DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island

The hotel is very clean, friendly staff always willing to help. Upon arrival we were allocated a guest room with pool view it was a nice quiet location! Unfortunately we had to be moved due to maintenance works happening in the building. We had an upgrade to the main building with a sea view so wasn’t all bad. The room was very clean and nice. The cleaners came round every day to give fresh towels, small bottles of water, make the beds etc. I did notice the beds weren’t changed very often ours only got done once in 9nights of staying. Also we had 2 dressing gowns to start off with but ended up with one then none so spoke with reception who swiftly got us new ones delivered to the room. The complex is rather big so if you need to go to the meze restaurant you can ask at reception and they will arrange a golf buggy to take you there. The anchor bar was amazing, showed the football for all the football lovers, had an amazing view from the terrace area and the food was great too big portions. If you have just the standard all inclusive package you get an allowance of 60AED pp to eat at the a la carte restaurants. The buffet restaurant was good though was a good selection of different foods each day. Only one lunch time we didn’t enjoy the food in there as the chicken was a tad dry and the beef was tough. There is a dress code men shorts and tops and women shorts and top no see through attire showing your swimwear. The dinner attire was men shorts shoes or sandals and top and the women dress sandals or trousers and top. You don’t need to wear anything to cover up your shoulders. At points they did seem a little under staffed in the buffet restaurant as took a little while to get drinks etc. In the evening they usually had a singer outside the main building but I never see any other entertainment going on. There is a spa on the 9th floor which you can use the jacuzzi etc for free. The resort has a selection of pools and does cater for children a lot. They have a big playground, pirate boat with slides, bouncy castle on the beach, inflatable football and a children’s pool. The beach is on your doorstep was never packed always could get a sunlounger at any time of the day! They do water sports also at a fee. Around the pool you always get the spa and excursions people chatting to you, they do get the hint when you tell them no a few times. Also on the beach there is 2 swings so get some pics on them! The sea was like a hot bath! First day we were by the pool there was a snack bar available but we never see it again after that. You can get pizza at a fee from the pool bar too. We took the coach from hotel to mall for 100AED pp which picked up at 11am and returned at 8.30pm so gave you the whole day to do whatever you wanted. We went to the mall, up the burj khalifa, ski Dubai by taking a taxi from mall to the mall Of the Emirates and then dine in cinema. 2nd time we went on the coach to the mall we got A taxi to Atlantis palm to the waterpark this took around 20mins and cost around 45AED each way! There are only 4 rides and a lazy river at the waterpark which was a little disappointing. We did the lost chamber aquarium too this was rather small but good. The ice cream at the beginning of atlantis was the best highly recommend. The view from Burj khalifa was amazing you got to see the fountains. If you time it right in the evening you will see the musical fountains these will mesmerising. Highly recommend going for brunch on a Friday aswell, we went to the cove Rotana resort around 15mins from the doubletree Hilton the food was out of this world! The 2 waitresses at the anchor bar in the hotel were so polite and very efficient. There is a gift shop on the resort which is past the buffet restaurant to the left hand side. Sells All the inflatables etc. Outside the hotel there are always Taxi’s available. Also across the road there are a couple of food shacks which looked good never tried them but did read good reviews on them! Temperature was 39degrees in the day and 30 degrees at night! Good thing everywhere is air con’d! You will get issued with pool towel cards which you need to go to the shack next to the pool to reclaim your towel and give back before you leave every day otherwise the cleaners will take the pool towels if they see them in your room! Overall an amazing first trip to Dubai! Would highly Recommend this hotel to stay in! Read less

We stayed at the Double tree by Hilton on Marjan Island between 6th to 14th Sept. This is a fabulous hotel but what makes the hotel extra special are all the staff, they are so friendly welcoming and cannot do enough for you. Shuttle bus We were met at Dubai airport by a driver from the hotel, who offered us water and drove us to the hotel. The shuttle was included as part of the package we booked. Room We arrived early hours of the morning, checking was quick and we were taken to our room which was a Deluxe Sea View Room, located in the villa section of the resort. There was a selection of fruit and sandwiches in the room which was really appreciated after a long journey. The deluxe rooms are very well appointed and very large, however we did not have the sea view we expected and could only see the pool and main building. Most of the Deluxe rooms do not have a sea view and we spoke to Smarika in reception and decided to upgraded our room to a Bay Club room. We were so pleased we did this and it was well worth the additional cost. The room was spacious, of a very high standard, soundproofed and the view was excellent (4447). The room was kept spotless by the housekeeping team and we would like to thank Rhea for looking after us. Concierge Team Excellent, efficient and quick service, thanks to Jonathan who assisted us. Beach and pools There are several pools which are temperature controlled. The beach is large and we never had a problem getting a bed, the lifeguards will move umbrellas for you to have shade. The sea is warm and you can see the fish and there were also lots of starfish visable. The is no beach bar service but that was not a problem, the bars are located so they are close to the pools and beach. The barmen work hard and remember your order from one day to the next. Restaurants We were on all inclusive ( brown bands) and we ate at the Al Marjan buffet for all but 2 meals. The food is pleantiful and varied and there is something for everyone. The staff work exceptionally hard and make sure you are looked after for drinks etc. The chefs are always available to speak to and there are live cooking stations. We would like to mention and thank all the staff and managers who are all friendly and genuinely want to make sure you have a wonderful stay and cannot do enough for you. We would especially like to thank the lovely and exceptional Djosa who always greeted us with enthusiasm, a genuine smile and friendly chat, she always made us feel special. Also thanks to Robert, Sandeep and Rhey who also looked after us and were friendly, chatty and helpful. The Spa We purchased a spa package through the spa rep Tito. We booked several massages. We were greeted by lovely spa receptionists Michelle and Kabita who served a delicious and refreshing rose tea before meeting our therapists. My husband and I discussed with our therapists any issues ( my husband has shoulder problems which the therapists worked on). I can honestly say these massages were the best, my therapist Khusi was truly amazing and my husband's therapist Mohammed worked on his shoulder and neck and it really helped. Whilst there was a feel of a hard sell and an indulgence it was well worth it and we would recommend a visit. When holidaying we normally like to go to different places, however we would definitely be returning to this hotel due to the staff, as they are exceptional and go over and beyond what is expected. Read less