May 22, 2014 UAE GCC Middle East

Rotana Al Boustan: A Luxurious Stay with Expensive Internet

RATING:77/100

Welcoming: 4/5

Food Temperature: 7/10

Ambiance / Music: 7.5/10

Menu Choice: 4/5

Food Taste: 25/30

Architecture / Interior: 7/10

Food presentation: 7/10

Service: 8/10

Value for money: 7/10

I was recently passing through Dubai and staying at the Rotana Al Boustan was a great choice considering that it's close to the Dubai airport and close to where our meetings were scheduled the next morning.

When stepping into Al Bustan Rotana Dubai I was enchanted by its unique blend of traditional Arabian hospitality and modern luxury. A huge lobby, high ceiling and an atrium with openings on all floors all made for a stunning impression. I walked to the reception and waited to be shown to my room.

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Comfort at Rotana Al Boustan:
  • Non smoking rooms
  • Currency exchange
  • Doctor on call
  • Valet parking and dedicated parking area
  • Car and limousine rental service
  • Multilingual staff
  • Hair and beauty salon
  • Gift shop
  • Shuttle bus service to the City Center Shopping Mall
  • "Paid" Wireless Internet in public areas
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Al Bustan Rotana in few lines:

  • 275 spacious rooms and suites
  • "Paid" High speed wireless internet connection in all rooms
  • Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities
  • Fully stocked mini bar
  • Multi channel satellite television
  • IDD telephone
  • Personal in-room safe
  • Laundry and dry cleaning service
  • Daily housekeeping service
  • Daily local newspaper
  • Bathrobes and hair dryer
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The room:

  • A large relaxing room with a king sized bed, a working desk and two sofas
  • Red curtains added a touch of color
  • A relaxing bed stuffed with fluffy and enjoyable pillows
  • Four paintings decorated the walls
  • A complete section of the room is dedicated to the mini bar. A fully loaded fridge and some snacks
  • Light brown wallpapers cover the walls
  • A fluffy carpet covers the floor
  • A large bathroom loaded with amenities with a generous bathtub
  • Bathrobes and slippers are available in all the rooms
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The unacceptable:

  •  It's not acceptable to pay for Internet in 2014. $25 for every 24 hours makes you regret staying here and maybe not coming back. Yes, $25 per day, that's $175/week, more than a fixed mobile line with open unlimited 3G for a month. This is what I did: I bought a 3G local number and enjoyed surfing the net.
The next morning was breakfast time. Rotana Al Boustan has a super wide choice, I was impressed. However, I enjoyed the choice, but not the taste. Everything lacked taste, richness and finesse; I wasn't impressed. On the table you are offered a selection of jams from Darbo and a sugar pot. All tables are decorated with real, colorful tulips.

The buffet of wide choices: 

  • Grilled station
  • Pancakes: Strawberry, mango, chocolate sauce and maple syrup
  • French toast
  • Meat patty
  • Noodles
  • Steamed vegetables
  • The vegetarian corner
  • Brioche, bread and manakish
  • Cereals, dried nuts, dried fruits and milk
  • Honey comb
  • Salad bar
  • The cold cuts station, labneh and cheese
  • Fruits and yogurt
  • Eggs and omelets live cooking
  • Foul mdammas
  • Baked beans
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Baby marrow
  • Chicken and veal sausages
  • Soup station
  • Grilled vegetables
  • Waffle station
  • Freshly squeezed juices
  • Danish pastry and cakes
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I met the French executive chef, a great person who's welcoming. We had a quick discussion that reflected his passion and dedication towards what he does. 

I've tried couple things:

  • The French toast were too oily and lack juiciness
  • The waffles were good
  • The savory brioche is a no. Too dry
  • The donuts were too dry as well, and too condensed with an oily aftertaste
  • The chocolate and mango sauces were excellent
  • I fell in love with the cheese croissant
  • The chocolate brownies were way too dry
  • The eggs tasted too dull. The cheese is not even felt and the mix needs seasoning
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My feelings about this breakfast:

  • Lots of things are dry. Just add some moisture
  • All the food can be better... everything needs some fine-tuning
  • The omelet station needs reshuffling
I enjoyed my night at the Rotana with no Internet, had a great sleep in their relaxing bed and enjoyed breakfast the next morning. If only the Internet was free, this hotel would have gotten a rating of 98/100. The Internet issue means I won’t be coming back.
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