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.

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).

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.

Here is some information about the hotel:

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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