Waldorf Astoria DIFC: My New Favorite Dubai Hotel

@DCS
Have you stayed here?

Hey Lucky. It looks nice, but I'll stick with the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeira. I was there last year on a points stay and we got upgraded to a 1,300 square foot, ocean-view suite with two bathrooms and the biggest stall shower that I have ever been in. It was so large that it had shower heads at each end. The breakfast was also amazing. When we were eating, our waiter and the restaurant manager came over to our table with an amazing fruit platter and a handwritten thank you card. Our upgraded suite had executive lounge access.

In terms of upgrades, they denied me an upgrade to a suite in December on a 4-night stay as a Diamond member. They said standard upgrade is up to a Premier Room. I There were suites available to book online, but I think they thought they can sell the suites to walk-ups so didn’t want to give it to me. I found the check-in staff particularly cold and uninterested. Breakfast was excellent and the rest of the service was very polished and consistently excellent.

Got a really good deal last year on the hotel for 32K points a night (including the 5th night free). I encountered a similar experience, very nice staff + as a Diamond I received the same awesome suite upgrade as you mentioned. Can definitely recommend the hotel.

I love the fact that you think you do not get preferential treatment at hotels and in the air...because you do when it suits them. I'm sure (we have seen) you get downright rotten service by individuals who are either jealous or hate bloggers/influencers.

Hotels know you...and airlines (especially AA/BA JV - are always aware when you are onboard). Otherwise, they are not doing their job at HQ.

This hotel is new. You have a few million page views monthly. Think about it...a new service or property will want that presented to the world in its best light. 😉

The Park Hyatt Dubai is way overrated and one of the least attractive PH's in the world. Ranks up there with Aviara for me. By contrast Abu Dhabi Park Hyatt is fantastic. In reality, I find Abu Dhabi as a whole much better an area and an actual destination rather than a 1-2 night stopover like DXB. Nice beaches, (not Maldives - but nice) along with a slew of great new cultural spots. As well the top hotels are often half the price as Dubai, including the Park Hyatt! Dubai is so 10 years ago and it's purely running on name recognition at this point.

Abu Dhabi is way worse in regards to Covid-1984-regime than Dubai.

I have just lost interest in the Hilton program because so many of their hotels seem past their prime, and their program overall just doesn't meet my needs. One stay at the WA in Key West has scared me from ever wasting points or money on another one. Though if reports from this place stay positive, I guess it might be worth a shot.

Yeah it really is a testament to the work Lucky has done and this community he has created. This is no longer a miles blog its an absolute force, its community is much tighter and loyal than other points sites and the travel industry has taken notice. Ben's reviews carry meaning, we all know a fake influence review when we see them and experienced travelers like us dont fall for the cheap Instagram paid reviews. Air and Hotels are realizing this and making sure Ben gets the best as he should because he is that important.

The two waldorf properties are the only good looking hilton properties in dubai. The conrad looks super dated. Anyone know why rooms seem to cost more on weekdays vs weekends?

Love reading your blog for the past decade Lucky and love that you actually take our suggestions to heart. Was delightfully shocked to see you pick this hotel after a couple of us suggested it 🙂

Could not disagree more. PH Dubai is one of my favorite properties worldwide.

The Conrad is less luxurious than the WA but I have found it to be very good. As a Diamond I received a very nice upgrade to a 1-bedroom suite and lounge access. Service was generally very warm and personable and at worst business-like and efficient (pre-Covid at least it was a very busy property). I like the easy access to the Dubai metro and also just walking along the sidewalk on Sheikh Zayed Road (if you don't mind the nonstop traffic on the road itself) there is a surprisingly number of pedestrians and street-level restaurants, coffee shops, etc.

Given how over-the-top Dubai is at the high end, the Conrad is certainly not that glamorous or cutting-edge, but it is an excellent city hotel in a great location.

Thanks for sharing your experience in the DIFC area, I have always stayed in the Deira and like you have thought Dubai as a city location rather than a beach holiday and always found the Deira district a very enjoyable stay with plenty of restaurants, based on your initial overview I will certainly look at the DIFC for my next trip.

yes, way past their prime and hilton points are way less valuable than other chains

Great Review. Having stayed many times in Dubai normally around DIFC I’d give my vote to The Conrad, had great service there and love the location.

I base this on very tired rooms in desperate need of renovations. Mediocre dining that lacks any identity (other than CB which is ok). An overcrowded Lagoon pool that looks nice in pictures but is often over crowded. An odd location that while great for the airport is not convenient to much else. No beach, though they are desperate to try and make it seem as such. Sprawling floors that if you are in the wing closest to the Marina venues you get 10 minute walks to anything and loud music from the dance club next door. I will give it good marks for the grounds and landscaping, that part is nice.

I am a Lifetime and Regular Globalist that has stayed at virtually every PH worldwide. Sorry, but Dubai is a very weak property in comparison to, say, Abu Dhabi, which is actually a fantastic hotel and really delivers a great product. The Germans seem to love Dubai PH though, so perhaps it's a cultural thing.

I love the DIFC but personally I don't want to stay there. I love the galleries and the restaurants and almost always visit there but much prefer to stay either at the beach or further downtown depending on why and for how long I am in Dubai. I think Dubai has now become a destination where one needs to choose accommodation based on why you're there otherwise its possible to be spending your whole time in a car especially if you're on the Palm!!

As Stuart said, Abu Dhabi is pretty fabulous these days too especially with all the Saadiyaat cultural development so if its a holiday. its definitely a destination worth considering as it pretty much has everything, golf, galleries, beaches, shopping and on it goes!

The DIFC is a great example of how thoughtfully & well planned modern Dubai is & yes, its easier to create when there is money involved but most people (and places) don't always do it with taste! I love the DIFC but personally I don't want to stay there although I ldo ove the galleries and the restaurants and almost always visit there but much prefer to stay either at the marina or further downtown depending on why and for how long I am in Dubai. I think Dubai has now become a destination where one needs to choose accommodation based on why you're there otherwise its possible to be spending your whole time in a car especially if you're on the Palm!!

As Stuart said, Abu Dhabi is pretty fabulous these days too especially with all the Saadiyaat cultural development so if its a holiday. its definitely a destination worth considering as it pretty much has everything, golf, galleries, beaches, shopping and on it goes!

Park Hyatt Dubai is undergoing renovations. How far along they are and when they will finish I have no idea.

@Euro I was there two weeks ago and there was no sign of any renovations that I could see. They seemed to be focused on opening a second lagoon pool given the complete chaos at the one there now with crowds. My room, a suite, was still right out of the American handbook of hotel design circa 1998. It's an awful property at this point. Especially when you compare it to Abu Dhabi.

Hi Lucky, again a great report and as a Diamond member I really would consider this Waldorf. So far I did the Conrad (much cheaper but so dated) mainly for it's location (on the metro line) and love their pool area.
Now I did the Waldorf on the Palm in late 2020 and although the rooms are splendid, amazing staff, the location is annoying, taking you 15-20 mins to leave the Palm and then I had a major issue on cleanness in their outdoor areas, in particular at the restaurant area where there was not one single seat not soiled by bird p.. I know, where there are trees, there are birds and p... but still.
After my stay I got an "invitation" by the Front Office manager to provide feedback, what I did and ... no reaction?
I wonder now what the new Hilton will be like at the start of the Palm? Much more convenient location obviously.

I agree with the rooms being in need of renovation. I look beyond that though. To me its the perfect tranquil resort with a nice party wide lagoon pool, but even better spa pool (this is where I normally hang out). The spa is great. I play golf and padel and to have that on-site (golf course is world class) is an extra star for me personally. Breakfast is very very good (much better than any of the other 10+ resorts I stayed at in Dubai, tried St Regis the Palm in January and it SUCKED, even though the rooms were brand new and very nice). In terms of dining I think Twiggy offers excellent food. Boardwalk is good. The golf club house restaurant is also great and so is Noepe. There are plenty of dining options here. The walkability around the entire Creek area is very nice. The service (as a regular at least, I stayed there 5 times in the last year) is amazing. Always greeted by name everywhere, always upgraded to the best they can give me. Always get late check out to 11pm (normally leave with LH flight at 2am). I have nothing bad to say about this property, except that yes.. the rooms are dated. But I look beyond that. A resort to me is so much more than a modern room.

The location is perfect to me. Close to the airport and close to downtown (I don't give a cent for the Palm, don't like that area at all).

This hotel has my favorite hotel breakfast anywhere in the world. I have dreams about this breakfast.

I stayed in this WA when it was just opened. Compared to my previous/frequent stays in Ritz DIFC, I would def. prefer this WA to Ritz DIFC. At that time, diamont recognition and treatment was very good, as a diamond, I was automatically upgraded to this suite, but after seeing premier room design and spcae, I (as a solo travller) rather chose an upgraded room, which was more appealing to me. (This suite feels suffocating to me). Massage service from WA SPA was also amazing and concierge service was spectacular as well (for exmaple, I only inquired about the possible places in Dubai to purchase a specic book, then later to my surprise, concierge team just got this book as a gift to me as it was my birthday stay).

With a room rate around $400, this looks like a good use of a FNC, esp. with Diamond upgrade.

Don’t tell that to @DCS

Jordan - I completely concur. I very recently commented on a prior post regarding preferential treatment that Lucky receives - more times than not due to who he is and his platform that he has. That's a great thing for Lucky but I don't think he realizes this or takes this into consideration when reviewing airlines/hotels. I think he's become a little immune and lives in a bubble at times. My point is this - reader beware: when reading a review from Lucky, chances are you are not going to receive (on a regular basis) the type of treatment or recognition that Lucky receives. You're going to end up being slightly disappointed after you've read a hyped-up review from Lucky for whichever hotel or airline you're staying or flying. Of course, this is all assuming that you are an "Average Joe" with no platform or voice to influence.

Do I enjoy reading Lucky's reviews? Of course I do! He's the best in the business at what he does. I've learned a lot from his reviews. I've also learned not to get my expectations up when staying at a hotel that he's reviewed or flying an airline that he's reviewed to expect the same warm and fuzzy treatment that he gets - no matter how hard you try or how nice you are. That's all I'm saying. I've learned to take Lucky's reviews and make it relative to me and my lot in life. Plain and simple. But again, I ask Lucky to realize and take into consideration when writing reviews that chances are, you got or will get treated differently than most of your readers would in the same situation.

The only negative I feel about the property is the fact that you have to take two sets of elevators to get to your room.

How to get the diamond membership?

I have stayed at this property 3-4 times. I would leave aside for a moment the WA DIFC being someones favorite hotel in Dubai. There are some pretty amazing hotels in Dubai. I will simply compare the facilities, location, and how the experience is overall for Hilton Diamond members to stay at. I have never stayed at the WA at the Palm Jumeirah, so I will not compare to that property.

Rooms upgrades - As I Diamond in Dubai, I have always been upgraded to suites in all properties that have suites. At the WA DFIC whether I book one level below the first suite or the cheapest room, I always get a a the lowest price level two room suite. I would say the upgrade quality is equal to the LXR Habtoor and not as good as the Conrad. I would say the biggest upgrades are given at the V in Habtoor City.

Room quality - In my opinion the rooms at the WA DIFC are a drop below the LXR Habtoor City and maybe two drops above the Conrad hilton, as the Conrad looks a bit old.

Service - Service at WA DIFC is better than any other Hilton property in the city.

Lounge Access - This is a sore spot in most WA's, not having an executive lounge available to Diamonds (or anyone I believe) really takes away from the experience at the WA. Every other Hilton property that I have stayed at in Dubai has either had an executive lounge available to Diamonds or make some availability at some bar or restaurant on the property to get a complimentary coffee, soft drinks, a bottle of ice water, alcoholic happy hours for 2-3 hours a day, hot snacks at sundown, etc. In Dubai where mixed drinks at a 5 star hotel easily run $20-$50 each, this can really add up in your group has a few drinks before dinner.

Location - The Location is technically part of DFIC and their many great restaurants. However, it is definitely on the edge of DFIC and a healthy walk outside to the restaurants inside DFIC. Both the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons DIFC are attached to the center. In a good portion of the year it would be impossible to walk to the heart of DFIC. It is very close to the Dubai Mall as well. At Habtoor City there are probably 12-13 restaurants available inside the triangle of the attached hotels (LXR, V, Hilton). The WA has what is essentially the coffee shop for dinner and lunch ( where breakfast is served) and a high quality Italian for dinner in the ground floor lobby. The unaffiliated italian Restaurant does not give Diamonds a discount. The Conrad also lags in location with only three restaurants onsite (unaffiliated steakhouse) and the Fairmont with a handful next door. The Hilton at the Walk is in a great area, but it is more like a beach Holiday Inn then a Hilton.

Breakfast - I agree, the best mix of quality and selection is found at the WA DIFC. The LXR has great quality, with the same system, menu plus small buffet but it is not as good as the WA. Both Hiltons have huge selections but not as qualitative as the SA.

It is a nice hotel, great staff and a great breakfast. But being somewhat stranded, no lounge to meet up or work, make this a good hotel but not the best.

Ben do you think Hilton will extend Diamond and Gold status for members as they have for the previous 2 years due to covid travel constraints?

@ David -- That's a good question. Personally I think it's unlikely, given the demand recovery we've seen with leisure travel. Maybe we'll see a promotion or something, but personally I don't see an outright extension happening this year.