This was my 2nd stay in this hotel, the 1st one being 6 years ago. I won’t review everything again, as I covered most of the topics in my 1st review. The hotel is still a good one, although decoration start to show its age in the rooms and public areas, but nothing really bad. Employees were top, with a special mention for the one who checked-us in (more on this below).
I was planning to arrive early at the hotel as my flight was landing around 7 am. I informed the hotel a few days in advance of this, requesting an early check-in. They acknowledged quickly the demand saying that they will do their best (so it was not guaranteed). Early check-in was finally granted but at the price of no room upgrade (I booked a Luxury/King and got that). I didn’t argue as early check-in was more important for me than anything else, providing the granted room was decent. The hotel was very busy during my stay. They had several weddings and we can guess many rooms were booked, including suites. I want to mention how great our check-in employee has been : when the taxi dropped us at the hotel, we learned that our taxi did not accept credit card. I am always mad with this (Taxis complain that people are using Uber, but some still live in another world…). In a country as modern as UAE, it didn’t cross my mind even 10 seconds that not all taxi take CC). There was no ATM in the hotel and the employee who welcomed us at check-in gave me the money from his own wallet (it was clearly his own money) and told me that I could give him back anytime before I checkout). I was sincerely very touched by this gesture and trust. Imagine this in Europe or north America ??. Of course, I reimbursed him the next day.
Room was nice and relatively large, especially the bathroom. I was on one of the top floors with a nice sea view. Comfy Sofitel MyBed, very good soundproofing. The usual amenities were provided (bathrobe, slippers, Espresso machines).
Welcome amenity ( bit meager for a Sofitel, but some don’t give any…)
Pool : the main pool is in the shadow all day and it was a bit cold in january (18-21 degree) just wearing a swimsuit.
I discovered a 2nd pool that I was not aware of, on the other side of the building. I understood this pool was more for the residents of the building, but they allowed hotel guests to use it. This pool was more pleasant because sunny but it’s definitely on the small side.
Sunset view from the pool
Club Millésime : the decoration lacks of warmth in my opinion. Not really bad but a “could do better” feeling. Happy hour cocktail time was from 17:30 to 19:30. No breakfast anymore in the lounge (this is a tendency more and more with Accor). Breakfast is taken at the main buffet restaurant on the ground floor. Alcoholic drink offering at the lounge includes wines, prosecco, and several cocktails. Food offering during happy hour is a bit meager in my opinion (compared to what you get in Sofitel Dubai for instance), but what was proposed was of good quality.
Restaurants : we went to most of them, and I also did a room service during a Teams meeting that I did from my room. The main buffet restaurant on the ground floor proposes a huge buffet for breakfast and at dinner. For dinner, the theme changes every day (e.g. one evening is seafood buffet). Food for dinner buffet, but is somewhat on the expensive side. The pool restaurant proposes the typical dishes you can expect at a pool side : salads, arabic mezze, sandwiches, burgers, etc. There is also an excellent Thai restaurant that we tried once. Of course, you have plenty of choice outside the hotel and we had truly excellent meals in Lebanese and other local restaurants.
On the top floor you have a bar where you can redeem the drink voucher
Pictures of the Thai restaurant :
Overall, a very good stay. Great staff and good food all around the hotel.