I was excited by the thought of finally getting the chance to stay in a Taj Palace hotel. First thought -- there's nothing Palace-like about it. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice looking hotel, just not sure why they're calling a very businessy looking hotel a "Palace". Also, the address of this place is somewhat of a mystery. The closest you can find on the Taj website is a P.O. Box address. I'd already made the reservation, and was preparing for my trip when I realised this. Had to call the hotel just to ask their actual address. And it is listed here on tripadvisor, but not on the hotel's official website. Strange.

We were a group of 7 people. So we booked a 3 br apartment and an executive room (the most standard in the hotel). I have to say that the apartment is nowhere near as nice as the executive room. The executive room is very opulently decorated, but the apartment (while I know apartments are supposed to be more modest looking than a hotel room) is not quite worthy of being in a Taj Palace hotel which is known for the highest level of opulence. The apartment, while very very spacious and served its purpose of hosting a big family, actually looked a bit cheap. Very plain looking old shower curtains and a bathtub that looks like one from a cheap hotel. It was nothing compared to the executive room that had a much nicer bed and covers, gorgeous well appointed bathrooms, and much better bedroom decor. Nothing went wrong during our stay, in fact we had a very nice stay here. But I think the one person who got the executive room really lucked out compared to the 6 of us who chose the apartment.

Service overall was very very good but the best part of this hotel has to be Handi, the Indian restaurant. I will always remember my meal at Handi as the best Indian food I have ever had in my life (and I eat a lot of Indian food)! This is Indian cuisine at its finest and if anyone stays here or anywhere else in Dubai I would highly recommend a visit. We still talk about that one meal every time Indian food comes up in our conversation about how incredible it was. It is now on my must do list for my next visit to Dubai, even if I am going to stay in another hotel.

The Indian Rest "Handi" is a rip-off. The Mineral water per bottle is AED 26, imported from Italy. There are several well know brands of local water eg Masafi, one should be better off not ordering water from this restaurant. Even the food is not any better. The butter chicken and lamb curry I ordered is of poor taste. My host told me that these people are using some cream and micro heat the dish. The chef should know that there are good food in India especially places like Sheraton (Bukhara)Delhi
When I complained about the water, the waitress told that she will give me some discount but I think she could not get approval from her boss. The single item in my bill of AED455 turned out to be Mineral water AED 78 for 3 bottlels plus tax plus other. Next time I will not step into this expensive poor quality restaurant. Please avoid this place.

We spent 3 nights at this hotel as a stopover on our way to Mauritius. We couldn't fault it. The service was excellent from start to finish. Rooms are enormous and bathrooms luxurious (and we only had a standard room) We arrived in the morning, normally rooms aren't available till after 2pm but the staff went out of there way to make our rooms ready earlier and served us fruit cocktails whilst we were waiting. It is a hotel that doesn't serve alcoholic, but that wasn't a problem. We enjoyed time relaxing around the roof top pool also (when we weren't shopping!!).
Would definately stay there again.

We stayed at the hotel for two nights and managed to see most of Dubai. The location is very good and we were able to walk to the creek and reach the boat for a romantic dinner. The room was seriously luxurious and service was excellent. The spa was lovely and the pool at the roof also. The breakfast was great, but there was another buffet which cost extra and we were told was amazing.

A tip: Get your alcoholic drinks from the Duty free because they don't serve alcohol in the hotel. It is considered by the locals as one of the best hotels due to this (!) They don't mind if you drink alcohol in your room though.

The city is very safe for anyone but they don't like it when women wear shorts and mini skirts or, generally, sexy clothes. Also, keep some change so that you cross the creek with the little boats because if you find yourself on the other side with no cash, well, it's too far to walk back !