Which hotel in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

[Deleted member 29185]

Having done an AFF search, I note there's not much about the various AUH or DBX hotels. I'm chasing feedback on which hotel may suit a recreational stay for a family? Preferably one of the IHG/Hilton/SPG properties.

I see the Hilton AUH seems to have very reasonable rates but rooms appear smaller than HSYD :shock:. Any comments and viewpoints most welcome on which hotel may represent the better value? (meaning price, location, facilities, basic room size etc).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Quick nudge.

Is no one keen to report on UAE hotels?

To narrow it a bit,

I'm now semi-decided on Hilton Abu Dhabi ($100/nite with an exec lounge) and Hilton Sharjah (20 000 points/night with an exec lounge).

I've no idea whether they are conveniently located to shopping etc but I've read the taxis are reasonably well priced methods of transport.

Any experiences with either hotel are welcome or in fact any comments about accessibilty also welcome. We're considering about 7 nights but don't know whether its better to spend more in one over the other.

 

[markis10]

What do you plan on doing will probably influence the decision, Dubai is pretty spread out so no one hotel fits all. Abu Dhabi is probably similar but I chose a Yas marina hotel as its close to many attractions as well as the airport and I have only 40 odd hours to visit. I would also look carefully at the best rate guarantees, my IHG stay triggered one so I am getting a free night which still counts as qualifying for promos such as big win re brands etc.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What do you plan on doing will probably influence the decision,

To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what we'll be doing. What do the typical tourists do here? Obviously shopping and sightseeing, but just what that includes I've got no idea.

 

[romney]

Hi swanning it

I haven't been to Dubai since 2008 and I am sure things have changed a lot since then, but at the time we were looking to move there so I did a lot of research. I would look carefully at where Hilton Sharjah is, because Sharjah is the next Emirate over. It joins Dubai quite close to the old part of the city, and there is no obvious border. Problem is that Sharjah can have some different laws than Dubai - I think as an example alcohol is completely forbidden.

Anyway, this may all be okay for you, but I just wanted to let you know. Remember it's been a while, so I suggest you check what I've said as it may have changed

 

[markis10]

Well the malls are numerous and large so that's a day or two done, there there are tours to the souks, desert dinners, water parks, checking out the worlds tallest building etc etc. I do recommend planning ahead, if the Burj Kalifa is in play look at rebooking a dawn tour, and don't miss the desert dinner, it's quite good value.

 

[serfty]

I have a 23 hour transit in Abu Dhabi in about four weeks and due to being HHonors diamond ONLY looked at the Hilton properties there (of which there were two).

I chose the cheapest option of the Hilton "Capital Grand" (being about 2/3 the cost).

The other may be better if you are staying longer.

Here's a TR that may assist: www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/...el-auh-long-way-round-50912-2.html#post834029

 

[JessicaTam]

I was just about to find the reference to my TR, but serfty beat me to it.

I found the H AUH to be quite good. The service was excellent, even though the hotel itself is getting a little tired. It is reportedly the oldest hotel in AUH. It is close to a large shopping mall, Emirates Palace and the historical village. A BMW transfer from the airport was about AED100, with a taxi costing about AED30. Ferrari World was sort of on the way to the airport, but I cannot remember the fare.

I would have no hesitation staying at the Hilton again.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sharjah is the next Emirate over. It joins Dubai quite close to the old part of the city, and there is no obvious border. Problem is that Sharjah can have some different laws than Dubai - I think as an example alcohol is completely forbidden.

Great feedback.....an EL with no grog :shock:. No wonder it's 20K a nite........I'll phone the hotel and ask.

I do note all the other Hilton group hotels in Dubai are expensive. I do have the backup of IHG and SPG so any property specific info is welcome although this time, I'm not into spending huge amounts on a hotel room. We're just as likely to forgo Dubai and do more in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have a 23 hour transit in Abu Dhabi in about four weeks and due to being HHonors diamond ONLY looked at the Hilton properties there (of which there were two).

I chose the cheapest option of the Hilton "Capital Grand" (being about 2/3 the cost).

The other may be better if you are staying longer.

Funny how it changes......I've no idea why Hilton Abu Dhabi is so cheap. The Capital Grand for the dates we're searching, is 3 x the cost of Hilton Abu Dhabi! Go figure!

 

[markis10]

Funny how it changes......I've no idea why Hilton Abu Dhabi is so cheap. The Capital Grand for the dates we're searching, is 3 x the cost of Hilton Abu Dhabi! Go figure!

Its closer to the exhibition centre, for the dates I am staying the Aloft is 3x other SPG properties for the same reason.

 

[markis10]

Great feedback.....an EL with no grog :shock:. No wonder it's 20K a nite........I'll phone the hotel and ask.

I do note all the other Hilton group hotels in Dubai are expensive. I do have the backup of IHG and SPG so any property specific info is welcome although this time, I'm not into spending huge amounts on a hotel room. We're just as likely to forgo Dubai and do more in Abu Dhabi.

Have a look at doing at least one night at the Marriott marquis and checkout the Burj Kalifa and Dubai Mall, the executive lounge at the Mariott will widen your horizons as will the mall! worth the cost, forget loyalty, it's not often you get to stay in the highest hotel in the world while checking out the highest building in the world.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I was just about to find the reference to my TR, but serfty beat me to it.

My thanks to serfty and JessicaTam for the info (along with pmdg7444 for an additional and very informative report). Jess, I found your trip report excellent. Great read! We'll likely be flying VA29 (booked with VS points) so in whY only (J would cost us an additional AU$4511, or W, an additional AU$2005, which we'd prefer to spend on shopping rather than flying). On my brief read, your "slumming it" on VA metal SYD-AUH was in W? I've read very little about VA whY. We're choosing VA29 predominently due to using VS points (no EY code sharing) but also because the 3,3,3 config on VA whY sounds slightly more comfortable than EY 3,4,3. I'm not sure if that logic holds water or not. We also looked at MLE-HKG-SYD on CX J (thanks to some Facebooker FFer responding to Lisas post ) which at US$700 seemed an absolute bargain, but once again, as there are 3 of us, US$2100 is spending money at Maldives for us, over a nice flying experience. I know this is anti-AFFer mentality, but we've decided to do OOL-SYD-AUH-MLE-SIN-BNE with a combination of VS and VA points for 3 of us for a total of 349 200 points (which we either have, or will earn within the plat guaranteed reward booking timeframe).

All up, I think we have a 17 day (or so), AU$20 000+ Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Maldives and Singapore holiday all on points + spending cash. Apart from flying whY, it's hard to find fault in that :mrgreen:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

forget loyalty,

Can I frame that quote and hang it in the QFlounge? :mrgreen:

I never thought I'd hear those words uttered by markis10!

OK, you've tempted me. I'll at least price them (pacemaker charged and at the ready and blood pressure tablets within reach)!

 

[JessicaTam]

Yes, MEL-CHC-SYD-AUH was in premium economy.

Looks like you will have a busy 17 days.