This was our second stay in a pool villa at Qasr-a...

This was our second stay in a pool villa at Qasr-al-Sarab, so needless to say that we had enjoyed our stay last year.

Problem is that the weaknesses have not improved. Overally, service is worse. An accumulation of small things that amounts to a lot. In a 5*+ resort, I would expect my loyalty customer file to show that we were here last year. No welcome back, the reception staff just works through the churn. Same at check-out, no enquiry about satisfaction, no acknowledgement of our second visit, just another customer passing by. Staff is courteous, but style is not up to par for the category.
Then there is the food. Yes it is expensive, just like in all other UAE resorts. Everything is flown in. Alcohol prices are ridiculous. Problem is quality and choice. Ghadeer, the mediterranean restaurant by the pool, has not improved. Menu appears essentially the same, quality is also the same: average. Okay for lunch although you quickly run out of ideas, not recommended for dinner. Our dishes were bland and simply not enjoyable to eat. Wine was awful.
The Falaj bedouin buffet is a must do experience. Essentially the same as last year, but this time with a nice french jazz quatuor. The wine served with the alcoholic option is just average, food of generally good quality, we enjoyed our evening. We also had dinner at Suhail, wonderful atmosphere, but there, one of our mains, the vegan polenta, was simply not good. Advertised as served on sauteed spinach, served with five raw leaves of baby spinach, completely bland. Even a drizzle of balsamic vinegar attempted by ourselves could not save that culinary trainwreck.
Your last option is the buffet, which we have never been at, and is closed at lunch. Unbelievable that in a nearly fully booked resort, there is all of one choice at lunch. After three days, you are running out of options, and these limited options turn into a nightmare when you pay that much for average quality.
QAS appears to be designed to rotate customers on two night turns, and this tarnishes an experience which could be amazing. Location remains fantastic, but customers paying so much expect more. I doubt we will return until these issues are addressed convincingly.