Arriving very late in Dubai and having to take a flight to Doha the next morning I started looking for a hotel near the airport. My choice was the Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Center (there are three Méridien in Dubai).
I found on the website a rate of 94 euros in a club room, a few euros more expensive than the standard room rate. What is the difference? For the club: a better view, access to a dedicated lounge and free transportation from the airport. For the duration of my stay neither the view nor the lounge (to which I am usually sensitive) were important but on the other hand to have a driver waiting for you for a few extra euros was appreciable.
I booked as usual via the SPG application … it will have to be written once and for all why one has absolutely nothing to gain by going through online travel agencies such as booking.
Le Méridien ideally located next to Dubai airport
Anyway, on D-Day I land in Dubai around midnight and, once the formalities are completed, I find my driver who takes me to the hotel…located just in front of the airport. On the other side, yes, but for those who know the traffic around the airport, it is not possible to make the short distance without a car. Hence the importance of not having to take a cab for this.
The driver drops me off in front of the “club” building: these rooms, which have access to a higher level of service, have been grouped in a specific building with their own check-in counter.
At the hotel everything is already ready for my check-in and I only have to sign in to get my key and go to my room. Since I had the benefit of the lounge but the staff thought I was mostly in a hurry to go back to my room, I was offered to have the drink of my choice brought up to my room free of charge without having to make a detour to quench my thirst.
In the meantime, good news: as a result of my newly earned platinum status, my club room becomes a royal club. What’s the difference? You’ll see soon.
A beautifully designed hotel.
When I reached my room I could appreciate the decoration of the hotel and the common areas. Undeniably one of the most beautiful places I have stayed in recent times. Modernism, sobriety and good taste.
A foretaste that really makes me want to discover my room.
The Royal Club Room at Le Méridien Dubai
If the room is not a suite in the strict sense of the word (it has only one room), almost 60m2 still allow to organize an interesting experience for the customer.
In the entrance one finds immediately an imposing dressing room in which I will be satisfied to deposit my suitcase without settling there since I will be there only for a few hours.
Then the room itself with a large bed:
And an office area:
The (large) bathroom has a shower and a Jacuzzi bathtub.
The mirror integrates a TV screen that allows you to watch your favorite show from your bath.
But a video is better than any description.
A first class breakfast buffet
I will do without dinner, contenting myself with the platters of fresh fruit that were waiting for me in my room.
The tiredness and the late hour surely played a role in the fact that I fell asleep very quickly but the quality of bedding certainly played its role. One sleeps there really very well.
The next morning, a buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant of the building that houses the “club” rooms. I let you discover a preview.
And I’ll top it off with an egg benedict, prepared on request and at no extra charge.
Certainly one of the best breakfast buffets I have ever tried.
Careful and smiling service, a very high quality buffet that one can hardly leave: it is close to perfection.
Unfortunately my flight is waiting for me. I won’t try the pool, the spa or the gym. Maybe next time.
Needless to say that the check out went very well, that the driver was waiting to take me back to the airport and that this stay was a flawless one until the end.
Le Méridien Dubai: much more than an airport hotel
We know what we expect from airport hotels: proximity to the terminal, speed of arrival and departure procedures and, ideally, that they do not abuse the fact that we have no other alternatives to charge prohibitive prices on the room and the restaurant.
At 94 euros per night, the Meridien Dubai is much more than an airport hotel, especially since it is only about 30 minutes away from the city center by cab and for a totally acceptable price. It is a known hotel for travelers who have to sleep close to Dubai airport but, as some people confirmed to me, it is perhaps one of the best value for money in the city at this level of service for a 5 stars. I don’t exclude going back one day as a tourist to stay a few days and enjoy all the facilities. This must be the only airport hotel to date that inspires me this reflection.
In short, you have understood, this is one of the favorite hotels of Travelguys and we can only recommend you to visit it.
The grades
Room. The picturres speak for themselves: 10/10.
Catering. I only tested the breakfast. It’s a no-fail. 10/10
Check-in/out: Nothing to complain about. 10/10
Application of the loyalty program: protocol strictly followed, customer recognition, thanks and upgrade corresponding to my status in the program. 10/10
Facilities and services : I was not able to try the pool, the spa or the gym. Not rated.
Service and attention: nothing to report. But the brevity of my stay did not allow me to multiply the contacts nor to be confronted with a situation where I could have been in demand of anything. 9/10.
Experience for money. At 94 euros what do you think? 10/10.
Hotel: great location for passengers who want to sleep near the airport. Inevitably more distant from the city center – but without this being an obstacle – for those who would like to use it as an accommodation during a longer stay. Beautiful decoration. 9/10.
The entire photo gallery is available here.
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