Laundry & Dry Cleaning at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort.

Swimsuits from the four pools, T-shirts from the splash area and the pyjamas from a week away all go on one scale. Up to six kilos is AED 60, up to twelve AED 99, and the bag is back at Sofitel Al Hamra folded inside 24 hours.

For evenings at Reunion, Waka or EAST, the good clothes get cleaned properly. A dress is AED 40, an evening dress AED 65, a shirt AED 15 and trousers AED 18. Collected before noon, they can be back by dinner.

Children's party clothes and parents' shirts that were clean when packed only need ironing. A shirt on a hanger is AED 9, a skirt AED 12, a dress AED 25, all back within 24 hours.

For families who live or own a holiday home in Al Hamra; resort bedding stays with the resort. Sheets are AED 18, pillows AED 18, large blankets AED 40, and most come back in a day.

Waterslides, wet sand and dropped ice cream all end up on footwear. A child's pair costs AED 35 to clean, grown-up trainers AED 55, beach sandals AED 45. Cleaning takes between two and four days, which is why parents usually send shoes early in the week and get them back before the flight home.

The little rucksack that carried snacks, goggles and a spare T-shirt to the pool every morning. Cleaning a child's bag costs AED 40; an adult backpack is AED 45 and a big duffel AED 65. Bags need three to five days with us, so this one is for longer holidays.

A child's trouser hem or waist is AED 40, a missing button on a child's shirt AED 10 and adult jeans length cutting AED 40. Ready in 48 to 72 hours.

For residents of Al Hamra Village, not the resort's rooms. Regular carpets are AED 20 a square metre, wool AED 26, curtains AED 20 or AED 25 with blackout, and everything takes three days.

For families in town for a wedding. Bridal gowns start at AED 250 and beaded gowns at AED 450, a flower girl dress is AED 28 and a bridesmaid dress AED 35. Allow seven to fourteen days.

For entertainers who bring characters to children's birthdays in Al Hamra. Mascot suits are AED 200, AED 230 or AED 250 by size, extra pieces AED 30 each, in three to five days.

The bear that joined every session at the Le Petit Prince club and then took a swim. We wash small toys for AED 55, medium ones for AED 70 and the big cuddly ones for AED 120, and they need two to three days to dry properly before coming home.

For families living in Al Hamra whose sofa covers unzip, not for the resort's furniture. One regular cover costs AED 35 and a large one AED 40; small, medium and large cushion covers are AED 10, AED 15 and AED 20. Allow two or three days.

A leather jacket packed for the cooler months, or leather shoes after an encounter with the splash area. Wallets and small leather pieces cost AED 100, jackets start at AED 150, leather shoes or boots at AED 180. Leather work takes three to five days.