The Conrad Dubai Review

Our Verdict: “A stylish urban escape with five-star luxury and a rooftop oasis.”

Dubai can be overwhelming – its neon-lit skyline, relentless traffic, and oversized malls can leave you craving some peace and quiet. That’s why we picked the Conrad Dubai for our stay, a hotel promising high-end comfort with an escape-from-the-city pool. With a late November getaway in mind, we wanted luxury, a proper swimming pool, and somewhere to retreat to when the bustle became too much. It’s also part of the Hilton group, so we were hoping for some Hilton Honor perks. Did it deliver? Mostly. Read on for our honest review of the Conrad Dubai.

In this review:

• Hotel Summary
• Location
• Check-in
• Our Room
• Facilities & Services
• Food and Beverage
• Check-out
• BG1 Verdict

Hotel Summary

Name: Conrad Dubai
Location: Dubai
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Hilton
Loyalty Programme: Hilton Honors
Room Type: Executive Suite
Room #: 4214
Price bracket: ££££
Competing brands: JW Marriott, Shangri-La, Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont
Good for: Couples, Friends, Groups

Location

The Conrad Dubai sits on the upper end of midtown, making it well-placed for exploring central Dubai. The World Trade Centre Metro station is right in front, meaning we could zip over to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the fountains in just three stops. The airport was a 15-minute taxi ride, and while The Palm Jumeirah took around 45 minutes by car, Old Dubai’s souks were a quicker 20-minute drive away. Location-wise, it was well-positioned for getting around – unless you’re after a beachfront stay. Uber and Careem taxis were quick to hail and arrive.

Check-in

We arrived late after an evening flight into Dubai. A porter swiftly handled our luggage while we were ushered to the check-in desk. Our initial excitement at being assigned a room on the 45th floor – also an executive floor – quickly faded when we realised the rooftop nightclub’s bass vibrations made their way straight through the walls. Not ideal.

The alternative room didn’t have a sea view, and by now, we were exhausted. Back to reception again, and after a bit of back-and-forth, we finally got the room we’d booked. On the plus side, as a group of three with one Hilton Diamond member, the hotel had already upgraded all our rooms to executive level before check-in, which meant lounge access for everyone. A small win after the room swap saga.

Room

The following morning, as we settled into our 42nd-floor King Sea View room – and as we began writing this Conrad Dubai review – we opened the automated blinds to be greeted with a panoramic view over the Arabian Gulf – exactly what we’d wanted. The room itself was generously sized, with an ultra-comfy bed, high-thread-count sheets, and pillows that actually supported the head instead of collapsing.

Tech-wise, the room had USB-A and USB-C sockets, a charging pad by the bed, and a large TV. The only flaw? No bedside charge points on the left side of the bed – perhaps the room was designed with solo business travellers in mind? A desk with mains sockets, a Nespresso machine with pods, a kettle with teas, and a stocked minibar completed the setup.

The bathroom was enormous, featuring a corner bathtub, twin sinks, a separate shower, and a toilet with a bidet. Sustainable Mojave-brand toiletries were a nice touch, alongside soft bathrobes and ample towels. A wardrobe with a luggage ledge, full-size iron and board, and an in-room safe meant storage was sorted.

Facilities & Services

The swimming pool complex was the hotel’s biggest selling point for us. Set among lush greenery, it genuinely felt like an oasis, with sun loungers arranged around a lagoon-like pool. The pool bar served drinks and food straight to our loungers from 10 am to 6 pm, meaning we didn’t have to move much – exactly what we wanted.

The housekeeping team was excellent, keeping the room spotless with daily cleaning and evening turndown service. Throughout the hotel, attention to detail was obvious – ornate carpets, stylish furnishings, and rose gold elevators added to the five-star feel. The Conrad Dubai gained top marks in this area of our review.

The full-service spa and well-equipped gym rounded out the facilities, and the online guest services were surprisingly helpful when it came to restaurant bookings and local advice.

Bars & Dining

Breakfast

As executive room guests, we had the choice of two breakfast locations. The main buffet on the 6th floor was the largest, with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes from around the world and live cooking stations. It got noticeably busier towards the weekend, which slowed down table service, but the staff handled the crowds well.

For a quieter start to the day, the executive lounge breakfast had fewer options but felt more relaxed.

The hotel also housed several restaurants, including Korean, Italian, and Greek dining options, offering a mix of cuisines without needing to venture outside.

In the evenings, the Executive Lounge served complimentary happy hour drinks and canapés

Check-out

Checking out on the executive floor was slower than expected – no “How was your stay?”, just a long wait for the bill to print. A strange quirk for a luxury hotel was the insistence on a minibar check before departure. When we explained we were in a rush, they backed off, but it felt odd. Most high-end hotels charge later if they find missing items, rather than delaying guests at checkout.

BG1 Verdict

Would we stay at Conrad Dubai again? Probably. The location was unbeatable for getting around, the executive lounge upgrade was a huge perk, and the pool area felt like a resort within a city hotel. But the check-in room shuffle and the sluggish checkout process took some of the shine off. If you’re after a five-star business hotel with a true escape-from-the-city pool, this could be it – but be prepared to navigate some service quirks/inflexibility along the way.

BG1 Tip

Request rooms facing the Arabian Gulf as there’s little to see facing the other side and you may hear the busy highway. There’s a nightclub on the 46th floor that runs until 4am, so avoid the floors directly beneath.

Read our Palazzo Versace Dubai Review