Dubai: Fairmont Hotel or Shangri-la
Nov 27, 2011, 10:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: M&M, BA Silver, Accor LeClub Gold
Posts: 490
Dubai: Fairmont Hotel or Shangri-la
Heading to Dubai at the end of December for a few days of R & R. I have a choice between the Shangri la hotel or the Fairmont Dubai. Does anyone who has stayed in both have any recommendations? A nice pool, good breakfast, nice bar, plus easy transport links and easy access to shopping are on my priority list. Any recommendations?
Dec 1, 2011, 5:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Misc. others
Posts: 209
I have not stayed in either, but they are both in the same neighborhood and will have equal access to transportation and shopping.
Both are near a Metro stop, and your closest mall will be the Dubai Mall - it is entirely possible that there will be hotel shuttles to the mall as well, so that would be something to ask the hotel directly.
Both are near a Metro stop, and your closest mall will be the Dubai Mall - it is entirely possible that there will be hotel shuttles to the mall as well, so that would be something to ask the hotel directly.
Dec 2, 2011, 10:32 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG Plat, IHG Spire, HHonors Diamond, EK Gold
Posts: 213
Haven't stayed in either but my office is in the same locale so know their bars and restaurants well.
As tebfunk says, both have a metro stop within a few hundred metres (Trade Centre station is approx 100m from the Fairmont and Financial Centre about 300m from the Shangri-La). Shopping wise, the metro gives you direct access to BurJuman & Mall of Emirates, access via an easy walk to Ibn Battuta and Marina Mall. Dubai Mall is a shuttle bus ride from Burj Khalifa Station but both hotels will probably offer their own shuttle anyway.
Both hotels have good restaurants but differ in the range of bars / evening venues. The Fairmont has several bars + Cavalli and the 400 / Cirque du Soir clubs and is very much on the evening circuit, whereas Balcony (the main bar at the Shangri-La) is much more quiet and majors on cigars.
Both are good hotels so you can't really go wrong. If I had to sum them up (admittedly in a hugely subjective manner) I would say the Fairmont has more atmosphere / vibe but the Shangri-la is more refined - depends which of these is to your personal taste.
As tebfunk says, both have a metro stop within a few hundred metres (Trade Centre station is approx 100m from the Fairmont and Financial Centre about 300m from the Shangri-La). Shopping wise, the metro gives you direct access to BurJuman & Mall of Emirates, access via an easy walk to Ibn Battuta and Marina Mall. Dubai Mall is a shuttle bus ride from Burj Khalifa Station but both hotels will probably offer their own shuttle anyway.
Both hotels have good restaurants but differ in the range of bars / evening venues. The Fairmont has several bars + Cavalli and the 400 / Cirque du Soir clubs and is very much on the evening circuit, whereas Balcony (the main bar at the Shangri-La) is much more quiet and majors on cigars.
Both are good hotels so you can't really go wrong. If I had to sum them up (admittedly in a hugely subjective manner) I would say the Fairmont has more atmosphere / vibe but the Shangri-la is more refined - depends which of these is to your personal taste.
Dec 5, 2011, 3:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London / Dubai
Programs: EK Skywards
Posts: 76
Haven't stayed in either
Both are good hotels so you can't really go wrong. If I had to sum them up (admittedly in a hugely subjective manner) I would say the Fairmont has more atmosphere / vibe but the Shangri-la is more refined - depends which of these is to your personal taste.
Both are good hotels so you can't really go wrong. If I had to sum them up (admittedly in a hugely subjective manner) I would say the Fairmont has more atmosphere / vibe but the Shangri-la is more refined - depends which of these is to your personal taste.
The Fairmont does have more of a business like atmosphere too and a great varied dining choice.