This was our second stay at al hamra fort, our first was in 2005. We could not believe just how far downhill this resort has gone. Our first stay was faultless and we recommended the place to friends and family. Thank god they didn't go.
We were placed in a room that was not what we booked, above the nightclub (we have 2 children).
The hotel staff were mostly miserable (with a few exceptions, notably within the Al Jazeera restaurant), bordering on rude.
The water in the pool was much too warm, and had a disgusting film at one end. The chiller and filtration system obviously wasn't working properly. There is also insufficient sun beds.
Food and drinks prices have risen so much that they are now way too expensive for the quality. Getting tables was also difficult some nights, with 1 restaurant actually closed for a private dinner! All the family suffered with stomach troubles through the stay. Even bottles of water had a mark up of over 1000% from the prices paid a couple of hundred yards up the road! Absurd.
The dress code seems to have gone out the window as there are now people eating in swim shorts and football tops in supposedly 5star restaurants. Sorry, if i wanted that we'd go to a 2star hell hole in Tenerife!
Trips, and even the water sports within the resort, are now organised through a franchise called RAK Events who are just incompetent. We went on the desert safari with these clowns and ended stuck three times, with the 3, yes 3, rescue cars also getting stuck! To top it all, when we finally got going again the driver managed to crash into what must be the only bloody boulder in the desert. We then had to cram TEN people into another 4X4 which was just hell. We then missed most of the evening entertainment.
Staff were really not interested in listening to any complaints.
The resort has become too big and now lacks facilities to cope.
Speaking to people throughout our stay, everyone that had been before said how far standards have fallen, and that they, like us, would not be returning.

I had to write a comment eventhough our stay was last summer. We live in Dubai and I must say are spoilt with the luxury of hotels here. So we were disapointeed with Al Hamra. The pool water was very warm. This is unaceptable from a 5star. But I wouldn't call Al Hamra a 5 star unless maybe you stay in the villas. Breakfast was not nice.

I booked this hotel with lastminute and had a 'lastminute' panic when I read some negative reviews. I shouldn't have worried, we had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend it to all our friends.
As other reviewers have written the food is fantastic, a really good range and much better than the catering I have had in 5* hotels in Egypt. Our room was lovely and well cleaned and presented every day, the mini bar was stocked up daily so we never ran out of water - which we desperately needed!
It was incredibly hot - 44 degrees some days and I was disappointed not to be able to do any hardcore lying around in the sun - there were some [--] but they must have a death wish!
If you are a confident driver I would really recommend that you hire a car, UAE driving is insane but as long as you keep your nerve its well worth it. Our car cost just over £60 for three days, unlimited mileage and a full tank of petrol cost 50 dirhams - about £7!! the real benefit to this was we were able to go where we liked in dubai, when we liked and not worry about getting back for the shuttle bus. All of the malls have free parking, making them an ideal base for getting taxis from if you don't feel like driving through the city. The emirates road is really fast and took about an hour from Al Hamra to the centre of Dubai.
We had no problems with bringing snacks and water into the hotel, we even left it in the mini bar with no complaints.
We got home today and I'm already wondering when I can go back . . . . .
go and enjoy!

We booked with letsgoto and were looking forward to a week in the sun and some shopping in Dubai. We were not disappointed. We usually travel long haul and extensively and were looking for a relaxing, luxury break. If you want to visit a hot, well run and comfortable hotel, stay at Al Hamra in the townhouses.
The houses are situated 400m from the main hotel (nice and close but a shuttle bus will take you there every 4 minutes and it is too hot to walk). The shuttle bus is efficient and will drop you right to your room!
The rooms are amazing and big; we had a basic room and were rewarded with lots of space and a great bathroom. Air con is also excellent. The rooms are incredibly clean and every effort is made to make you feel at home. They even turn down your sheets and draw the curtains for you.
There are many restaurants to choose from and the food is second to none; every taste is catered for and food is even specially cooked for children if they don't want the exotic dishes on offer. The Shamal in the main hotel runs themed food nights (seafood, BBQ, Indian, International, Sushi, Chinese) and the food is hot, well cooked and delicious. Salads, fruits, pastas etc will also allow health conscious people to eat well and healthily. WE were half board and to be fair this was not an issue; it was too hot to eat during the day. Water is not included (no drinks are half board) but it's just over £1 for 1.5 litres with your meal and they also sell all kinds of drink; alcoholic and non.
Top tip: eat at Al Jazira lebanese restaurant; the food is delicious, the service great, the hubbly bubbly is well priced and the belly dancer comes on at 9.30pm and again at 10.30pm ; she is worth watching!

Positives: room, VFM, free shuttle services to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah (Dubai is a MUST), great food, friendly atmosphere, hospitable, warm, great beach and amazingly warm water, relaxing environment, pool at both the main hotel and townhouses.

Negatives: icecream is not included in the half board, transfer to the airport on way home took rather a long time!

Do: arrange transfers from and to the airport; it is a long way and will be expensive by taxi.
Do: Visit Dubai on the shuttle transfer; don't take a taxi; book early with the main reception as it is a popular trip.
Do: go to the gold Souk (market); a cab will cost about 20 Dirhams from the free shuttle drop off point at Deira City.
Do: visit the Burj Al Arab for afternoon tea; the tea and the views are awesome.
Do: take high factor sun cream if you are pale or fair.
Do: take a wrap or cover up for the beach and the evening; many of the locals are covered up and the heat also frazzles skin easily.
Do: drink lots of water.
Do: go to the Al Jazira Restaurant - it's got amazing food.

If you want any other tips or have any questions, do get in touch. See my other reviews; I and my wife travel a lot and we are always very honest.