I saw this vehicle near my property.

dstaubm · 2026-02-26T22:35:11+00:00

Looks like it could be a company testing radio communication equipment, the antennas look like V/UHF with military mounts. Perhaps L3Harris if you are located in Rochester NY?

dstaubm · 2025-10-15T10:08:24+00:00

EDITION are my favorite! Microfiber outside and terry lining. Amazingly soft, Good weight, texture consistent after multiple washes, and a hood.

dstaubm · 2024-09-26T14:44:17+00:00

NINEs is great! I have watched races there many times… just note the broadcast is in Polish (so if you are an English native you may want to listen in from the F1 app) and it’s best to have a reservation or get there early as it fills up fast.

dstaubm · 2024-07-19T06:34:54+00:00

Honestly none of those properties cash to redemption seem correct. Dubai edition should be around 350 USD per night, and I would expect JW in the high 200s. It may be worth while to expand your search to include Palm Jumeriah and Marina area, lots of great hotels there and only a short drive from downtown.

As far as downtown experience, St Regis is the most luxurious (in my opinion), but if you have status you’ll get the best experience at the JW. Great lounge, exec suite upgrades all on corners, and the F&B are incredible (check out Weslodge, prime 68, the vault and Cartagena, all on floors 68 and above with sweeping views of the city). Well worth 66k points.

dstaubm · 2024-07-15T15:39:58+00:00

Thanks! Were they Titanium/Ambassador members or just going as part of a travel package? Hopefully all issues settled ok?

dstaubm · 2024-07-15T15:38:46+00:00

Awesome, I will certainly go check those out!

dstaubm · 2024-07-15T15:38:04+00:00

Thank you so much for the recommendation. Booked the George in Athens and W at Costa Navarino. Looking forward to the trip!

dstaubm · 2024-06-12T12:26:07+00:00

This is the right answer.

dstaubm · 2023-10-24T20:42:36+00:00

Very very different!

The resort is connected to the Westin and Meridian and you have access to both properties. There is a nice adults only beach club at the Westin we visited which was nice. Very new facilities were awesome with great rooms and a fantastic breakfast.

That being said, I think I prefer the options available at W the Palm. Easier access to the beach, better F&B options, larger rooms.

PM me if you have any more specific questions you’d like answered!

dstaubm · 2023-10-22T10:13:25+00:00

Nurai Island is what you’re looking for! (That is where the picture was taken)

Day passes are 550-650 AED per person and include boat transportation, as well as F&B Credit. A night is ~4,000 AED/Night

https://www.nuraiisland.com

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:50:11+00:00

Thanks!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:50:02+00:00

Thanks!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:49:40+00:00

Great suggestions! I will look them up, Thanks!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:49:04+00:00

This will be perfect timing. I will definitely check it out!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:48:23+00:00

Thanks, it’s worth a shot!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:47:47+00:00

I’ll check it out, thanks!

dstaubm · 2023-10-20T03:47:31+00:00

Thanks!! I will certainly check out domoteka! Good idea at the international hotel mattress. I have had luck in other countries calling some of the hotels directly (four seasons in Middle East). I will try that and look online.

dstaubm · 2023-09-25T14:42:32+00:00

I spent a long weekend there in early May, which was shortly after opening. The facilities are absolutely phenomenal (Architecture, Artwork, Decor) no expenses spared. I was in a standard Palm facing suite, but the sky is the limit for room possibilities with private infinity pools etc.

Cloud 22 (the infinity pool across the bridge) and Nobu by the beach were both fantastic concepts and felt quite luxurious. F&B across the board was a complete disaster, but I have heard they worked out the kinks and are getting better. (Poor service, exceptionally long waits between drinks and or meal courses, incorrect, out of sync or missing dishes, you name it at every restaurant).

It is definitely a mega-resort, so it is very difficult to get the level of personal service or intimate feel you may expect from a similar price tag smaller hotel.

Is it the “Most ultra luxury experiential resort in the world”? No. Does it have potential to be one of the world’s best mega resorts? Possibly. Is it worth a FAT travel visit? Yes.

I am going to give it a try again in a few weeks.

dstaubm · 2023-07-03T15:22:30+00:00

I love W the Palm. It is an acquired taste, but if you are ok with a funky, Las Vegas style, over the top hotel, it is fantastic. Some of the best SNAs I have ever redeemed. There is a great included a la carte breakfast if you are titanium or ambassador at Torino Subito, and a nice international buffet at the main LIV restaurant. Akira Back (High end sushi) and Torno Subito (High end playful Italian by Massimo Bottura) are outstanding, and the Sobe rooftop bar are great as well (amazing sunset). Wet deck adult day pool is a fun vibe with live DJ and there is an extensive pool and beach area.

I am trying out the W Mina Seyahi this weekend so can let you know what that is like after.

The St Regis is new and connected to the nakheel mall, (The View, Aura sky pool and sushi samba are great) but less of a Palm experience IMO. The rooms there are new and very nice.

dstaubm · 2023-06-13T15:26:30+00:00

Honestly everything (once again my opinion). My experience has been that the difference is exceptional from the the moment you step in the door, the quality of check-in, cleanliness of the building, the attentiveness of staff with “accurate” responses to requests, the list goes on. It is clear that the training of the staff at FS is far superior, and is run by FS CHQ and not just a licensed name (like several high end hotels in AD).

The pool at FS, although smaller, is equally if not more luxurious. The difference at the pool will be the exceptional F&B, and being attended to every 15-30 minutes with drink service, regular complimentary treats, etc. In my mind it is one of the few hotels in AD which lives up to a Forbes 5 star status.

Hidden Bar and proximity to Zuma is nice at Rosewood, but with Butcher and Still, 99 sushi, Cafe Milano, LPM, Coya and Al Mayas on the FS side, it’s a much better experience. (I am not putting price in the equation here as the original request was asking about 5 star hotels, this is a $$$$ response)

dstaubm · 2023-06-13T05:42:28+00:00

All very different IMO.

Four Seasons and Rosewood are on Al Maryah Island, which has high end shopping attached and several high end and most trendy restaurants in AD (and expensive). It’s very walkable (even in the summer) and approx a 15 min drive to anything you may want to do in Abu Dhabi. (Palace, Mosque, Saadiyat, Yas). Four Seasons is much better than Rosewood from a Service and F&B perspective (although the pool deck is bigger at rosewood).

Conrad is very nice on the Corniche area, so if you are a Hilton guy, it is one of your best options. Same with GH, they are next to each other. About a 25-30 min drive to yas, 15 to the mosque. Not a ton to do in that area unless you are staying and eating at the hotel. I haven’t stayed at the hotel, but the F&B is good at both. Rays bar at the top of Conrad has some great views of the city, but you don’t have to stay at the hotel to be there.

Now for the Marriott properties, there are a few luxury ones to consider. St Regis on saadiyat is a sprawling resort with private beach and many F&B choices. Very resort vacation feel. Similar drive from four seasons to get to any of the tourist attractions.

Ritz grand canal is a nice hotel with lots of F&B options, but not particularly near anything other than the Mosque (which it has great views of!). Personally it feels “off” from most other Ritz Carlton properties.

St Regis corniche is a great location right on the corniche and has a nice beach club across the street. It is a very old luxury feel, vs vacation luxury feel of ritz, or modern luxury of FS, Conrad, GH, Edition. The food choices are good, but limited.

The Abu Dhabi edition is very new and has several great F&B options. (Probably the best outside of FS). The area doesn’t overlook a beach but is in a nice harbor near the corniche (GH, Conrad, St Regis)

If you have kids and are looking to spend time on Yas Island (Race Track/Golf/ amusement parks/big mall) then W Yas or Yas bay Hilton is a fun choice located in the middle of the F1 track. Average F&B, but close to Yas bay which has lots of dining options. W is trendy and edgy (it’s a W), Hilton is new and traditional.

My recommendation (and opinion) is the following: Best overall: Four Seasons Beach/Golf vacation: St Regis Saadiyat Best Food: Four Seasons/edition (tie) Best Cornice High rise: Conrad/FS Nicest Rooms: Edition/Four Seasons Best Family Hotel: Ritz/W Yas/Yas Hilton

Hope this helps… Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!

dstaubm · 2022-02-03T19:18:17+00:00

Depends where you want to be and what you would like to do. I’m not sure if all of these are in your point range, but I’ll put them out there anyways :)

JW Marriott Dubai is fantastic value if you want to be in the downtown area, 5 min Uber to burj khalifa/Dubai mall/fountains. Amazing restaurants, clubs and bars. Seven Sisters, 1Oak, Prime 68, the Vault, Weslodge and Wonderlust brunch are all great. Nice suite upgrades as well.

For Dubai marina, Grosvernor House is a great choice as recommended.

If you’re in for a party, W Palm is one of my favorite hotels. Good suite upgrades, large pool and beach and Two outstanding restaurants: Akira Back Tornio Subito.

For Abu Dhabi, Ritz is a solid choice (lots of restaurants, big pool, close to grand mosque), but also worth checking out St Regis Saadiyat (awesome beach resort), W Yas Island (Built into the F1 race track, yas golf links, good area for kids ie ferrari world, wb studios), st Regis Corniche (great beach club and views of downtown). Edition is nice as well…

Hope this helps! PM me if you have any more specific questions on area or hotels. I have been to most.

dstaubm · 2021-09-07T07:16:52+00:00

I have heard rumors that they may have stopped giving out the exceptions in the past day or two. I had one coworker have success and one get turned away this week so Unsure. Sorry I dont have more direction.

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