I haven't stayed at any of these properties. The 5 star hotels in Dubai tend to be above the global norm in terms of facilities and service.

These 3 hotels are all quite a way out of downtown Dubai. They are all off the Sheikh Zahed Road which is the main highway from Dubai out past Jebel Ali and onwards to Abu Dhabi.

The Sofitel and Pullman are fairly close to one another, the Sofitel however being almost on the beach. Both hotels are about 25 kilometres from downtown Dubai which is a 35 minute taxi ride when the roads are clear but often it can take a lot longer (1hr+). Traffic in Dubai can be horrendous especially late afternoon/evening. The Pullman is fairly close to a metro station although depending on when your going even a short walk outside during the summer months in Dubai is unbearable.

The Novotel Al Barsha is a little nearer downtown Dubai but still around 18 kilometres. There isn't much around this hotel other than the Mall of the Emirates which includes the Dubai snow dome.

The Pullman and Novotel are better located for doing business whereas the Sofitel's location more suitable for leisure.

Most of Dubai is less than 20 years old so not lots to see besides shopping in air conditioned malls, water parks, a trip into the dessert including a camel ride etc although the Creek and old Gold Souk (downtown) are worth a look.

If you want to be nearer downtown Sofitel Downtown, Pullman Creek or Novotel World Trade centre are better located.

If you simply want beaches the Sofitel on the Palm is a great resort but rather isolated if you want to explore.

Personally I prefer Abu Dhabi (2hrs down the coast), not as manic or in your face as Dubai, also prettier and culturally more interesting.

Also the hotels in Abu Dhabi are significantly cheaper. The Sofitel Abu Dhabi is usually half the price of its Dubai cousins. Still a good hotel on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, only downside for a leisure trip is its pool spends 90% of the day in the shade.