Al Bait Sharjah, Home of the Emirati
Written by Claire Zeitler
Welcome home to Al Bait! You may be wondering why we are writing about a hotel in an Arab country that is most definitely not kosher. Well, it’s because there is so much more to see at this beautiful heritage spot. I get asked all the time what there is to do in Dubai, and my answer always includes, “There is more to the UAE than Dubai’s malls.
There are excellent hotels, and then there are outstanding hotels. Al Bait Sharjah is a unique place that perfectly weaves a story of luxury and culture, bringing history to life while maintaining an air of pure luxury with its 53 rooms. The rooms, the restaurants, and all the rest are incorporated into heritage buildings, newly protected by UNESCO.
The arrival was smooth and seamless, so unlike any traditional hotel. I never saw a front desk, a reception area, or suitcases waiting in corners. I was ushered into a room with windows and seats along a wall, with pillows, and greeted by a cold towel, water, and chocolates from Valrhona.
Led to my room, I think I will never find the way back! There are so many little alleyways. Knowing that people used to live in these buildings makes me feel like I am a part of a longer history. The buildings are all a light tan color, so while you’re taking time finding the next building, you will be Instagrammable no matter what you happen to have packed!
My room was something else— straight out of a medieval Middle Eastern fairytale! All golden tan with touches of reds and the occasional purple. The bed was huge and high off the ground, the pillows inviting, and the desk practical. I wandered into the bathroom and was shocked with outright glee! Trust me when I say the exclamation was warranted. The bronze bathtub in the middle of this bathroom (that was bigger than my bedroom when I was a teenager) had me so excited for a pre-bedtime bath. Can we fast forward through the day to the time I could relax in the warm waters?!
My love affair with the bathtub had to wait, though. There was much to see and do on my first day at Al Bait Sharjah.
Did you know that, according to hotel star ratings, a hotel may not receive a 5-star rating if it does not have a spa? While a hotel may be out of this world, it will not be granted five stars without that attached spa. The spa at Al Bait was even better than I expected. I’m sure we’ve all been at a 5-star hotel before and looked forward to an afternoon massage, only to come to the understanding that the people at the spa have no idea what they’re doing.
I was treated to a Hamman treatment by a lovely Indonesian attendant. She was quiet but sweet, and not once made me feel uncomfortable. Respect in a setting like that is paramount, and the spa aced it! Separate entrances for men and women— even inside the spa—ensures total privacy and respect.
This was not the first time I’d had a Hamman treatment, but it was the most luxurious. The first step was a cold water given to me in the waiting area while I filled out a form. It’s vital to be hydrated during such treatments. Next, I was shown into a room with the most massive slab of marble I’ve seen outside of Italy. I was supposed to lie on top. I lifted myself onto the heated piece and listened to the sound of the waterfall feature just opposite my head. Such a soothing sound. I was scrubbed with Himalayan salts, then hosed down. I either felt like a dog or royalty. Considering the setting, I preferred to think like a queen. A mud body mask followed by some more water and then 5 minutes in the sauna. I’m not a massive fan of saunas because I get bored quickly, so I requested only the obligatory five minutes. (I could have stayed in there as long as I wished.)
The finishing touches of the Hamman experience were a massage (emphasis on my poor feet, please) and a mint tea (hot water with pure mint leaves in a glass mug) in the Resting Lounge. What is a resting lounge? A small room with overstuffed pillows and little tea tables where you can either check your social media or stare at the ceiling and wonder to yourself how it’s possible to keep this feeling of relaxation with you always. I opted to head to my room immediately after the massage so I could try out the shower. It did not disappoint. On my way, I happened upon the pool that was below my room before. I did not have time to lounge by the pool on this trip, but it will be heavily featured on my next one!
Another stop was the library. Was I on a tour or just utterly lost? Who knows. The library was a beautifully renovated space with clean white built-in bookshelves and backgammon and chess boards on tables. If only I had brought someone to enjoy the backgammon with! But it was for the best because the space was being used for government meetings all day, so I couldn't hang out there anyway. The cigar room after dinner was the place to be that night, anyway! But that’s another story.
Speaking about stories. Not only is the library the setting for storybooks, but it is also a mini-museum of life in Sharjah years ago. This particular building had belonged to the Al-Midfa family. The head of the family started the first newspaper in the area, and people would gather outside his house to hear the latest news. The library was also recently used for a couple's fairy tale wedding on the journey to start their own story. I heard the room was decked out in flowers with a Shakespeare theme. So dreamy.
After dinner (I had brought my own), I headed up to my room, where a surprise was waiting for me. I see the turndown service on my bed and the slippers on the floor, waiting for my now-relaxed feet, but I also hear music. I turn towards the bathroom to see a record player. The record player was not there earlier, I assure you. I would have mentioned it, trust me. You don’t just miss a phonograph playing Queen.
But there it was. The record was swirling around as I took a boomerang for an Insta-worthy story. So the scene is set. The lights are low, the epic notes are playing, and that’s when I see the bathtub. Remember the bath? This time, it is filled with warm water, with actual rose petals floating around nonchalantly.
I got into that bathtub faster than I would have jumped at the chance to go for a joyride in a Huracan. (Maybe not as fast as if a Rolls Royce Phantom with a cognac interior was being offered, but it was not being delivered. Neither was the Huracan, but I’m trying to convey my feelings for this bronze bathtub and my pure adoration for the Rolls-Royce brand.)
I listened to that music and enjoyed the sight of the petals floating so much. If I hadn’t just had a delicious dinner and a 90-minute spa experience, I’m sure my worries would have drifted away.
After the tub experience, I decided to get lost again downstairs and head to the cigar room to meet a new friend. We chatted, smoked a cigar, and wholeheartedly agreed that we would have to come back to the hotel again in the winter months to enjoy the courtyards scattered across the property.
Off I went to bed. Fully relaxed, ready to dream about the sort of adventures that were to occur the next day.
In the morning hours, I headed back into the lanes between the house to resume my adventure. Let’s go for another stroll to the front of the resort opposite the corniche. There is a jewelry shop featuring Emirati jewelry designers, where they can showcase their fantastic work in an authentic setting.
I had never been to Sharjah before my visit with Al Bait, but I learned that they are just as innovative as Dubai with their indoor air-conditioned marketplace. I also learned that the most crucial thing they yearn to protect is their heritage, their family, and their home.
I know a lot of people may say staying at a place that feels like home sounds boring. To them, I reply, "You haven’t slept in a cave-like room with a bronze bathtub!”