Pleasant Stay
We have been to Dubai a couple of times so are comparing this to other hotels we have stayed at. We are party of 3 including our 8 month old baby stayed at the Rixos for 10 nights in room 3306.
Pre-arrival I sent an email to reservations team, this wasn’t ready properly and I felt just got a blanket response back.
Arrival - we didn’t receive a particularly good welcome. The hotel is situated directly on Al Mamsha Street and doesn’t really have much of a driveway so you are dropped off in a busy area. I only ever saw 2 concierge staff working here, they always seem busy and there never seems to be someone to help with doors/bags/pram. This is the same on exit/arrival from hotel. When you leave or arrive back at the hotel no one seemed to say hello/welcome back etc.
Just a nice touch at other hotels which is missing here.
The street itself is really busy with slow moving traffic from early afternoon - late at night. Just FYI nothing to do with hotel.
We arrived around 22:00 and didn’t receive a welcome drink/towels on arrival. Again nice touch usually received at other hotels.
Hotel were quick to check us in and deliver luggage to room. Housekeeping were also quick to get us a cot and baby chair for our room and help with removal on mini bar (we needed the space to put things)
Room - we opted for a one bedroom suite as we like to have space when travelling with a baby. The room is lovely, finished well. Pillow menu available too with large choice.
There isn’t anywhere near enough storage at all. There are no drawers in the room to put anything, there are two bedside drawers that are perhaps thin enough to slide a newspaper in nothing more. One wardrobe however we really struggled to put everything away as I normally like to for long stays.
We had to keep our daughters things out in the room on the bench that runs along the bedroom window.
Our view was mostly of the building site of the new Five hotel next door. But this is Dubai there’s always building works.
Housekeeping in our room was good - sorry I can’t remember gentleman’s name however room was kept clean and he was always very polite when we saw him.
Breakfast - seating is a little chaotic, sometimes you are shown to a table and sometimes not. Sometimes you receive warm welcome, sometimes not. Food was nice with lots of options to vary your meals throughout your stay. Georgette was very efficient and friendly, especially with our daughter. Chef who makes the omelettes also very friendly.
Pool area - I would say this area is the best from any hotel I have stayed in Dubai. Pool itself is huge and quite deep but there are lots of different levels, seating etc.
Staff here are really efficient - Musa from housekeeping was wonderful assisting with getting a bed in the shade everyday for our baby. He is really pleasant and always happy. All lifeguards we encountered were really friendly however always efficient at their jobs.
We ate in Azure most days - food was lovely and staff pleasant. Archie was really friendly around the pool area.
Spa - myself and partner had 60mins Thai massage. This was wonderful - my therapist Linda was really welcoming and great at her job. Relaxation area post treatment is beautiful overlooking the pool/sea - they also had a violinist here which was a nice touch.
Godiva- we had coffees/cakes here a couple of times. Food and drink was nice. Live musicIan’s in this area too which is lovely.
Check out - we were assisted by Bibam who was absolutely wonderful, his level of hospitality was excellent. When he heard us booking a taxi he offered hotel vehicle complementary due to our long stay in a suite. He was everything I felt the hotel was lacking for our stay.
Overall there just seems to be a friendliness level of hospitality missing from the hotel. Check out was the first time we received a truly warm welcome which was a shame.
This is the most we have paid for a stay in Dubai and feel the amenities in the hotel match up however I felt we had received better hospitality at other hotels.