Al Barsha Pond Park

Poorly managed property

I chose the Riu as I have stayed there in other countries and I was traveling alone. Now they did accommodate my early check-in which I was grateful for. The room itself was okay, basic but curtains were tatered and torn, rm 116 and the towels/washcloths were the thinnest I have ever seen. The food was decent enough, I don't eat meat but they had things for me to choose from. I can't speak on the amenities as when I asked if they had a concierge desk, I was told no. Now they did give a booklet for a company to call for excursions but you were on your own in booking. I visited October 24-29 and it was a KIDS resort for those days which was a lot to say the least, all the shows were geared towards children and the children had the room of the lobby and other areas to well after midnight so forget quiet or relaxing... I honestly didn't realize it wasn't adult only but the children took over pools also, so I didn't get a chance to step a pinky toe in. My BIGGEST problem was basically no assistance when asking questions but the GREATEST problem was being SCAMMED by one of the drivers who I was referred to by a bell hop, so I think they were together; in two days I was charged $200 USD for two trips. Once I said something about contacting management, the WhatsApp were deleted. I throughly enjoyed my first solo out the country to Dubai but the Riu in Dubai is a NO FOR me.