We went for 5 days at the beginning of September. It was our first trip to Dubai and the city itself was exactly as we had expected it - hot and dusty. However, the Residence & Spa exceeded our expectations. It was an oasis in the middle of the two larger sister hotels and was mainly frequented by couples in their forties to sixties and a smattering of younger honeymooners. We saw only one child, but that's to be expected as the neighbouring hotels target the family market. The ambience was rather like a colonial house. Some reviewers have said that it seemed stuffy, but they were people who were staying at the other hotels and visiting for dinner. It certainly has a different and quieter ambience, but I wouldn't have said it was in any way stuffy. Staff was friendly and eager to please. We stayed in the premium room (entry level) and it was large and comfortable and more than adequate for our needs.
The pool was very big and temperature controlled which I think is standard in Dubai. It made for a very refreshing cool down and we swam more there than anywhere else we've stayed. The pool service was exceptional - every time we put down our tumbler it was refilled with cold water. We also had fruit and sorbet, which was a nice little treat.
We particularly liked the fact that we could use the restaurants of the Arabian Court and Palace. During our stay we at at the Beach Bar (Palace) and Nina and Eau Zone (Arabian Court) as well as two evenings in the Dining Room. The dining room was more expensive, but it was a fine dining experience of a wonderful standard. It was very quiet in there, though, and we felt we should keep our voices down! Maybe not for anyone other than couples? One reviewer said the food was bad, but that was certainly not our experience. All four restaurants rated very highly.
All in all, an excellent hotel and we are now very spoiled and will find it hard to stay elsewhere in Dubai.








