The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

I stayed recently with my family for 2 weeks (2 small children a 3 and 5 year old) and absolutely LOVED our stay. The service was unbelievable and have yet to experience anything quite like it. All the staff knew who we were and would always greet my children with the biggest smiles. They quickly realised my son loved Spider-Man and would all engage with him. Darshan organised to surprise him one of the nights by dressing up as spider man and decorated the room with balloons and gifts. My children have not stopped talking about this wonderful experience. Gian & Naychi were wonderful with them at kids club - my children adored them and would ask to go, which is rare when we stay at other hotels. They also handmade my children gifts to say goodbye! The dining experience was outstanding - all meals were incredible and the service was amazing. My children love Japanese and Blue Jade became a quick favourite - they fell asleep at the restaurant one of the nights and the staff put chairs together to create a bed & brought a blanket out for each. All the other restaurants were also outstanding and the food did not disappoint. The cleaning staff would also create cute animals out of the towels, whilst it seems small, it made such a huge amount of excitement for my children. They loved the pools (3 to pick from). This hotel oozes class and sophistication with so much space outdoors, with plenty of activities to keep both children & adults entertained. Cana beach bar was really cool with a European vibe. Would highly recommend for anyone thinking about staying here and we will be back. Thanks Ritz Carlton Dubai for making our experience so memorable

There is no doubt that The Ritz Carlton is a lovely hotel. The grounds are spacious and beautifully kept. We stayed in a Club room which gave access to a lounge where food and drink was available throughout the day. We tended to get down to the beach early, spend the morning there and then go to the lounge for lunch and give the breakfast a miss. We thought the food in the lounge was delicious. The (paid) restaurants were also superb. Our particular favourite was Amaseena which has a wonderful belly dancer performing at the weekend. All the staff we encountered were extremely charming, friendly and very helpful. Our room service team were exceptional- I love a towel animal ! Unfortunately, however, I can’t give this hotel 5 stars as like previous reviewers the music from other venues is INSANELY loud. The beach bar along the way pumps out thumping music all day - when we first arrived I couldn’t work out where it was coming from and went to investigate- the volume was incredible- what it sounds like for the people inside the venue goodness only knows ! Some people have mentioned the sound of the little planes taking off - they start at about 8:15 am and take off about 2 every 30 minutes. I personally didn’t mind them but it could be annoying for some. On our final night Calvin Harris (DJ) was performing at a venue opposite the hotel at the end of the harbour. No joke this concert didn’t finish until 4am ! We had our balcony doors shut but the thumping music was still audible. I know these issues are nothing to do with the hotel but I think that people will stop coming here if they are looking for a relaxing and quiet experience. It’s such a shame because I would have definitely returned but these music issues have definitely put me off. Like the previous reviewer I’m not adverse to a bit of music but it was all a bit much ! So to sum up - we did have a great time, it is a lovely hotel - if they can have a word with the beach bar and get them to turn the music down I’d definitely return !

This was the best hotel experience of our life. The place was absolutely gorgeous, the rooms were perfect, the staff was incredibly thoughtful, kind, and helpful. The best service we have ever experienced. The breakfast buffet was excellent. The grounds and gardens were great. There were fresh flowers everywhere. Our suite's shades were motorized. It was an easy walk down the street to dozens of restaurants, and the beach. The only thing I hope they change in the future is the pool hours. Their pools all closed at sunset, including the one with the swim-up bar. Given that the sun goes down there between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm we would have loved to spend evenings enjoying the pool.

Very mixed feelings on this holiday. I visited in November for a rest after a stressful trip to New Zealand, I stayed in an executive club room with an ocean view. Pro's Firstly the Ritz Carlton is a nice hotel, the biggest plus is the employees, they are amazing, can't do enough for you and truly provide a 5 star experience. The food is very good and the public areas of the hotel are nice and clean. The spa is small but functional and I had an excellent massage by a very professional therapist. The food in the Club lounge is very good and you really don't need half board if you choose a club room with lounge access. Cons NOISE: Oh my goodness - now let me be clear I am very partial to summer in Ibiza, DJ's and quality dance music - however, the only quiet you get in this hotel is in the bedroom with the doors closed, even then you can hear the thumping of dance music at 3.30am. I actually got up to check I wasn't imagining it (and I had ear plugs in). There is competing music from multiple venues nearby and it's honestly just a racket. My ultimate impression was that it is like a five star hotel in Blackpool with sun!!! The adult pool has a DJ from 13.00 and in the other pools there are screaming kids! even in the club lounge there where kids screaming and running around, not what you want when you have paid extra for the facility. CONSTRUCTION: - Combined with the racket from competing dance music venues you also had the clanging of building work next door, it also doesn't look great, very built up and not peaceful at all. SPA: The showers aren't great in the spa, in fact some of them didn't work and not sure about the plunge pools which didn't look very well maintained. (One of the jets had come out and hadn't been replaced which made it look grubby and the hot pool definitely wasn't hot, more tepid water.) BEDROOM - Executive Club with Ocean View The rooms definitely don't have the 'wow' factor, they are very traditional brown and beige, the bed was very comfortable, however the 'ocean view' was debatable, I could just about see the ocean through palm trees from the side of the balcony but my immediate view was the rooms opposite and the FIVE hotel tower! The bathroom was nice, with a big bath and plenty of space, however the fittings in the sink / taps could do with replacing and the shower in the bathroom was poor, the water pressure wasn't great and the fittings weren't easy to use, after an 18 hour flight from New Zealand the last thing you need is to not have a decent shower. I was so disappointed with this holiday and to say it wasn't cheap was an understatement, (4k plus business class flights).

This review is based on the alleged 5 star rating and cost of stay. Although the building and rooms are of a high standard there are so many unacceptable issues ,which for us, would negate any return to this particular hotel. Two particular points that are positive are the hard working teams that keep the hotel communal areas and rooms immaculacy clean. Secondly, the upgrade to club allows access to the lounge, where breakfast, and snacks, meals can be taken, very nice setting and Albert the manager is outstanding . The negatives, and we stay globally in other 5* hotels including RC , and therefore compared . 1. Noise levels, very intrusive and bad. We had a ocean club room view, partly chosen as I like to sleep with window/balcony door open. From early evening through to dawn loud music from a beach bar further along the beach, so door had to be closed on balcony. When questioning with staff why why RC and other hotels don't jointly complain to have this stopped we were informed the owner of the beach bar was a cousin of the Royal Family, so basically can do whatever he wants. 2. There should be a warning when booking that you have the sky dive school next door, which means small plans are taking off and landing frequently from around 8am. Just awful. 3. Blue Jade restaurant, don't bother. Appalling service , badly managed and average Asian food. The staff do not enforce any dress code, we had to endure a drunk loud scruffy couple in dirty Jeans, shirts undone to the waist, chain smoking, and talking on their mobile phone with the speaker on. When initially complaining we asked for the staff to ask this couple to control their behaviour, staff refused , as they were ordering expensive wine. We were moved to another table but could still smell the smoke and hear the conversation on their speaker phone. Another complaint, restaurant manager and staff did nothing so we left. Dreadful experience and complaint made to hotel management. 3. Pool area , despite the signs and information not to reserve beds with towels completely ignored by staff. So the usual dawn rush to reserve beds . 4. Life guard beach. Hopeless and uninspiring with regard to safety. Whilst in the sea, there was a brief couple of minutes tidal surge with exceptionally high waves which we knocking people over. Despite the fact you could see this developing the life guard gave no warning and when people were knocked over just sat in his chair instead of coming to help, we guided an elderly couple back onto the beach who were struggling to maintain their balance! 5. On reading some reviews, whoever from the hotel that responds to any complaints issues the same generic vague response, this compounds the issue not resolves, and shows a complete lack of regard to clients. Overall, not a 5 * hotel when it comes to service, attention to detail or a relaxing stay. For the price just avoid, there are better in Dubai , and we shall defiantly not be returning to RC.