Holiday Inn Downtown Dubai

Courteous and efficient check in. The room was decently furnished -- very comfortable bed, clean linen, and the bathroom was clean. Housekeeping was good. There is some noise from the disco and bar on the first floor, but it did not disturb me on the fourth floor. The staff are courteous and helpful.

It is hard to get a taxi at the hotel doorstep, since it is on a side street. Have to go a block to the main road. I did not try the hotel's restaurants. There are several restaurants on the main (Al Rigga ) rd. Overall, I was happy with the value.

Unique Quality: This is a reasonably priced basic hotel in a city with extravagant (and extravagantly priced) alternatives.

Directions: Deira, off Al Rigga St. In between Al Rigga and Mrraqqabat

Unique Quality: You can get an ice cold pint in the bar from the frendly bar staff. All the free popcorn you can eat.

The four of us arrived and were dealt with very efficiently, they even managed to give my husband and me a double room with a door through to Claire and Gav's twin room.

The hotel is located well and we found it a good base.

The buffet breakfast was fantastic (and is now my 'bench mark' buffet breakfast) Fresh fruit, cereals and lots of yummy walm food - I fell in love with the potato cakes!

We also liked the 'Aussie' bar and spent some time having a drink and a boogie in there!

Unique Quality: Nice rooftop swimming pool.

Very nice rooms - good size with nice large bathrooms.

** We bought a package deal for this stay - so I can't really identify how much the hotel cost**

Directions: Downtown - Fairly close to the Clock Tower roundabout.

Hotel was conveniently located and safe, providing transport and clearance from the airport. THe rooms were large clean and comfortable, but the decor and essentials were for male travellers only. As a female businessperson, it was too leathery and dark and Paco Rabanne. Essentials were available for men in shaving cream and foams, but the shampoo and conditioner were also scented like male colognes. FOod and service were good but not exceptional.

Unique Quality: For men only

First thing you have to bear in mind when you book accomodation in Dubai: here all hotels have one star more than in the rest of the world. Meaning, if you are booking a 4 star hotel, expect 3 star quality.

Once made my point I have to say the the Holiday Inn is a very nice hotel, quite nice and large rooms and very good location BUT in my opinion the staff was not as friendly as I expected and as it was Ramadan, they had decided to undertake repairs in the swimming pool, which, to be perfectly honest, is not very convenient for tourists.

Once said that, the hotel is good quality and the breakfast buffet is very good.

Not bad value for money but we stayed one night only because when you are inDubai the swimming pool is a plus, innit??

Unique Quality: Nice rooms.
Good breakfast.