Raemona Reviews // Grab Your Kids & Pets and Head For This Family-friendly Beachfront Gem, Vida Beach

WHEN it comes to the UAE’s celebrated shorelines Umm Al Quwain may not always be top of the list for first time visitors to the country.

But it does offer a great staycation opportunity for residents - and taking pole position, Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain offers a prime opportunity to swap urban bustle for coastal calm.

Sure, UAQ lives in the shadow of Dubai, but since 2021 this five-star property has been showcasing an under-exploited area that includes lush mangroves and a sometimes overlooked corner of the country.

Vida Beach Resort is easy to pick out as you drive beside the Al Khor coast. And while it proves less easy to spot any furry in-house guests during our visit, they are welcome with prior booking. More on that in a moment…

The hotel’s handsome light grey structure sits just ahead of UAQ Creek Waterfront, a smart development of public beach, promenade shops and food trucks that spring to life in the evening.

Vida is positioned as affordable luxury as part of Emaar in a portfolio that includes hospitality brands such as Armani Hotels & Resorts and Dubai’s The Palace Downtown.

The sense of ambient calm you would associate with the latter is immediate in a main lobby designed fittingly with its beach location. White-boarded lifts and public area art continue the vibe.

The hotels’ contemporary accommodation comprises 143 keys in total, including city and beach view options, some with balconies, and the largest which caters to four people enjoying a spacious private terrace.

Beyond the main building, a selection of two-bedroom sea view beach chalets can host five adults, or three adults and two children under 12.

Meanwhile, Vida’s pet-friendly policy means owners can book into one of five dedicated rooms with their furry pal and utilise pet accessories and beds on request, along with dedicated pet zones.

Our second floor Deluxe Room Sea View King feels large, partly thanks to walls painted white, with a blue wash effect above the bed, and uncluttered design. With plenty of natural light from two windows, the carpeted room is modern yet friendly.

Lighting controls are mercifully simple and furniture includes a work/dressing table area, plus a smoked glass wardrobe with a handwritten welcome message, and practical-sized mirrors. The bathroom is fresh and functional, with an easy-to-work Grohl shower in a large cubicle.

Sustainability efforts include glass-bottled water, prompts to re-use towels and turn off the AC if opening windows, plus delicious-smelling Grown Alchemist leave-behind shampoo, wash gels and hand lotion.

A flatscreen TV faces a comfortable bed while amenities include a fridge, tea and coffee, an ironing board and decent robes.

Vida - meaning ‘life’ in Spanish - mixes a laidback culture and occasionally playful demeanour with quality finishes supported by friendly, efficient service befitting the brand’s upscale lifestyle lean.

Guests can rent turntables and vinyl records during their stay and there are flashes of humour, such as on luggage storage tags which ask: “Who are you calling an old bag?”

With its mid-boutique feel, this is an easy to navigate property.

That large lobby contains comfortable seating areas either side of a central thoroughfare that connects the main entrance to an ocean view courtyard.

Four large Macs support a dedicated co-working space while, on the other side, Stage2 cafe offers food and drinks including afternoon tea, 3pm-7pm daily.

The Spa by Vida provides signature massages and treatments while the adjacent fitness centre sports dark wood flooring and armchairs beside state-of-the-art equipment for a country club feel.

Guests can use the tennis court free for one hour daily, and bikes are available without charge to in-house guests to explore the area, such as UAQ National Museum, within easy reach along UAQ Creek Waterfront.

Plenty of loungers flank a generous infinity pool overlooking Vida’s private beach, just steps away. Families with children can access the Qix play area (for four to 12 years) and a dedicated splash zone. Daily activations such as water polo and stretching sessions aim to keep guests active.

Hotel grounds include an abundance of trees and green landscaping, such as a dedicated grass area for weddings and events.

And a water sports concession offers an extensive, if slightly pricy, list of activities such as dives, water bikes, wakeboarding and boat trips, including to nearby mangroves.

Origins is Vida’s signature restaurant for breakfast service and international buffet, for lunch and dinner.

The kitchen excels at cold plates, including Thai beef salad and Vietnamese fish salad, as well as typical regional flavours, such as muhammara. Hot dishes rotate through tasty staples like Thai green curry, stews, barramundi fillets and pasta dishes, while the a la carte menu includes artisanal pizzas, pasta favourites and a filling club sandwich.

Stage2 offers the same menu and evening meals at both can be enjoyed inside or on the terrace where live singers entertain during cooler months.

The Pool Bar yields a good range of drinks and a strong menu selection ranging from Bento box varieties, salads, wraps and pizzas, and pool bites such as panjabi samosa or spinach and cheese empanada.

Finally, rooftop bar SoCal channels California vibes with a relaxed setting and ocean views. Its 7pm-9pm happy hour means two-for-one on drinks, backed by a menu of bar bites up to a 200g filet mignon. Sharing plates include crispy calamari and fish tacos.

Book Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain now and you can avail the hotel’s Summer Family Escape offer. Guests get 25% off their stay while kids stay, eat and play for free.

Visit https://www.vidahotels.com/en/offers/summer-family-escape-beat-the-heat-with-25-off-kids-go-free/ to find out more.