Originally Posted by
Concerto
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.
CP Deira
is a 3-sar hotel with a curious five-star rating in a 2-star part of town. The thing going for it is it's sometimes cheap. Dump though it is, it still beats most US CPs into a cocked hat.
HI Downtown Dubai is a straightforward, unreformed old-style HI. Good value, but likely to emerge from current refurbishment with higher prices.
Yas island CP gets good reviews, but I can't for the life of me think who'd stay there, outside those with work close by, or motor-sports enthusiasts.
Abu Dhabi has a lovely, very centrally situated CP.