Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection

We live in Dubai and we love this hotel for their private beach and great kids club, my daughter loves playing there. They take kids to swim in the pool that have waterslides, do arts and crafts, sport activities like tennis, football and yoga. Larisa is always attentive to kids needs. If you want relax holidays where parents have rest and kids are busy and happy, it is the best choice.

If you are looking for a 5 star stay, then I’m afraid this is not the place. Positives first. We had half board and for all but one night, ate in the buffet restaurant and the food was lovely every time. Well done to the chefs, great variety and all delicious. We also had club lounge access and the airport transfers included in this were excellent, thank you to our driver. Now the not so positives… When you check in to the hotel be prepared to be bombarded with information, after a long flight this was not appreciated. Far too many pieces of paper for various upselling opportunities – not what I would expect in a five star hotel. The pool area can be noisy at certain times during the day. When the ‘so-called’ Zumba classes are in progress the music is blasting out – very unpleasant for those not wanting to partake. Whilst on the subject of noise – the hotel operates a nightclub too and on selected nights I was woken at c.3am by the music from the night club (we had a sea view room – maybe rooms facing the other way wouldn’t hear it?) We had one meal at the Italian restaurant by the pool, as part of our half board. It was the most disappointing meal I have had in a long time. The pizzas were soggy and tasteless – much better pizza in the buffet restaurant. Service in the club lounge is very slow – some staff don’t seem very aware of their customers, not checking to see if more drinks needed (both during breakfast and pre-dinner drinks) and those staff that are more attentive are run off their feet. In my view they are trying to run the Club Lounge, an additional paid for benefit, with a skeleton staff to save money. And finally, the Club Lounge advertises that pre-dinner drinks are served between 6pm and 8pm and during this time children under 12 are not permitted in the Club Lounge – this ‘rule’ was in no way adhered to and there were numerous children in the club lounge during this period on every evening. Please note that a harbour is being built next door to the hotel, it is not particularly noisy during the day (probably the pool music drowned it out!) but it does start at 6am. If you’ve paid extra for a sea view be prepared for a building site to be part of your view.

I stayed with my wife and two daughters, this was our third time at the HG and it was just as good as ever Rooms are spacious and well appointed Food and drink offered good choice and especially breakfast The pool is one of the best we have used in Dubai offering lots for kids and adults We wont hesitate to return.