Rating8.0Adults Only
Rating8.1Very Good
Based on 7.1k reviews
Exceptional Service
Guests consistently praise the friendly, attentive, and helpful staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
Private Beach & Pools
The resort's clean private sandy beach, coupled with a well-maintained large heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi, are major draws for relaxation and enjoyment.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The resort is highly valued for its child-centric facilities, including a dedicated children's pool with a slide and a Barcy Club play area, ensuring fun for all ages.
Satisfying Breakfast
The breakfast buffet at Al Meena Restaurant frequently receives high marks for its delicious, fresh, and varied selection.
Room Comfort & Views
Rooms are generally found to be spacious, clean, and comfortable, with many offering stunning sea views from their balconies.
Inconsistent Dining
While breakfast is lauded, the dinner buffet often receives criticism for inconsistent quality, limited variety, and specific seasoning not appealing to all palates.
Noise Disturbances
Guests report issues with noisy air conditioning in rooms and external noise from nearby construction, particularly affecting city-view accommodations.
All-Inclusive Limitations
The all-inclusive package is comprehensive for non-alcoholic drinks and meals but has limitations, including extra charges for specific à la carte dining and the complete absence of alcohol.
Balcony & Beach Environment
Some guests experience issues with pigeons on balconies, rendering them unusable, and the occasional presence of cats and their waste on the private beach.
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The Occidental Sharjah Grand occupies a beachfront position on Al Meena Street facing the Persian Gulf in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Originally opened in 1977 as the Sharjah Grand Hotel, it was refurbished and rebranded in 2019 with further updates in 2024. At 217–221 rooms, it's a manageable-sized property that avoids the overwhelming scale of Dubai's mega-resorts — and at rates significantly below comparable Dubai beach hotels, it draws a mix of families, Gulf resident weekenders, and budget-conscious travelers who want beach access without crossing into Dubai's price tier.
The defining feature you need to know before booking: this is a dry hotel. No alcoholic beverages are served anywhere on the property — not at the restaurants, not at the pool bar, not through room service. The all-inclusive package covers soft drinks, juices, mineral water, tea, coffee, and non-alcoholic cocktails. This is a firm policy, not a limitation that can be worked around. Guests for whom bar access is important should book elsewhere; for families or travelers who prefer alcohol-free environments, it's a genuine advantage.
The property has real issues that guests report consistently. Stray cats roam the beach and occasionally leave unwanted evidence on the sand. Some rooms have noisy air conditioning units. City-view rooms face ongoing construction noise and dust. Pigeon activity on balconies renders them effectively unusable in some city-facing units. The dinner buffet gets inconsistent marks — breakfast is well-regarded, but dinner quality and theming don't always align. A distinct musty smell has been noted in certain areas.
Practical details: 8 room types from 300 sq ft Standard Rooms to 688 sq ft connecting Family Rooms. The sea-view rooms with balconies are the standout category — worth the premium over city-view given the construction noise concern. Dubai International Airport is 15–20 km away (18–30 minutes by road). A complimentary shuttle runs to Dubai Mall and Sharjah City, which significantly extends your activity range without a rental car.
Sharjah operates under more conservative social norms than Dubai — modest dress is expected in public areas beyond the beach, and the overall atmosphere reflects that. If the cultural environment suits your travel style, the price-to-beach ratio here is genuinely competitive.
