Conveniently located in the Hili district of Al Ain, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana is a quaint and cozy five-star property, 20-minutes away from Al Ain International Airport. The property offers 254 rooms and suites neatly designed with a modern touch. The rooms are spread across six floors and range from a 36 sqm to a 62 sqm. Whether you are looking for a standard room or a premium suite, it is an ideal place for leisure families, large groups and business travelers.

My husband and I spent the night at the hotel’s Premium Bedroom Suite, which was the perfect combination of elegance, sophistication and modernity. Featuring a comfortable bedroom with an attached bathroom and balcony, a spacious living room with a fully-equipped kitchenette, dining area, guest bathroom and balcony, the room was a perfect space for two. The attached bathroom was equipped with a shower and bath tub and was quite spacious. The balcony, overlooking the pool was the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Both rooms were equipped with large LED TV screens and free wifi so entertainment wasn’t a problem. Our kitchenette came with a washing machine, storage cabinets, a cooking station, refrigerator and mini bar along with in-room tea and coffee making facilities.

Unlike most five-star hotels, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana is 100% alcohol-free so guests can enjoy sipping on a mocktail or two while unwinding by the pool or indulging in some delectable delights. In terms of facilities, the hotel boasts of a tennis court, large swimming pool, kids playground, a relaxing spa and a fitness center. The Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club features leisure, sports and state-of-the-art facilities. The conference area features 7 flexible meeting rooms, all fully-equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment.

We visited the hotel’s Jazz Spa for an hour-long Swedish massage, a firm therapy similar to deep tissue but with gentle strokes, priced at AED 310 per person. Thanks to our lovely therapists, we were completely relaxed and rejuvenated after our session. Apart from offering a variety of therapeutic treatments for the mind and body, it is also a grooming center that features a wide range of beauty and hair treatments for men, women and children.

Coming to the food and beverage venues, the hotel houses three outlets namely Elements, Hili Majlis and the Sundeck Pool Cafe along with a 24-hour in-room dining facility. Elements is an all-day dining restaurant showcasing international flavours, superbly prepared and served with flair. From Japanese, Arabic, European to Indian – the restaurant hosts several themed nights through the week so guests can enjoy authentic flavors from around the world. Hili Majlis is the lobby cafe that serves refreshments, light snacks, tea, coffee and homemade pastries. It is a great place for an informal meeting, a catch-up session over afternoon tea or a place where you can immerse yourself in a book, magazine or newspaper. Choose from a variety of carefully prepared high-tea favorites like sandwiches, cakes, tarts and scones or indulge in their ‘sandwich of the day’ served with a chef’s special salad and a soft beverage of your choice. Sundeck Pool Café is the perfect choice for casual dining around the pool with light snacks and refreshments. What’s better? They serve shisha!

As soon as we checked into our room, we were warmly welcomed with beautiful platters consisting of fruits, cheese, chocolates, pastries and biscuits. Thereafter, we headed to Elements for both, lunch and dinner. With a variety of meats, salads, soups, sauces and mains, we were spoilt for choice. During our stay, we were told that the hotel had recently introduced in-room breakfast services so we were excited to experience that. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to eat fluffy pancakes and runny eggs in their PJ’s? A lavish breakfast spread consisting of juices, eggs, sausages, bacon, breads and pancakes was nicely laid out, the next morning, in our dining area which we devoured rather shamelessly. Before checking out, we enjoyed some shisha along with their signature club sandwich at the Sundeck Pool Cafe.

Apart from pampering us with food and spa sessions, the property arranged for a special visit to Jebel Hafeet, a popular tourist destination in Al Ain from where one can enjoy breathtaking sunset views.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hili Rayhaan by Rotana. It was clean, comfortable and cozy – everything we were looking for when we decided to spend our weekend in Al Ain!