very commendable burger option.
You won’t find the hotel or the beach/pool day on the Entertainer app, but the competitive price is fair value compared with some of the neighbouring alternatives.
And as the sun slips away, there are worse places to enjoy happy hour sundowners than at Le Deck bar.
A short walk from there is a standalone building hosting two tempting names – stylish seafood eaterie Geales and Zengo.
The latter is arguably better known, and for good reason.
This slick hangout is Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort’s much raved about Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge, boasting on-trend interior spaces and a generous balcony.
Late last summer it landed a new chef whose mission has been to make the food at this warmly lit, and rather swanky yet casual, venue more accessible – and affordable.
That starts with Angry Zengo. A recommendation from our friendly waiter, these imaginative maki rolls burst with multiple flavours to match the colour. Tuna and avocado give texture and balance while cucumber offsets the chilli heat from an enthusiastic sriracha sauce.
Angry Zengo just about sees off spicy lobster maki rolls for flavour. Here the mild fire comes from an alomacho sauce, while tiny pieces of apple cool each mouthful. Slithers of lobster and avocado make the whole package tricky to manoeuvre, but it proves a moreish combination.
When it comes to textures, however, you have to go along way to beat the wagyu beef tiradito. This cold starter of seared beef is bathed in a truffle ponzu and picks up subtle jalapeno kick, but decent marbling ensures these meaty slices melt in the mouth. Naughty, yet most definitely nice.
Zengo doesn’t over-power you with mains choices, which is good for us indecisive types.
But what leapt out of the menu during this visit was the spicy crab ramen.
The grilled sea bass arrives as a stack of fillets, Crisped skin works well with a tangy roasted red pepper and asparagus dashi stock, the veg supplying colour and substance alongside bonito flakes and hits of pickled onion. Fluffy white rice soaks up excess sauce.
A deconstructed platter of dark chocolate pudding, honey ice cream, peanut and piantane, the crowd-pleasing ingredient that has heads turning is honeycomb. Brought from a bucket of nitrogen, it produces vapours when placed in your mouth and as you exhale.
A dessert you’ll not forget for a while.
FOR more about beach days, the Caracalla spa and dining opportunities at Le Royal Meridien – inclufing Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen, Ossigeno and Latitude 25 - head to www.leroyalmeridien-dubai.com
TO glimpse the menu and book Zengo, click on www.zengo-dubai.com or call 04 361 5550 to book.