Hilton Hotel in Al Ain

We spend one afternoon most weekends at the Hilton Hotel in the south east of the town…

…because of its excellent facilities.

There are 3 pools: a laps pool for adults…

a paddling pool for infants…

…and a large family pool with water features and a water slide.

Here’s a video lasting a few minutes, showing the hotel and main pools…

There are some swings and a climbing frame too…

Inside you’ll find two table tennis tables, squash court…

…a fully equipped gym…

…sauna, Jacuzzis, steam room etc.

When children want a break from the heat, or if they just want to slow down after a couple of hours in the pool, they can watch a DVD in a special play room (there are 12-15 DVDs to choose from, ranging from Shawn The Sheep to The Aristocats)…

The lunchtime menu in the restaurant next to the pool…

…is excellent, and the staff are a delight: here are 3 of the 5-strong team: from left to right: Joy, Rameez and Diago…

Our children have tennis lessons there every week and they also have fun on the swings and climbing frame. There is also a small putting green for golf enthusiasts. My wife and I have enjoyed massages there from Elizabeta, a skilled masseuse from Romania.

At the entrance to the Hiltonia Club is a busy noticeboard offering cars, apartments, discount furniture and white goods (often at a half to one third of the original purchase price for goods which maybe be only 8-12 months old).

You can use these facilities by paying the day rate, but it’s much more cost-effective to pay for a full year. Often there is a discount depending on which company the main breadwinner works for. And it’s worth knowing that sometimes at the weekend the Hotel facilities are closed to non-members and non-guests.