Okay so I thought I'd post something to add to the terrible reviews. We booked this hotel because it was cheap, very very cheapfor Dubai like $60 a night double. We were travelling for a year so cost was the factor when selecting a hotel. This was the cheapest hotel we could find booking ahead. Of course the cheapest hotel in Dubai is not going to be the best.

We were able to walk to Dubai Creek and the Gold Souq from here. There are lots of schwarma stands to eat at around here if you are watching your budget it is an affordable area. Excursion companies had no problem finding us.

There were plastic lawn furniture on the enclosed balcony I was fine with the bathroom some fixtures were worn but there was no fiflth. The breakfast was horrible only the pita was edible and the meat was strange. I would say it was equivalant to a 1 star hotel in Europe except that you get your own bathroom, air con and stuff like that the furnishings are worn and dated but I did not find the place dirty. Staff was responsive and friendly.

I heard safety mentioned Dubai is very safe and bills itself as a crime free tourist spot. I did not feel unsafe in this hotel or this area as a western woman. Most of the people in Dubai that you will come in contact with are from Pakistan and India . Perhaps having spent months in these countries prior to visiting Dubai I am a bit more acustomed to the culture. You will get stared at regardless of how conservatively you dress this is just how it is. In India I would be physically assalted and grabbed, this did not happen nor have I ever heard of this happening in Dubai.

We had come to Dubai after several months in India where we stayed in Budget hotels with no amenities. Having air con, cable, hot water and a place to shower that wasn't a hose over the toilet was a treat for us. If you are having a special holiday in Dubai this is not the place for you but if you just need a cheap place to stay for a few days and aren't accustomed to luxury then it's fine. In a sense you get what you pay for. The reason it was 1/5 the price of the beach hotel is because it is not as nice, you often get what you pay for!

... there is just one that is really bad. And this is the one.
Dirty, dump, really very poor conditions. Bathrooms are a horror. The people working at the hotel are really nice but still, it cannot compensate the conditions in any way. The same with restaurant - seems like a poor canteen with very poor food served for breakfast.
For this price you will get much better conditions in a different hotel.

The Al Sham is a poor excuse for a hotel. I have no idea where they gain the 2 star rating that they currently have. My husband and I were unfortunate enough to be recommended this hotel through our travel agent. We were meant to stay for 4 nights, however after 2 sleepless nights due to the security or lack of at the hotel and the state of the room with a bathroom that provided a trickle of water for a "shower" .. we couldnt stand it any longer and checked out prior to our scheduled departure date and found a safer, cleaner hotel to stay in.
This "hotel" is located in what appeared to be a non - western friendly part of town and as a Western women I felt extremely unsafe from my arrival at the Al Sham until our departure. Whatever you do... DONT go to this "hotel"!!! When you cant even be sure that you are safe, its not worth staying there.