Hotel Pullman Dubai Downtown (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

The pool bar is very appealing and a great area in which to enjoy a drink or two at the end of a long day. Breakfast is also excellent and so too is the service. If you are here at lunchtime, you won’t be disappointed either. It is, though, an easy walk to a number of restaurants. Most members of staff are friendly and helpful.

Rooms are clean and attractively decorated with soothing colours. Very relaxing. Beds are very comfortable.

The location is good and the rooftop pool is stunningly appealing. Small, but impressive. There’s plenty going on here and entertainment is good. It’s only a 15 minute walk to Dubai Mall and a walk or run along the canal path is a great pre-breakfast way to acquire an appetite.

In-house music and entertainment from the bar in the pool area is deafening and goes on late into the night. There seems to be little or no sound insulation so the problem is apparent, even in the higher floor rooms.

Without a detailed knowledge of the city’s traffic systems, it’s difficult to find and access the hotel. A frustrating start to the stay.

The front desk phone answering is sluggish and subsequent responses to maintenance issues are equally slow. The same criticism can be levelled at the checkin process which, after a long journey, is very frustrating and long drawn out. Staff move a lot quicker, but in the opposite direction, when you request assistance with the transportation of luggage. They don’t like doing this. It’s surprising and disappointing, given the hotel’s high rating.