Arrived at Dubai having decided to try the BA 12.40 from Heathrow, instead of my normal overnight Emirates flight.

Flight was on-time and a comfortable triple 7. Arrived on-time in Dubai at 1.30pm local time and was met by my smiling Taj Palace Hotel limo driver. He was very polite and informed me our journey would take around 15 minutes, then before setting off he gave me a cool towel and bottle of water, both from a cool box he had in the front of the car.

Arriving at the hotel, which is in Deira, I was escorted to the reception and greeted by a smiling smartly dressed receptionist, who welcomed me to the Taj Palace. Check in was swift and he personally escorted me to my room.

My room was a very large, executive double, with dark wood floors and furniture. It also had a large and very comfy sofa with scatter cushions and a large balcony. Sadly the view was of other buildings, but remember this is Deira and so is NOT beach facing.

Breakfast was a well organised affair, with someone showing me to a table and I was offered coffee immediately upon sitting down, as well as some eggs. Excellent service, and my eggs and coffee were on the table before I got back from the buffet with my orange juice. Amazing!

Service was attentive, even though the restaurant was very busy. One thing noticeable however, was the dreadfully loud pan pipe music. Far too loud, which made everyone talk above it, so not terribly relaxing if you like your early morning coffee in peaceful surroundings, but overall a good experience.

I decided to try the roof top pool mid morning and was surprised to note the music was once again far too loud. I found someone and asked for it to be turned down, and it was. The pool became busy very quickly with all sun beds being taken, but the pool service was not up to speed and could have been better. I believe you should be offered a drink every half hour at least, and after two hours I had been offered nothing. I went to the bar and ordered a bottle of water and it was brought to my sunbed very quickly.

I visited the reception and was greeted by all three staff on duty with a smile and a "Good Morning Sir". I asked about a courtesy bus to The Kempinsky Ajman, which is a hotel Taj Palace uses for guests wanting to visit a beach. I was informed it left at 9.15am and I booked a seat at a cost of 100dhms for the transport and use of the Ajman hotel for the day. I was the only one on the bus. It took around 45 minutes. The hotel and beach and pool were all fine for a day visit, but it's worth pointing out that other Jumeirah hotels offer a 'day guest' pass for a price, and most are closer by taxi, which is more convenient as you can pick your own times, and taxis are relatively cheap.

The in room internet service plugged into the back of my computer and worked first time. That's a first! It costs about £12 for 24 hours, but for business I don't think that's excessive, although you perhaps wouldn't want to surf at that cost whilst on holiday. Having said that, if you're on holiday, would you want to be internet surfing?

Had dinner in the hotels Japanese restaurant. I had a full Japanese Sushi buffet, with huge choice, some tepinyaki, and also some Tempura, all cooked from my selection right in front of me. I then had one or two puddings and a bottle of sparkling water to wash it all down. The cost was just 150 DHMS all in. That's about £22. Fantastic value. It's important to remember that the Taj Palace does not serve alcohol anywhere on the premises, but you may bring alcohol in to consume in your room, should you wish to do so.

There's an evening turn-down service which operated efficiently. Its worth mentioning that, from my experience, the in-room 24 hour room service menu has much more choice than most.

The service and facilities are all five-star at this hotel and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Just remember it's in the old part of Dubai called Deira, but taxis are cheap to get around.

Flight back on BA was in what can best be described as an 'old' Boeing triple 7. My seat wouldn't stay upright, various video screens were not working, the seats and arm rests were tatty, and the plane's wing looked like it needed a good wash. After years of flying Emirates I thought I'd try BA. Certainly won't make that mistake again! See you soon Emirates!

Finally, in my opinion, if you want to get the best service from anyone anywhere in the world, my advice is to be polite, calm, smile and always remember you are a guest in another country. Respect..and if you want your eggs to be cooked the way you like them. Ask. Remember you're in a five-star hotel ;-)

Taj Palace Dubai Located at the centre of DIERA.

Location Details
Diera is a central area of Dubai. Its not posh area such as the Jhumeira, but one can find a lot of malls close by. Its a shoping paradise as all the big malls are close by within 5 to 8km.

The Taj Palace Dubai

Positives.
- A cotemprary design, you get a feeling of relaxation as soon as you enter the Hotel.
-Great resturants (Indian, Italian, Japanense)
- Exceptional service quality, a real 5 star service.
- HUGE ROOMS, Rooms are so huge, 61sqft and one of the biggest rooms i have stayed in. Although they lack a sense of grand decor, but the size of it really compensates for the same.
- The hotel has a nice concierge services arranges for practically anything in Dubai.

Negatives.
- Location is not an exotic one specially if your aim is of relaxation.
- BALCONy IS said to be a luxury but in Taj Palace it seems to be a paralysed wing, practically of no use.
-WIFI Charges are unheard of in any part of the world 3 Dhs per minute.

Experience.

My experience at the Taj was very good. Definately will stay here next time because the room size that you get here is of a grand size. The service of taj may it be in in room dining or helping it in packing of our goods was amazing, There is a sense of "Cool" grandness attached to the loby. The staff was very courteous. Although they charge 400 to 600 Dhs as a security deposit but if you are A Taj Innercircle member, they do away with the the deposit. The food at Handi was amazing and so was the lively atmosphere created by the musician and the singer there. Taj lives up to its reputation of Luxury and service, But i also some what agree to the previous comments that the Taj Indian Hotels are superior to Taj in Dubai. Taj Palace dubai in all a nice 5 star hotel living up to the Taj's reputation!!!

Recent Stay - March 24 - 1 April 2008

I saw the Taj Palace on the Internet and looked like a nice well presented hotel. When turning up there my first impressions were great, entered the lobby very nice, open, relaxing. However once entered our room located on the 7th floor, i was not impressed at all, it was just far to small, not much space at all.

Dissapointed as there was no balcony with our room. I had breakfast booked for my 8 day stay, and when i went down to eat on the first day, it all looked so nice. I got some potatoes, when i sat down to eat, i bit the potatoes, it was raw and not even cooked properly and just puked it out. The scrabled eggs werent cooked properly all gooey, Had some sausages, cut in half and all white fat started coming out, looked disgusting and realy put me off breakfast. Over the next few days i noticed the potatoes were cut differently so i thought they may be cooked well, but NO they werent. The sweet croisants section was nice.

Therefore i wouldnt reccoment you book breakfast with your stay, best to eat out.

There was no free wireless internet access, youd think there would be staying in a 5* hotel. You have to pay 3dhs PER MINUTE if you want internet access in the hotel. Your better off going to the internet cafe round the corner and pay 5dhs PER HOUR or 3dhs PER HOUR using your own laptop.

There is only one pool on the 11th floor roof top (no indoor pool), with a jacuzzi, however there is always lots of people in there so not relaxing as much. Also with the sun so hot in months like april-august its not very pleasant in the pool as the heat could probably get to your head.

You have lots of shops nearby, restaurants (mc D's, Pizza Hut, Subway, KFC, Hagen Daz etc) and shopping malls, smal kids funfair all within walking distance.

The best place to stay i would reccomend is Golden Sands 3 or 5 apartments. They have 2 pools, great service from staff, big rooms, balcony, free internet access, rooms have kitchens, washing machine, fridge, cooker and everything you need. Its best as sometimes its nice to be in your room and cook your own breakfast, bring lunch or dinner from out and eat comfortably!!

Hope this review has helped...

The pleasant stay in this hotel is unforgettable, especially the good staff, great breakfast, ample rooms and one of the best house keepings we have ever experienced! It really worths every penny you spend! Wish the best for the organizers.
Tehran, Iran