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Overview
This month for our Exclusive Culinary Travel feature we venture to the newly opened Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi. Located in the grounds of Al Forsan International Sports Resort, the hotel features 400 luxurious rooms and suites, amenities include flat-screen TVs, high-speed internet access and marble bathrooms. Guests can dine in style at one of the hotel’s six restaurants and lounges, or sooth away stress in steam and bathing experiences, with exclusive rituals at the hotels’ traditional marble Hammam.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan caters for business travelers and families. The hotel offers luxury facilities, activities and an impressive pool. Kids will love the outdoor splash area, sure to keep them entertained for hours.
From the moment, we arrive the team at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan are very welcoming and professional. Check-in is swift and the team very informative. This hotel has a grand aura, considering the enormous size of the hotel the team do well to pay attention to the smallest detail in ensuring a memorable experience.
Room
For our visit, we have the pleasure of staying in a Junior Suite, which includes executive lounge access and two balconies, both with a resort view. Guests will notice that natural light is a big feature of this hotel and the Junior Suite is no exception. Overflowing with 5-star amenities, we experience the luxury service that is on offer. Equipped with high-speed internet access and a spacious work desk for the business traveler, the Junior Suite is designed to meet guests every need, in terms of comfort and convenience. The room offers plush furnishings including a sofa, alarm clock, iron and ironing board, room service, bottled water, complimentary, coffee maker/tea service, mini bar plus incredible views of the impressive grounds of the hotel. Five-star extras include 24-hour in-room dining, individual climate control, robes and slippers.
The executive lounge is located on our private access floor and includes complimentary food, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, high speed wi-fi, complimentary beverages plus much more.
Dining
Khayal
Khayal, the hotels all day dining restaurant is the destination for our breakfast and lunch. Boasting natural light and open space, Khayal offers a wide variety of international cuisine.
For lunch Khayal has a selection of Asian, Arabic, Indian, Italian, and Japanese cuisine including two salad bars, a bread bar and a fresh juice bar. To start we enjoy the prawn crackers from the Asian section, along with a shrimp and mango salad and pears with blue cheese salad. We return to the Asian section to try the chicken hakka noodles, stir fried noodles, roasted Asian chicken, spring rolls and dim sum. As enjoyable as all the other cuisine is, the Asian selection is our favorite, the team perfectly execute each dish. Be sure to try the authentic Asian sauces, made in-house, they are the perfect way to compliment your dim sum or prawn crackers.
Desserts range from freshly made crepes, fresh fruit, warm tarts, Arabic sweets, chocolate mousse, cakes and chocolate fountains. We select one of the crepes along with vanilla ice-cream, drizzled in chocolate sauce and an Americano, a brilliant lunch.
The Grill
Our evening consists of a visit to The Grill, the hotels exclusive steakhouse. This steakhouse has a modern design with chic décor and a luxury element that is embodied into the restaurant. We are welcomed by the team and escorted to our seating area. We decide to dine indoors this evening, the kitchen is an open style with a glass exterior and we can’t resist watching our dishes being created by the talented culinary team at The Grill.
To begin we are presented with a piping hot bread roll, from that point on we knew it was going to be a great dining experience.
For our appetizers, I opt for the Black Angus Steak Tartar and my dining partner rather likes the sound of the Foie Gras Terrine with Fig Chutney. The Foie Gras Terrine with Fig Chutney is divine and full of flavor. The thick butteriness of the Foie Gras is flattered but the sweet fig, what a combination, amazing. A delicious and decadent meal fit for a king. The Black Angus Steak Tartar is full bodied, toothsome chunks of succulent meat. Our waitress informs us that chef uses a secret ingredient to give the tartar its unique taste. We tasted a gentle undertone of jalapenos, but try it for yourself and let us know what you think it is. Overall both appetizers ignited our taste buds and the excitement of what was to arrive for our main course was evident.
For the main course, I select the Rib Eye Grade 7+ 330g steak from the Australian Victoria Farm Kobe style Wagyu beef options, with steak fries and Cajun spices. This dish exceeds expectations. Saporous, delectable and delightful. The high-quality Rib Eye is mouthwatering and tasteful. My dining partner opts for the 250g Tenderloin from the Prime Fox River Certified American USDA Beef options, with the homemade bbq sauce and house made onion rings. The beef tenderloin is juicy and appetizing. The house made onion rings are a nice side along with the homemade bbq sauce.
For beverages, we opt for the Mocktails, Wild Berry, which consists of cranberry juice, lime juice, apple juice, sugar syrup, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry and the Citrus Crush, which is made from lime juice, grapefruit juice, sugar syrup and soda water.
Spa
The ultimate indulgence is to pamper oneself at the spectacular Saray Spa. Relax in a fragrant embrace of exotic essential oils to soothe your mind and body. Feel renewed by centuries-old therapies from Turkish Hammam rituals to exotic Asian treatments. The Saray Spa offers guests a wide variety of treatments at very competitive rates. We opt for the 60 minutes Aromatherapy Massage treatment. The massage therapists are very professional, knowledgeable and asked us how we would like our treatment, any areas to avoid and if the temperature in the room is sufficient to kneading away our aches and pains. The massage treatment is exceptional. The ambience of the massage room is on point and the therapists perform very professionally. I would return to receive the 5-star treatment at an affordable price at Saray Spa. Thinking about this again, I think I will book a treatment in for next month.
The Verdict
From the dining to the spa the hotel embraces its influence and translates this throughout the guest’s experience. It’s the small touches that make for a unique and memorable stay. If you are looking to escape the modern-day hustle of the city, we recommend a visit to Marriott Hotel Al Forsan for an unforgettable and relaxing visit. Be sure to visit The Grill steakhouse for scrumptious meat cuts and unwind and relax at Saray Spa for a truly extraordinary Spa experience.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi, 02 201 4000
