Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

My husband and I stayed in the Waldorf Astoria between the 13th and the 21st March. We chose the hotel because of the excellent reviews it has received on Tripadvisor and we were not disappointed. Thankfully the positive reviews and five star rating were absolutely justified because, with the COVID-19 virus situation we ended up spending all of our time in the hotel as Dubai closed all its tourist attractions, theme and water parks, bars, restaurants and clubs within a couple of days of our arrival. The rest of Dubai will have to wait for another time. From the outset we were made to feel special. We received the best of attention from every single member of staff from arriving in reception until we left. The hotel is beautiful, there is lots of polished marble and mirrors and it is spotlessly clean. The lobby is huge with sweeping staircases going down to the level below and a very impressive clock. There are four lifts and you never had to wait more than 5 seconds for one to arrive when you needed it. Our room was a Deluxe, Palm View which I would recommend because the generous balcony was bathed in sunshine for most of the day. It was very generous in size with a lovely bathroom equipped with his and hers basins, a bath with wall mounted TV, a large, separate shower cubicle and a separate toilet and bidet compartment. Loads of towels were provided as well as very luxurious bathrobes. The room was refreshed in the evening and, to be honest, we were very impressed by the standard of care and attention to detail in there. We celebrated our wedding anniversary whilst staying at the hotel and we were overwhelmed by every department in the hotel who, it seems, were competing for the honour of marking the occasion in the best possible style. We received 2 cakes, 2 flower arrangements, cards, towel art and a lot of nice touches in our room and a platter of exotic fruit. Everywhere we turned we were offered congratulations. They really cared about making the day special for us. By the adults only pool (a lovely quiet environment) we were plied with bottles of water in bags of ice, a sunglass cleaning service and ice cold towels. The beds were extremely comfortable and towels were in plentiful supply - you could have as many as you wanted. The beach was a short hop from the pool and there is a safe swimming area mapped out by a string of buoys. The sea was quite cool but nice when you got used to it. We had booked on a half board basis and this was ideal. There was a large breakfast buffet with every imaginable means of starting your day with a hearty meal. For us this was enough to keep us going until dinner. We ate in the buffet once but we prefer a more relaxed time in the evening and enjoy being waited on. There were three other options - Lao the Asian restaurant, Social by Heinz Beck - fine dining Italian style and a more informal option poolside. We enjoyed eating in each of these restaurants but Social was an experience to behold. There was a separate menu of 3 or 4 choices per course for the half boarders but this was enough choice and in any event there were other tasty treats at the beginning of your meal which did not form part of the menu. Each plate was a visual as well as a culinary delight. It was absolutely delicious and there was plenty to eat. If you didn't want to eat from the limited menu you could have a reasonable credit against the A La Carte options. The only downside was the eye wateringly expensive alcoholic drinks. We knew this before we travelled and accepted it. The concierge desk helped us deal with our airline in getting home a tad early. We were so sad to leave and cut our visit short. We only left because we were concerned the flights home might stop not because we felt unsafe - there is more jeopardy at home. We will go back. It wasn't the holiday we planned but neither was it a disaster thanks to this amazing hotel. We visited in strange times, as we left the hotel was scaling back its operation as it was obviously running short of customers due to the corona virus outbreak. We observed scrupulous practices in relation to hygiene and safeguarding guests against contagion. There were plenty of hand gel stations, they were thinning out the sunbeds and closing a bar, the buffet, Lao. I'm sure business will pick up once this global pandemic is over. Read less

We have just returned from an amazing week at this 5* Hotel. Given the very difficult circumstances of the escalating Covid19 pandemic the staff were exceptional and made sure we received the very best service. All of them had a smile for us every day and nothing was too much trouble, We had a Palm View King Room - great size and view, benefitting from the evening sun on the balcony. The room was very spacious and high spec. The beach service was attentive without being too much. Frequent ice cold bottled water and cool towels delivered to the sun beds. Easy to order food and drinks. We made the most of the happy hour - 5-7pm, enjoying a couple of meals on the beach watching the sunset when we wanted a relaxing evening. The main restaurant was great - loads of choice each evening, with different themes, and breakfast catered for all tastes. Fresh pasta station was a real hit and highly recommend the Prawn Spaghetti! Top class. The curry night was really authentic and was won of the best curries we have ever had. Credit to the chefs! The service at this hotel was the best we have every experienced and all credit go to the team. We will look to return to this hotel. Ideal for people looking for a totally relaxing and high standard experience. Read less

After staying in Etihad Towers on our last trip to UAE I thought I would never be quite impressed with a hotel again. I was wrong! The service at Waldorf-Astoria was at least on the same level. In addition the hotel is extremely beautiful and still looks and feel new in 2020. As Hilton Gold Members we were upgraded to a room with a full sea view, and I felt like we got special treatment during our whole stay. Some of the highlights of our trip were: - Dedicated adult pool (no kids!) to where you can order drinks and light food and snacks with your phone. - Pillow menu: the neck supporting pillow was so good I ended up buying one to go home from the Waldorf-Astoria shop downstairs. - Separate small TV above the bath tub. The only downside is that the hotel is a bit far off the shopping malls etc., but it's guaranteed to be very quiet and relaxing, which is exactly what we were looking for in our stay. Next time I'm in Dubai I'll stay here again. Read less

We had a perfect week in Dubai, the staff were all fantastic and looked after us very well. The food was exceptional, breakfast although it was the same every day had so much choice you didn't have to eat the same thing each time. Evening meals changed to a different theme every night and although we only ate there a couple of time we thoroughly enjoyed what was on offer. There is also a constant supply of bottled water free from the hotel (except for lunch and dinner). We only had two faults, the first is that we arrived at the hotel at 9 am and our room was not ready, although we were offered to use the hotel facilities while our room was being cleaned its not something you feel like doing after a 7 hour flight - we just wanted to shower and sleep. Our room was not ready until 2 pm. Although I believe this was an issue with Emirates as opposed the hotel, they should've advised the hotel of our arrival time. Our second issue is the deposit. On our first day I paid 1000 AED (£210) off my DEBIT card because we do not have a credit card, and after 10 working days I am still waiting for a refund. I was given a "receipt" of this refund on the 13th March when we departed but I am yet to receive a response fromm the hotel or my money. Read less

I stayed at the Waldorf with my family & boyfriend & from the moment we were picked up from our previous hotel, the service was second to none! We had the warmest welcome, our rooms were upgraded due to availability so we had great views and plenty of space. All of the staff were so helpful and nothing was too much to ask, all with a smile on their face! The restaurants - Lao, Social & the breakfast buffet are amazing - the detail they go into, not to mention the food! Options are endless and everything tastes so good! Serefina for drinks - Lovely drinks - happy hour is a bonus & the staff are very enthusiastic and a great bunch! Looked after us everynight. Most nights they have a singer or entertainment so thats great if you wish to chill and stay at the hotel. Peacock Alley also a great place for afternoon tea or cocktails. A little more quiet but very nice. I'm a gym freak so the gym is very very good.. i think all their missing is a step machine and their on to a winner. The Spa is lovely to relax and the pools are great. One pool for everyone including children and a seperate pool for adults with a jacuzzi - very nice. Staff around the pool again very attentive and do a great job! All in all, its a wonderful hotel - one i will always visit if i travel to Dubai as i know the quality of the service is second to none and the hotel is beautiful! Thank you for an amazing end to our holiday guys!! Read less