Mina A'Salam at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai review: Hotel with a private beach that many guests rarely leave

THE LOCATION

Dubai, with its mix of modern culture and history is a natural stopover point for Australians travelling to Europe. Lulled by the soporific desert heat we were surprised at numerous local suggestions we head "for the mall". Normally we hate shopping malls, but we succumbed, entering past traffic-style stop signs depicting a woman wearing modest clothing and a head dress. Inside the huge space, and welcome air-conditioned blast it's a hoot watching ice skaters, bargain hunters and even a slightly sad enormous Aussie crocodile in the Dubai mall's massive aquarium. Many scoffed at initial plans to convert Dubai to a mecca of western-style conspicuous consumerism, but successes including the World Trade Centre entrance to the famous Sheikh Zayed Road, flanked by duelling skylines and a 12-lane highway soon silenced the sceptics. Guest workers toil from midnight to keep up with sprawling demand. Thrill seekers can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, take a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.

THE SPACE

Developer and architect, Mirage Mille, took 36 months to complete the first phase of the resort in 2003. Madinat Jumeirah is a short drive from Dubai airport, beside sister properties Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab and Wild Wadi Water Park. The vision? Recreate life as it used to be for residents along Dubai Creek, complete with waterways, traditional Abra boats, wind towers and a bustling souk. But who knows what the traditional peoples would have made of the sometimes scantily clad Westerners piling into the resort with its own two-kilometre private beach, so sumptuous many make it their destination and rarely leave to explore. It's a big hit with three generations of our family, and my youngster even took part in the beachside yoga classes in exchange for a visit to the neighbouring Wild Wadi Water Park, free to hotel residents. Authentic Arabian-styled architecture linked by gardens and waterways are all built around the hotel souk, Guests can travel by Abras (water taxis) and dine on floodlit boardwalks in the warm evenings. And the turtle preservation program is a big success — you can watch their happy paddling for yourself as you enjoy an outdoor breakfast.

THE ROOM

Our ocean room is sumptuous and spacious with Arabian style decorations, sea views and sounds and plenty of room for an adult, a child and a pullout bed for granny. Cool and quiet air conditioning is a joy in the desert heat and the room is teamed with a large ensuite.