Jumeirah Al Qasr

It's hugely disappointing to find so little of praise for a hotel I saw grow from the sand. The original idea was to create a Palace at which everyone was welcomed as a guest of the Emir. What it has become is a mechanised, cookie-cutter of a Hilton, with the reception crew financially invented for the upsell.

I had paid extra for an Ocean view room, but whan I arrived the room partially faced a wall and partially faced a tower of another building. When I asked about the ocean view they had sold, I was told that the room pointed in the direction of the ocean, even of it couldn't be seen.

It took 47 minutes waiting in reception and viewing equally terrible rooms before a manager appeared who, armed with a post it note and biro, started to haggle on the price of an upgrade. I said that I had booked an ocean view room so would like an ocean view. That wasn't possible, he said, but for more than double what I had paid I could have a room with an ocean view!

Dubai is full of high quality hotels with exceptional service, and it's a shame that the one named after a Palace is more like Pensione.

Al Qasr holds a deeply special place in our hearts. It’s where we got married back in 2017, just before leaving Dubai for Asia. Returning now, after years away, felt like coming full circle—this wasn’t just a stay, it was something personal.

Despite a few unfortunate incidents, the emotion, the memories, and the sheer beauty of the experience still deserve nothing less than a 5-star rating.

From the moment you step onto the grounds, the grandeur of Jumeirah Al Qasr is undeniable. Time hasn’t diminished its charm. The sweeping ocean views, tranquil pools, and rich Arabian décor still have the power to transport you—to slow you down, to quiet your mind, and to remind you what true relaxation feels like.

High tea at Al Fayrooz was nothing short of exceptional. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming—but one person truly stood out. Mr. Kelloros, you didn’t just serve us—you elevated our entire experience. Your energy, attentiveness, and care made us feel seen and valued. Quite frankly, the hotel would benefit from more people like you in guest-facing leadership roles. Please PROMOTE HIM TO HEAD of front office.

Breakfast was an experience in itself—an expansive spread catering to every possible taste. It’s not something you can fully describe; it’s something you have to experience.

Our dinner at Pad Thai was equally memorable. The food was authentic, vibrant, and beautifully executed. Sabida, your passion and attentiveness didn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for guiding us through the menu and making the evening so enjoyable.

The rooms remain timeless—elegant, clean, and full of character. And the wider property? Simply breathtaking. Every pathway, every pool, every corner feels intentionally designed to immerse you in its Arabian identity. It’s impossible not to fall under its spell.

We even booked two separate 3-day stays within two weeks—and we’re already looking forward to returning again.

That said, there are a few points that cannot be overlooked.

Check-in was unnecessarily frustrating. We had booked a club room, only to find the club lounge closed. What made it worse was the lack of transparency and the time it took to resolve. There was also inconsistency in service—no welcome drink, while others received one. We were given room keys despite a known system failure, only to walk back down after discovering they didn’t work. At this point the reception told us it was an issue all day, so if thats the case why werent we told from the beginning? This could—and should—have been handled far better.

What followed was even more disappointing. A guest relations representative escorted us back to the room but showed no sense of hospitality—walking ahead without engagement, offering no explanation, and responding dismissively to basic questions. He simply opnened the door, straight face, no explanation ot anything. So we asked what about the key? He said u need to go back down to reception. Ok when? When it starts working. When will that be? Im not sure. It was genuinely surprising to learn he was part of the guest relations team. Zero guest relation skills shown.

At Mina Al Salam, the experience was equally concerning. When asking about a buggy after a gym session, I was met with a noticeably different tone compared to another guest just before me. The interaction felt dismissive and unnecessarily interrogative. This is not the level of respect one expects from a brand of this calibre. This individual Jayakumar spoke to me like i was some trash off the street “you stay here? Your name?” Then pointed down the stairs.

A similar incident occurred with valet staff on my next session at the gym. where I was completely ignored in favour of other guests, despite clearly seeking assistance. Being overlooked and then abruptly dismissed was both frustrating and disappointing.

These moments stood in stark contrast to the excellence displayed by the food and beverage team.

To close—Al Qasr remains a place of beauty, nostalgia, and world-class potential. But it’s clear that the front office and guest-facing operational teams could learn a great deal from the warmth, professionalism, and care consistently demonstrated by the F&B staff. They are the true custodians of the brand’s promise.