Just finished up a 1 night stay here. I travel quite a bit to the DIFC area for work, and one of the small benefits of the ongoing war situation is that hotel prices are exceptionally low, so staying at the RC becomes feasible. Oddly enough, when I booked the room, the cheapest available option was the Executive Suite, coming in at 745 AED inclusive of breakfast, which is quite a bit lower than normal prices at this hotel. This hotel is in the heart of the DIFC area, although it's also not a bad location at all for tourists.

At the moment, the hotel is exceptionally quiet, the lobby almost felt like a library when I arrived it was so quiet. It is a shame to see and I hope the hotels can survive this situation.

I unfortunately didn't make it to breakfast, so can't comment on that.

Things I liked:

• Location is great for the DIFC area. Connected to a mall and lots of restaurants around the area.
• Bed was very comfortable, although a tad soft for my liking, but overall I had a very good sleep.
• Aircon was strong and the room was kept cold during my stay.
• I was offered a late checkout, which I didn't need, although I appreciated the gesture as I am just a lowly silver elite.
• The room was almost comically large. There was a lot of open space and it would have been a great space for a longer stay.
• Very large bathroom with an extra large bathtub. Double vanity and lots of amenities.
• One cool thing that I hadn't seen before was that the hotel proactively put a power adapter and an extension lead in the room, which was a very nice touch.
• There was a plate of pastries waiting for me in the room and a hand written note, which as a silver member, was surprising and appreciated.

Neutral

• The shower had probably the strongest water pressure I have ever seen in a hotel, it reminded me of a power washer. This would normally be a positive, but they are using those Blue water filter shower heads that every hotel in Dubai seems to have now, and the handheld wand felt like I was washing myself with knives when the pressure was on full. If it had a normal style shower head, I think it would have been an all time great shower.

Things I didn't like so much:

• The hotel is definitely showing its age, and I suspect it will be heading for a refurbishment in the not too distant future. I personally don't like the style of the rooms, too old fashioned for me, but some people might like it. The door creaked and wouldn't close properly, so some maintenance issues showing.
• I personally don't like the smell of the Diptyque amenties, just not to my personal taste. I absolutely loved the old Asprey amenties, and I really wish RC had kept them. Incidentally, many of the things like sewing kit, nail file, etc. still carried the Asprey brand.
• Views from the room aren't great.
• TV was a bit clunky and laggy to use.

Overall, I would say this was a pleasant, but unremarkable, stay. Nothing about this hotel really knocked my socks off, and if I was paying the usual rate for this hotel, I think there are far better options in Dubai. At the price it’s at now though, it represents good value for money.