Holiday Inn Bur Dubai – Embassy District

Although the surrounding block is full of concrete block residential buildings and not much of interest, the interior of the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai is an oasis, stylishly decorated with glass chandeliers, marble floors, a bright interior atrium courtyard, potted plants and trees, and other touches that are both distinct to Dubai and familiar to Western travelers. There is a Starbucks in the lobby, for example, but also a silver cart with complimentary tea and dates. Two Guineas English Pub is similarly comfortable, channeling the UK with a wooden bar and chairs, flat-screens on every wall, leather lounge chairs, and whisky and beer posters on the walls; the bar regularly hosts live music, but can get a little smoky and rowdy at times. The more refined main restaurant, Anwar Restaurant, where breakfast is served, occupies the airy open atrium. The rooftop pool area is spacious and sun-soaked, with several tables and a pool bar, but there's unfortunately not much of a view, save for the surrounding construction cranes. The fitness center is large and bright, equipped with high-end weight machines and equipment.

Situated in an older residential area in Dubai’s Embassy district, the Holiday Inn is within a five-minute walk of the Burjuman metro and mall, putting both the rest of the city and plenty of shopping and dining within throwing distance. The hotel's immediate surroundings are unfortunately unattractive, with run-down concrete block buildings and lots of construction. It’s a 10-minute walk from the hotel to Dubai’s famous creek, where water taxis ferry people across to the souk. Alternately, on the metro, most of Dubai’s big attractions -- including the Dubai Museum, less than five minutes away, and the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, World Trade Centre, and more -- can be reached within a half an hour. The airport is about a 10-minute drive or shuttle ride away.

Channeling old-world luxury with red carpet, curtains, and upholstery, all 210 rooms at the Holiday Inn are comfortable, spacious, and decorated as you'd expect for a somewhat dated upscale chain hotel, most with a large sitting area and furnishings that include a gold love seat, floor lamp, stained-wood furniture, and abstract floral prints on the walls. Suites are larger and even more opulent in their aesthetic, with gilded furnishings, patterned gold-and-red fabrics, and hardwood floors in some areas. Bathrooms are slick and modern, with stone tile-work, gilded mirrors, and combinations shower/tubs; some are a bit narrow. All rooms have free standard Wi-Fi, a desk and chair, flat-screen TV, coffee and tea facilities, a well-stocked minibar, free slippers, and a safe. Some rooms have little natural light and look into the hotel’s interior courtyard. None of the rooms have notable views, though, as those with outside windows look onto surrounding buildings.

Renovated in 2009, the Holiday Inn has all the facilities expected of an upscale chain, including free garage parking and Wi-Fi access. There are four restaurants and bars, including an English pub with live music and TVs for watching sports, a main restaurant that serves an extensive buffet breakfast (not included) and international fare for lunch and dinner, a rooftop pool bar, and a lobby cafe with Starbucks coffee. In addition to the rooftop pool, the hotel has a well-equipped fitness center, sauna, steam room, and a spa/salon that offers massages and nail and hair services. Business-friendly features include a ballroom, five boardrooms, a business center, an airport shuttle, and 24-hour reception. There's also a gift shop in the lobby. Pets are not allowed at this hotel.