Originally Posted by
scented
What I personally love about FS Dubai is the proximity to everything, while it is still a (decidedly glamourous) beach resort. You can enjoy the sea, beaches, spa and pools -- yet you are only 10 minutes away from Downtown Dubai and the best shopping and dining there. The resort's Imperial Suites are supremely comfortable and have stunning sea views -- totally different from the Jumeirah Skyline Suites, which afford skyline views towards Downtown and are more akin to staying in a city hotel. There is really something for everyone and that's what makes it special.
Same with breakfast... did you really stay at FS Jumeirah Beach? Their approach to breakfast is one of the most comprehensive in the GCC area. Maybe not in size, but certainly in quality. So many options!
I really don't understand your view on Oberoi Al Zorah. I even believe the resorts cannot be compared -- totally different areas and price range. Ajman is a very cheap place to build a resort... not much there, save for the friendly power station next door. I agree that the lot FS Dubai is built on is very small, but this is Jumeirah after all!
And I hope the pictures of Al Zorah don't do justice. I actually like modern architecture, but this is particularly cold and brutalist. The investment made here, compared to FS, is very different... you cannot compare a flagship FS resort with a budget development outside the city. Oberoi frankly has too many bare walls, cheap tiles, concrete and standard hospitality furniture. It reminds me a lot of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. Maybe you should re-visit FS and get a better feeling for their interiors. Kenyan marble, Sicis mosaic, limestone floors, handwoven carpets, custom blown-glass from Italy, Seguso chandeliers... every inch and layer of this resort has been carefully designed by BAMO.
I completely agree that the location of four seasons is superior to oberoi and one and only. But we are talking about the top luxury hotels. A hotel with double the rooms will never have the personal service of the other 2 on avergae.
The beach view is just bad at both one and only and four seasons. You having not been to the other two cant really comment anyhow. Especially the power plant comment is uttter BS. You never see that while staying at oberoi. While at four seaons and one and only i see multiple noisy construction sites!!! With no open voew to the sea (one and only looking at dubai and four seasons has man made islands in front of it (with construction) Thats not what i want when i do a beach holiday.
The prettiest rooms are at one and only. Four seasons is nice too. So is oberoi. Some people like arabic, some modern, some whatever, thats not what makes a hotel luxury. Its the service and the whole package. If it would be about rooms noone would stay at most amans.
I used to stay only at one and only and then tried four seaons, what a disappointment that was. Breakfast can not be compared (atleast for healthy breakfast eaters) and the quality is what matters here. Quantity at four seaons, quality - no. Similar to al qasr etc. Lots of quantity but medicore Quality.
Anyhow- four seaons is a nice hotel, great location city wise, bad in terms of beach and a very good five star. Still oberoi and one and only are above it.
Nevermind the fact that four seaons as a chain is definately below chains such as aman and one and only. Cant comment on oberoi as a chain as ive only been to one. But when i look for top class 6 star luxury hotels - four seasons is never a choice.