Last Year I attended the Arab Health Show and found this hotel after waiting in a Taxi line for an hour. Its ez access to the convention center a brisk 7 minute walk (Okay in the winter) up and over sheik ziad Rd.

This was a really excellent hotel with great staff. I am a priority club member and was on the club floor. New carpeting, great location. I got the free breakfast on the 17th floor. The staff knows you need name and your likes and dislikes and anticipates what you need.

The breakfast was cook to order or the buffet with a lot of choices. the lady hostesses also get you coffee Orange juice etc.

At the end of the day 6-8 they have happy hour (free for club guests) with a nice spread of goodies and drinks

The hotel has a great workout center with concept 2 rowers, nautilus as well as a squash court and a golf swinging practice area. Its well designed and maintained. There is a funny saying in the locker room to keep yourself clothed so as not to offend others.

Attached to the hotel is a nightclub which had a steady stream of young female and males attending. I did not check this out as its out of my league. there is also a ton of western restaurants such as tony romas, Fridays, a Macdonald's is right next door (try the Arabian), There is a small shopping area as well.

the service is outstanding and the staff respond very quickly. There is also a shuttle to and from the airport which will save you about 40AED and from the taxi que.

I sent a fax from the business center to USA no problems. they also have good internet connections and in the club on 17th floor 4 computers and a printer (they do not charge for printing

There is a pedestrian underpass to the emirates hotel across the road where they have vu's bar at the 50th floor and a nice restaurant on the same level. they were sold out the night I wanted to go but I had a drink there.

Highly recommended if you are attending the conference center.

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.