City Seasons Hotel Dubai

I stayed one night for a flight layover. Check in was quick and easy. Room was of quality and standard expected for Dubai. Price was cheaper than other hotels of comparison as I have stayed in many there. Other reviewers complaining about visa's is not an issue of the hotel. You only need a visa to enter the country if you are from a country that is required by the U.A.E.. It has nothing to do with the hotel. Will defiantly use this hotel for future trips through Dubai.

I was staying overnight because the connecting flight was next day. I booked on-line and the description implied that there is a convenient shuttle to the hotel. Based on the US experience I assumed the shuttle was regular and free. It turns out one had to book it ahead of time but the webpage did not have this option. When I arrived, I ended up taking a cab. And this was cheaper than the shuttle from the hotel (32 vs 45 AED!!!). So, take a cab. The cab ride back to the airport was only 10 AED because there were not airport surcharge. The staff was friendly. But the wifi did not work that night. They said they will take care of the Internet connection in my room - I waited for 40 min until almost 1am and when the guy came, he brought the Ethernet cable. Nice try but no good for my iPad. The room was nice and big, the bathroom nice and big too. Bed very comfortable. But for the non-smoking room there was that faint smell of smoke and an ashtray on a table. I was too tired to switch rooms. The air conditioning took too long to bring the temperature from 27 to 23 degrees. Thankfully, I could open the balcony to air the room before going to bed. The location was convenient. I left my bag there after checking out, spend a few hours in Dubai and then just stopped by to get my bag on the way to the airport. It is good for staying over on a business trip. For a family vacation - too expensive $200 with a discount - and too far from downtown.

Need a hotel for a transit flight? Don't stay here! What they failed to tell me is that it would cost an additional $135 for a temporary visitors visa to leave the airport and stay here. In addition once I learned about the visa requirement for UAE, the hotel was completely unwilling to cancel my reservation or refund any of the money. Considering it was still early evening when I called and that I never even set foot in the hotel I would avoid this place.