As mentioned earlier, I was visiting Dubai for the IATA AGM 2024. The convention was being held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, a massive 5-star hotel in Dubai, a hotel I’ve stayed at before, but where the prices were pretty inflated (given airline royalty from around the world was going to be there, and the hotel was going to have high occupancy).

So, I went looking for a hotel close by. I remembered passing by the Residence Inn, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, earlier; it was a property I wanted to try. The other hotel I had in mind was the Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, across the road. Given that the rates were reasonable at the Residence Inn and the hotel was close to the venue, I booked this hotel for my stay.

To pick up from where we left off, here is what happened so far:

• Encalm Prive Lounge, Delhi Airport, Terminal 3 (International)
• AI 995, Delhi to Dubai on board Air India’s A350 Business Class
• Visa on Arrival in Dubai

While I’d initially planned to take the Metro to the hotel, given the late-night arrival in Dubai, I took a cab, which cost about AED 62 (INR 1400 / USD 17) and was about 20 minutes of ride time. The hotel’s location on Sheikh Zayed Road is one of its most vital selling points, given it is in the heart of Dubai’s business and entertainment district. Additionally, the hotel is about 300 metres away from the Financial Centre Station of the Dubai Metro, which is an economical way of travelling around the length of Dubai. Around the corner is also the Ritz Carlton DIFC, and a short walk away is the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.

When I arrived at the hotel, the bellman helped me unload the bags quickly, even at that hour of the night.

The reception was staffed, and guests were checking in. I was quickly assisted with my check-in and handed the keys to my room. I was booked into a One-Bedroom Suite. However, I was upgraded to a one-bedroom Premium Suite, a slightly bigger version of the same suite, as I realised from the pictures on the website. On a work trip, it did not matter, but the extra space was appreciated. The bellman brought up the bags shortly after.

The Residence Inn by Marriott on Sheikh Zayed Road offers a range of room types to cater to different needs and group sizes. All rooms are designed with extended stays in mind. The room categories include Studio,  One-/Two-Bedroom, and Three-Bedroom Suites. All rooms, regardless of category, come equipped with a fully functional kitchenette, making them ideal for guests planning longer stays or those who prefer to prepare their meals. Think of them as homestays but in a hotel.

The hotel front office called me a few minutes after I arrived in the room. They said they’d missed scanning in my passport, so I could either bring it to them, or they could come up and borrow it for a short while. That was quickly resolved, and I was free to hit the bed.

Residence Inn, Sheikh Zayed Road, One-Bedroom Suite

Here are some pictures of the suite. As you enter, you walk into the living room equipped with a television, a work desk, and a couch. You will note an elevated counter served as the dining table or as a separation between the kitchenette and the living area.

Here is a look at the other side, the kitchenette. You will notice a full-size refrigerator, oven, kettle, cooktop and fully automatic washing machine.

Utensils were provided and stocked inside the shelves, including cooking pots, pans, plates, and spoons.

An amenity of fruit and water waited for me when I checked in.

Here is a look at the bedroom.

The room has several closets and a longish table that doubles as a work desk.

As I mentioned earlier, there are many closets in the room.

A touch panel controlled the lights, but as is usual with hotels, I always miss one or the other light since I’m not too fond of pitch-dark rooms, and it seems there were no night lamps in the room. There were also USB A and USB C charge ports on both sides of the bed.

While we are at it, here is a picture of the bathroom, which was pretty small compared to the entire room’s area. What I did not like about the whole design was that there was just a tiny shower cubicle.

There was also a small powder room as you entered.

The rooms’ overall decor strikes a balance between contemporary design and comfort. The colour palette is neutral and calming, with occasional pops of colour in the artwork or soft furnishings. The furnishings are of high quality, with comfortable seating options and beds that provide excellent support for a good night’s sleep.

Residence Inn, Sheikh Zayed Road Breakfast and Dining

Panorama is the hotel’s primary dining outlet. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has a modern, airy feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road.

The breakfast features a reasonable buffet that caters to international tastes. The spread includes a variety of fresh fruits, cereals, pastries, cold cuts, and cheeses. Hot options typically include Western-style offerings (eggs cooked to order, sausages) and Middle Eastern dishes (foul medames, shakshuka), as well as Indian (Idli, Parantha, Paneer Curry) and Asian options. Although I admit I could only grab breakfast here one of the three days I was at the hotel.

Here are some images of the variety on offer. Being a select-service hotel, it did not have miles and miles of food, but it served all palates.

And then there was a pancake machine, which was also fascinating for those who hadn’t seen one before.

Here are some of the views from the Panorama Restaurant.

Among the other dining options at the hotel are in-room dining and a rooftop restaurant, Cabana & Grill.

On the other side of the terrace was the pool, which I could not photograph because it was occupied while I was on the terrace.

Residence Inn, Sheikh Zayed Road Lounge, and Check out.

I was hardly in the room, with a calendar full of meetings and events from 7 in the morning to late at night for the two and a half days I was in Dubai. However, the hotel had some great staff, always ready to assist when needed, including flagging a cab or any other assistance needed.

There was also a convenience store on the ground floor, which was handy if you needed anything from Starbucks coffee to detergent pods for the washing machine.

I was confirmed for a 4 p.m. late checkout. However, I wanted to get out a little later, so the hotel was kind enough to give me a short extension. Eventually, I had to leave the room because my flight was much later in the evening, so I decided to wait and work in the lounge.

The hotel also has a great location to walk out and get coffee or a bite. Once I got bored sitting in the lounge, I headed to a nearby coffee shop and got some coffee while I worked for the rest of the evening.

Bottomline

In spite of being a select service hotel, the Residence Inn by Marriott, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, was the perfect place to spend a few days at a not-very-expensive price point. While I did not come around to cooking anything in the room, the hotel caters to families or friends travelling together who want a central spot in town to stay near all sorts of business, shopping and touristy areas. The upkeep was excellent, and the staff was polite and hospitable. All of that delivered a great experience overall during my short stay at the hotel.

Have you stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai? If so, what has been your experience?

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Pros

+ Excellent location on Sheikh Zayed Road
+ Spacious suites with well-equipped kitchenettes
+ Friendly, efficient staff

Cons

None really

Rating