Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Our Rating
8.5
9.1
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
42
257
Restaurants
1
10
Pools
43
5
Year Opened
1999
2013
Year Renovated
2008
2013
Features
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
Yes
Yes
Beach Access
No
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
No
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Venues
5
18
Included
4
17
Extra Charge
1
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Room Categories
4
10
Suite Categories
4
6
Activities Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Activities
10
25
Included
8
22
Extra Charge
2
3
Pros & Cons
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Pros
Wildlife walks past your private villa terrace — Arabian oryx and gazelles roam the conservation reserve freely and are regularly visible from individual villas
Every villa has a temperature-controlled private plunge pool, meaning you never share water with other guests
Desert activities (wildlife safari, camel trek, falconry, sundowners in the dunes, nature walks, archery) are all included and genuinely high-quality — not tourist-circuit versions
40 minutes from Dubai International Airport but feels completely isolated — the contrast between the city and the silence here is the whole point
Cons
One restaurant means the menu rotation gets repetitive after three nights — most guests find 2–3 nights is the right length for this reason
Five-course dinners are elaborate in presentation but small in portion — guests expecting generous all-inclusive food quantities will be surprised
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard all-inclusive rate — easy to miss in booking materials and adds up quickly
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
