This place is so unlike the places I normally find myself in that the pure novelty of being there made for a truly memorable experience.
It's nothing special to look at or anything, but at 3am on a Saturday night when we weren't ready to go home and were looking for one last adventure, Rotana totally delivered.
My friend and I cautiously entered the dark room looking for a snack and drink to the sound of pounding middle-eastern techno being played by a DJ standing behind a disco-lit desk on an almost empty dancefloor. The music wasn't to our taste, but we sat down, ordered ourselves some chips and beer, and took in the scene.
First of all, our plate of chips was massive, so off to a good start. Our beers came quick and cold. Then it was a matter of sitting back, scoffing chips and watching a smattering of very glamorously dressed girls looking haughtily around the room whilst occasionally taking tokes on huge sheesha pipes. The boys generally hung around in tight-knit groups chatting to each other.
It was such a curious sight - boys and girls hanging out in the same place but not really hanging out together, everyone pretending not to notice each other, the loud thumping techno...it was all a bit strange and unusual for me, and I'm glad the Rotana let us enjoy it for a little while. read more