We stayed at the Sofitel City Centre Hotel for 4 nights. After much consideration and choice of so many deluxe hotels, we choose this one due to the fact that it was close to the airport and also was attached to a shopping centre for convenience.

This forum had some fairly poor report about this hotel so, I didn't have my hopes too high.
I am happy to say that I was so glad with my choice. It was infact 5 minutes away from the airport which is great for early flights out. Also the best part was that being attached directly to the Deira City Centre Shopping Centre, after a long day sightseeing, we didn't have to catch another taxi out for dinner or for shopping.

The shopping centre has a huge range of shops, restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, a jewellery court, supermarket, cinemas, a play area called Magic planet for children. etc etc.... endless.

The Hotel lobby was very classy, the buffet breakfast was great. The clientelle were business people and tourists. Flight crews etc. The rooms were spacious and to correct a previous post - they did have coffee and tea making facilities. They also supplied a bottle of water daily for teeth brushing. The room service was good and efficient. The rooms were fine , 4+ star. You are not paying for a resort on the beach , so don't expect it.

The receptionists were very helpful and courteous and they had a money exchange desk that was comparable to the exchange on the ground floor of the shopping centre.

Taxis from the Hotel to the Burj Al Arab were $ 22 Aus. Taxi from the Gold Souq was about $ 11 Aus.
We did the Arabian Adventures City of Merchants tour and their Sundowner Dune Safari which were both great. Also Afternoon Tea at the Bur Al Arab was an experience....we had no time for the beach!

We enjoyed our stay here immesnsely and would definitely stay here again on a short stopover. If you are staying longer and the beach is your scene, book a resort type Hotel.

We travelled to Dubai for the first time in October 2006 and booked into the Sofitel. Being a Sofitel hotel we expected something quite 'flashy' unfortunately we were let down. The rooms, although comfortable and clean, were not of the standard we expected and were definately not what we expected after looking at the photos on the hotel's website. We suspect that the room photos shown must be the Executive Level suites.

The rooms were large with plenty of space for the huge bed, eating area and desk. The bathroom was a good size with great water pressure and loads of hot water - something I am obsessed about when travelling.

Our Emirates flight from Australia arrived very early in the morning and I would suggest if arriving this early (6.30 am) that you pay for the extra night so that you have a room to go to when you arrive. We didn't, so spent many hours sitting in the hotel foyer waiting for a room to become available. However we were supplied with complimentary drinks and were able to have breakfast even though we would be charged. It worked out well as we had breakfast included in the cost of the room and as we had an early departure to Paris we were unable to have breakfast on the day we left so in the end it cost us nothing. Also the hotel provides complimentary transfers from the airport which we weren't aware of when we arrived so we would suggest notifying them prior to arrival so that they are waiting, however taxis in Dubai are not expensive.

Overall the service, particularly in the resturant, was excellent and the staff were very friendly. We had a few issues with the check-in staff but we feel they were the exception to the rule. We would recommend the hotel to others but if staying in the standard room we would suggest lowering your expectations for the usual Sofitel standard.

We are booked in to the hotel in the next month for our second stay, mainly because we couldn't get our chosen accommodation elsewhere however we have booked an executive level suite, fingers crossed it will live up to expectations!

Arrived at 1:00 am. Gave the front desk credit card information for incidentals as room was already paid for through travel agent. Was told that the electricity was not working and therefore they could not issue keys. Was asked to wait in the lobby. An hour later was told electricity was back on, but found that staff had not assigned a room to us. Took another 1/2 hour to get keys. When arrived at the room, no third bed was set-up! What had they been doing for an hour and 1/2? Once additional lumpy rollaway was added to room there was little room to move. Asked front desk to be moved to larger room in morning, was told that all rooms were the same sized. Advised them that they should not sell triples and was told, "The travel agents know the room size." Found that this hotel and the staff had little customer service skills and less ability to anticipate the needs and expectations of guest. I've been told there are 30,000 hotel rooms in Dubai - pick another hotel for your stay.

Booking my stay via the Sofitel website after a pleasant experience at several other Sofitel locations over the past 2 years with my new job I was lookign forward to a 5 star luxe stay after a stressful business trip.

My expectation were reasonable, however certainly not met by the Sofitel City Centre.

Firstly; checkin was anything but a breeze. Checkin screwed their face up at my e-confirmation I had printed and were unwilling to collect bags from taxi - leaving me to lug large garment cases as I am a buyer for a fashion company.

Secondly, the room was stale and boring. At this price point I expect some form of expression in terms of decor. However the Sofitel offers poor quality and worn furniture more suited to a 2 star hostel. Chippping to the desk and bedside table as well as well as stained carpet.

I was lookign forward to a dip in the pool as I was not accustomed to the heat of Dubai having flown in from Paris. Pool area was situated badly as the rooftop location meant that wind gusts were constant. Noise traffic from airport and streets invasive.

The gym was well equipped which I'd regard as the Sofitels only good point.

If shopping is your thing the attached shopping centre is lax, and Dubai has MUCH more to offer in terms of retail.

Overall I will not be returning to Sofitel City Centre as I feel this vibrant city has much more to offer at this price point and star rating.