Hotel Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot (Ghantoot, United Arab Emirates)

Live like a Sheikh in this incredible building, resplendent with grand domes, golden walls and Arabic arches, a majestic lobby decorated with historic artefacts and suite-sized guestrooms with gigantic balconies. Guests often remark on how safe and secure the fortress-like hotel feels to stay in.

Due to this hotel's somewhat remote location between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, guests appreciate the regular free shuttle between the cities' two airports. Set on a picturesque coastal inlet with yachts moored all around and other equally prestigious properties in the vicinity, photo opportunities are plentiful.

Sporty-types rave about this hotel's leisure facilities, which include a huge outdoor pool, a well-equipped fitness centre and volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. They also love the hotel's private beach which offers equipment for water sports activities, including sea scooters, a banana boat and donut boats.

Guests arriving on their own steam sometimes end up lost as this hotel is signposted from the road as Five Continents Beach Resort and Spa. Asking Ghantoot locals won't help either, as they often refer to the newly acquired Swiss-Belhotel as Cassells Beach Resort.

Some travellers feel that this elegant property could do with a deep clean. A few report old worn furniture covered in dust, damp patches on walls and threadbare carpets. Most reviewers vouch for the cleanliness of guestrooms, but some found stained bedding and badly-maintained bathrooms.

While some guests rave about the food at this hotel, several think the hotel needs to work hard to improve its gastronomical offering. Complaints relate to an under-stocked breakfast buffet with undrinkable coffee, a lack of vegetarian options for lunch and dinner and an occasional upset stomach.