Dar al masyaf is several clusters of private villas nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the sister hotels Al Qasr and Mina a Salam. Access it by buggy or abra, definitely use the abra, it makes it all a bit magical in the night.
We were lucky to have a one bedroom suite, traditional Arabic decor and very ott. The bathroom come walk in closet is huge!!
The king size bedroom is heavenly and if you have friends or family in Dubai the living dining space can accommodate a large party of people.
The perks of these villas are the on call butler, the private pools or the sea on your doorstep.
Not forgetting the free bar in the villas courtyard for pre dinner drinks.
No matter where your room is situated you are 5 minutes to all the bars and eateries of the Madinat.

I would like to start by saying that Madinat Jumeirah is a high quality hotel complex with decent service and decent accommodation. It has always amazed me how they manage this property - everything works, somethimes better, sometimes worse but you always feel some sort of support.
We have stayed in Madinat for more than 6 years and it has always been cosidered by us as one of the most "predictable" hotels which is very important when you travel with kids and do not want to see any "surprises". However this time it has become obvious that Madinat requires some improvements - the interiors are tired, the food in the restaurants is average, the service (though in general very good) should be sharpened. But the most importantly you start feeling yourself as a part of a complicated hotel mechanism not as a valued guest. Everyone is smiling and trying to help you out but at the same time you feel lost when you have to wait for the ordered food for 30 minutes or when the quality of food leaves much to be desired.
Nevertheless we like this hotel and we will probably come back one day.

Loved the layout and the options of travelling by Buggy or little boats across the hotel.. It was magical ride for kids. The rooms are grouped in a way that they have a reception for every 10-12 rooms so you never have to fight the your way in a massive lobby. The Arabian style rooms work very well

you have access to all Pools, food spots and beaches of the Jumeirah Group - so you can walk along the beautiful beach for ever and come back by buggy.
I have stayed in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel along same stretch and although they are run by the same people the food at AL Masyaf was a let down and breakfast was no where near JBH. pool food also. we ended up eating our dinner at JBH restaurants. but breakfast we had no option.

The kidz club had a great pool but again JHB is a better Club with more life and activities - Both grant you access to Wild WAdy

Overall if you are a couple planning to relax this is an amazing spot. beach service is amazing the size meant you do not feel the crowds as you do in other Jumeirah Group hotel. with kidz JBH just works better and we came with Three kids under 6yrs.

I would defiantly come again when my three grow up

Better late than never. Our Holday was 2nd week in August 2012.

Following a shaky start at Al Qasr check in and having to ask 5 times for our Luggage to be collected on departure.

We arrived early and did not expect our room to be available, but were told that it would be ready in around an hour and a half. After paying for extortionately priced Breakfast (especially when some are complimentary, as in a previous review), we returned to the Reception after 2 hours to be told that the room was not available and no idea when it would be. Another 4 hours later we got into our room and our Holiday began. From then on everything was perfect, resort was beautiful, food and staff amazing. I would like to say a special thanks to our Butlers Ganet and Dinu, who were always smiling and took care of everything for us. Although it was extremely hot at this time of year, we managed to keep cool with the lovely pools.

Hopefully the check in and Luggage collection issues will be resolved by next visit, as we are already planning to return next year.