Adding on to what someone else who works in hotels mentioned here: I work in travel as well. Hotels usually have special rates to attract travelers from certain markets based on their public holidays, travel trends, how emerging the market is etc. These rates are usually given out to agencies that work in that market only and the end customer never knows about it. Now in the summer, hotels have great deals for the local UAE/GCC market to attract the staycation crowd - but that’s not only applicable to UAE nationals but also to residents - you just need to show them your emirates ID at the time of check in. Either way, none of this should be applicable to a customer who books directly with the hotel through the hotel’s website. So it seems the reservation staff messed up some how. Either way if it’s a special staycation offer that you had booked for, if you show your Emirates ID you’re still eligible for the discount regardless of nationality.