Mixed bag of experience

Due to the pandemic situation which lead to quite a reasonable price for this property and the location, I was curious to try this property out for my trip this time to Dubai, mainly to check out the Expo before it wraps up end of March.  Also reading some of the reviews, they mostly seem to be a positive one.

This property is well situated along the busy Sheikh Zayed road - which is the main artery connecting Dubai with Abu Dhabi and also most of the attractions.  For those planning to use the metro to get to/from the airport, the Red line metro is connected to the station attached more or less outside of the property (stop: World Trade Centre, exit no. 2).  For me I would say this is doable even with large luggage as there's elevators and lifts on both sides of the station.  Only advise is not to do it during peak hours as the metro does get crowded, however normally stating from the airport, it should not be too bad and there are areas in the metro reserved for luggage.  (I guess as long as you can do it with London's underground, you can do it here).

Other than that, there are lots of different restaurants and small shops in the area.  I would also say if it's not too hot, walking to the Museum of the Future would be doable.  [on my first day, I crazily walked even all the way to Dubai mall]

With the metro, it is quite convenient to use this property to get around for both leisure and business purposes in my opinion.

A week before my stay, I did receive an email from the Guest relation office, which i did response to request an early check-in.  I was informed as usual no guarantees could be provided, but that my request would be processed with the highest priority.  Two days before my stay, while checking my stay, I saw that I had been upgraded to a King Deluxe Panoramic room.  On the day of my stay, I arrived actually way much earlier than my anticipated time (since the whole process of entering Dubai was easy and no other major flights arrival).  Upon arrival at a close to empty lobby area (since it was before 8 am), upon approaching the front desk and seeing my reservation, I was informed that I check-in would be further processed at the Executive Lounge.  I was provided with a keycard enabling me to reach level 24 where the Executive Lounge is located.  

I was warmly greeted by the Executive Lounge attendant and offered drinks (which I declined).  I was told that my room was not ready yet and that I could enjoy the faciliies at the lounge while waiting. In the meantime all the necessary administration procedures were done.   I did not bother to ask about any further upgrade as from the website descriptions of the room, I was fine with it.  As for the experience of the attendant checking me in - I felt that she was quite neutral compared to previous (better) experiences where I would say some small talk could have been initiated.

During this wait, I did see what was offered at the lounge during breakfast hours. There was also another set of guest arriving early (but they received much earlier their room).  In the end I spent about 2.5 hours waiting for my room in the lounge.  I felt that it would have been nice if they could have been pro-active in coming to let me know instead of me having to go back to ask after 2 hours on the status.  One interesting event was that during my stay, one of the hotel's manager as Head of Govt affairs was walking around the lounge - whom just as he was finishing his round that morning in the lounge, my room was ready and we started some small chat.  He was a very friendly person and wanted to make sure my experience was top notch that morning (which to me has been so far).  I was offered for my cabin bag to be taken to the room, but I declined and just decided to bring it with me.  

The room was located on the 29th floor - which I initially had high hopes based on the view from the executive lounge.  However the room turned out to be a bag of mix feelings - room size and furnishing was great - with as expected a very bright room with 3/4 of the room with ceiling to floor windows.  As for the views, this was the biggest dissapointment - as more than 1/2 of the room was facing the roof top view of the next door Fairmont hotel and the other half towards some open space and only by stretching my neck a bit, I had the view of the skyline towards the Burj Khalifa.  To me this was a mix upgrade - felt like we'll give an upgrade but to one where it'll be difficult to sell (which is true, if I had pay for this room, I would have complained as there's not much "panoramic" about it)

Other than that, the furnishing in the room was very well appointed, with a large working desk and a small seating area for 2.  There was more than sufficient storage for those staying longer than 1-2 nights at the property - sort of walkin type wardrobe but also ones with doors, located at different parts of the room. 

There was tea/coffee making facilities include a Nespresso system.  There was also quite a number of electrical outlet with the multi-international outlets and some USB-C charges throughout the room - which if of course very convenient.  The mini-bar was filled with the usual items.  They provided about 6 bottles of water in the room - hoping here that maybe the hotel moving forward will look at other non-single use plastic bottles looking at how many of them will be discarded.  

Internet speed was good and stable throughout the hotel and login seems to be automatic, as I don't remember ever needing to login with my last name/room (which was informed to me when checking in).  TV size was more than sufficient with the usual international/local channels - and there was also a smaller TV for view when using the bath - both switched on at the same time.  

As for sleep quality - the bed itself was ok - with the right firmness.  The room had both day and night curtains for all the windows - luckily this was electronically controlled, so that made it easier.   As one part of the room faces the busy Sheikh Zayed road, this luckily created no issues.  Only main complain here is the climate control in the room - this actually was the main cause for me the bad sleep quality - only the temperature could be adjusted, and the fan speed was on auto, therefore it basically just went on/off the whole night and fan speed was always high when turned on, which was quite loud (same level of noise like most hotels in the US with non central climate control units).  I am not sure if this is an issue for all rooms.  I would have preferred it to just be constantly on, instead of the on/off action.

As for the bathroom, it was huge, with separate shower, toilet and bathtub area.  Toiletries were from Shanghai Tang, which i quite liked from fragrance point of view.  Water pressure and temperature was OK, although it did take the water some time to get warm and water pressure would have nicer if it was slightly higher.  Other than that, the amenities in the bathroom was well appointed.

received this one evening

The level of service at the lounge was in general good - with some staff average and some really good - engaging customers with the right amount of attention and small-talk. What I also noticed that during different hours, there would be someone from the hotel's management team checking up on some of their guests (I guess long staying or frequent returning guests).  

The breakfast offerings in the lounge was actually quite a solid spread - and in fact I would say slightly better compared to the one at the restaurant (the only reason I went to the restaurant was because of the ability to sit outside for breakfast) - with some additional offerings at the lounge whereas at the restaurant I was just given the standard answer of no. (For example at the lounge i could get mango juice, but at the restaurant I was told that it was not available)  

There is a tea time period is between 1300-1500 hours with minimal offerings - for me it was sufficieint, with some nuts, cookies, small wrap pieces, finger food and desserts. 

The evening offerings, does start from 1700 hours, but the alcoholic drink comes only from 1800 hours till 2000 hours.  During my weekend stay, although the lounge was busy, there was also space available.   Food spread was good - catering to the different diets and food was refilled in adequate time.  Quality was good with expected good presentation.  For drinks - same as throughout the day, is normally served by the lounge attendants.  For the evening drinks, they have just 1 type of red and 2 white wines - they seems to serve the basic/cheap version from Hardys.   There were a mix of hard liquour and spirits available.  There's also possibility for simple basic cocktails/mix drinks - like G&T, etc.  I did try to ask for whiskey sour - which turned out to be some miscommunication - received a whiskey with a piece of lemon slice.   

There is also a small meeting/conference room - which is closed in current pandemic climate.  Other than that, there's a nice lounge sitting area and sitting/dining area.  View from the lounge was towards the sea area.  Lounge entry is key card controlled, with still a high chance that you get asked for your room number.   

I actually had some high expectation for the breakfast based on what I read about it, but in reality, I was slightly dissapointed with the spread - I have seen much better spread at other hotels of the same category.  (I am not sure if this is due to the pandemic).  I found service from the different associate to be OK.  As I mentioned, asking for items not on display will come back with a negative answer.  Another example was - I asked for iced coffee and I was asked if I wanted sugar with it, and I responded with no but just milk, I received a glass of black coffee with ice.  (the lounge made this so much better).  Coffee was made via a Barista.

The only reason I had my breakfast for the remaining days at the restaurant was the possibility to have breakfast outside in the open air (restaurant is on the same level as the swimming pool).  But standard of service is much better at the lounge compared to the restaurant.  [For those going for the pork offerings, you are required to use a separate dish and cutlery]

The pool area is located on the 6th floor of the hotel - with a nice setting of greenery.  I went late in the afternoon, and there was not much sun.  I had wanted to take a dip, but since it was rather windy and not much sun, I just laid on one of the loungers.  Compare to other properties and especially the newer hotels,  the pool area here is not your glamorous pool with a view.  I guess if the temperature of the water would have been higher and not windy during my visit I would have enjoyed it a bit more.  What I missed was also a nice outdoor jacuzzi/hot tub.

Spa

Pool area

I found in general the service to be a mix, some associates went above the expectation and some more of just doing the basics.  

All in all, I conclude my stay experience as a mix bag - with some improvement points and some points being well in line with what is expected from a Conrad.  I would certainly return to this property with the right value, but would not go out of my way to select this property especially with so many other Hilton properties on this class level in Dubai.  One of the most advantageous of this property is it's location - suitable for both opting for public transportation or private.  

As for HHonors benefit, I though it was ok, nothing too much and certainly not above and beyond - especially the type of room given.  (I did read that one of the FT'er received a nice suite with quite a nice view).