I completely agree and I have tended to prefer other hotels in the UAE because there are so many good ones there. My experience of IHG otherwise took me to a very dated downtown HI in Dubai which had definitely seen better days. It was actually ok, as far as things go, with very friendly and helpful service. But I wondered if the sexily dressed females sitting in the bar were really hotel guests.

Back to Crowne Plaza, and I believe there are a couple of very good ones in Abu Dhabi (maybe Yas Island), but I've never tried them.