Waldorf Astoria - Dubai

[Deleted member 29185]

Has anyone stayed there?

I note the Waldorf brand hotels do not include exec lounge access or complementary breakfast for diamond, so is it worth staying at a Waldorf Astoria over a Conrad or even Hilton? Has anyone experienced Waldorfs being more generous than their minimum obligations?

The reason I ask is that the WA in Dubai is available at the moment for 80k points whereas the Hilton Jumeirah (where I'm currently booked) and the Conrad are both 70k. The new Doubletree is also a consideration at 20k + AUD91 or 50k outright (which gives a buy price per point of a pretty decent 0.3 of an AU cent).

Any info, experiences or advice is welcomed and will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cynicor]

No experiences with Waldorf Astorias, but my general attitude is that I prefer club access to a nicer room, especially if it is cheaper.

I guess you need to compare the room, reviews and ratings, locations and the lounge offerings to make the choice. I'd probably go for a Conrad at those prices, assuming that it is better than the Hilton and DT.

I'm not sure what makes the W=As any better than other HH hotels but I'm guessing its just room size, decor and possibly staff service. I'd rather breakfast, afternoon tea, free champagne and snacks.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I note the Waldorf brand hotels do not include exec lounge access or complementary breakfast for diamond, so is it worth staying at a Waldorf Astoria over a Conrad or even Hilton? Has anyone experienced Waldorfs being more generous than their minimum obligations?

Stayed at Waldorf in London and indeed exec lounge access not a problem. Hot breakfast in exec lounge also but Cont Brekkie rule strictly enforced downstairs in main restaurant when exec lounge overflowed - jerks!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd probably go for a Conrad at those prices

Coincidentally, the Conrad also has a points+pay option which gives a buy price for a HH point at an even better 0.25 of an AU cent(28000+AUD107) as opposed to the HH sell price per point of 1 US cent.

 

[Cynicor]

Stayed at Waldorf in London and indeed exec lounge access not a problem. Hot breakfast in exec lounge also but Cont Brekkie rule strictly enforced downstairs in main restaurant when exec lounge overflowed - jerks!

To note- I do not believe the Waldorf in London is a Waldorf Astoria, just to confuse things. I'm fairly sure it is a Hilton...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

To note- I do not believe the Waldorf in London is a Waldorf Astoria, just to confuse things. I'm fairly sure it is a Hilton...

Oh maybe I don't know - ok I'll try again - also stayed at Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai and exec lounge and full breakfast in main restaurant included - but that was a compl night with Centurion so I don't know if the promo aspect influenced that experience - but wow what an experience - FABULOUS!

 

[Cynicor]

So it seems like London had a W=A in 2011 but it was rapidly downgraded and by 2013 turned into a Hilton too. That was the Syon Park hotel. The Waldorf is actually called the Waldorf Hilton apparently.

I look forward to one day trying a Waldorf Astoria hotel. Probably in Asia I expect.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I received a reply to an email I sent to Waldorf Astoria Dubai asking about diamond exec lounge benefits and the reply was.....

Please be advised that we have an executive lounge.However it’s only available for guests who book the premiere room, premiere suite,Waldorf Astoria suite ,Presidential suite and the Royal suite.

Assuming I probably won't be upgraded from a base 80000 point booking, I guess that means, no!

This is a relatively new hotel (I think there are still some finishing touches going on), but the reviews I've read so far are pretty much evenly divided between good and ho-hum, so I'm leaning away from spending 80k a night there when I can do a points+pay at the Conrad for 28k a night. The big incentive still for this hotel, is the location. Being able to say we stayed on the "Palm" is certainly an incentive, but the 40min trip into Dubai is certainly a disincentive..........what to do, what to do??

 

[markis10]

This is a relatively new hotel (I think there are still some finishing touches going on), but the reviews I've read so far are pretty much evenly divided between good and ho-hum, so I'm leaning away from spending 80k a night there when I can do a points+pay at the Conrad for 28k a night. The big incentive still for this hotel, is the location. Being able to say we stayed on the "Palm" is certainly an incentive, but the 40min trip into Dubai is certainly a disincentive..........what to do, what to do??

Why is staying on the Palm an incentive, unless your planning on a holiday around the waterpark or checking out the Michelin star restaurants I cannot think of any reason why you would bother?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Why is staying on the Palm an incentive, unless your planning on a holiday around the waterpark or checking out the Michelin star restaurants I cannot think of any reason why you would bother?

The Palm is a world renowned icon. Most people know of it and staying on it would be skite value only. A conversation piece at best.