RTWSTARALLIANCE

Preface: Flew into DXB on EK in F using DL points. Need a place to hand out for two nights.

Rate: Used points to confirm room on Club.

Transportation: Complimentary from DXB when flying into DXB on EK in F or C. Upon exiting customs bear hard left for transport office.

Took a cab to Mall of the Emirates. 36 AED going and 38 coming back to Hotel. Must be based upon distance travel because the return took twice as long. You have to see the Mall and Ski Dubai.

The Hotel provides a shuttle to Wafi City (Mall) at the top of the hour and return at the bottom per the Guest Relations staff.

Also. According to the list of services for Club guests you are entitled to transfer to/from DXB.

Check-in: My flight arrived nearly an hour early and I was at the Hotel by 8:15 AM. The front desk staff and Club staff did a great job to get me into a room asap. 45 minutes tops. Escorted by front desk staff to Club on 14. Then escorted to room by Club staff and met along the way by a member of the Guest Relations staff who introduced herself and presented her card. I received a call later in the afternoon from the front desk appologizing for the delay in getting me into a room. Nice touches.

Perks: As noted above. The Clubs are something. I say Clubs as there is a Family Club room for use with kids. I had the morning buffet which has everything but hot items. The late evening spread had hold over stuff from the evening spread along with dessert items.

Shortly after arriving into my room a member of the staff appeared with- a plate of fresh fruit, bottle of white wine iced with glasses and a corkscrew, treat from Bateel (figs I think), treat from Panini, fresh flowers in a glass bowl and to explain the bottles of water are complimentary. When I returned this evening the bottle water I left in the ice bucket had fresh ice and was chilled.

Room: You enter onto carpet. The room has a walk-in closet with safe, a large bathroom has beautiful tile work with different types of marble making the border. The bathroom has a large tub, separate shower room nicely tiled, double basin and toilet room with bidet. Very nice. The room has a nice king bed with night stands with lamps on each side. A sitting chair with ottoman. Beautiful wood desk with side console which contains a printer. You have two plugs but will need an adaptor if coming from US. Also note voltage. There is an extra chair by the desk. You have a standard tv with lots of channels. The frig is one of those automatic things which barely fit my bottled water. A very nice set up. Only downside is the AC which runs constant and not necessarily temp control. I have a side view to the City.

Communications: HSIA for a 24 hour period is 121 AED all in. I bought two 20 AED phone cards at DXB in the Duty Free shop. To dial abroad to the US say dial 001 xxx xxx xxxx#. FYI. Your HSIA fee allows you to use wireless in public areas.

Parking: ?

Gym: ?

Spa: I had a treatment at the Spa located on the Atrium level. Very good. Not cheap.

Eating venues: ?

Local markets: Somewhere there is a small shop in the complex.

Local: Pretty well centered.

Negatives: None from me.

Closing: A very nice Hotel. Definitely should be on the list. Regards from DXB.