The deluxe king room at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Courtesy Lapita
The deluxe king room at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Courtesy Lapita
The deluxe king room at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Courtesy Lapita
The deluxe king room at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Courtesy Lapita

Hotel Insider: Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts


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  • Arabic

The welcome

After negotiating the sporadically signposted roads surrounding Dubai Parks and Resorts, my family and I finally find ourselves at the new Lapita's entrance. There are plenty of valets and bell hops to help with luggage, all offering a friendly "aloha" greeting, the first clue to the Polynesian theme here. Check-in is swift, but no explanation is given for the confusing room numbering – my room is 9219, but after getting into the lifts, it transpires that there's no ninth floor. A trip back to the reception later, we're on the way to the second floor.  

The neighbourhood

The Lapita – named after a prehistoric Pacific Ocean culture – is the solitary resort at Dubai Parks and Resorts, which also features Legoland, Motiongate, Bollywood Parks and the Riverland shopping and F&B village.

The room

My deluxe twin room is full of bold patterns and cheerful colours, in a nod to the South Sea Islands, with bamboo, wicker and a faux-leaf ceiling fan mixed with dark-wood luxury-hotel plushness, echoed in many of the hotel's common areas. One clever innovation is that the wardrobe is accessible from the main room and on the other side in the bathroom. The view across the resort demands you sit with a drink on the cute little balcony – but you're not exactly encouraged to have your fill of tea or coffee. There's only one regular-size cup and one espresso cup provided, while the charge of Dh20 to bring "real" milk to the room for tea, as opposed to providing a UHT alternative, seems slightly stingy. There's a long dressing table/desk, plenty of storage space and a small table and chairs. The bathroom is well-sized, divided into two, with the bath/shower and toilet in one half and the basin/vanity mirror in the other.

The service

Well-intentioned, but a relative lack of guests (the hotel is fairly underpopulated when I stay) hasn't let some staff polish their skills. The waiters at the poolside restaurant Ari seemed fairly clueless about the dinner menu; but at Asian outlet Hikina, they're drilled to an almost military precision.

The scene

The 504-room Lapita is a family-resort anomaly as an Autograph Collection property – the Marriott brand usually specialises in boutique city hotels. Other guests range from Emiratis to holidaying European and North American families. The Polynesian vibe isn't quite convincing, but for the most part, you feel like you have been transported out of the Emirates.  

The food

Hikina is the pick of the restaurants, putting fine-dining sheen onto Cantonese and other Far Eastern staples. The honey-flavoured char sui chicken (Dh45) and egg tart Hong Kong-style (Dh45) are favourites. Dinner at Ari is more casual, with a focus on grills, curries and lighter bites – the Tahitian seafood curry (Dh145) here is packed with tangy flavour. The international buffet breakfast at Kalea is a wide spread with tropical flourishes – from Polynesian chicken to lychee juice – plus nods to the hotel's location with the addition of date smoothies.  

Loved

The view from the balcony and Hikina's food.

Hated 

The (sometimes) sloppy service.

The verdict

A relaxing escape from city stresses, without having to journey too far.

The bottom line

Double rooms at the Lapita (www.marriott.co.uk; 04 810 9999) are from Dh555 per night, including taxes, Wi-Fi and breakfast.

Lapita hotel. Courtesy Lapita
Lapita hotel. Courtesy Lapita
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

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ICC Intercontinental Cup

UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed

Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2

UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium

Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates