Dubai- New Four Seasons
May 11, 2016, 6:57 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
May 11, 2016, 7:37 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,599
This is a fate many hotels on Saadiyat suffer from. I have a review on the Park Hyatt there somewhere -- it is an owner-related problem. Most developers wanted the higher-end brands represented on the island and some hospitality corporations obliged and were willing to beat their own brand standards to death for it, in terms of size and design. Park Hyatt has 306 rooms, more than any other Park Hyatt and the result is comical.
I would stay away from Saadiyat altogether because it is not appropriate at all for this forum. Abu Dhabi needs to fill these rooms throughout the year and are willing to lower standards and rates in order to get it done. The companies they are managed by have not much influence, but give the brand name to match the alleged 'luxury' image of Abu Dhabi.
The Rosewood is a better choice in Abu Dhabi, and FS just opened. This might bring some change for the better.
May 11, 2016, 7:57 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Most welcome.
This is a fate many hotels on Saadiyat suffer from. I have a review on the Park Hyatt there somewhere -- it is an owner-related problem. Most developers wanted the higher-end brands represented on the island and some hospitality corporations obliged and were willing to beat their own brand standards to death for it, in terms of size and design. Park Hyatt has 306 rooms, more than any other Park Hyatt and the result is comical.
I would stay away from Saadiyat altogether because it is not appropriate at all for this forum. Abu Dhabi needs to fill these rooms throughout the year and are willing to lower standards and rates in order to get it done. The companies they are managed by have not much influence, but give the brand name to match the alleged 'luxury' image of Abu Dhabi.
The Rosewood is a better choice in Abu Dhabi, and FS just opened. This might bring some change for the better.
This is a fate many hotels on Saadiyat suffer from. I have a review on the Park Hyatt there somewhere -- it is an owner-related problem. Most developers wanted the higher-end brands represented on the island and some hospitality corporations obliged and were willing to beat their own brand standards to death for it, in terms of size and design. Park Hyatt has 306 rooms, more than any other Park Hyatt and the result is comical.
I would stay away from Saadiyat altogether because it is not appropriate at all for this forum. Abu Dhabi needs to fill these rooms throughout the year and are willing to lower standards and rates in order to get it done. The companies they are managed by have not much influence, but give the brand name to match the alleged 'luxury' image of Abu Dhabi.
The Rosewood is a better choice in Abu Dhabi, and FS just opened. This might bring some change for the better.
May 12, 2016, 4:39 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
There are currently only two hotels on Saadiyat, unless more have opened without anyone finding out?
Saadiyat attracts a hefty premium just for the pristine beach which is one of the nicest in the entire UAE. The admittedly lovely pool at the Rosewood is just not going to compare, and therefore if someone is considering StR/PH Saadiyat, the Rosewood is simply not a reasonable substitute. Same for the FS - it is located on the same man-made island as the Rosewood.
The Rosewood is a better choice in Abu Dhabi, and FS just opened. This might bring some change for the better.
May 14, 2016, 6:06 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 426
I've stayed at the St. Regis Saadiyat, had an Ocean Suite for a week. I disagree with others here, I really enjoyed the hotel and service, as well as the food.
I didn't care for the beach however, so I found it odd that others here and on TA rave about it. There are lots of little rocks on the sand and shoreline, and there are also rocks in the water. There is a lot of seaweed in th water as well. I prefer the beach and water at the LRM Mina Seyahi in Dubai as well as at the Madinat Jumeirah, but that isn't saying much as they don't hold a candle to the beach and water in the Bahamas or Turks.
I've also stayed at the other St. Regis in Abu Dhabi. I prefer the location of it to the Saadiyat since there is more to see and do nearby, but it's a city hotel and not a resort.
I didn't care for the beach however, so I found it odd that others here and on TA rave about it. There are lots of little rocks on the sand and shoreline, and there are also rocks in the water. There is a lot of seaweed in th water as well. I prefer the beach and water at the LRM Mina Seyahi in Dubai as well as at the Madinat Jumeirah, but that isn't saying much as they don't hold a candle to the beach and water in the Bahamas or Turks.
I've also stayed at the other St. Regis in Abu Dhabi. I prefer the location of it to the Saadiyat since there is more to see and do nearby, but it's a city hotel and not a resort.
May 14, 2016, 6:46 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,481
I've stayed at the St. Regis Saadiyat, had an Ocean Suite for a week. I disagree with others here, I really enjoyed the hotel and service, as well as the food.
I didn't care for the beach however, so I found it odd that others here and on TA rave about it. There are lots of little rocks on the sand and shoreline, and there are also rocks in the water. There is a lot of seaweed in th water as well. I prefer the beach and water at the LRM Mina Seyahi in Dubai as well as at the Madinat Jumeirah, but that isn't saying much as they don't hold a candle to the beach and water in the Bahamas or Turks.
I've also stayed at the other St. Regis in Abu Dhabi. I prefer the location of it to the Saadiyat since there is more to see and do nearby, but it's a city hotel and not a resort.
I didn't care for the beach however, so I found it odd that others here and on TA rave about it. There are lots of little rocks on the sand and shoreline, and there are also rocks in the water. There is a lot of seaweed in th water as well. I prefer the beach and water at the LRM Mina Seyahi in Dubai as well as at the Madinat Jumeirah, but that isn't saying much as they don't hold a candle to the beach and water in the Bahamas or Turks.
I've also stayed at the other St. Regis in Abu Dhabi. I prefer the location of it to the Saadiyat since there is more to see and do nearby, but it's a city hotel and not a resort.
Sep 24, 2018, 6:18 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
Is there a fee for guests at the DIFC property to use the beach and pools at the Jumeirah property?
Sep 24, 2018, 6:44 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
Oct 2, 2018, 7:17 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I am amazed that nobody has mentioned The Oberoi Al Zorah, which is only 30 minute's drive from Dubai airport. It has an incredibly long, natural, white sand beach and is a superbly run resort.
Oct 2, 2018, 7:25 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,481
Oct 2, 2018, 7:27 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
a year ago >
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxu...l#post29021325
vuittonsofstyle was first to mention it, a year prior to that
then posted about good stay a few months ago
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxu...l#post29021325
vuittonsofstyle was first to mention it, a year prior to that
then posted about good stay a few months ago
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 2, 2018 at 7:34 am
Oct 2, 2018, 2:49 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
Leaving aside the merits of the property itself (which looks nice), I would only stay in Al Zorah if I wanted a beach resort, and did not actually want/need to be in Dubai.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
Oct 2, 2018, 3:49 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Leaving aside the merits of the property itself (which looks nice), I would only stay in Al Zorah if I wanted a beach resort, and did not actually want/need to be in Dubai.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
Oct 3, 2018, 7:43 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Leaving aside the merits of the property itself (which looks nice), I would only stay in Al Zorah if I wanted a beach resort, and did not actually want/need to be in Dubai.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
That stretch of road from Dubai to Ajman, which passes through Sharjah, is some of the worst traffic you'll ever see in the UAE. During peak times, it will frequently take an hour and sometimes two between, say, DIFC and Al Zorah.
Equally, if you avoid rush hour, the journey from Ajman to Dubai is very easy, in my experience.