Christmas Eve Dinner

2026-02-06

It has been my 5th return to Anantara Sir Bani Yas, and I am now reflecting on what has always been drawing me back to this island. I think the first reason is its unique location—its pristine beaches, untouched nature, and beautiful surroundings. It feels so peaceful and tranquil, and barely touched by the human hand. This is what I appreciate most. Secondly, I love the staff. They make a huge difference—their attention to detail, their kindness, their friendliness, their support, and their smiles really make your stay special. You truly feel like royalty. Kudos to Dipika and Sushant at Olio, and Tushar, Ben and Sahan at Al Yamm reception, these guys are the heros! However, I am now thinking that the hotel is going back into decline, and had it not been for these two factors, I would be hugely disappointed by my recent stay from 27th to 30th May. First of all, it looks like the hotel is cutting costs again, and while in the current circumstances it may seem understandable, I would expect that during the busy Eid period—when many UAE residents want to enjoy the facilities—the hotel would do its best to deliver top service. If the five-star experience that Anantara aims to provide starts from the ferry, then the ferry experience can only be rated as two or three stars. Especially on our return from the island, it was obvious that the team was understaffed. It took more than 30 minutes to get our suitcases back. There were only four members handling huge trolleys filled with luggage, offloading them, pushing them over more than a kilometre, and then returning again. The whole exercise took an eternity, and many guests looked flustered and exasperated. Secondly, regarding food and beverage—our best experience was at Olio restaurant, where we stayed at the Al Yamm Resort. So far, it looks like this is the only place that has maintained some standard. The restaurant was clean, the menu was versatile, and the food was decent. When we decided to try Savannah for à la carte (after confirming it would be available), we were disappointed to find only a BBQ buffet, which we did not want—especially with salads and desserts melting in 40°C heat. So we turned back and returned to Olio. Our dinner on the first night at Olio was exceptional—we enjoyed both the starters and the main course. However, on the second night, after returning from Savannah, we had one of the worst steaks we have ever experienced. It tasted as if it had been frozen and defrosted—tough and completely tasteless. There also seems to be a regional flavour added to some dishes, which should not be the case—for example, omelettes being too oily and carrying local spice aromas. Breakfast variety was very limited too, with us struggling to find what we could eat, which was not the case in the past. The worst experience, however, was at Shams restaurant in the main hotel. We had tried Palm restaurant last year and had already noticed how dark, old-fashioned, shabby and neglected everything looked. When we walked into Shams this time, despite having a reservation, it felt like stepping into a two-star restaurant somewhere in Deira or Bur Dubai. It was extremely dirty. The windows were unclean, full of dust and smudges from top to bottom. The curtains looked very dirty, and the floor was covered with food leftovers—even though the restaurant was empty when we arrived, which should have given ample opportunity to clean. The tables were greasy—I did not even dare to rest my elbows on them. The glass doors were covered in fingerprints, and the whole place smelled as if ventilation was very poor. While the food itself was reasonable, the restaurant environment felt more like a one- or two-star establishment, if that. Other guests who we shared a shuttle a few times had the same sentiment. Lastly, our biggest disappointment was the spa. During our past visits, we would always spend our afternoons there, especially during the hottest part of the day, enjoying a couple’s massage. That was our plan this time as well. However, we were told that there was only one therapist available, making a couple’s massage impossible, which is quite unreasonable. The hotel is clearly missing out on both guest satisfaction and revenue, as most guests are couples or families staying at the villas and resort. It was hugely disappointing, how can a hotel with 100 rooms / villas run realistically with 1 therapist only. Overall, I am now in two minds about returning. I may need to look for another property where I can still enjoy pristine nature, tranquility, and serenity—but with better-maintained facilities and a higher-quality experience. In 2017 and 2018, our visits to Anantara were absolutely amazing—we were beyond excited. When we returned in 2021, just after COVID, the experience was dreadful as the hotel was in visible decline. We then returned again in 2025, and everything was superb. I was hoping that this time, current conditions would not take their toll on Anantara—especially as I was told the hotel had been busy even during challenging periods. However, what we experienced on the ground was upsetting. It is unfortunate that hotel management does not seem to be actively and proactively addressing the condition of the property, or focusing enough on making the guest experience truly remarkable—whether food and beverage, the spa, or the overall maintenance of the facilities.

The in-room dining experience was extremely disappointing. The F&B staff seemed to lack basic knowledge of proper food service. Despite making more than 10 calls to Guest Experience, our food was still not delivered even after 2 hours. It appears that the Head Chef of In room dining and General Manager are completely unaware of the kind of experience guests are going through.

An extraordinary and indelible escape. The staff demonstrated impeccable professionalism and genuine warmth, elevating every moment. The island itself is breathtakingly pristine, offering a rare sense of exclusivity and tranquility. The safari and curated activities were nothing short of phenomenal, thrilling, immersive, and exquisitely executed. An utterly magnificent experience that surpasses expectations.