With my interests piqued, we were jet set for our staycation at the grandeur Shangri La located in Qaryat Al Beri as its magnificent lobby left us in awe with its crystal chandeliers that immaculately light up the lobby and reflect off the marble floors of the hotel. As we stood in the middle taking in the view, we were greeted with a warm smile , that of one of the employees dressed in a traditional dress handing us a warm cup of arabic coffee as we helped ourselves to some dates.
Check in was done in a straight forward manner at the Horizon club lounge located on Level 7 – Our deluxe room which along with having a feeling of exuded comfort had an eclectic mix of Arabian Decor and interspersed with calming warm tones showcased in the furnishings while boasting pristine views of the canal and the Arabian Gulf. The bathroom which features marble and mosaic tiles is a sight to behold, with a walk- in rain shower, a perfect retreat to indulge in especially after a long drive as well as a bath tub to enjoy fragrant bath amenities from L’Occitane and a separate toilet.
Trail along an exciting journey on the abra, a great way to discover the winding waterways of the hotel, leaving you feeling at ease as the abra slowly maneuvers its way through the canals and the lush landscape gardens , while you admire the magnificent property with its ornate architecture and Arabian dome like majestic structure leaving you enthralled.Soak in the sun at one of the palm lined swimming pools that give you beautiful views of the turquoise sea or take a stroll along the beach strip to catch the beaming rays of the sunset leaving you in an aura of romance.
Dinner at Shang Palace
As we jumped off the abra, we had built quite an appetite and off we went to our room to get ready to dine at Shang Palace, we charmed our ways through this restaurant that feels like you have stepped into a piece of China with its tasteful decor with lit paper lanterns making for quite a romantic spot to enjoy a quiet dinner.
What was served on our table? Australian beef tenderloin doused with black pepper sauce – the meat was tender and moist.I love the combination of black pepper with beef as it gives the meat a nice jam packed flavor that leaves your palette lingering for more.
Deep fried soft shell crab- these work as a perfect starter and a plus for sea food lovers like me – as the outer cover had a nice crispiness to it and the crab meat was packed with flavor so much so that i could have the plate all to myself.
Kung pao chicken, a stir fried dish containing chicken, peanuts, assorted vegetables and red chillies leaves your palette in a state of spice and savor, thanks to the kung pao sauce, the chicken is stir fried in. What i liked about this dish is that the chicken cubes had nice touch of sauce to it, leaving the chicken moist and tasty.
Kung pao frog legs – this was one of my favorite dishes of the evening and although was a little jittery to try the same, my hubby and the waitress recommended i try it out. Lets just say it felt like i was eating chicken wings fried in kung pao sauce. The texture of the frog legs are velvety smooth and how well coated they are.
Stir fried beef ribs- a perfect blend of sweet and spice and the perfect cut of meat used. My husband and I fought for the last piece as ribs happens to be one of our favorite dishes especially when douses with a combination of sauces to elevate the taste.
With soft plush feather like pillows that let your head sink in and a duvet to keep you warm , i slept like a baby and woke up to the sweeping view of the Grand Mosque, too lazy to go down to have breakfast, we decided to enjoy room service in the comforts of our bed.What was served, french toast brioche which ticked all the points for me from taste to presentation and a healthy fruit salad to kick start my day.
Address:
Khor Al Maqta, Qaryat Al Beri, Between The Bridges – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Phone:
+971 2 509 8888
