Dubai Marine Resort & Spa Hotel

We booked our holiday at the Dubai Marine Resort & Spa Hotel the very last minute (booked on 8th August and flew out on 14th August). We only went out for 5 days. Due to this we didn't have much choice in hotels to stay at. My sister had been to Dubai in May this year and twice last year, she actually recommmened the Habtoor Grand and the Oasis (very good by the way). These were fully booked and we were only left with Dubai Marine Resort and Spa. My husband and I thought we'd risk it for a biscuit even though the last few reviews of the hotel had been quite bad (too be honest I don't know what planet these people lived on but their reviews of this hotel were unjust!!!!)

Ok from the start of the holiday we flew with Emirates (economy class). Compared to British Airways they were fantastic. We had great seats and food was fine. You have your own TV screen and hundreds of films to choose from. One more tip join Emirates Skywards loyalty scheme and make sure you opt for meet and greet service as you get through passport control with a click of a finger. We wished we had done this as we waited ages to get through, almost an hour (not something you want to do after travelling for 7hours).

We arrived in Dubai in the early hours of (15th August) Wednesday morning. (The Dubai airport duty free is great). A good tip buy some alcohol at the airport as Dubai is an alcohol free country, therefore it is very expensive to buy in any hotel or bar. The heat in August is unbelieveable (44oc upwards in the day and 35oc at night), it hit us like a slap in the face as soon as we stepped off the plane. We had no problems getting to hotel as we had arranged transfers, very advisable if you don't want to go looking for a taxi in the middle of the night.

The hotel is on Jumeriah road and on the city end of Jumeriah beach about 20mins taxi ride from the main hotels on Jumeriah beach. Don't let that put you off as it a goods place to be for the shopping and sand safari. On arrival at hotel, we checked in and the receptionist offered to upgrade us to one of their junior suites for about £28 extra per night. We actually said yes!! (Yes I know, we shouldn't have agreed without looking at the new room). Anyway we booked in without any problems and were driven to our room in a golf buggy. Good idea as we were shattered by then. Yes there is building works going on but only in the day when most guests are away from their rooms. In all honesty it is the same anywhere you stay in Dubai as we had made a few friends in differents hotels from the trips we had done and they thought the same.

The junior suite was big, new and very clean. The free toilettries were all Molton Brown (great for me as that's what I use). We were also left with 2 bottles of mineral water a basket of fruit and some other things. The bed in the suite was queen size. The bathroom had a jacuzzi and very powerful shower. The next day we felt a bit silly upgrading as we didn't feel the suite was worth the extra money. We down graded back to a standard room (no problems with the hotel for the change) , which to be honest was just fine as we hardly spent anytime in it. The differences between the rooms are no jacuzzi in the standard bathroom but same shower, just normal toilettries, king size bed instead of queen, no dining table and chairs in standard room, no free fruit or water (but that's for the first night only), both rooms have an electronic safe. Otherwise everything else is the same including fridge and mini bar but cheaper with the standard room. You don't need to take your own beach towels as you're given a towel card each and are allowed to take upto 2 towels each at any given time.

We had a good first nights rest, even though the hotel is near a mosque (which is pretty common where ever you stay in Dubai, bear in mind that you are visiting a muslim country). We missed the buffet breakfast on the first day, so had lunch instead (The breakfasts and lunches are served in the Taverna). I wasn't sure at first about the food as it look a bit yuckky, (I'm indian by the way and am very used to eating curries and odd foods.) My reservations about the food and restaurant was all wrong because of the previous bad reviews. The food was fine and caters for all. Lots of fruits and salad available as it's too hot to eat heavy meals in the day (however big meals are there if you want). Some foods are carried over to the next meal but to be honest that's expected in any hotel you stay in Dubai even the really expensive ones. Do not attempt to take any fruit or food outside the restaurant as you are not allowed. We saw some Russian bloke feel very stupid when the restaurant manager confiscated his full carrier bag, that he had been slyly filling throughout breakfast so unless you want to look an idiot in front of everyone don't do it as they class it as stealing!!!!!

The beach has nearly white sand and very clear warm water, it is small, pretty and private from locals and other hotels. I thought the beach was very clean and there are more than enough beds & umbrellas to go round. There is none of this business of germans and towels at dawn, whatever time of day we went onto the beach we found a good spot. There is a guy who will come round and put up an umbrella and bed where ever you want to park your butt. A bit of warning the sand gets very hot and you will need fip flops that won't melt in the sun to get from the beach to the sea (only a few steps but enough to burn your feet). There are also a couple of security guards patroling the beach, so you don't really need to worry about your valuables whilst you're in the water or away from your bed. There are 3 swimming pools and the sea, which all have fully qualified lifeguards at all times.

At lunch times we either ate at the beach bar or at our sun beds. The food is fresh and plentiful. The mocktails (cocktails without alcohol are fab). We ate out in Meena Bazaar most nights as it's cheap and lots to choose from (about 20mins taxi ride). Try everything, you only live once!!! We loved the Lebanise food.

Wherever you go in Dubai it's too hot to walk and you will need a car or taxi which are very cheap. For the women take a thin shawl or a cardigan as the temperature from the outside to the inside of any shop can vary up to 20oc, (it's like have hot & cold flushes). There is virtually no crime in Dubai because if anyone commits a crime they are kicked out of the country instantly and will never be allowed back in. Good idea I think!!!

In whole we thought Dubai Marine Resort and Spa is a nice simple hotel and ideal for couples, friends and families to stay at. It shouldn't be classed a 5 star, more a high 3 or a low 4. The staff are very friendly and always keen to help. I have already recommened it to some friends who are going there in a couple of weeks. In your room you will find a Timeout magazine for Dubai, make sure you read it as it has good tips and recommendations on where to go for food, music and shopping and it always upto date.Make sure you put aside a day for the Wild Wadi water park as it is just amazing. We have never had so much fun, we went in at 11:30am and didn't leave until 6pm. People were still coming in as we were leaving. Do try and do the Sand Safari as it's a once in a lifetime experience. It's definately not for the faint hearted. I get car sick quite quickly and was ill right on que through the trip but it was well worth it. I would do it again in a heart beat. I hope that all that I have written will help you enjoy your trip to Dubai.