I am deeply impressed by Jumeirah Al Naseem, which took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Initially, my friend and I planned to visit Blind Tiger, which is rated as one of the top bars in Dubai. However, we were treated with disrespect at the entrance, where the doorman said, “You are not allowed to be here,” simply because my Tory Burch sandals weren’t deemed fancy enough to meet their standards (apologies for not wearing Hermès, or was it because I’m a petite Asian woman?). To make it worse, we weren’t even allowed to wait outside the bar.
Filled with frustration and disappointment, my friend and I walked down to Al Mandhar Lobby Lounge. That’s when the miracle began, thanks to Galila Abourlsadat. She warmly welcomed us, allowing us to walk in and choose our preferred table. My friend inquired about Blind Tiger, and I asked where I could file a complaint. Galila patiently listened to our story and encouraged us to enjoy our time at the lounge. She treated us with such care and respect that it completely turned our evening around.
We ordered our rosé and had a wonderful time. After hearing our story, Galila even surprised us with a bouquet of roses—a truly unexpected gesture. I was so touched by her kindness and professionalism. When we wanted to take a photo, Gita Nurcita Dewi went out of her way to help us find a spot with good lighting. Her patience and friendliness, along with the rest of the team, left me utterly impressed.
It’s astonishing how the same hotel group can deliver such contrasting service experiences. At Blind Tiger, we faced arrogance and rudeness, while at Al Mandhar, we were treated with exceptional warmth, kindness, and care.
I’m incredibly grateful to Al Mandhar Lobby Lounge for turning my mood from hell to heaven. Thank you so much, Galila, Gita, the lovely team member who brought us the flowers, and the rest of your staff! You inspired me to give a glowing 5-star review for Al Mandhar instead of venting my frustrations in a negative complaint about Blind Tiger.