Hilton Properties Dubai

[Princess Fiona]

I'm having a short 3 night stopover in DXB in March (jealously pouring over Pushka's current TR) and would like some opinions on properties to stay.
Budget up to $500 per night or could do a points booking as have a 7 figure balance.

My preference is for something with a great club lounge and would prefer Hilton properties if possible but could definitely consider looking outside this if there's something better.
At this stage I'm thinking of staying at the Conrad.

 

[Squirrel.Monkey]

In October, I stayed at the Hilton the walk in the apartments. The stay was great, breakfast was extensive, facilities were good and the staff went above and beyond. One night, we asked for recommendations for a restaurant and they booked it for us, organised the best way to get there and even told our cab driver where to drop us off as it was at the Marina. There were plenty of places in walking distance for to grab something to eat as well. If I went back, I would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[incumbent]

I had four nights at the Conrad a little over a year ago. Really liked it. Great access to the train. Lounge was so unmemorable I can't think of anything to say about it. Pool area was nice for meals despite the high heavily tattooed Russian oligarch quotient.

 

[kermatu]

I 've had 6 nights at the Conrad. Fantastic hotel. There are I'm sure as good if not better ones in Dubai, but I was very happy with the Conrad. A few random thoughts:

- On one stay arrived about 6am day of booking and was given full lounge access and breakfast while waiting for my upgraded suite.
- Lounge staff are superb. Very helpful and will sort out any travel issues etc.
- Outstanding location for the metro. 10 minute drive from airport. Not a whole lot else in immediate vicinity - but taxis are cheap so not a big deal.
- Full breakfast in main restaurant is the best hotel breakfast I've had anywhere - full range of western options and fresh stations, SE Asian, Japanese, Indian and of course an extensive array of hot and cold middle eastern food. Most of the servers/cooks comfortably spoke at least 3 or 4 languages from what I could tell.
- Very good treatment as a Diamond - dates, fruit, unlimited water, regular refresh of room etc.
- Very modern and comfortable fitout.

Negatives:
- Very costly, and I know others who had good treatment at the other Hiltons and other chains - I suspect service is of a high standard most hotels in Dubai.
- Nibbles in lounge through the day are OK but not great. On request they'll provide something more substantial.
- Evening canapés very stylish and top quality - but not that substantial. Not designed to be a meal and you'd struggle to make it so. But very tasty.
- Drinks are served as long as there's no city-wide holiday or religious occasion. Not the top, top shelf stuff but decent (and 'free'). Limited hours unlike some other Conrads.
- Restaurants and room service are over-priced.

I'd stay again if I had the budget, and to see the staff again - they welcomed e back on my second stay as though I was a long-lost relative!

 

[RooFlyer]

I stared at Hilton Jumeirah Beach Resort a couple of years ago - see pics and some comments here. it was OK, with nice lounge, but not much of a wow factor. I'm not a beach person, so that aspect for this Hilton didn't score from me.

 

[Buzzard]

I stared at Hilton Jumeirah Beach Resort a couple of years ago - see pics and some comments here. it was OK, with nice lounge, but not much of a wow factor. I'm not a beach person, so that aspect for this Hilton didn't score from me.

RooFlyer, you would be a star wherever you stayed

 

[Princess Fiona]

I stared at Hilton Jumeirah Beach Resort a couple of years ago - see pics and some comments here. it was OK, with nice lounge, but not much of a wow factor. I'm not a beach person, so that aspect for this Hilton didn't score from me.

Thanks RooFlyer, great pics on that TR

 

[Deleted member 29185]

PF, I had it in the back of my mind you had been there previously?

Anyway, we loved the Conrad. I was in deep poo for not booking longer but hey who's to know!

As others have said, the breakfast is great, the pool (for a predominantly business hotel) is excellent and the train is out front. Dubai has many great hotels it would seem and I would love to try a few of them, but it will be hard to pass up on the Conrad next time we're there. Oh, we also got a pretty amazing suite upgrade!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And the pool zone!

 

[Fifa]

I stayed at the Conrad in April this year.
As mentioned above breakfast in the restaurant was outstanding.
Our experience at the exec lounge was quite good - arrived very early and enjoyed breakfast in the lounge including fresh raspberries (mmmm). The food was replenished at midday and a substantial lunch was provided. Evening canapés included some really good Middle Eastern dishes.

We didn't use the pool but I heard that it can get busy on weekends as locals are able to pay for access.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great pics swanning_it
I did briefly stop in DXB but it was courtesy of DXB connect and freebie access to the Royal Club at Le Meridien as my Auntie and Uncle were staying in the same hotel.

 

[drross]

Hilton the walk in September. Great staff especially in the lounge. Happy to get you any beer that you'd like even if not on offer in the lounge. Hot breakfast happily delivered to the lounge if you're not happy with what's on offer. Access to the beach at the Hilton resort across the road with easy charge back to your room despite being in a different hotel. Lots of options re dining close by. BUT you are along way from the malls etc. loved our stay but I think I'd try the Conrad next time, especially after seeing swanningit's photos

 

[incumbent]

Just some random points while I remember:

- Couldn't find a SIM at the airport and ended up going to the "du" outlet at the shopping centre a few stops from the hotel. Remember to take your passport.
- Go to the train station outside peak time to buy a Gold Class pass, there's generally a long queue.
- Taking the Gold Class carriage at the front (opposite direction to the airport), you're likely to have it to yourself a few stops away from the hotel. Standing at the front the views are just surreal, I felt like I was in a Sim City game.
- The Al Fahidi heritage area is stunningly beautiful, again, worth trying to find it at a quiet time.
- No trains on Friday mornings.
- These markets are great if the timing happens to work out: Ripe Farmers Market Dubai, Organic Food Market Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Organic Farmers Market UAE, Food Market Dubai, Organic Food & Craft Market Dubai

 

[jojen]

We had 2 nights at the Conrad in May, on our way to Paris. Booked the cheapest room and upgraded to a suite, the same as swanning_it. Staff in the lounge were great, even giving us a camel to add to my collection of Conrad toys ! Really enjoyed the brief stay and returning in May for 4 nights. Train is very easy to use, although taxis are also cheap.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Forgot to mention that our upgrade was from a P+P booking. 28000 points + AUD70 = excellent value in my book!

We also found the lounge to be pretty good. Very nice décor and what I consider very nice selection of F&B. The view was fabulous, although very odd.......

 

[kermatu]

Unfortunately the lounge is poorly placed for the view - other than some nice perspectives of the sun over the water through the haze/sand/smog). And being on floor 24 (from memory) it's not as high as you might expect in such a city!

 

[Pushka]

March will be perfect weather PrincessF. Bring along the bathers and suntan lotion.
We stayed at Intercontinental Festival City last time. Nice club lounge. Excellent canapes at night. We were upgraded to a suite.

But really, any upmarket brand Hotel would be lovely here. Choice is probably more about location. Beach, central Dubai, or Creek. Taxis are cheap and plentiful (except near The Palm ).

The Jumeirah Madinat looks exotic and stunning for a beach location.

 

[Pushka]

This is the view from the Intercontinental Club lounge. Will be waay clearer in March.