Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy

  • Beginner
  • Digital nomad
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy
Hotel
Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai
City
Dubai
Room Type
1-bedroom suite, 1 queen-size bed, city view
Loyalty Program Status
Titanium
Points Per Night
21 000 - 39 000
Share

There’s no shortage of hotels in Dubai; we’ve already tried many in the Marriott Bonvoy brand. After staying in luxury hotels in Australia such as the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne and the W Sydney, I decided to stay at the Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai for my 3-night stay in Dubai. I chose this hotel for its proximity to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and its famous fountain show every evening.

The Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai is the brand’s largest and tallest hotel in the world, with over 430 rooms spread over 47 floors.

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Booking

Booking at the Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road with points costs between 21,000 and 39,000 points for a 1-bedroom suite, depending on the period. Paying cash for an overnight stay will cost between AED 300 and AED 1,000 (i.e. between $115 and $370 CAD).

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Capture d’écran, le 2024-05-14 à 22.03.10
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Capture d’écran, le 2024-05-16 à 16.38.50

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-30
Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – At a Glance

Here is some information about the hotel:

Date of opening (or renovation)2022Number of rooms430
RestaurantsYesUSB sockets in the roomYes
Accepts animalsService animal onlySmart TVYes
Mobile cardYesShower/BathShower
BalconyNoAccessible for people with reduced mobilityCommon areas
ParkingFreeLounge No
GymYes, 24/7Breakfast includedYes
Pools and SpasSwimming poolRoom with kitchenetteYes
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-46

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Location

Located just a few steps from the Financial Centre metro station, the hotel enjoys a prime location, close to all the city’s highlights. The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Museum of the Future are all just one metro station away.

From Dubai International Airport (DXB), you can get to the hotel in 18 minutes by cab (or via the Careem app) or in 27 minutes using the metro’s red line (approx. $3).

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-42

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Check-in

Upon arrival, someone took charge of my suitcase to be delivered to my room. Check-in took a while, even though I had already checked in using the Marriott Bonvoy app.

The suitcase arrived in the room a few minutes after I did.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-18
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-44

In the lobby, you’ll find plenty of space with sofas for relaxing or waiting for your transport. A free shuttle to the Mall Of The Emirates and Outlet Mall passes by the hotel several times a day (service offered by the shopping malls).

There’s also a small mini-market, « The Market », and a stand where you can book excursions with an external service provider.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-43

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – The Room

During my 3 nights, I stayed in a suite with a bedroom. Specializing in long-term stays, all Residence Inn rooms feature a kitchenette. The kitchen is outfitted with all the appliances necessary to prepare complete meals, such as a fridge, oven, hot plates, microwave, and dishwasher.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-02
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-03

With several people sharing a bathroom, the toilets near the entrance allow you to distribute use and reduce waiting time, especially in the morning and evening when everyone is getting ready at the same time.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-01

The kitchen in the suite has a central island and two high chairs, making it a communal space ideal for sharing meals. The living room is also very spacious, with a comfortable sofa and armchair for relaxing and watching TV.

The bedroom has an extra desk in addition to the one in the living room. This is particularly useful when several people are travelling together or teleworking.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-17

The bathroom off the bedroom is functional, but the lack of a shower door is a major drawback, as water tends to escape during the shower, flooding the floor.

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Breakfast

Complimentary buffet breakfast is served in the Panorama restaurant on the forty-third floor from 6.30 am to 10.30 am.

Since it is available to all customers, it can be very busy. When you arrive, someone will ask you for your room number, but no one will assign you a seat. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to find a table. Except when there are free tables that have not been cleared.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-24

The buffet offers several stations: pastries, fruit, raw vegetables, salads, fruit juices and omelettes. Everything is well presented and the team ensures that the buffet is always full.

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Other Services

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Swimming Pool

Perched on the hotel’s rooftop on the 47th floor, the pool offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Dubai. Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., it’s the ideal place to relax and soak up the sun. There are plenty of sun loungers around the pool, and if you prefer to relax in the shade, cabanas are also available.

During my stay, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pool was not very crowded. I was able to take full advantage of the warm water and peaceful atmosphere to relax and recharge my batteries.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-46
Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-47

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Gym

For sports and fitness enthusiasts, the Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road offers a state-of-the-art training room on the 44th floor. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can train at your own pace, whenever you want.

I was particularly impressed by the size of the training room. It’s spacious enough to accommodate a large number of people without feeling suffocated. The natural light that floods the space through the large bay windows helps create a pleasant, motivating atmosphere.

In addition to the equipment, the training room also features an area dedicated to yoga and stretching. It’s the perfect place to unwind after your workout or relax before starting your day.

Review : Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | Marriott Bonvoy - Residence-Inn-Dubai-32

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – Sicily Café E Bistro

Sicily Café E Bistro is located between the hotel lobby and just past the elevators. Open from 7 am to midnight. A buffet is available for 97 AEDs from Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road – My Overall Impression

If you’re looking for a convenient, comfortable and affordable hotel in Dubai, I highly recommend the Residence Inn Sheikh Zayed Road. Its ideal location, spacious rooms, and numerous services make it the perfect choice for visiting this fascinating city.

Read on for our other Dubai hotel reviews:

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Go further with Marriott Bonvoy

To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.