I have stayed here twice for holidays and even though it is not on the beach, I really love staying there. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the renovated rooms and beautiful. Make sure to ask for a renovated room because the ones that aren't are not that nice.

While the hotel is pretty far down Sheik Al Zaid road, it is has a lot close by, like Ibn Battuta Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Also the hotel is home to the Hard Rock Cafe. If you want to go to the gold souk it is a bit of a drive but the cab ride is rarely over 45dhr.

The hotel also has a fun pub, an Italian restuarant and a couple discos (although the later have far to many "working girls"). The breakfast is pretty good and includes breakfast foods enjoyed by Asian, middle eastern, European and North American cultures.

I would avoid the small salon/spa over the pool area. I don't think they really know what they are doing when it comes to nails.
more