Dubai Advice Needed
Apr 19, 2018, 1:45 pm
#1
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Dubai Advice Needed
Headed to Dubai for a few nights on our way back from Seychelles. It will be my family (myself, wife, and two boys 12 and 13), plus my in laws (healthy mid 70's). We are landing around noonish and will stay in the city for at least one, maybe two nights, and then head to Atlantis for 2 nights.
Which IHG property would you suggest to be in the middle of the tourist area? Also, which hotels will allow 3 people in a room for booking?
Any and all advice is welcome!
Which IHG property would you suggest to be in the middle of the tourist area? Also, which hotels will allow 3 people in a room for booking?
Any and all advice is welcome!
Apr 19, 2018, 8:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
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As far as "Old Dubai" ... Downtown Dubai HI is the closest, and on the other side of the river, the Embassy District HI.
As far as the brand new Marina area, the palm, etc., the IC Marina.
But this is not at all a walking city, even when it isn't swelteringly-hot. Any of them can work. The good news is Uber is not that expensive, so go on price, and spend $20 a day on Ubers.
Rates fluctuate a lot. Right now I see the IC Festival City cheaper than the CP, for example. Go on price. The ICs are quite nice but the restaurants can be exorbitant.
As far as the brand new Marina area, the palm, etc., the IC Marina.
But this is not at all a walking city, even when it isn't swelteringly-hot. Any of them can work. The good news is Uber is not that expensive, so go on price, and spend $20 a day on Ubers.
Rates fluctuate a lot. Right now I see the IC Festival City cheaper than the CP, for example. Go on price. The ICs are quite nice but the restaurants can be exorbitant.
Apr 19, 2018, 10:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Milan
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IC Marina is definitely the best of the lot
most of the other IHG properties in Dubai are weak IMO, except for Festival City IC and Crowne Plaza (but both are far from almost everything but the airport)
most of the other IHG properties in Dubai are weak IMO, except for Festival City IC and Crowne Plaza (but both are far from almost everything but the airport)
Apr 20, 2018, 7:17 am
#5
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Apr 20, 2018, 7:19 am
#6
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As far as "Old Dubai" ... Downtown Dubai HI is the closest, and on the other side of the river, the Embassy District HI.
As far as the brand new Marina area, the palm, etc., the IC Marina.
But this is not at all a walking city, even when it isn't swelteringly-hot. Any of them can work. The good news is Uber is not that expensive, so go on price, and spend $20 a day on Ubers.
Rates fluctuate a lot. Right now I see the IC Festival City cheaper than the CP, for example. Go on price. The ICs are quite nice but the restaurants can be exorbitant.
As far as the brand new Marina area, the palm, etc., the IC Marina.
But this is not at all a walking city, even when it isn't swelteringly-hot. Any of them can work. The good news is Uber is not that expensive, so go on price, and spend $20 a day on Ubers.
Rates fluctuate a lot. Right now I see the IC Festival City cheaper than the CP, for example. Go on price. The ICs are quite nice but the restaurants can be exorbitant.
Apr 20, 2018, 7:25 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2011
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an Uber from IC Festival City to the Burj would cost >AED 50 ($14)
the problem with other lesser IHG properties IMO is the they allow people to smoke and in turn are dreadful as well
some people prefer the Crowne over the IC at Festival City
if you actually want to walk around, the IC Marina is best but the whole area is all new
the problem with other lesser IHG properties IMO is the they allow people to smoke and in turn are dreadful as well
some people prefer the Crowne over the IC at Festival City
if you actually want to walk around, the IC Marina is best but the whole area is all new
Apr 20, 2018, 8:21 am
#8
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an Uber from IC Festival City to the Burj would cost >AED 50 ($14)
the problem with other lesser IHG properties IMO is the they allow people to smoke and in turn are dreadful as well
some people prefer the Crowne over the IC at Festival City
if you actually want to walk around, the IC Marina is best but the whole area is all new
the problem with other lesser IHG properties IMO is the they allow people to smoke and in turn are dreadful as well
some people prefer the Crowne over the IC at Festival City
if you actually want to walk around, the IC Marina is best but the whole area is all new
I'll investigate the Crowne and IC at Festival city as well as the IC Marina!
Apr 23, 2018, 4:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,368
Agree, Festival City club lounge has always been excellent to us, they treat RA's extremely well, upgrades are predictable, management and staff are super responsive, get free airport pick up with club rooms and generally go more than the extra mile. Concierge also probably the most hard working at any IC I've ever stayed at. Can't go wrong at Festival City
Apr 25, 2018, 7:38 am
#10
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OT: Have you considered the Park Hyatt? One of my favorite properties in Dubai. Good location, close to the airport, downtown and DIFC. Plus shopping in walking distance. Very relaxing atmosphere at the creek.
Would avoid both HI in the old part of the city, Downtown and Embassy District. Rather old properties, rooms feel dark and area is not very nice.
Best choice IMO is the IC Festival (they have large suites, this may be a good option with kids). CP Festival shares the same facilities and is similar, though slightly inferior in terms of service and F&B.
As RA would always choose IC, otherwise you may choose based on pricing. Sometimes rates at the IC hit the roof...
Would avoid both HI in the old part of the city, Downtown and Embassy District. Rather old properties, rooms feel dark and area is not very nice.
Best choice IMO is the IC Festival (they have large suites, this may be a good option with kids). CP Festival shares the same facilities and is similar, though slightly inferior in terms of service and F&B.
As RA would always choose IC, otherwise you may choose based on pricing. Sometimes rates at the IC hit the roof...
Apr 25, 2018, 11:20 am
#12
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OT: Have you considered the Park Hyatt? One of my favorite properties in Dubai. Good location, close to the airport, downtown and DIFC. Plus shopping in walking distance. Very relaxing atmosphere at the creek.
Would avoid both HI in the old part of the city, Downtown and Embassy District. Rather old properties, rooms feel dark and area is not very nice.
Best choice IMO is the IC Festival (they have large suites, this may be a good option with kids). CP Festival shares the same facilities and is similar, though slightly inferior in terms of service and F&B.
As RA would always choose IC, otherwise you may choose based on pricing. Sometimes rates at the IC hit the roof...
Would avoid both HI in the old part of the city, Downtown and Embassy District. Rather old properties, rooms feel dark and area is not very nice.
Best choice IMO is the IC Festival (they have large suites, this may be a good option with kids). CP Festival shares the same facilities and is similar, though slightly inferior in terms of service and F&B.
As RA would always choose IC, otherwise you may choose based on pricing. Sometimes rates at the IC hit the roof...
Aug 13, 2018, 8:25 pm
#13
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I’ve always wanted to go to Atlantis! Problem is, I have absolutely no idea where it is or how to find it!
How is the HIX near the airport? I thought it might do for a very late arrival. As for HI Festival City, am I right in thinking that they don’t have an airport shuttle?
How is the HIX near the airport? I thought it might do for a very late arrival. As for HI Festival City, am I right in thinking that they don’t have an airport shuttle?
Aug 14, 2018, 12:59 am
#14
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I’ve always wanted to go to Atlantis! Problem is, I have absolutely no idea where it is or how to find it!
How is the HIX near the airport? I thought it might do for a very late arrival. As for HI Festival City, am I right in thinking that they don’t have an airport shuttle?
How is the HIX near the airport? I thought it might do for a very late arrival. As for HI Festival City, am I right in thinking that they don’t have an airport shuttle?
Festival City is in an awkward position, unless you need or want to be in the area.
Prices in Dubai fluctuate a lot among hotels. So particular recommendations can price themselves out of your range, while others come into it. If you are sensitive to price, but you want to stay with IHG,then your best bets are the airport HIX and the HI Bur Dubai or HI Downtown. Of the two HIs, Bur Dubai is nicer, though I prefer Downtown for its location in Deira.
Aug 14, 2018, 9:23 pm
#15
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I found Downtown a bit insalubrious, with what were visibly call girls in the bar area and out of date worn rooms. The people who worked in the hotel were very friendly, though.
I was wondering about HI Barsha ... or is it a HIX? No real need to stick with IHG in the absence of an Accelerate promotion, so I might go for one of the downtown Hilton properties (but not the Conrad).
I was wondering about HI Barsha ... or is it a HIX? No real need to stick with IHG in the absence of an Accelerate promotion, so I might go for one of the downtown Hilton properties (but not the Conrad).
Last edited by Concerto; Aug 14, 2018 at 10:19 pm Reason: clarification