Voco Dubai
What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
The hotel is the former Radisson Royal Dubai, which was opened 2010. The building was designed by well known German architects Bothe Richter Teherani. It was reflagged in 2018 and the debut of the voco brand in the Middle East.

Located close to the Metro Station World Trade Center and next to the Conrad, Fairmont it offers easy to access to public transportation. I have stayed at the Conrad and the location is very convenient, especially during the hot summer.

I arrived at the hotel at midnight due to a delayed flight. I was checked in by one of the two agents. The agent retrieved the reservation from the system and thanked me for being a Diamond Member. He confirmed my lounge pass and that I had access to the lounge on 42nd floor. The lounge access also came with breakfast in either the lounge or the restaurant on the Mezzanine Level. So it was drink voucher or points. He had already marked the points and thus was what I took (and which never posted).

The lounge was explained as open all day from 07:00 to 22:00. Breakfast would be served from 07:00 to 10:30 and Snacks and beverages would be available from 18:00 to 20:00. Afternoon tea would also be served. I enquired about gym (06:00 to 22:00) and pool (08:00 to 20:00) on the 7th floor.
I had seen in the app that my Deluxe High Floor was upgrade to a Premium Room. Which only meant Lounge Access, so not a realy upgrade.

My room was located on the 46th floor. There was a small entrance area with the closets. Large enough for a longer stay. Safe, iron and ironing board were also placed there. Access to the room was through another door. This meant less noise from the hallway.
The room was large. Facing the inside wall was a place to store luggage, a vanity mirror with and coffee and tea facilities. The king size bed had two bedside table with reading lamps. In front of the window was an ottoman, a round table with a chair and a number of UK outlets. An international outlet with USB charging plug was placed at one of the bedside table. There was also a JBL speaker-alarm-clock.
The bathroom was at the other end facing the exterior with a window to the room and a large window. Unfortunately there was no blind for the window facing the room but at the outside window. It consist of a separate toilet area, a sink with mirror and average space to store utensils. The shower was next the free-standing bath with rainforest and massage jets.
Shampoo, bath foam, conditioner and lotion were wall mounted larger bottles (Antipodes Fig and Feijoa). Towels (two large one, two medium and two small sized towels) were available. Slippers were provided but there were no bathrobes. Bathroom mirror was not heated.

There was not real desk, but working at the round table was possible. As this was not really a business trip. If I had to really work longer than an hour, this would have been an disadvantage.
The Flat TV facing the bed.
A kettle was available in addition to a Nespresso machine. Two small water bottles were available and after the first night I received four every day. A minifridge was available but turned off. Downside, only two Nespresso capsules were provided.
A medium sized fitness centre is available on the 7th floor. During my visit in the late morning and early afternoon it was not busy, but I was not always the only guest. The equipment by LifeFitness was showing its age. Usable but not in the best condition with some wear and tear. Some machines seem newer than other. The pool area is nice if it is empty. There are many lounge chairs and relaxing chairs and lounge parts. But the area gives the impression of packed. And it the area is busy, which seems to happen at around 11:00 to 11:30, it is to be best avoided. If you are an early bird and relax and swim there from 08:00 to 10:30 is it okay.
Breakfast is served as buffet on the Mezzanine Level in Restaurant Celsius. Available were fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, and bread in addition to cheese and jam. Hot items were rösti, scrambled eggs, mushroom, bacon and pork sausages as international dishes. Indian and Arabic dished (cold and warm) were also available. The variety was okay, though not outstanding. This is better in other hotels. I would rate the hotel below the Conrad, and the breakfast there is better in regard to variety. Service was a bit slow and disorganized. Empty plates were not cleared by some staff passing the tables. It might be that there were clear responsibilities in serving or clearing. But to the guest it look unorganized, that staff noticed empty plates and does not take them away.
Internet is okay.
Late Check-Out (14:00) was granted without problems the day before my check out by the club lounge agent to me as Diamond Member

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Deluxe High Floor and was upgraded to Premium Room on the 46th floor. I switched a week before and from a flexible Deluxe room to the Deluxe High Rise as APR. It was round about 88 EUR including taxes.

How are the rooms?
Room was in average to good condition. Contemporary styled with a little bit of wear and tear. Mattress was a bit too soft.
The number of sockets to plug in laptop and chargers were good.
Water pressure of the shower was changing between middle and hight also resulting in a slight change in temperature. It seems that the cold water was the problem.
The room was a bit on the darker side regarding furniture. But there were sufficient lights and spots. Unfortunately the switches were not really marked well and sometimes also incorrect. During the day, the floor to ceiling window let enough light in the room. The curtain could be operated by a button. The curtain in the bathroom needs to be lowered, otherwise light comes through the window between bathroom and room.
A pencil and writing pad were available in the room.
Housekeeping was good, towels were changed. But minor details like the empty notepad were not replaced.
Air Condition was replaced / upgrade during the rebranding and modern. It cooled the room and could also set to fan mode. The room was cooled down good and better than in the Conrad for example.
The only downside was the noise from the night club on the top floor with some bass noise and which is not operated by the hotel I was told. If you have a musician as brother, you can sleep with any music sound “noise” (from Alban Berg to Zappa), so this was not a problem for me, but might one for others. The hotel is aware and thus I recommend a room on a floor below 42.

How is the exec. lounge?
I had not high expectations in regard to the lounge. And was pleasantly surprised. The lounge is quite large with a staffed desk during the opening hours of the lounge with one or even two persons. There is a restaurant styled area with tables and chairs arranged for two or four person. Facing Sheik Zayed Road is a separate area with armchairs and sofa. Designed more lounge style.
The design is contemporary.
Breakfast is served in the morning as buffet. Omelettes are available on request. The number of offering is smaller but not so much the variety compared with the breakfast in the main restaurant. Tee and coffee is served by staff.
Tea in the afternoon is served in the classic style with an étagčre. The selection consist of a scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam, sandwiches and small cakes. Very delicious and a nice change from a buffet. I prefer it this way, is has more style.
In the evening there is a wide selection of salads, humus, cheese, salami and warm dishes. Greek salad, an Asian Salad, canapés, and rotating hot dishes like spring rolls, skewers,
Two white, two red and a sparkling wine were available. Beer was also an option and a number of spirits (e.g. Campari, Cinzano, Aperol, Absolut Wodka, Johnny Walker Red Label, Bacardi). Soft drinks were available all day. Wine is self-service, but staff offers refills.
The lounge agent at the desk was very attentive and recognized guest by name and room number. Staff in the lounge was also good. Remembering preferred options. And the nicest thing, the lounge was during my stay not very busy. A nice change from overcrowding lounges at other hotels.

What was good and what was bad?
Good
location is well connected to public transportation and roads.
Club Lounge is really good and not very busy. I would go as far as to put it on close to the Conrad.
room is good sized and in (more or less) good condition with some minor quirks.
Room rates are low (during summer)

Neutral
Breakfast Buffet in regard to quantity and quality
No real desk in the room
Light switches are not really logically arranged
Changing water pressure

Bad
Pool (to small and to busy)
Gym not open 24h / machines show their age
welcome points did not post
rooms on higher room could be noisy due to the night club on the top floor (which ist not operated by the hotel I was told)


Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
The location is good. The rooms are of a good size, though the window between bathroom and room is not liked by everybody. Room is in more or less good condition, but does not offer real desk.
The lounge offerings are very good, given the room rate. If you expecting a real dinner, you will not be disappointed. Service is attentive.
In so far, I would return, if the rates are affordable and as low as during the summer and if I have access to the club lounge.


Premium Room / voco Dubai

Premium Room / voco Dubai

Premium Room / voco Dubai

Premium Room / voco Dubai

Bathroom of Premium Room / voco Dubai

Bathroom of Premium Room / voco Dubai

Bathroom of Premium Room / voco Dubai

Pool / voco Dubai

Club Lounge / voco Dubai

Club Lounge / voco Dubai


More Pictures of the Club Lounge could be found in this post and more pictures of the hotel in this post