Pros

  • Central location within walking distance of Business Bay Metro station
  • Spacious, bright rooms with kitchenettes and flat-screen TVs
  • Large fitness center complete with a wellness area
  • Relaxing rooftop pool with city views and a bar
  • A contemporary restaurant serving international cuisine
  • Seven meeting rooms, some with natural light
  • On-site parking available (for a fee)
  • A few rooms have Burj Khalifa views
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Cons

  • Fee for Wi-Fi
  • Breakfast buffet doesn’t vary much
  • Some rooms have atrium views
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Bottom Line

Small, quiet Villa Rotana is a breath of fresh air in a city where most hotels are huge skyscrapers or resorts chock-full of amenities. While not quite high-end, this cute property features all the basics, including a large, bright fitness center; a pleasant rooftop pool; a tasty international restaurant, and seven meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment. All rooms feature fully equipped kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and king beds (or twins upon request), and a few have Burj Khalifa views. Just note that there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi, and that the breakfast buffet doesn’t vary much.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Rotana

Scene

A small hotel with a boutique feel

Housed in a neoclassic European-style villa built around a central atrium, Villa Rotana stands out among neighboring hotels not only for its exteriors, but also for the atmosphere. Unlike at the many business properties in the area, the vibe here is quiet and friendly, with a boutique feel. Tastefully decorated in soft earth tones and white marble, the lobby is stylish, simple, and bright, making for a welcome respite from busy Sheikh Zayed Road outside. Around the corner from the main lobby is the atrium, a large, airy room topped with a huge skylight. Moka Café, the hotel’s only restaurant, has a number of tables in this space, and guests can be seen here throughout the day. Rooms are a little bit more generic but still fairly homey, with decor in several brown hues, and simple wooden furniture.

See More Scene

Location

In central Dubai, within walking distance of the financial and business areas

The hotel is located right on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s main thoroughfare. There are plenty of other hotels nearby, as well as a couple of supermarkets and a few restaurants. The area is not the most attractive in town, but it offers easy access to many major attractions -- including the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, which are both just a quick metro or cab ride away -- and the financial district. The beachfront, lined with cafes and restaurants, is a seven-minute drive away, and the airport can be reached in under 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions. But note that Sheikh Zayed Road can get busy, and it could take much longer during rush hour.

See More Location

Rooms

Homey and simple, with kitchenettes and flat-screen TVs

The hotel offers 118 rooms -- including 56 studios and 62 suites -- all featuring fully equipped kitchenettes (suites also have washers), flat-screen TVs, and king beds. Decor is simple and homey, with light brown carpeting, cream-colored bed throws, and wooden furniture. Large windows let in lots of light, and some even offer Burj Khalifa views. Rooms overlooking the atrium aren’t as nice, but can be quieter. There have been a few complaints of some wear, but rooms are generally spotless and well-maintained. Bathrooms are clean and attractive, with funky gray tiles, and dark stone counters. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.

See More Rooms

Features

A tasty restaurant, a rooftop pool, and a gym

Moka Café serves international cuisine for all three meals. It has a number of tables in the atrium, and a buffet bar in the mornings. The fitness center is bright and pleasant, with wooden floors, up-to-date equipment, and a wellness area in each locker room complete with a sauna and a whirlpool. Probably the hotel’s best feature is the lovely rooftop pool, decorated with an arched gallery overlooking the city. There is a poolside bar open until after sunset, and seven meeting rooms equipped with high-speed Internet access. Babysitting services are available upon request.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Rotana

Scene

A small hotel with a boutique feel

Housed in a neoclassic European-style villa built around a central atrium, Villa Rotana stands out among neighboring hotels not only for its exteriors, but also for the atmosphere. Unlike at the many business properties in the area, the vibe here is quiet and friendly, with a boutique feel. Tastefully decorated in soft earth tones and white marble, the lobby is stylish, simple, and bright, making for a welcome respite from busy Sheikh Zayed Road outside. Around the corner from the main lobby is the atrium, a large, airy room topped with a huge skylight. Moka Café, the hotel’s only restaurant, has a number of tables in this space, and guests can be seen here throughout the day. Rooms are a little bit more generic but still fairly homey, with decor in several brown hues, and simple wooden furniture.

See More Scene

Location

In central Dubai, within walking distance of the financial and business areas

The hotel is located right on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s main thoroughfare. There are plenty of other hotels nearby, as well as a couple of supermarkets and a few restaurants. The area is not the most attractive in town, but it offers easy access to many major attractions -- including the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, which are both just a quick metro or cab ride away -- and the financial district. The beachfront, lined with cafes and restaurants, is a seven-minute drive away, and the airport can be reached in under 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions. But note that Sheikh Zayed Road can get busy, and it could take much longer during rush hour.

See More Location

Rooms

Homey and simple, with kitchenettes and flat-screen TVs

The hotel offers 118 rooms -- including 56 studios and 62 suites -- all featuring fully equipped kitchenettes (suites also have washers), flat-screen TVs, and king beds. Decor is simple and homey, with light brown carpeting, cream-colored bed throws, and wooden furniture. Large windows let in lots of light, and some even offer Burj Khalifa views. Rooms overlooking the atrium aren’t as nice, but can be quieter. There have been a few complaints of some wear, but rooms are generally spotless and well-maintained. Bathrooms are clean and attractive, with funky gray tiles, and dark stone counters. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.

See More Rooms

Features

A tasty restaurant, a rooftop pool, and a gym

Moka Café serves international cuisine for all three meals. It has a number of tables in the atrium, and a buffet bar in the mornings. The fitness center is bright and pleasant, with wooden floors, up-to-date equipment, and a wellness area in each locker room complete with a sauna and a whirlpool. Probably the hotel’s best feature is the lovely rooftop pool, decorated with an arched gallery overlooking the city. There is a poolside bar open until after sunset, and seven meeting rooms equipped with high-speed Internet access. Babysitting services are available upon request.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Tennis Court

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.