Spugsy

It looks ace, me and mrs spugsy and some mates are going in a few weeks,

anyone been?

Euc-

I've been a few times, last time was last week actually and I liked it a lot, make sure you don't get the cheapest room though as then your "view" will look like this:



Opposed to this:

Euc-

Was thinking, try and book the Villas if your with friends anyway, we had one last week and they are great!

Hilton Resort is amazing as well btw..

Shadya

Not really my cup of tea. Where are the lawns and trees? Too much concrete for my liking.

Jeeper

Agreed.....doesn't look to appealing.

Go to Jal....it's the best on the east coast. Looks like a joke from the road but it's excellent once checked in. .

Autonomy

JAL is very good and great value. The Teppan restaurant is great... Been a few times now.

I have a slight *meh* feeling about Rotana in general... interested to hear what the Cove is like though....

Euc-

Why is that actually?

To tell you the truth, I'm considering a job with them again, as they did me a very good offer.

Spugsy

yeah its a 2 bed villa, me and the mrs and 2 mates sharing other room.

Spugsy

I shall report back.

Autonomy

I thought you either did or had worked with them...

Maybe I've got a bit Dubai jaded, but in general I find them not quite of the same standard in terms of restaurants, staffing, rooms etc - I mean they are above your Ramees or Golden Tulip but not really in the same league as Jumeriah, Intercon, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Fairmont etc...

I know that's their positioning, but as a customer.... maybe you can bring about some changes

Euc-

I did, worked at Al Bustan Rotana last year, went back home for a few months and I'm back here now, was originally going to work for the Ritz, but due to staffing changes over there I will not work for them (long story).

Anyway, now I'm considering some new offers. Already rejected some but now I'm mainly considering one with Rotana in Dubai and one with a very luxurious opening hotel in RAK. Both have similar offers, both have pro's and cons. (Living in RAK is not an issue for me).

With regards to Rotana, I agree with you that they are not in the same league as Jumeirah, Shangri-La, Fairmont and all the other luxury brands. I personally think Beach Rotana is the best hotel they have, specially when your in the new tower, and from experience I think that Beach is definitely on par with Fairmont and Shangri-La for example.

Rotana's main problem is that they have a huge portfolio, from hotel apartments to five star hotels, and people think they are all alike. All the other hotels you mentioned have only five star properties all over the world, and not like Rotana which is only in the Middle-East and very different hotels.

I do believe they are rebranding, wanting to reserve the brand name "Rotana" only for their luxury properties, while others are being renamed Arjaan, Centro, Rahyaan etc. But of course this will take time.

commander

Beach Rotana is Abu Dhabi is great....

benzonar

Apart from the fact that they have stopped all alcohol during ramadam

soukie

I remember the Beach Hotel closed their bars last Ramadan too. We are off to the Al Bustan Rotana in Dubai this weekend so let's hope the booze ban isn't Emirate wide!