Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek - Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Stayed 8th / 9th Jan 2008. Good location on the creek (10p to cross), and walkable to Gold Souk. Shopping malls a short taxi away, Jumeirah beach is a 30 mins taxi ride away (cost 60 Dirhams, less than a tenner). 15 mins to airport. Be aware traffic in Dubai is now a nightmare at peak times. Been to Dubai 4 times over last 10 years and its just gets worse. Took 30 mins to get to Jumeriah beach at 11am, took 2.5 hours to get back at 4pm. They are building a railway scheduled 2010, but the moment theres 2 million people all running cars (as its 10p a litre) and only one highway. It may be 7 lanes but its madness. Anyway hotel is good, nice pool and gym, staff are very helpful and the rooms are well equiped especially the Royal Club rooms on the upper floors where you can also use the Royal Club lounge on Floor ten for free drinks, buffet breakfast (avoiding the hussle and queues in downstairs cafe), afternoon tea and great views of the creek. The only issue is that its not on the beach. So okay for couples, or a stop-over, but if you have kids they'll prefer the larger beach resort hotels that have clubs, larger pools, activities and the sand. Of course they are twice the price, so we just went along to Oasis Beach hotel on Jumeirah (where we had stayed before and knew the facilities are excellent) and just joined for the day. Week days are £12, weekends £24. You use all the facilites and are given towels, locker etc. Cheaper than staying on the beach but not as convenient as being there. So in summary SAS Deira Creek is a great city hotel for a stop-over, do a day trip to the beach, but if your planning a weeks holiday in Dubai you want to be staying on Jumeirah Beach.

We stayed here for eight nights. It was absolutely lovely. We didn't want to be beach based, (if you want this go to Jumeirah beach area) we wanted to be in the town, and Deira is the business district. From outside, the hotel looks pretty average, all this changes the minute you walk inside. Beautiful but at the same time very relaxed. This is mainly due to the staff, with a superb level of service, which is the hotels greatest strength. At the same time this is a sleek operation from room service through to restaurant service. The food is lovely, give Boulvar a go everyday for your breakfast. we've never had better. Palm Grill does beautiful steaks and has some great wines available. Also Sumbaiya, Japanese restaurant is fab. Don't miss the buffet. Theres a great swimming pool overlooking Deira Creek. If you choose to stay in Deira, theres plenty to do and see, especially if you just want to wander, look, see, soak up the atmosphere. The traditional wooden boats, Dhows, used to transport everything imaginable to India, east Africa and so on, are a delight to watch. And, enjoy riding the water taxis (Abra) across the creek. (will cost you 1 Dirham, around 15 pence). Enjoy the buzz of the city, the friendliness of all the people and the knowledge that you are in the safest city in the world