Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Our first visit to this hotel was when our son was 1. Returning when he was 7, we were unsure whether the high standards we remembered had been maintained. We need not have worried, other than a few issues the stay was most pleasant. We had booked a club room that included transfers. On arrival at the hotel we were met by a manager, warmly welcomed, provided with cool towels, drinks and check in took place in our room. We had been upgraded to a suite and it was stunning with lots of space, including a terrace with chairs and sun loungers. The standard of cleaning of our suite seemed to deteriorate as the days progressed but when raised with a housekeeping supervisor they were very responsive. Food options were varied and of a high standard except in the buffet restuarant. Amala was our favourite restuarant. We observed dress codes not being enforced with several guests in their pyjamas at breakfast. In my opinion this marks the rapid decline in hotel standards. We had access to the the club lounge and it was a wonderful haven to escape the crowds at breakfast in the main restuarant. We had a few negative experiences around management of allergies and poor food offerings. Resolution took time and resulted in complaints to senior managers as junior staff seemed unable to resolve our concerns. The kids club had not yet been constructed at our last visit and it was a souce of great excitement for our son. He spent many happy hours there, more to do with the video games there than the other varied activities on offer. The spa was just as I remembered, amazing and hubby was pleased with the gym facilities. We hired a speed boat for 30 minutes and we had an amazing time. All in all a satisfactory stay and this time we will not leave it 6 years before returning.

We stayed here for 9 nights at the end of February 2020. Staff were lovely, very attentive and helpful. The reception area of the hotel is beautiful, rooms were large and clean although I feel they are a little dated. Hotel is based almost right at the end of the branch of the palm, overlooking the mainland of Dubai. Lots and lots of building work going on everywhere! From our hotel you can walk along the beach to the very end which is where the One & Only Hotel is. Have to say it would have been so disappointing if we had of booked to stay there as lying on the beach all you could hear would be building works going on and the view is of two huge new buildings lots of cranes and too much noise. This could explain why the beach at the One & Only was completely empty and very sole less. Anyway sorry I digress! Our beach was lovely, plenty of sunbeds and the staff came around with ice lollies and water. There is an adult only area at the very end of the beach which suited us being without children. There were an awful lot of children at the hotel at the time we were there, all very small children. We were given an upgrade to a club room for our 10th wedding anniversary which was a very nice touch, however, we were then told that it was the room only and that we were not allowed to use the club facilities which seemed a pointless upgrade as I am sure all rooms are big enough anyway. Huge marble bath that took an eternity to fill. Shower was fine although as I say a little tired around the grouting. I was disappointed with hotel towels and bathrobes as they were quite thin and not very luxurious at all. We had a small balcony which was nice; great view of an evening across the palm. Beds were very comfortable. Small mini bar available. We stayed half board; breakfast was served in the main restaurant; buffet style. Always quite busy and although a fairly good choice, it was very repetitive, same things every day. We have had much better breakfasts/choices in 5 star hotels previously. No option to have your breakfast elsewhere (if you book a club room there is a breakfast room specifically for club guests, although this looked very quite every time we passed by and very sole less). Diner was either at the restaurant again, or in one of the other restaurants (I have to be honest it has been 3 weeks since our return and I am having difficulty remembering the food in the restaurants we ate in as although very nice nothing special). Wine etc very expensive. We paid ??50 for 2 double gin and tonics in the Indian restaurant. The traditional 'British Pub' (love to see a pub like that in Britain!) did a happy hour from 5-7 two drinks for the price of one, however, this is not on every drink, you are limited to about 2-3 spirits and 2-3 beers, quite strange really! ??12 for 2 bottles of beer during happy hour. There is the facility to eat at any of the 40 restaurants that are part of the hotel chain and we chose to eat at the Burj Al Arab for our wedding anniversary. This was such a lovely experience. There is an additional fee to pay to each at some of the other restaurants and the menu is limited due to the deal that is set up. Taxi's from the hotel across to mainland Dubai are really cheap. Having not been for a year or two we went across to the Walk, wow this has come on in leaps and bounds, lots of restaurants and the beach area was fab. Lots of life going on around you. All in all a great stay at this hotel

Stayed for my wife's birthday and it was exceptional - such a calm & relaxing place with exceptionally attentive staff and lovely grounds. Breakfast was one of the best we have sampled - and going to Club Room was definitely worth the extra money Highly Highly Recommended hotel.