This was my first stay at this hotel since it was rebranded, however I have stayed over 60 nights in the past 8 years when it was a Hilton branded hotel. The ownership of the hotel hasn't changed, just the branding.
So, with all that said, all I can really do is compare it to the hotel it used to be. The hotel closed for like 6 months last year and did some renovations, reopening as the Golden Sands Hotel Creek. Still a great location near the airport (DXB) but far enough out of the flight path that aircraft noise isn't really an issue. The hotel is now alcohol free.
The main renovation I noticed was all new carpeting throughout and a new pool deck on the top floor. The carpet color scheme is a bit odd, with lots of light colors that already are showing stains and marks. It is a DEFINITE improvement from the old carpet which was very dated. The lobby is nice and sparkly but I always recall it was that way. The rooms were exactly the same with reupholstered furniture (still the same chrome framing and styling) and the glass top desk, wood style cabinets and black tile bathroom.
I was on the 8th floor in a ”Creek View” room (yes, I could ”see” the creek) but what I really saw was the huge LED info sign on the Chamber of Commerce building that I think might be new since I last stayed in April 2021. It was really an annoyance and reminded me more of Las Vegas than Dubai. The bed was comfortable but I'm unsure if it has been replaced.
Other things I noticed: bathroom sinks still drain slow; there is no way you can take a shower without partially flooding the bathroom floor; I think they removed a phone; they moved the Qibla compass from the glass desktop to the ceiling. Looks like they removed the sheer curtains and perhaps have replaced the blackout curtains.
What has really changed was the pricing. I paid almost double per night from what I paid in the past,
Check in was the same, always a bit slow. Since I booked through a travel site who required prepayment, all I had to pay for was the nightly some-sort-of-tax-or-fee which I was aware of. They didn't ask for nor perform a charge on my credit card so I could charge things to my room, which I found out the next night when room service ask for payment. I went the front desk the next morning and made the arrangement but somehow room service never could see that it was done so I had to pay at the time of food delivery.
I thought I was told at check in that rooms would be serviced daily but I had to call daily and they always took the used towels but never gave me clean ones until I called back. I was either asking for the wrong thing or there is a serious training issue.
Otherwise the room was fine although they did add a Do Not Disturb/Clean Room/Doorbell panel at the door.
The breakfast buffet was nice, lots of variety and it seems more Middle Eastern style items which was great, but also very suitable Western Style foods in plenty. I frankly only ate the breakfast buffet once in the past, almost always eating breakfast and a light dinner and aperitif in the Executive Lounge (which is now closed but looks exactly the same through when you look in).
So, here's the bottom line...... The hotel is nice, clean, a bit updated and still a nice boutique hotel in the Deira district, close to the airport and a larger souk A great view of the city and Dubai creek from the pool deck. If you stayed there when it was a Hilton, you will probably be a bit disappointed. The staff seemed nice, attentive, but somewhat untrained. Getting a simple document printed turned out to be a challenge and the business center was closed for some reason that didn't make sense to me. I will probably not stay there again and return to the Sheraton up the street. (which a staff member told me to go if I wanted a beer). Otherwise, give it a try and check it out for yourself!
PS: Did I mention it was alcohol free? :)
Excellent
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