Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (888) 635-3814
Central location with easy access to shopping
malls and metro stations
Large rooms, some with views of the Burg Khalifa
13 high-quality restaurants and bars, including Japanese,
Italian, Brazilian
Sumptuous breakfast buffet
Full-service spa with sauna and gym
Outdoor heated pool with bar
Lively nightlife in Brazilian bar, Zinc club, and pub
Free Wi-Fi
More affordable than other nearby high-end hotels
Extensive conference, seminar, and banquet space
Breakfast can be noisy and crowded
Furnishings and decor throughout are a bit dated
A bit older than other surrounding luxury hotels
Rooms over Sheikh Zayed Road are sometimes subject to
traffic noise
Wi-Fi can be spotty
One of the oldest hotels on Dubai's busy Sheikh Zayed Road, the Crown Plaza might look a little dated compared to
the other upscale, high-rise hotels that surround it, but it makes up
for its less impressive look with a myriad of amenities, 13 restaurants and bars, impressive meeting and events spaces, an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and a welcoming atmosphere. Something of a Dubai institution, the hotel is usually packed with a
variety of guests who run the gamut of age and cultural backgrounds.
Considering its offerings, the hotel is also one of the more affordable high-end
options on the block and is within walking distance of the metro and just a short ride from malls, museums, and the beach.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
From the outside, an aging glass building; from the inside, a bustling institution
Anywhere but Dubai, the 23-floor Crowne
Plaza might look like a towering monstrosity; in the center of Dubai, surrounded by
even taller hotels and buildings with even shinier glass, it simply blends in. Gilded escalators flanked by palm
trees and marble walls lead from the entrance to the lobby, crowned by an oversized chandelier. High, arching ceilings tower over gilded columns. Every public area
is filled with a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, especially the myriad restaurants and cafes, filled with
people of all cultures and ages relaxing after a day of exploring or holding business meetings. The carpets and walls in the hallways are where you see the
hotel’s age, they're in need of a refresh. The restaurants are each decorated according to the cuisine's theme; for example, the Italian Al Fresco is decked out in checkered tablecloths and simple wooden
chairs, while the entrance to the steak joint has a large statue of a crouching
bull. The hotel's social
atmosphere makes it feel like an epicenter of Dubai’s business and
social scene.
Location
In the center, a short walk to the metro, short ride to malls
The Crowne Plaza is located on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road, the
major artery that runs through the city, leading to Abu Dhabi to the
south-west and Sharjah to the north-east. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to a Dubai Metro stop, which can get you to major attractions in Dubai in 25
minutes or less (buy a gold ticket to avoid getting jammed into a crowd). The hotel is surrounded by many other high-rise hotels,
offices, and residential buildings, as well as a few cafes and restaurants on
street level. The area is safe but extremely busy. The World Trade Centre is
about a 10-minute walk away and the Emirates Towers train station is about seven minutes.
The airport is about 15 minutes away by car and Ski Dubai, Wild Wadi Water
Park, Emirates Mall, and Al Badia Golf Club are all about 20 minutes away by car.
The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are about 10 minutes away by car or metro and
the nearest beach, Kite Beach, is about 15 minutes away by car. The hotel offers free parking for one car per room daily, and airport transfers can be arranged upon request.
Rooms
Spacious but a little dated, some with impressive city views and some apartments with kitchenettes
From standard rooms to executive
suites to three-bedroom apartments, there are 568 guest rooms throughout the
Crowne Plaza’s 23 floors, over half of which are non-smoking. All rooms feature some
mix of antique-style wooden cabinetry -- dressers with brass handles, desks with
tall mirrors, and nightstands with built-in alarm clocks -- and have the feel of an upscale 1990s American chain. Some Premium Rooms, apartments, and suites come with fresh flowers
and fruit, and have a kitchenette with a stove top, sink, and mini-fridge -- especially convenient for families. All
rooms have free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with cable, a mini-bar, and air-conditioning. All bathrooms are spacious, with combination shower/tubs, bathrobes, and eco-friendly toiletries, but
some are more modern in style than others. Some rooms have impressive views of the city
and surrounding buildings, but none feature much in the way of decoration, save
an abstract print or two adorning the walls. Some rooms look out upon the busy Sheikh Zayed Road and street noise is sometimes audible.
Features
13 restaurants and bars, pool and spa, free parking, plus huge meeting and event space
As one of the Dubai strip's original luxury hotels, the Crowne Plaza has an impressive number of facilities. The hotel is home to 13 restaurants, cafes, and bars, including an English sports pub (Harvesters, also home to the local Manchester United supporters group), a steak house, and Brazilian, French, Italian, and Japanese restaurants as well as a night club with live DJs. South American bands play live music in the Brazilian restaurant (Chamas Churrascaria) six days a week. There is a decent-sized outdoor pool with a pool bar and loungers, and the wellness complex also includes a large fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a spa with a sauna and a variety of massages and body treatments. The hotel has 15 meeting rooms including an enormous ballroom, banquet hall, and all the necessary equipment for presentations and business conventions.There is a parking lot on site,
with free valet parking for guests. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, as well as a well-equipped business center. Laundry, dry cleaning, and babysitting services are
available, including nannies for hire. There are special deals available for Crowne Plaza Club members. No pets are allowed in the hotel.
