Crowne Plaza Dubai

Anywhere but Dubai, the 23-floor Crowne Plaza might look like a towering monstrosity; in the center of Dubai, surrounded by even taller hotels and buildings with even shinier glass, it simply blends in. Gilded escalators flanked by palm trees and marble walls lead from the entrance to the lobby, crowned by an oversized chandelier. High, arching ceilings tower over gilded columns. Every public area is filled with a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, especially the myriad restaurants and cafes, filled with people of all cultures and ages relaxing after a day of exploring or holding business meetings. The carpets and walls in the hallways are where you see the hotel’s age, they're in need of a refresh. The restaurants are each decorated according to the cuisine's theme; for example, the Italian Al Fresco is decked out in checkered tablecloths and simple wooden chairs, while the entrance to the steak joint has a large statue of a crouching bull. The hotel's social atmosphere makes it feel like an epicenter of Dubai’s business and social scene.

The Crowne Plaza is located on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road, the major artery that runs through the city, leading to Abu Dhabi to the south-west and Sharjah to the north-east. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to a Dubai Metro stop, which can get you to major attractions in Dubai in 25 minutes or less (buy a gold ticket to avoid getting jammed into a crowd). The hotel is surrounded by many other high-rise hotels, offices, and residential buildings, as well as a few cafes and restaurants on street level. The area is safe but extremely busy. The World Trade Centre is about a 10-minute walk away and the Emirates Towers train station is about seven minutes. The airport is about 15 minutes away by car and Ski Dubai, Wild Wadi Water Park, Emirates Mall, and Al Badia Golf Club are all about 20 minutes away by car. The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are about 10 minutes away by car or metro and the nearest beach, Kite Beach, is about 15 minutes away by car. The hotel offers free parking for one car per room daily, and airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

From standard rooms to executive suites to three-bedroom apartments, there are 568 guest rooms throughout the Crowne Plaza’s 23 floors, over half of which are non-smoking. All rooms feature some mix of antique-style wooden cabinetry -- dressers with brass handles, desks with tall mirrors, and nightstands with built-in alarm clocks -- and have the feel of an upscale 1990s American chain. Some Premium Rooms, apartments, and suites come with fresh flowers and fruit, and have a kitchenette with a stove top, sink, and mini-fridge -- especially convenient for families. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with cable, a mini-bar, and air-conditioning. All bathrooms are spacious, with combination shower/tubs, bathrobes, and eco-friendly toiletries, but some are more modern in style than others. Some rooms have impressive views of the city and surrounding buildings, but none feature much in the way of decoration, save an abstract print or two adorning the walls. Some rooms look out upon the busy Sheikh Zayed Road and street noise is sometimes audible.

As one of the Dubai strip's original luxury hotels, the Crowne Plaza has an impressive number of facilities. The hotel is home to 13 restaurants, cafes, and bars, including an English sports pub (Harvesters, also home to the local Manchester United supporters group), a steak house, and Brazilian, French, Italian, and Japanese restaurants as well as a night club with live DJs. South American bands play live music in the Brazilian restaurant (Chamas Churrascaria) six days a week. There is a decent-sized outdoor pool with a pool bar and loungers, and the wellness complex also includes a large fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a spa with a sauna and a variety of massages and body treatments. The hotel has 15 meeting rooms including an enormous ballroom, banquet hall, and all the necessary equipment for presentations and business conventions.There is a parking lot on site, with free valet parking for guests. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, as well as a well-equipped business center. Laundry, dry cleaning, and babysitting services are available, including nannies for hire. There are special deals available for Crowne Plaza Club members. No pets are allowed in the hotel.