YOU know it's a good sign that things are probably going to turn out well when the hotel staff member leading you and your luggage to the room announces his name is Ace.
The cheerful chap reveals that his father was a fan of the playing card the ace of spades – but not the song by UK rock band Motorhead, it seems – as we take in the sea view from room 616 of the Coral Beach Resort Sharjah.
This established four-star hotel at the far end of Sharjah Corniche, on the border with Ajman, is a low-rise property compared with its immediate neighbour, but you immediately sense the kind of welcome that comes with a smaller destination.
For a start, there’s a personalized picture greeting on the screen behind the reception desk. It’s a big gesture, not least as it indicates someone has been tasked with doing some research.
Thankfully the appearance of my mugshot doesn’t seem to frighten other guests and the sight is mitigated by a colourful lobby area and sassy cafe that mixes comfortable seating and breakout areas with subtle background music and a collection of vintage cars, including a brace of Mini Coopers.
So far, so slightly surreal.
For a start, there’s a personalized picture greeting on the screen behind the reception desk. It’s a big gesture, not least as it indicates someone has been tasked with doing some research.
Thankfully the appearance of my mugshot doesn’t seem to frighten other guests and the sight is mitigated by a colourful lobby area and sassy cafe that mixes comfortable seating and breakout areas with subtle background music and a collection of vintage cars, including a brace of Mini Coopers.
So far, so slightly surreal.
Upstairs the room is spacious and, while it lacks a balcony, offers good views and a large bed that invites – and delivers - a really solid sleep. The room also supplies that thing often increasingly rare in hotels; an effective, efficient kettle.
One other thing the view reveals is extensive greenery and on closer investigation, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah yields lush, well-maintained gardens that buffer the hotel and the shoreline.
Beyond the bright, Mediterranean-themed all day dining restaurant is a shaded terrace – and beyond that the first of two pools.
This is the quieter of the two swimming and lounging opportunities, which includes a jacuzzi and is a conventional shape more suitable for exercise lengths.
One other thing the view reveals is extensive greenery and on closer investigation, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah yields lush, well-maintained gardens that buffer the hotel and the shoreline.
Beyond the bright, Mediterranean-themed all day dining restaurant is a shaded terrace – and beyond that the first of two pools.
This is the quieter of the two swimming and lounging opportunities, which includes a jacuzzi and is a conventional shape more suitable for exercise lengths.
Select one of the tree-lined pathways and you’ve a spacious grassed area leading to Casa Samak seafood restaurant and a water sports centre offering jet skiing and other brine-based activities.
Head left and there are two tennis courts, an aviary and a family pool area, complete with two stone-faced water slides and a food and drinks booth, Waves.
With being a Sharjah resort, Coral Beach doesn’t serve alcohol, but it dishes up a highly recommended lamb kofta wrap to solve lunch-time hankerings.
The former no doubt boosts the resort’s appeal as a popular destination with families, of several nationalities, many of which make a beeline for this elevated spot.
Loungers line one side and can be taken onto a lawned area, should you wish to put a bit of distance between yourself and the fun-filled soundtrack unfolding in the pool.
Head left and there are two tennis courts, an aviary and a family pool area, complete with two stone-faced water slides and a food and drinks booth, Waves.
With being a Sharjah resort, Coral Beach doesn’t serve alcohol, but it dishes up a highly recommended lamb kofta wrap to solve lunch-time hankerings.
The former no doubt boosts the resort’s appeal as a popular destination with families, of several nationalities, many of which make a beeline for this elevated spot.
Loungers line one side and can be taken onto a lawned area, should you wish to put a bit of distance between yourself and the fun-filled soundtrack unfolding in the pool.
For a more sedate experience, the beach offers plentiful sunbeds with shading and noticeably soft sand.
Although a scorcher on the days we visited, the rival of otherwise slightly cooler weather means the sea is a bit more refreshing than it was a month ago.
Come dinnertime, Coral Beach has several options, including the ones mentioned. Cote Jardin was majoring on Arabic food the night we stayed, but we chose to sample Al Dente.
The hotel’s refurbished Italian restaurant isn't short on colour either and wears its theme firmly in its vibrant décor, backed up by a menu that ably reflects the country it represents.
Alongside homemade pasta and pizzas was a pleasingly presented duck breast, and a generous hammour fillet; flavourful with its Italian makeover, both dishes sporting well-cooked veg.
Although a scorcher on the days we visited, the rival of otherwise slightly cooler weather means the sea is a bit more refreshing than it was a month ago.
Come dinnertime, Coral Beach has several options, including the ones mentioned. Cote Jardin was majoring on Arabic food the night we stayed, but we chose to sample Al Dente.
The hotel’s refurbished Italian restaurant isn't short on colour either and wears its theme firmly in its vibrant décor, backed up by a menu that ably reflects the country it represents.
Alongside homemade pasta and pizzas was a pleasingly presented duck breast, and a generous hammour fillet; flavourful with its Italian makeover, both dishes sporting well-cooked veg.
Fed, relaxed and still glowing from afternoon sunshine, bed beckoned ahead of a day further along the coast to visit some of Sharjah's architectural gems, namely Al Noor Mosque and Central Souk, along the impressive park-lined waterfront from each other.
DETAILS:
TO check out prices and availability at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, go to https://www.hmhhotelgroup.com/coral/unitedarabemirates/sharjah/coralbeachresortsharjah
BOOK direct right now and you can save 10 per cent off your rate. For more information, email [email protected]
DETAILS:
TO check out prices and availability at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, go to https://www.hmhhotelgroup.com/coral/unitedarabemirates/sharjah/coralbeachresortsharjah
BOOK direct right now and you can save 10 per cent off your rate. For more information, email [email protected]