From: ███████
Sent: Sun 6/27/2010 5:55:20 PM
Subject: Report #127: Dar Al Masyaf

Hey all!

This is a vacation report from Dar Al Masyaf, the most magical hotel in the world! Written on blackberry, so forgive the abbreviations.

How you know a hotel is outstanding in the desert:

I. When u want cold water from the faucet, u will actually get it.

2. Gigantic statue gold horses on the hill leading to the resort

3. Buggies and abras (little Arabic gondolas) take u to the gym, lobby, restaurants...

4. When u open your locker at the gym u find slippers, fluffy towel and a whole set up of other things I didn't have time to go through.

5. The first time u enter ur room the TV will automatically go on to welcome u which is a bit freaky.

6. Rain forest shower which sounds like a, well...rain forest.

7. Tropical birds that sound like oversized parrots r waking u up at 5am. The amazing thing is that there r no tropical birds in a desert

8. The staff speak English

9. Abundance of greenery which makes u wonder how much water is needed to keep it green at current +39C / 102F

10. At the gym and pool people r serving u with cold, lemon scented towels and cucumbers for the eyes

- II. There r more lifeguards than guests around the pool

I suspected that my villa was a 10 second walk from the main hotel so I decided to walk. The dispatcher said I was very brave. 5 min later, lost, drenched in sweat, and chased off the lawn by a hotel-duck (!), I felt very brave. I was considering calling 911: "Pls rescue me. I'm lost at a luxury resort..."

I met up with an American guy I met at alumni event and he was shockingly cheap! When we paid the dinner bill I not only paid for myself, but he actually took my change! However, as always, what goes around comes around: he didn't know that without a restaurant stamp, valet parking is AED 50 ($14). I know that killed him.

Link to my photos will follow.

Sent from my BlackBerry