Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Abu Dhabi
Mar 2, 2015, 11:52 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,712
Strange how service at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi [the city one, not Saadiyat] seems to be inconsistent. I had a very nasty incident when I called the hotel last August. Bullet points:
- Called the hotel to ask about a reservation for a friend and I, got forwarded to the central reservations department
- Asked the agent about a really great rate I saw online for a city-view room with a king bed but if the same category room was available with two doubles since the website showed a double room in a different category at a much higher price
- The agent - believe it or not - sarcastically talked DOWN to me with a wonderful response of "If you don't see it on the website, that means it isn't there now, is it?"
- I got stunned; I ALWAYS treat hotel associates with courtesy and respect whether it's in person or over the phone and having to deal with this - let alone from a St. Regis - was mind-blowing
- Shocked, I asked the agent more questions and he continuously kept the sarcasm up and then hung up after I thanked him without a response or goodbye back
Needless to say, I avoided the St. Regis and booked a stay at the Sofitel, which was a great product. To the St. Regis' credit though, I sent them an e-mail detailing the incident and it was promptly followed up with apologies from the hotel's side.
I only hope they tightened their screws and have their act together by now.
khabah
- Called the hotel to ask about a reservation for a friend and I, got forwarded to the central reservations department
- Asked the agent about a really great rate I saw online for a city-view room with a king bed but if the same category room was available with two doubles since the website showed a double room in a different category at a much higher price
- The agent - believe it or not - sarcastically talked DOWN to me with a wonderful response of "If you don't see it on the website, that means it isn't there now, is it?"
- I got stunned; I ALWAYS treat hotel associates with courtesy and respect whether it's in person or over the phone and having to deal with this - let alone from a St. Regis - was mind-blowing
- Shocked, I asked the agent more questions and he continuously kept the sarcasm up and then hung up after I thanked him without a response or goodbye back
Needless to say, I avoided the St. Regis and booked a stay at the Sofitel, which was a great product. To the St. Regis' credit though, I sent them an e-mail detailing the incident and it was promptly followed up with apologies from the hotel's side.
I only hope they tightened their screws and have their act together by now.
khabah
Mar 4, 2015, 10:23 am
#63
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: Marriott Ambassador elite & lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Emirates Plat, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 236
The St. Regis Saadiyat is extremely inconsistent. I have had great stays, while other times the service level is utterly disappointing, everyone seems to follow a 'process' but the process is extremely poor. Only those with more experience and better attitude seem to navigate the 'standard process' in a way to feel the customer valued.
An example: when my room was noisy and I asked for a different room, the standard 'we are fully booked, there is nothing else' came up; it's difficult to ........ someone who spends many nights in hotels. Resorting to getting upset solved it. Which is a disgrace.
If you are very relaxed, in a vacation, and not in the mood to bother for service glitches, the Saaidyat is a gorgeous hotel, great. If you are not willing to pass some of those glitches, the Saadiyat is still gorgeous, but you will (maybe) encounter service problems that will upset you. It's a pity that they cannot solve those problems.
An example: when my room was noisy and I asked for a different room, the standard 'we are fully booked, there is nothing else' came up; it's difficult to ........ someone who spends many nights in hotels. Resorting to getting upset solved it. Which is a disgrace.
If you are very relaxed, in a vacation, and not in the mood to bother for service glitches, the Saaidyat is a gorgeous hotel, great. If you are not willing to pass some of those glitches, the Saadiyat is still gorgeous, but you will (maybe) encounter service problems that will upset you. It's a pity that they cannot solve those problems.
Mar 4, 2015, 10:51 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OnBusiness, SPG Lifetime Plat 100, AmEx Centurion & BAPP, Superking Westin Heavenly Bed :)
Posts: 1,142
I must say, I've always had a fantastic time at the StR Saadiyat Island. We've already booked in for next year, for our 4th visit.
The property itself is clearly beautiful. The grounds are well maintained, and with The Collection just outside now, it really is one of my favourite resorts in the world.
That said, I do agree that the staff are somewhat its let-down.
To be clear, I don't mean the staff themselves, but the staff as a 'feature' of the resort. I recall when we last checked in, I had an Agent who really couldn't have cared less. When my Butler then escorted us to the room, he spent an eternity telling us how he'd be there for us, but we never saw him again. Nonetheless, I was very friendly with other staff, and they returned the gesture, getting to know me and my family, and we were treated like royalty by them in return.
What I mean however, is that the hotel treat the staff so poorly, that I think it reflects in the staff, and ultimately the guest is receptive of this (hence the problem with the staff as a feature). A number of employees I'd become friendly with (pool staff, restaurant staff, butlers etc...) all commented on how they loved the property, but they were all flown in from abroad without ever seeing the property, their passports revoked, and paid a pittance with only one free meal a day and hardly any breaks from the sun. Clearly, they took the job, so it's their own fault for not doing enough due diligence, but if this property ever wants to play in Four Seasons' league, they really do need to find a way to motivate and enrich their staff, so it may be passed along to the guest. I genuinely believe that would catapult this property into the hallowed halls of the Hotel Hall of Fame.
Until then, my advice is simply to be overtly friendly with staff, and hope for the same in return. If you get to know them to some degree, it's natural for them to reciprocate. If you act in a manner that you become just another part of their work, they sadly tend to treat you as such. You put in what you get out. Frankly, the same applies for any property in the world, at any group - but more so here.
The property itself is clearly beautiful. The grounds are well maintained, and with The Collection just outside now, it really is one of my favourite resorts in the world.
That said, I do agree that the staff are somewhat its let-down.
To be clear, I don't mean the staff themselves, but the staff as a 'feature' of the resort. I recall when we last checked in, I had an Agent who really couldn't have cared less. When my Butler then escorted us to the room, he spent an eternity telling us how he'd be there for us, but we never saw him again. Nonetheless, I was very friendly with other staff, and they returned the gesture, getting to know me and my family, and we were treated like royalty by them in return.
What I mean however, is that the hotel treat the staff so poorly, that I think it reflects in the staff, and ultimately the guest is receptive of this (hence the problem with the staff as a feature). A number of employees I'd become friendly with (pool staff, restaurant staff, butlers etc...) all commented on how they loved the property, but they were all flown in from abroad without ever seeing the property, their passports revoked, and paid a pittance with only one free meal a day and hardly any breaks from the sun. Clearly, they took the job, so it's their own fault for not doing enough due diligence, but if this property ever wants to play in Four Seasons' league, they really do need to find a way to motivate and enrich their staff, so it may be passed along to the guest. I genuinely believe that would catapult this property into the hallowed halls of the Hotel Hall of Fame.
Until then, my advice is simply to be overtly friendly with staff, and hope for the same in return. If you get to know them to some degree, it's natural for them to reciprocate. If you act in a manner that you become just another part of their work, they sadly tend to treat you as such. You put in what you get out. Frankly, the same applies for any property in the world, at any group - but more so here.
Apr 14, 2015, 4:03 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
i have a reservation "flexible rate" for Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi in December, which is not flexible at all... they had a prepaid rate and flexible available . My flight date has changed now :/ Cancellation deadline has passed... 7 months in advance for a flexible rate.... that's a joke. But my own fault i should have read the t&c. Didnt't expect a flexible rate to be prepaid and nonrefundable though....
I looked last night and the flexible rate still says as you stated above; it's nonrefundable.
Apr 15, 2015, 5:59 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: UAE
Programs: Hyatt, Starwood, Ritz, Accor, Hilton, Etihad, Emirates
Posts: 66
Can someone make a Wiki guide out of the Abu Dhabi SPG hotel scene if I post a detailed where/how to?
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
St Regis Saadiyat - Not as far as people will tell you from downtown (10-15 mins tops). Completely secluded on its own island. VERY close to major tourist spots like Louvre and Guggenheim and Zayed Museum and also New York University. Also close to Yas Island and Ferrari World. Yas is where the concerts and big events happen. Very good option if you can find it for under 250-350 USD. Goes for 400-500 frequently during high occupancy (every weekend, winter etc)
St Regis Corniche - On the main downtown Promenade. Exceptional beach club and spa for a city hotel. Great views of the city skyline. No lounge but will offer Plats drinks in main bar. Beautiful 'regis' decor if you like that sort of thing. Pay upto 250-300 USD here
Le Meridien - Relatively Tired and old. Super lively and immensely popular with local expats due to bars, clubs and lounges. Great renovated spa built like a cave with hot springs as plunge pools, looks like a Greek or Roman luxury bath complex. Excellent location. great value for money. <150 USD is a good price here. Sometimes can be had for 100
Le Royal Meridien - Fresher than LM, comprehensively renovated recently, smaller rooms. Also has lively F&B joints and bars. Iconic building and architecture. Great location. Close to Promenade. No beach. ~150-200 USD
Sheraton - Like the LM but less lively, Spa not nearly as great, very close to both LRM and LM and as a result no reason to stay here unless there is some X factor drawing you (excellent relationship with staff members, corporate rate etc). Priced about the same as LRM and a notch above LM. This is probably the worst SPG option in the city. It isn't absolutely terrible, its just that 2 others within walking distance are marginally better (LM and LRM) and within the same price range. The two Regis are magnitudes better and still close by. Aloft is MUCH MUCH cheaper, close to main tourist spots and airport and as such, immense value. The Westin can also be had for about as much and is one of the most beautiful Westins I have ever seen
Westin - Possibly the most polarising option. Very very close to airport. Close to all the tourist attractions (averaged out). Very very far from city (cabs are cheap however, expect to pay less than 20 USD to city and time will be 20-25 mins max without traffic). This hotel doesn't have a lounge though serves snacks and drinks in lobby for Plats. The pool is ok. It is a resort with a golf course. No beach. Spa is great but the general look and feel of this hotel along with its understated, minimalist yet contemporary and grand lobby give it a very Park Hyatt feel. This looks and feels every bit a Park Hyatt (minus the service though). The rooms are quite large with beautiful balconies and great beds. Price shouldn't be more than 200 USD for it to be good value. Summer deals can be exceptional.
All in all Starwood has the perfect price/portfolio and geographic spread for Abu Dhabi and everything is covered. My apologies to anyone who is a Sheraton fan :P
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
St Regis Saadiyat - Not as far as people will tell you from downtown (10-15 mins tops). Completely secluded on its own island. VERY close to major tourist spots like Louvre and Guggenheim and Zayed Museum and also New York University. Also close to Yas Island and Ferrari World. Yas is where the concerts and big events happen. Very good option if you can find it for under 250-350 USD. Goes for 400-500 frequently during high occupancy (every weekend, winter etc)
St Regis Corniche - On the main downtown Promenade. Exceptional beach club and spa for a city hotel. Great views of the city skyline. No lounge but will offer Plats drinks in main bar. Beautiful 'regis' decor if you like that sort of thing. Pay upto 250-300 USD here
Le Meridien - Relatively Tired and old. Super lively and immensely popular with local expats due to bars, clubs and lounges. Great renovated spa built like a cave with hot springs as plunge pools, looks like a Greek or Roman luxury bath complex. Excellent location. great value for money. <150 USD is a good price here. Sometimes can be had for 100
Le Royal Meridien - Fresher than LM, comprehensively renovated recently, smaller rooms. Also has lively F&B joints and bars. Iconic building and architecture. Great location. Close to Promenade. No beach. ~150-200 USD
Sheraton - Like the LM but less lively, Spa not nearly as great, very close to both LRM and LM and as a result no reason to stay here unless there is some X factor drawing you (excellent relationship with staff members, corporate rate etc). Priced about the same as LRM and a notch above LM. This is probably the worst SPG option in the city. It isn't absolutely terrible, its just that 2 others within walking distance are marginally better (LM and LRM) and within the same price range. The two Regis are magnitudes better and still close by. Aloft is MUCH MUCH cheaper, close to main tourist spots and airport and as such, immense value. The Westin can also be had for about as much and is one of the most beautiful Westins I have ever seen
Westin - Possibly the most polarising option. Very very close to airport. Close to all the tourist attractions (averaged out). Very very far from city (cabs are cheap however, expect to pay less than 20 USD to city and time will be 20-25 mins max without traffic). This hotel doesn't have a lounge though serves snacks and drinks in lobby for Plats. The pool is ok. It is a resort with a golf course. No beach. Spa is great but the general look and feel of this hotel along with its understated, minimalist yet contemporary and grand lobby give it a very Park Hyatt feel. This looks and feels every bit a Park Hyatt (minus the service though). The rooms are quite large with beautiful balconies and great beds. Price shouldn't be more than 200 USD for it to be good value. Summer deals can be exceptional.
All in all Starwood has the perfect price/portfolio and geographic spread for Abu Dhabi and everything is covered. My apologies to anyone who is a Sheraton fan :P
Last edited by E1A; Apr 15, 2015 at 7:01 am
Apr 15, 2015, 1:18 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Can someone make a Wiki guide out of the Abu Dhabi SPG hotel scene if I post a detailed where/how to?
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
St Regis Saadiyat - Not as far as people will tell you from downtown (10-15 mins tops). Completely secluded on its own island. VERY close to major tourist spots like Louvre and Guggenheim and Zayed Museum and also New York University. Also close to Yas Island and Ferrari World. Yas is where the concerts and big events happen. Very good option if you can find it for under 250-350 USD. Goes for 400-500 frequently during high occupancy (every weekend, winter etc)
St Regis Corniche - On the main downtown Promenade. Exceptional beach club and spa for a city hotel. Great views of the city skyline. No lounge but will offer Plats drinks in main bar. Beautiful 'regis' decor if you like that sort of thing. Pay upto 250-300 USD here
Le Meridien - Relatively Tired and old. Super lively and immensely popular with local expats due to bars, clubs and lounges. Great renovated spa built like a cave with hot springs as plunge pools, looks like a Greek or Roman luxury bath complex. Excellent location. great value for money. <150 USD is a good price here. Sometimes can be had for 100
Le Royal Meridien - Fresher than LM, comprehensively renovated recently, smaller rooms. Also has lively F&B joints and bars. Iconic building and architecture. Great location. Close to Promenade. No beach. ~150-200 USD
Sheraton - Like the LM but less lively, Spa not nearly as great, very close to both LRM and LM and as a result no reason to stay here unless there is some X factor drawing you (excellent relationship with staff members, corporate rate etc). Priced about the same as LRM and a notch above LM. This is probably the worst SPG option in the city. It isn't absolutely terrible, its just that 2 others within walking distance are marginally better (LM and LRM) and within the same price range. The two Regis are magnitudes better and still close by. Aloft is MUCH MUCH cheaper, close to main tourist spots and airport and as such, immense value. The Westin can also be had for about as much and is one of the most beautiful Westins I have ever seen
Westin - Possibly the most polarising option. Very very close to airport. Close to all the tourist attractions (averaged out). Very very far from city (cabs are cheap however, expect to pay less than 20 USD to city and time will be 20-25 mins max without traffic). This hotel doesn't have a lounge though serves snacks and drinks in lobby for Plats. The pool is ok. It is a resort with a golf course. No beach. Spa is great but the general look and feel of this hotel along with its understated, minimalist yet contemporary and grand lobby give it a very Park Hyatt feel. This looks and feels every bit a Park Hyatt (minus the service though). The rooms are quite large with beautiful balconies and great beds. Price shouldn't be more than 200 USD for it to be good value. Summer deals can be exceptional.
All in all Starwood has the perfect price/portfolio and geographic spread for Abu Dhabi and everything is covered. My apologies to anyone who is a Sheraton fan :P
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
St Regis Saadiyat - Not as far as people will tell you from downtown (10-15 mins tops). Completely secluded on its own island. VERY close to major tourist spots like Louvre and Guggenheim and Zayed Museum and also New York University. Also close to Yas Island and Ferrari World. Yas is where the concerts and big events happen. Very good option if you can find it for under 250-350 USD. Goes for 400-500 frequently during high occupancy (every weekend, winter etc)
St Regis Corniche - On the main downtown Promenade. Exceptional beach club and spa for a city hotel. Great views of the city skyline. No lounge but will offer Plats drinks in main bar. Beautiful 'regis' decor if you like that sort of thing. Pay upto 250-300 USD here
Le Meridien - Relatively Tired and old. Super lively and immensely popular with local expats due to bars, clubs and lounges. Great renovated spa built like a cave with hot springs as plunge pools, looks like a Greek or Roman luxury bath complex. Excellent location. great value for money. <150 USD is a good price here. Sometimes can be had for 100
Le Royal Meridien - Fresher than LM, comprehensively renovated recently, smaller rooms. Also has lively F&B joints and bars. Iconic building and architecture. Great location. Close to Promenade. No beach. ~150-200 USD
Sheraton - Like the LM but less lively, Spa not nearly as great, very close to both LRM and LM and as a result no reason to stay here unless there is some X factor drawing you (excellent relationship with staff members, corporate rate etc). Priced about the same as LRM and a notch above LM. This is probably the worst SPG option in the city. It isn't absolutely terrible, its just that 2 others within walking distance are marginally better (LM and LRM) and within the same price range. The two Regis are magnitudes better and still close by. Aloft is MUCH MUCH cheaper, close to main tourist spots and airport and as such, immense value. The Westin can also be had for about as much and is one of the most beautiful Westins I have ever seen
Westin - Possibly the most polarising option. Very very close to airport. Close to all the tourist attractions (averaged out). Very very far from city (cabs are cheap however, expect to pay less than 20 USD to city and time will be 20-25 mins max without traffic). This hotel doesn't have a lounge though serves snacks and drinks in lobby for Plats. The pool is ok. It is a resort with a golf course. No beach. Spa is great but the general look and feel of this hotel along with its understated, minimalist yet contemporary and grand lobby give it a very Park Hyatt feel. This looks and feels every bit a Park Hyatt (minus the service though). The rooms are quite large with beautiful balconies and great beds. Price shouldn't be more than 200 USD for it to be good value. Summer deals can be exceptional.
All in all Starwood has the perfect price/portfolio and geographic spread for Abu Dhabi and everything is covered. My apologies to anyone who is a Sheraton fan :P
Right now I'm booked at the St. Regis Saadiyat 6/17 and the LM on 6/18.
I am contemplating arriving a day earlier and making a reservation at the LRM on 6/16. (Any thoughts on QR J w/ a DOH tour arriving at 0200 on 17/06 or EY F arriving at 1935 on 17/06?)
How's the locale of these hotels and how is public transit in AUH?
Will ramadan negatively impact me at all?
I'd like to see the mosque, the falcon hospital (this seems like a haul), and maybe the palace. Anything else to see/do? I'd like to do a desert safari as well. Any recs?
On 6/19 I was thinking about going to DXB for the day. What should I see/do there?
Apr 15, 2015, 2:17 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: UAE
Programs: Hyatt, Starwood, Ritz, Accor, Hilton, Etihad, Emirates
Posts: 66
There is no public transit system in Abu Dhabi (unlike Dubai) and that is a *good* thing. Well maintained full sized sedans are our daily taxis and they are silly cheap compared to western countries. Think 20 USD for 40 kms in 20 mins. Within the city you will usually pay under 5 USD (within downtown).
Abu Dhabi is a huge city by European standards but its not dense. There is a lot of dead space in between. It is also the inverse of a western city for a tourist in that all the main attractions are spread around the periphery and the central downtown area is mainly business and residential.
As I indicated in my short descriptions. Only the Regis Saadiyat, Westin and Aloft are slightly away from the center. Rest are smack in the middle. Saadiyat and Aloft are 10 mins cab into the city and Westin is about 20 mins.
Ramadan is a BIG factor. No alcohol or food or water on public display during daytime till between 1700-1900. The penalties aren't harsh if you can show a medical condition. Hotels and indoors are fine as is everything past dusk but within the city only a handful of eateries remain open in the daytime (Jones and Bentleys amongst them)
Summer in general and Ramadan in particular is NOT an ideal time to visit.
You really should spend as much time as possible in Dubai and as little in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has a ton of things to see. Abu Dhabi its just mosque, Emirates Palace, Jumeirah observation deck, Saadiyat, Ferrari world and I'm alreading reaching now.....
Abu Dhabi is very upscale residential. Dubai is the Vegas, the NY, the LA, the everything
Abu Dhabi is a huge city by European standards but its not dense. There is a lot of dead space in between. It is also the inverse of a western city for a tourist in that all the main attractions are spread around the periphery and the central downtown area is mainly business and residential.
As I indicated in my short descriptions. Only the Regis Saadiyat, Westin and Aloft are slightly away from the center. Rest are smack in the middle. Saadiyat and Aloft are 10 mins cab into the city and Westin is about 20 mins.
Ramadan is a BIG factor. No alcohol or food or water on public display during daytime till between 1700-1900. The penalties aren't harsh if you can show a medical condition. Hotels and indoors are fine as is everything past dusk but within the city only a handful of eateries remain open in the daytime (Jones and Bentleys amongst them)
Summer in general and Ramadan in particular is NOT an ideal time to visit.
You really should spend as much time as possible in Dubai and as little in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has a ton of things to see. Abu Dhabi its just mosque, Emirates Palace, Jumeirah observation deck, Saadiyat, Ferrari world and I'm alreading reaching now.....
Abu Dhabi is very upscale residential. Dubai is the Vegas, the NY, the LA, the everything
Apr 15, 2015, 5:45 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
There is no public transit system in Abu Dhabi (unlike Dubai) and that is a *good* thing. Well maintained full sized sedans are our daily taxis and they are silly cheap compared to western countries. Think 20 USD for 40 kms in 20 mins. Within the city you will usually pay under 5 USD (within downtown).
Abu Dhabi is a huge city by European standards but its not dense. There is a lot of dead space in between. It is also the inverse of a western city for a tourist in that all the main attractions are spread around the periphery and the central downtown area is mainly business and residential.
As I indicated in my short descriptions. Only the Regis Saadiyat, Westin and Aloft are slightly away from the center. Rest are smack in the middle. Saadiyat and Aloft are 10 mins cab into the city and Westin is about 20 mins.
Ramadan is a BIG factor. No alcohol or food or water on public display during daytime till between 1700-1900. The penalties aren't harsh if you can show a medical condition. Hotels and indoors are fine as is everything past dusk but within the city only a handful of eateries remain open in the daytime (Jones and Bentleys amongst them)
Summer in general and Ramadan in particular is NOT an ideal time to visit.
You really should spend as much time as possible in Dubai and as little in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has a ton of things to see. Abu Dhabi its just mosque, Emirates Palace, Jumeirah observation deck, Saadiyat, Ferrari world and I'm alreading reaching now.....
Abu Dhabi is very upscale residential. Dubai is the Vegas, the NY, the LA, the everything
Abu Dhabi is a huge city by European standards but its not dense. There is a lot of dead space in between. It is also the inverse of a western city for a tourist in that all the main attractions are spread around the periphery and the central downtown area is mainly business and residential.
As I indicated in my short descriptions. Only the Regis Saadiyat, Westin and Aloft are slightly away from the center. Rest are smack in the middle. Saadiyat and Aloft are 10 mins cab into the city and Westin is about 20 mins.
Ramadan is a BIG factor. No alcohol or food or water on public display during daytime till between 1700-1900. The penalties aren't harsh if you can show a medical condition. Hotels and indoors are fine as is everything past dusk but within the city only a handful of eateries remain open in the daytime (Jones and Bentleys amongst them)
Summer in general and Ramadan in particular is NOT an ideal time to visit.
You really should spend as much time as possible in Dubai and as little in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has a ton of things to see. Abu Dhabi its just mosque, Emirates Palace, Jumeirah observation deck, Saadiyat, Ferrari world and I'm alreading reaching now.....
Abu Dhabi is very upscale residential. Dubai is the Vegas, the NY, the LA, the everything
I thought about DXB the whole time, but it seems like a lot of tourist traps. The fountains and gardens look cool, but I'm not sure what else I would do.
I would like to hang at the beach for a day, so I'm excited about St.R SI. I hope the buffet is as good during Ramadan.
Apr 16, 2015, 3:33 am
#71
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: UAE
Programs: Hyatt, Starwood, Ritz, Accor, Hilton, Etihad, Emirates
Posts: 66
Apart from the tourist traps, there are a lot of beautiful and picturesque areas like old town (a very modern luxury interpretation of retro arabian architecture near the base of Burj and in Downtown area) and Madinat Jumeirah (venetian canals, but clean and upscale) and also the walk (Dubai's take on Champs Elysees).
Apr 17, 2015, 1:28 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,266
Great summary ^ Some of my own comments:
This was my first Aloft and it was such a pleasant surprise. Good Plat treatment (upgrade to best room type, 2 drink vouchers per night (1x alcoholic 1x hot)) and breakfast which was surprisingly impressive. Staff tended to be very warm and helpful as well. Totally beat my expectations by a country mile.
Did not know about the Plat drinks thing - no-one told me at check-in?! Upgraded into a St Regis Suite on a cheap-ish rate and loved the suite a lot. Just wish the beach was open ocean like Saadiyat...
Recently had the misfortune of seeing a friend's room at this hotel. My god, the decor and the qualify of furnishings was like a bad European hotel from the late 80s, the supposedly Plat upgrade was to a balcony room which mostly overlooked the roof of the restaurants, and the room was tiny. Definitely avoid. Agree that the F&B outlets seem to be very popular.
Had a long and excellent stay here. Public areas very nicely refurbished, rooms on the main tower contemporary whereas the royal tower is more "classic". The main wing suites are not quite true suites as they are not separated bedroom/living rooms, but huge and comfortable. A number of well renowned F&B outlets.
Agree that it seems to be a decent resort-ish property, but as you say relatively bad access to town - one of the longer cab journeys you'll take in AD. Also, they seem to be stingy with Plat upgrades - not sure whether they generally have few suites or just stingy. Rooms are reasonably large and decently furnished.
If you rate the Sheraton below the LM, I definitely shouldn't stay there 
But agree SPG have excellent coverage of Abu Dhabi. Grand Hyatt next to Etihad Towers couldn't come soon enough.
Can someone make a Wiki guide out of the Abu Dhabi SPG hotel scene if I post a detailed where/how to?
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
Quick Summary:
Aloft - very cheap, very lively, can be used as airport hotel, not close to downtown, very close to some tourist spots, cheap taxi into downtown. It is also the one of the two main convention center hotels (Hyatt being the other good option) as it is right adjacent to the biggest convention center. You should pay max upto USD 90 here
St Regis Corniche - On the main downtown Promenade. Exceptional beach club and spa for a city hotel. Great views of the city skyline. No lounge but will offer Plats drinks in main bar. Beautiful 'regis' decor if you like that sort of thing. Pay upto 250-300 USD here.
Le Meridien - Relatively Tired and old. Super lively and immensely popular with local expats due to bars, clubs and lounges. Great renovated spa built like a cave with hot springs as plunge pools, looks like a Greek or Roman luxury bath complex. Excellent location. great value for money. <150 USD is a good price here. Sometimes can be had for 100
Le Royal Meridien - Fresher than LM, comprehensively renovated recently, smaller rooms. Also has lively F&B joints and bars. Iconic building and architecture. Great location. Close to Promenade. No beach. ~150-200 USD
Westin - Possibly the most polarising option. Very very close to airport. Close to all the tourist attractions (averaged out). Very very far from city (cabs are cheap however, expect to pay less than 20 USD to city and time will be 20-25 mins max without traffic). This hotel doesn't have a lounge though serves snacks and drinks in lobby for Plats. The pool is ok. It is a resort with a golf course. No beach. Spa is great but the general look and feel of this hotel along with its understated, minimalist yet contemporary and grand lobby give it a very Park Hyatt feel. This looks and feels every bit a Park Hyatt (minus the service though). The rooms are quite large with beautiful balconies and great beds. Price shouldn't be more than 200 USD for it to be good value. Summer deals can be exceptional.
All in all Starwood has the perfect price/portfolio and geographic spread for Abu Dhabi and everything is covered. My apologies to anyone who is a Sheraton fan :P
But agree SPG have excellent coverage of Abu Dhabi. Grand Hyatt next to Etihad Towers couldn't come soon enough.
Apr 19, 2015, 3:49 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,047
The Sheraton's misfortune has been losing its prime waterfront status to land reclamation and the new Corniche road. But it has a long way to fall before it is worse than the LM...
Apr 19, 2015, 7:39 am
#74
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,266
That's good to hear, because LM was a disaster and it would have to be Bates Motel in order to be worse.
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
Apr 19, 2015, 11:37 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,047
That's good to hear, because LM was a disaster and it would have to be Bates Motel in order to be worse.
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
As long as the hotel remains one of the places that local expats go for restaurants and bars, I doubt there will be much incentive to do a major renovation or tear the place down. All the new money for hotels attracting tourists is surely going to Saadiyat Island with the future museums, etc.