My husband and my 1 year old daughter along with my brother -in-law and girlfrined stayed in this hotel for 3 nights in feb 07. I liked it and plan to return in Jan 08. I read the reviews on this web site before I booked it and even though there were some mixed reviews and i was abit nervous, i was very impressed with the hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful. There was always a taxi outside (Which are
very cheap). We were on the executive floor and the large king size bed was bliss. I also liked the b'fast and being able to sit near the pool and have it was nice. The pool and spa were also a treat for
us and having a few restaurants within the hotel also helped with travelling with an infant.

the hotel is a bit away from it all, opposite a roundabout,but no noise was heard.
the free shuttle to the beach too ages,the beach was quite far
and the return pick up took forever.
we had to catch taxis everywhere,which did cost us alot.
there is nothing near the hotel, nearest shopping centre is 10min taxi ride, and gets longer in traffic!
the nice thing about the hotel is, there is a nice indian restaurant on the top floor, we ate there twice,and the swimming pool was ok.
the breakfast was a bit boring,and the tours were expensive.
wont stay here again as its too far from everything.

I was transiting back to lovely Kabul from Thailand and booked two nights at the Rydges. I frequent Dubai quite often and enjoy staying at different places so this was my first experience with this property. Booked on-line with the hotel directly for 600 AED a night which I thought was well worth it. The hotel has an Aussie Legends pub that had a live band and was really rockin when I arrived at 11:00 PM. The rooms are nice and the king bed was perfect for my weary head - after a couple pints in the Aussie pub. There's an Italian Restaurant on-sight that was crowded when I arrived so I assume the food is pretty good. I had lunch the following afternoon at the St. Andrew's British pub on site and I have to say - although a little pricey - the meal was fantastic. The pool and gym facilities
are pretty good and food/drink service right to your sun bed starts at noon. There's a business center right near reception that has 4 computers to use for free. Airport transport is free as well but they
only go on the hour so plan accordingly although taxis are so cheap in Dubai. The location is good and taxis are plentiful and the doorman has no problem going out in the street and hailing one for you if there isn't one waiting.

As many travelers to Dubai know - there's so many different classes of hotels and you can literally spend a fortune staying in some not so great places so for the less than $200 a night category - the Rydges is tops. It always amazes me how cheaper places offer so much more for free than the more expensive (5-star) places (i.e. airport transfers, internet, free morning paper).

I'm sure I'll stay here again as Dubai is quickly becoming one of my easy escapes from Kabul.

We arrived and were immediately aware that this was not a 4 star hotel, which it claims to be. We refused the first two rooms offered as they smelt very damp, as if unused for a long time, the shower areas were dirty and the furnishings well past their sell by date. We were there for 3 nights and never saw the pool area tables receive so much as a cursory wipe with a cloth. On a positive note the staff were courteous and helpful but face an uphill battle with conditions as they are. However they did try the water scam referred to by a previous review.