Overview
Al Sarooj is a popular area in Al Ain which is mainly built up of residential areas on the eastern end of the town. The area is also the home of two of the town’s most popular hotels and their respective nightspots: Hilton and Danat.
Where it’s located
It sits to the south east of the town centre and is only a few minutes from the Central District.
Transport and parking
Parking is plentiful in the residential areas, and the Danat Hotel boasts a large car park. The Hilton car park can get very busy in the evenings, especially at the weekends.
The arterial Khaled Bin Sultan Street runs through the area, which becomes Khattam Al Shiklah Street which in turn leads down to the Omani border crossing.
Hotels and dining
Hilton
Paco's is always busy at the weekends
The Hilton Hotel is one of the oldest in the country, having opened in 1970s, originally built for wedding guests for a Shaikh’s wedding. It became a hotel some years later and was even visited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Paco’s bar is one of the most popular haunts in Al Ain, as is the pool bar and pool area in the day time. There is a Japanese restaurant called Toki as well as the outdoor shisha bar, Makhani. The Peach Garden nightclub also makes for an interesting evening.
There is also a spa and children’s pool, as well as tennis courts.
Danat
The Horse and Jockey is the best place to watch live sport on TV
The Danat Hotel (formerly Intercontinental) is equally as popular as its neighbor. It has been open for a long time yet hasn’t really aged.
The Horse and Jockey Pub is a popular venue for friends and an ideal place for live sport. Luce’s on the ground floor is an award-winning Italian restaurant that transforms into a nightclub after 10pm, and the Wok restaurant does the best fillet steak in town. The Tanjore Indian restaurant is one of Al Ain’s most famous restaurants.
The grounds are quite large and there is a football field available for hire.
Shopping
While Bawadi Mall and Al Ain Mall aren’t far away from the area (10 and five minutes respectively), the only shopping centre is Al Sarooj City Centre. It’s a little run-down but it is ideal for those on an economical budget. Not only does it sell food, but clothes and household goods as well.
The parade of shops alongside is home to a tailors, a launderette, a barbers, and a smaller grocery store.
Restaurants
The two hotels are where you want to go for your fine and casual dining. There are, however, several small cafes next to the City Centre supermarket. You can enjoy fried chicken, Lebanese, and Mexican food.
