This hotel is strictly a business hotel, and I think is one of the best in Dubai. The Horizon Club Floor is worth staying at as this gives you many facilities such as complimentary internet in the business center plus many other facilities on the Horizon Health Club. So now, the details.

Location:
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, being right across from the DIFC makes it an excellent location if you want to visit the banks there. Only trouble is, the DIFC is across the road, and you need to cab it there. Also, be careful during rush hour as it may take 30-40 minutes to overcome this short distance. As for Malls, I did not go shopping much, but it is easy to get to Wafi Mall and Mall of the Emirates.

Rooms:
My first room was a basic room. It was fairly small, and did not have a desk. I upgraded to a Horizon Club room, and this made a huge difference. It even had a desk and was much larger than the room before. The service here is also better, as you can visit, have breakfast, cocktails and relax in the club room. The bed linen is awesome, and probably competes with the Westin's Heavenly Bed. The housekeeping attendant was very helpful to ensure all my room needs were in perfect order. I'd have to commend Priya for that!

Club Lounge:
Like I mentioned before, the people there have been very kind and hospitable. The whole team, from the Director of Rooms, F&B, Front Office Manager and the Horizon Club team (Wiwiek, Fitriani, Maria, Varun, Leah, Jhune and many others) made my stay enjoyable. They knew what I wanted to drink and how to even cure a hangover! They all make a remarkable team. As for decor, the smoking area looks very classy, with soft leather chairs and soft lighting. There is a huge sofa where you can sit and watch tv on a plasma tv.

Food:
I did not manage to try many of the restaurants. As it was a business trip, I only had room service and the food in the lounge. Again, there were simple, yet very good. The bircher muesli was excellent too.

Conclusion:
This is an excellent business hotel. I think one of the top 3 in Dubai. Although the rates are high, consider staying here. You will not be disappointed, especially on the Horizon Floor.

The Shangri-La Dubai was built on a very small and narrow site, but with all the constraints, it was designed innovatively. As a business hotel, it delivers what it promises. Nice rooms (though smallish), good amenities (all toiletries are Aigner), excellent breakfast at the Horizon Lounge, friendly staff, good coffee shop.

You can't fault much, really. It is one hotel you would go back to without a thought. In its segment, it has all it takes.

Good location too on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, which is under construction is close by and can be viewed from some of the rooms..

Beautiful hotel in Dubai. Excellent buffet breakfast, nice pool - limited seating, no iron and board in room - must be requested, unable to walk to businesses across street due to highway, complimentary shuttle to Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa with amazing beach, very attentive front desk staff. Would stay again, but very expensive as is everything in Dubai.

Shangri La Hotel Dubai – Horizon Club Floor

We had booked 2 single Deluxe and one Premier Room on the Horizon Club Floor. Check in was at 1:00 am, and done on the 41st floor of the hotel at the Horizon Club. It was a long process, but very professional.

Premier Room Horizon Club Floor

These rooms are 1.5 times the size of the normal rooms (66 sqmt/710sqft), and have a King bed, lounge area with a sofa, arm chair, work desk with ergonomic chair, mini bar area, tea and coffee facilities, lots of cupboards and a huge bathroom. The Bathroom had a separate area with a toilet and bidet. A large walk-in rain shower, a Jacuzzi bath tub and twin vanity’s. There were lots of toiletries from Aigner, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soaps, toothbrush and paste, shaving foam and razor, comb, sewing kit, nail clippers, emery board, cotton buds, make up pads, cotton wool, and shower cap. Both toweling and cotton bathrobes were provided together with slippers.

There was a huge fruit basket that was replenished every day, and lots of complimentary water was provided.

There was a console by the side of the bed that controlled the curtains, and lights. There was a huge plasma TV screen that could be swiveled, so you could watch it from bed, or seated.

The room was serviced daily, and there was a turn down service in the evening.

Deluxe Room Horizon Club Floor

These rooms 45 sqmt/484sqft, and have a King bed, two arm chairs, work desk with ergonomic chair, mini bar area, tea and coffee facilities, lots of cupboards and a huge bathroom. The Bathroom had a separate area with a toilet and bidet. A walk-in rain shower, a deep bath tub and single vanity. There were lots of toiletries from Aigner, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soaps, toothbrush and paste, shaving foam and razor, comb, sewing kit, nail clippers, emery board, cotton buds, make up pads, cotton wool, and shower cap. Only toweling bathrobes were provided together with slippers.

There was a fruit basket that was replenished every day with the fruit of the day, and lots of complimentary water was provided.

There was a console by the side of the bed that controlled the curtains, and lights. There was a flat screen TV that could be swiveled, so you could watch it from bed, or seated.

The room was serviced daily, and there was a turn down service in the evening.

Horizon Club Floor Lounge

The lounge area is broken up into two areas – a lounge, and a dining area. There is also a separate board room, and office with a lap top with free internet access.

Breakfast was served daily until 10:30 am in the dining area. It consisted of fresh juices, fruits, cereals, and then a selection of pastries, Arabic dishes, and Asian dishes. Eggs, etc., as well as pancakes were ordered from a separate menu. Also tea and coffee (including cappuccino, espresso, etc.) were available. Service was a bit slow, as their was only one waitress who was serving at any time up to 16 people, however after she knew your preference from the first day, she would remember them for future breakfasts.

As we were there during Ramadan, smoking was not permitted in the lounge area until after 6:00 pm.

During the day there was always fruit available, as well as sandwiches, cakes, nuts, smoothies, juices, water and soft drinks in the dining area. You could also order tea and coffee. This was a great service.

In the evenings from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, canapé’s were served (both hot and cold) together with nuts, olives and fruit in the dining area. Again because of Ramadan, alcohol was not served until 7:00 pm. They served some excellent Australian red’s and whites, as well as beer, spirits and soft drinks.

Service on the Horizon Floor was good, but not outstanding.

On the 42nd floor, there was a separate gym, and small (12 meter) indoor pool and Jacuzzi for Horizon Club Floor Guests. There was also an outside deck with sun beds. We used the Jacuzzi a few times, and each time, the trainer in the gym provided us with bottles of water, cold face towels, lots of towels and bathroom slippers. A really good level of service.

Dining

The hotel had 5 restaurants, but due to Ramadan, only the Chinese and International Buffet restaurants were open for lunch service. You could order room service at any time, and when we did once, they were more then happy to serve it in the Horizon Lounge (free drinks). We did have lunch twice at Shang Palace (Chinese). Food was excellent, and very authentic. Service the first day was great. Second day they did not take the order properly, missed dishes, asked us to order desert at the same time as the main course amongst others.

Spa

We used the spa several times for treatments. They were professional and provided good treatments.

General

I had emailed the hotel before the visit and told them that granny was turning 78 during the visit, and if they could do something special for her. I also told the receptionist at check in. Nothing was done, which was very disappointing. I had also told them that she was a vegan vegetarian, and we really suffered ordering from the menu, and found that the kitchens were not too willing to accommodate any change to the menu (we offered to pay extra for it).

I did ask the concierge if we could borrow or hire a wheel chair, which they whipped out in 5 minutes at no cost for the 5 days we were there. This was excellent service.

Overall we did find the staff to be professional and courteous, but not quite up to the Shangri La experience.