January 2008 was not a good time to visit Dubai if you like sunshine. Unprecedented rainfall (see photo) hit and normally very busy roads in Dubai were blocked with traffic. The day before the visit of George Bush virtually closed the city.

However, our two week stay (business) at the Crowne Plaza Dubai was just brilliant. In all respects the staff were the most helpful, attentive and very polite. The quality of the food, especially the breakfast buffet, is in my mind unequalled. The rooms are of a very good standard, perfectly well maintained and clean. In a review I had read that the rooms were 'jaded', ours certainly did not fit into that category.

The location is not near the beach but the hotel shuttle does provide a free service to the beach. To walk anywhere from the hotel in hot weather would not be easy and the roads in Dubai are geared to cars not people. On the other hand, taxis are pretty cheap and if you avoid rush hours with taxis this is ok.

If the location suits your needs this hotel is the BEST. We can really recommend it.

My wife and I stayed here over Christmas 2007. I had read from some reviews that the hotel was looking tired but as a person who is used to staying in good hotels I can confirm that this is a great hotel for a holiday. Firstly, the staff are amazing nothing is no trouble, what you need to do is check out the hotel bars', Traders Vics and Oscars wine bar have a great atmosphere and you will be surprised how busy they are especially Trader Vics. The restaurants serve good food, check out the Italian and the Lebannon Restaurant with live dancing. I must admit the exterior does not do justice to the hotel, I would definitely go back, this a great hotel. Whilst in Dubai, essentials you must do is the 4x4 tour in the desert and the dinner on the creek. The hotel even has two nightclubs, what made the holiday was the Hotel, only one negative factor was when by the pool you lose the sun at 2.15pm. Taxis are really cheap, if you have time check out VUE bar accross the road in the Emirates Hotel, it is on the 51st floor and the views are amazing. In short if you want a comfortable 5 star hotel that will not break the bank stay in this hotel. I also met up with a lot of expats' who use the bars and as locals they always recommend the Crowne Plaza for friends and relatives.

I stay here quire a lot on business - and although the rooms are a little tired now, I have to say that this hotel is in a great positon for doing business, has great in house restaurants and the staff are just great. The club floors in particular offer great value and the ataff there really do look after you.

Dubai's Crowne Plaza hotel is located right in the heart of Dubai's Sheikh Ziad Road... right in the heart of the business district and a short taxis ride from Dubai Intl. Airport and the cities tourist areas of the Jumeirah Beach area.

The hotel has a large convention hall and hosts many conferences. This tower type hotel's rooms are very comfortable, offer plenty of room but in general the hotel is tired looking in comparison to other hotels in the area... BUT cost a lot less than it's neighbouring hotels too. It's choice of restaurants again are tired looking but serve good food. My favourite thing about this hotel is it's hidden gem British themed bar... well run, pleasant staff and serve good quality pub grub too. The most disappointing part of this huge hotel is it's tiny pool area and seating area... away below Dubai's typical standards of hotels pools.

This hotel is perfect for business trips... convenient, clean and has plenty of restaurants in other near-by hotels. Would I use it again... YES, but not as a tourist.