We wanted to try Dubai while the shopping festival was on we had never been before, a friend had stopped at Rydges a few years ago and recommended we might look at it. Web site was good and accurate, important point join the Rydges priority club and save from memory 10% immediatley on accomodation Plus the card gives you discount on drinks and meals, about the location Hotel get a cab from the Airport about 45AED part of that is about 20AED supplement from the airport ,going back was only 25AED. Hotel located centrally on Satwa roundabout taxi 15 to 20AED to Jumeriah beach and 5 AED to get in marvellous beach and facilities. Hotel can't fault food Mexican, Chinese, American, Indian, Italian Restaurants used them all typical meal in all 45 AED and each night one has a special 2 for the price of 1 plus UK and Aussie style pub with food. In terms of food and drink no real need to leave the Hotel on the evening, there are typical restaurants Lebonese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and of course local ones on the surrounding streets near the Hotel. Breakfast in the Hotel think it was 65 AED a little pricey but first class and set you up for the day, altenatively turn right outside the Hotel and down the street 100metres. You will find the Organic Supermarket and Cafe, great value for food and meals in the Cafe breakfast 25AED. Hotel fabulous central base, some of the Hotels you see on the Web sites are 20 - 25 mins from the center of things. Traffic in all areas manic between say 8.00am till 10.00am and 5.00pm to 8.00pm so avoid these times. In summary great value central accomodation, our room was spotless all staff excellent....the pool area is good for swimming and Sun bathing. Can't say anything negative on our experience. Phil Doncaster

Bedroom was dark, dingy, depressing and didn't smell great. The internet connection was dial-up so, unless they fitted broadband since, no use for the business traveller. Breakfast was about OK, Italian is a kind of pizza restaurant, Aussie bar great, and a Keralese curry house which is spot on. Located on a noisy roundabout within walking distance of nowhere. Staff were pleasant enough but overall quite depressing and not a place you would want spend a lot of time in. Interestingly though, they had the EvertonFC TV channel which was a nice surprise. Might go back to the curry house.

My husband, 2 year old son, and I stayed at the Rydges Plaza in Dubai for one night in August on the way to the UK from Melbourne in a Deluxe Room, and then 3 nights in an Executive Room on the way back home to Melbourne in September. We found the Rydges to be a great hotel, which although was a little dated in it's decor, was clean, comfortable and central to everything that we wanted to do in Dubai. The staff were sensational (they seemed to love our son!), the breakfasts were great value, the restaurants reasonable and it was a great place to relax by the pool and recharge the batteries after a long flight. I would recommend the Executive Room as you are entitled to free drinks and canapes each night, and the rooms are larger also. We only had 2 minor problems - first being the courtesy bus seemed to miss picking us up both times that we arrived into Dubai airport, meaning we had to take a taxi. And secondly, it seems the 'scam' that previous readers had come across regarding mini-bar was also tried on us - but we point blank refused to pay for this charge, and it wasn't processed. Apart from that, I would recommend this hotel and we will stay here again when we return to Dubai.