I don’t know if it’s a sign, but I also had no response to my emails (very late arrival don’t “no show” the room). I had same day responses in March of this year and pre-Covid.

if you’ve been before, circa 2 years ago, differences you may spot are:

The breakfast buffet has been reduced a bit. It’s still good. Breakfast cereals are consistently stale as it’s pot luck now if they’re just refilled the individual dispenser with a freshly opened box. The Asian / Indian section is much reduced. The pork station is still good (for the UAE) if that matters to you. The freshly baked cakes have gone. They still have fresh croissants etc. The tea coffee is system is still a faff. If you want something promptly, and if you’re comfortable in so doing, it’s better to approach the dispenser and either do it yourself depending on staff availability or ask the staff member, who will be frantic, as the dispenser machine is very slow causing backlogs.

Check in can be very slow. 38 minutes to check in 4 rooms (me plus 3 people ahead). That’s consistent timing with my other experiences this year, (but not statistically significant). No diamond recognition or repeat stay recognition (I couldn’t care less but if you’re taking 9 minutes per room and reading a load of irrelevant waffle off the checkin script, it’s not hard to say welcome back and thank you for your continued support as a diamond member).

I don’t have sufficient data to be significant, but impressario rate plus diamond member has always gotten me the worst possible room, within the booked class, in 2022. I’ve no expectation of (and didn’t receive) any room upgrade.

The club alcohol hours are now extended, from 5 to 8, and they offer some form of light lunch (Soup and bread I think). I had 3 problems with a specific club staff member, such that I choose not to interact with that person now to avoid further conflict, but all other club staff remain great.

Otherwise it should be the same as you recall.