Ok, I had to be in Knowledge Village for a course and this hotel was conveniently situated. I got a corporate rate, although it was still relatively expensive, but was looking forward to some 4 star luxury when I got back to the hotel at night. I was sorely disappointed.

Firstly, the website is misleading. The pool to which they refer is not on site or "nearby", it is at the Tulip Suites beside the Mall of the Emirates, which is about 7km and a 15 minute taxi ride away! I looked everywhere in my room for the advertised coffeemaker, and when I asked reception, they told me that it was only suites which had coffee makers, although I could order coffee (at a charge) from roomservice. No bathrobe or iron either, despite requesting them, although they did come up with an internet cable for me when asked - I get the feeling that nobody competent was checking the rooms before occupation.

The room itself is very large with comfortable furniture and plenty of seating options. All rooms have access to the roof terrace, but no furniture to sit out on, and there was an old sock lying outside my window throughout my stay. The bed was comfortable, the room was clean, but it needed a new coat of paint.

The staff seemed unhappy and hardly ever smiled, some would have preferred if us customers hadn't been there to bother them! Clearly the management need to train and motivate their employees.

Food - breakfast was boring and quite unappetising. Lunch was a bit better, but nothing special.

At the time of writing this hotel is 297 out of 351 in Dubai. Taking in the cost and the four star expectation, I am surprised it ranked so highly!

It wasn't all bad though, the free internet in the room was great!

In a city of over the top hotels with excellent service for high rates - the Tulip Inn has none of the above. Rooms are large, have OK furnishings, free broadband [rare at even the most expensive Dubai hotels] and a nice TV with lots of channels. Room service is edible and reasonably priced - unimpressive. Front desk staff is OK - however the really memorable piece of it all is that the lobby is shared with a local medical clinic - should you fall ill, help is near at hand :)
Extremely convenient if you have business at Dubai Knowledge Village - it is inside DKV and an easy walk to any DKV building.

When I checked in and when I checked out it was with the same girl in the reception. Both times she was having a PRIVATE telecon for 10-15 minutes before she had time for me - She didn't care about the guests at all !

In my room the AC didn't work. Complained twice to the reception (same girl as above) - nothing happened for 12 hours. Complained again when a new receptionist had arrived and got a new room .... where the TV was broken. The room was OK but without daylight/windows.

You had to be very hungry to enjoy the breakfast.

It was a problem getting a Taxi at the hotel - to remote ?.

Next time I'll go somewhere else.

I stayed here because I was attending a conference at Knowledge Village. It is a 5-minute walk to the Auditorium. On the way, there is a foodcourt (student canteen) to get reasonably priced food (Chinese, Labenese, fries, hamburger, sandwiches, etc).

Months before the conference, my hotel booking was confirmed in writing. Then, a few weeks before the conference, the rates were increased by AED100 because 'management decided'. This is despite having taken my visa card number earlier and given me a written confirmation.

I asked for a non smoking room (also confirmed months ahead); but on arrival, was given a smoking room. My whole wardrobe ended up with cigarette smell.

I arrived at 5am and the hotel wanted to charge me full rate for the night before. If I don't want to pay, I can only check in at 2pm. Finally, after some haggling, I paid half rate and checked into the room which was empty anyway.

There is no construction noise now. You can get a good night's sleep.

I was not daunted when told the hotel is far from the downtown core - and this turned out to be the biggest problem. Even though it is only 20 - 30km to downtown, a taxi ride to town between 4pm and 10pm (in the direction of downtown) would take you 2 to 3 HOURS. [Conversely, if you stay in downtown and try to get to Knowledge Village in the morning, expect a 2 hour traffic jam.] After being stuck in the taxi for 2 hours and still had 1 hour to go before reaching the Creek/downtown, I gave up and came back to the hotel. So, I went to Dubai but have not seen Dubai downtown!

Tulip Inn is located within 5 to 10 minute taxi ride from Jumeira beach and the hotels there. It's better to spend your time at Jumeira instead of being stuck in a traffic jam trying to get to downtown. The Royal Mirage has an Arabian Adventures office for you to book tours.

If I am not attending a conference in Knowledge Village, I will not stay at this hotel again. If I am, given the horrendous traffic conditions in Dubai, I would stay here (but only reluctantly).