JA Palm Tree Court

This is our 7th visit to jebel Ali, on previous visits we have enjoyed our family holidays very much. This time we stayed for 8 nights including NYE. We paid extra for ultra all inclusive which Is a new package, before there was was just one level of A.I. So now A.I. finished at 11pm Not all drinks are included, no baileys , no tia Maria, not all beers , not all wines, some bars / restaurants have some drinks included but they are not included in another, it’s as if the staff are not sure what is included or they are making it up as they go along. There are some new bars but only over 21’s aloud inside , if you have any children you have to sit outside and it’s cold and damp in December/January, the entertainment is inside but most customers have to sit outside. The buffet breakfast now has self service tea and coffee, this is difficult to walk across a busy restaurant balancing a cup, saucer and a hot, full tea pot, accident waiting to happen. There is less choice at lunch time in the captains bar and overall not as good, shame as it was always a lunch time favourite. Basically I feel we are being charged an awful lot more money and receiving an awful lot less in return. This years price was massively inflated compared to previous years, I wouldn’t mind this if I was receiving the same sort of package but it’s nowhere near as good as it was. This is a shame as the new hotel, facilities and restaurants all look good and the staff are hard working, friendly and helpful, just some bad decisions made by the management, lots of other customers were complaining about the same issues, I think they will receive many complaints. We personally will be looking for somewhere else to spend holidays.

This was a second visit to JA Palm Tree Court after an amazing stay last year. There were thirteen in our party, including, 4 young children under 7 and a 12 year old and we had planned a Christmas holiday together. Rooms were excellent, cleaned every morning to such a high standard (we had a first floor room with a partial view of the sea). Pull down beds were available in rooms allocated to some of my family who had children and these looked very comfortable as well. Our room was beautifully prepared every day by the lovely Nan, who made sure that we had everything we needed and ensured that the room looked beautiful every day. Lovely to be greeted by her friendly smile and quick chat every morning. Thank you Nan. The grounds of this hotel are a pleasure to walk around, especially seeing the Peacocks and are beautifully maintained by the hard working ground staff. The food here is wonderful with so many choices. Breakfast excellent, buffet lunches or the opportunity to dine at the two beach restaurants: Captain's and the Anchor. We did however, notice a considerable reduction in their menu choices compared to last year, which led us to eat lunches only at the La Fontana buffet or the Sports Club. A shame because those menus last year were brilliant. We ate one night at the White Orchid and although thoroughly enjoying the meal, also noticed again, a reduced menu from last year (no Thai Green Curry sadly)!! The Middle Eastern Restaurant (Phonecia) is a new innovation with some good choices and very attentive staff who offer advice on the dishes. Perhaps the shining star of the restaurants is Kinara, the Indian restaurant located at JA Lake Hotel which you get to by the hotel golf buggies which run regularly and pick you up and drop you off every 15 mins.. Undoubtedly, some of the best Indian food we have ever eaten and in a wonderful outside setting with flaming torches all around us. Our table was hosted by the wonderful Bhavana, who talked us through the menus, explained the various dishes and just simply made sure throughout our meal that we had everything we needed-we felt like Royalty! She is a great ambassador for this restaurant and hotel. We hope you will pass on our thanks to her and the team there. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day were the highlights of our stay with the whole hotel transforming to Christmas Dining outside the hotel. So many tables all laid out for guests, far too many numerous food areas to mention serving traditional Christmas food and many other alternatives ( so much Lobster and Crab and other amazing fish dishes. Christmas crackers, Christmas songs by the hotel staff choir and finally a visit by Santa Claus in his coach pulled by elves and a present for each child there. Simply wonderful. Boxing Day was similar, although this time laid out around the pools and beach areas. Full praise to all the staff who worked so hard to set all these events up and great to see the General Manager ever present and helping out, whizzing around in his Golf Buggy. Massive thanks to everyone for one of the best holiday Christmases we have ever had. Our only mistake was booking a week when a fortnight would have been better. Thank you everyone-see you in 2020. Mentioning staff, no matter where we went throughout the hotel, you were always met with a smile and a greeting and their professionalism and hard work was always evident. The team who managed the beach area, were always on hand to help and set your umbrellas and beach beds and towels up and the beach was beautiful with pleasant views. The swimming pools were fantastic, cleaned early every morning with enough pool beds to go round and the presence of a lifeguard right throughout the day was a reassuring sight where active youngsters were concerned. The food was excellent with so many choices available in the buffet area and in the several other restaurants throughout the hotel. We visited the Asian, Middle Eastern and Italian Restaurants and also the Sports Club Bar. The addition of the new JA Lake Hotel also allowed us to dine at the new Indian Restaurant as part of the all inclusive package; what an experience!!! Hosting us at our table was the

My family and I spent the night at the JA Palm Tree Court hotel on New Year’s Eve. What an amazing event! We were spell bounded by the service, food and entertainment on offer that evening. We had such a wonderful stay and are desperate to return again soon. I cannot recommend it more highly!