Conrad - Dubai

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Anyone in a position to compare the Conrad in Dubai with the Hilton Jumeirah Beach?

I like the idea of the Hilton (being a resort) but I am assuming the Conrad is somewhat better....perhaps.

I just did a search and there doesn't appear to be much written here on AFF about the Conrad so any feedback will be appreciated.
 
Anyone in a position to compare the Conrad in Dubai with the Hilton Jumeirah Beach?

Now I am surprised. No one stayed at the Conrad in Dubai?

I did some reading of customer ratings on line and both these properties get pretty good reviews (both around the 4.5 out of 5 mark). Even though my preference is for the resort style of accommodation on the beach, the Conrad reviews seem to paint a picture of a nicer experience with about the only complaints there being directed toward the internet, having to pay and the quality, as a diamond, I won't have to pay and the quality, hey, I'll be on holidays so who cares? The Conrad has two advantages that I can see, first being the location. It's right in town and right at a Metro station. Second, they offer a points and pay which gives a HH point a value of AU1.62 cents which is excellent value in my estimation (calculation includes taxes and service charge and based on the AAA rate for flexibility of cancellation which is what I want). The alternate Hilton Jumeirah Beach offers a point value of AU0.89 cents which is still respectable but considerably lower. The other two properties under consideration is the new Doubletree which gives a slightly lower value of AU0.87 cents but does not appear to have a lounge and the Waldorf at AU1.3 cents but also no lounge access (probably) and reviews aren't as good as the Conrad.

The prices:
Conrad - 28k + AU$134.75 incl./night (or 70k)
Hilton Jumeirah - 70k/night
Waldorf Astoria - 80k/night
Doubletree Al Barsha - 20k + AU$113.96 incl./night (or 50K)

All the properties have their benefits and I must admit, I like the choice of Hilton brands but Waldorf has now basically been ruled out due to location mainly, but also the reviews seem very much Ho-Hum (no atmosphere someone wrote). The Hilton has probably been ruled out even though I like the location, 70k a night is a lot to lose in one hit. Out of the Conrad and Doubletree, from a purely financial perspective, the Conrad lounge access would make it a better proposition to the Doubletree. Both have good access to the Metro, both have excellent reviews and both are very new hotels so really much of a muchness. I guess Conrad will be the choice due to higher point value and lounge access, even though it's more expensive.
 
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Sorry, I stayed at the Ritz when in DXB so can't comment on your choices other than to say that I would not bother with the Metro when there. Taxis are cheap and plentiful and even the short walk to the metro station would be unpleasant in the heat. Tbh I caught it once as I am a bit of a train spotter but it seemed to be only used by domestic help and those in the service industries. The Emiratis and westerners primarily take taxis.

I recall the Conrad and it is well located unless you want to spend time around the marina/the Palm.


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I think you it, swanning. Take the Conrad and let us know how it turns out!

Guess a lot of us don't do Dubai stopovers?
 
I recall the Conrad and it is well located unless you want to spend time around the marina/the Palm.

This is part of my problem. Having never been there before, I have no idea where we want to spend our time. Of course I do have another option....being a typical AFFer and just do mattress runs with the benefit of staying in different parts of the city and gaining those extra few nights toward diamond requal! ;)
 
This is part of my problem. Having never been there before, I have no idea where we want to spend our time. Of course I do have another option....being a typical AFFer and just do mattress runs with the benefit of staying in different parts of the city and gaining those extra few nights toward diamond requal! ;)

I spent a few months there last year but was on a high burn piece of work so didn't have much time to get out. It struck me that there are essentially two "precincts" in Dubai - Downtown and the Marina. Downtown is mostly the business end of town (it's where the Conrad is) but has the Dubai Mall and Burj. The Gold Souk is also up there. The Marina is more of the touristy end, has the beaches and waterparks etc. Most tourists would probably stay down near the Marina as it is still very easy to get up to the Mall/Burj by getting a cab on Sheikh Zayed Road. It would be maybe $30-odd to get from the Marina to the Burj. I think it was $100 from Downtown Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the Marina is about 1/3 of the way down Sheikh Zayed.

I know we have been talking Hilton but my colleagues raved about Grosvenor House (a Luxury Collection hotel) which is down in the Marina area. If you go down to Abu Dhabi, I stayed at the Fairmont opposite the Grand Mosque and it was absolutely amazing. One of the best hotels I've every stayed in.
 
there are essentially two "precincts" in Dubai - Downtown and the Marina.

Thanks for that. It actually helps in our decision process. As much as I know I'd love the Grosvenor and (most) Fairmonts, this trip is all about burning points rather than cash (although we'll do enough of that in any case). I nearly always buy accommodation with cash and this holiday is the burn time (in fact I think it just may be the first time I've every burnt accommodation points). I have a swag of IHG points as well, but to be honest, no matter how hard I try I just cannot get enthused over Holiday Inns :(.

Did you drive much? I'm thinking now of hiring a car and doing a bit more. Someone advised me that we have possibly too much time with 7 days in Abu Dhabi and Dubai so I'm also considering doing Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Ras Al Khaimah - Al Ain - Abu Dhabi and hiring a car to drive it.

Comments or suggestions?
 
Thanks for that. It actually helps in our decision process. As much as I know I'd love the Grosvenor and (most) Fairmonts, this trip is all about burning points rather than cash (although we'll do enough of that in any case). I nearly always buy accommodation with cash and this holiday is the burn time (in fact I think it just may be the first time I've every burnt accommodation points). I have a swag of IHG points as well, but to be honest, no matter how hard I try I just cannot get enthused over Holiday Inns :(.

Did you drive much? I'm thinking now of hiring a car and doing a bit more. Someone advised me that we have possibly too much time with 7 days in Abu Dhabi and Dubai so I'm also considering doing Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Ras Al Khaimah - Al Ain - Abu Dhabi and hiring a car to drive it.

Comments or suggestions?

I didn't drive at all because taxis were so convenient, and didn't go outside of Dubai/Abu Dhabi so not sure how much I can add. The roads over there are a bit insane (in terms of the drivers you share the space with) so hope you are confident with your driving.

7 days is probably as long as I'd want to spend there as I found that once I'd done the shopping I wanted to do there wasn't much else to look at. There are definitely activities to do (camel riding, desert dinners, 4WD'ing, Ferrari World, indoor snow skiing, waterparks etc) so if you're into that sort of thing I'm sure you'd be able to fill your time (apparently they've just opened an A380 simulator in the mall). Restuarants were quite expensive (particularly with alcohol, as you'd expect), but we had dinner at Nobu when over there and that was quite nice.
 
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I've booked the Dubai Conrad for five nights in November, so will also be interested to hear about it if anyone stays there before then.
 
Interesting comments.
I have a personal preference for the Hilton Jumeriah Beach. I haven't stayed there as yet, though I had a good inspection recently & enjoyed the vibe & location.
I stayed nearby at the Rotana which was also fantastic. Not sure about the Conrad, it looks impressive & very popular with the business clientele.
Though either one would be a nice experience.
Also agreed in regards to the comment re: most Holiday Inn Properties.
Spend most of my time in the humble AD emirate & more of an expert on Yas Island & surrounding environs if you require any further information.
Cheers, jl :D
 
Spend most of my time in the humble AD emirate & more of an expert on Yas Island & surrounding environs if you require any further information.
Cheers, jl :D

Many thanks, I have CP Yas Island booked for our first night, but that was mainly due to arrival time of midnight, we wanted something reasonably close to the airport that we could spend points on and CP was it. It doesn't look like much and we're not expecting much and don't really care as we thought we'd probably have a sleep in the next morning regardless (so complementary breakfast not so important), then do Yas attractions and later that day head closer in to AB (most likely to the Hilton Abu Dhabi which is 16k + AU$81.40 incl.) Markis10 suggested Hilton Capital Grand which is 30k and if we stay 5 nights (fifth free) that's just 24k a night which is also an idea with merit, just that it locks us into 5 nights (at least) in Abu Dhabi. We fly in and out of AD so we were planning on at least the first and last nights in AD which then makes 5 nights difficult and still get Dubai in without travelling there on day trips. I guess we could decide to travel the first night from AD airport straight to Dubai and stay on the AD side (eg Hilton Jumeirah) which might only be just over an hours drive (??), which could then result in Dubai for two nights and AD for 5 nights, but it still sounds a bit too much time tied in AD. I was thinking (if we don't do the road trip) that 3 nights Dubai and 4 nights (given the first is basically a non-event) in AD would be ideal.
 
I've booked the Dubai Conrad for five nights in November, so will also be interested to hear about it if anyone stays there before then.
And if not, you could take the prize for the first AFF comments regarding your stay! I'd be curious to hear about it.
 
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