Al Bandar Rotana - Creek — Hotel in Dubai

Arriving at the hotel was great, we were able to check in around 30 minutes after arriving at 09:30, which was a lovely bonus as check-in starts officially at 2pm.

Our mini fridge was completely empty upon arrival. As an all inclusive customer I hoped for maybe some soft drinks in the mini bar, but it seemed like you would have to pay. Additionally, the mini fridge did not work, so we had to drink room temperature water all week. Again, this was not a massive issue but in 40 degree heat, cold water would have been nicer to drink.

We went to the pool in the afternoon and had a good experience there. We wanted to order food, but we were told that the kitchen was closed as we had to order by 15:30pm and it was 15:45pm. This was a minor inconvenience, but this became a common occurrence during our stay as I essentially had to remind myself that this was not a normal all inclusive experience. For instance, we went to order a drink from Morgan's after eating at the Italian place and we were reminded that the all inclusive package ended at 22:00, so we had to pay 100 AED each for extended all inclusive until 01:00am. Once I got used to the cut off times it was fine, but initially it did feel quite restrictive and annoying.

You are also limited to a specific menu when you order all inclusive, so you could only order from a small selection of food, wine and cocktails. This took away from a luxury feel.

The pool was also ridiculously small for the size of the hotel. Apart from the first day, we were never able to access the pool area again as by 9am it was completely busy and no sun loungers were available. I have never been to a hotel where I have experienced this. Therefore, on two occasions I had to leave the hotel and pay for sun loungers, food and drink on kite beach. This felt like a complete waste of the all inclusive experience that I had paid for as it felt like every opportunity we tried to use it, we were blocked in some way, whether it was timing issues or capacity issues.

Some hotel staff constantly asked me to write reviews, even though they hadn't really done anything. They also would stand over me to make sure I would write the reviews and even touch my phone to fill out the star rating section themselves. This felt extremely unprofessional and invasive. This happened when I was around the pool and I got asked by a staff member to write a review because I looked "friendly". The only interaction we had was that he picked up some empty glasses and I said thank you. Suddenly he was asking me to scan a QR code, touched my phone to fill out the star ratings and told me what to write as a review.

I also had the same experience when ordering shisha in Morgan's. The staff member brought the shisha out and straight away asked me to scan a QR code and write a review. He also touched my phone and I said I would write a review later and he proceeded to stand over me. I asked him if he was just going to stand and watch me write something, as I was trying to enjoy an evening with my friend and did not want to spend my time writing a review with him watching over me. He then walked away, but it felt extremely uncomfortable, especially when I wouldn't even know what to write in a review as we hardly had any interaction.

It feels like the staff members want you to lie. I watched them do this to many guests at the hotel and I also think it is a way of inflating their Google rating as they will ask you to leave a review for the restaurant for instance, but the QR code takes you directly to review the hotel, rather than the specific restaurant. Therefore I question the authenticity of these reviews and would encourage people to be wary when reading some of them.

Overall, my experience was every mixed. I would not return as not being able to access basic facilities like the pool is a deal breaker for me. I also did not like the constant harassment to write reviews...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Our stay at Al Bandar Rotana was nothing short of exceptional. Nestled along the peaceful Dubai Creek, this five-star hotel offers a blend of modern luxury and traditional charm, with panoramic views, spacious rooms, and genuinely warm service that made our time here truly memorable.

✨ Smooth Check-In:

From the moment we arrived, the hospitality stood out. The lobby is elegant, peaceful, and welcoming—perfect after a day of travel. Check-in was quick, with staff who were attentive and always ready with a smile. Even though we arrived before standard check-in time, we were comfortably accommodated and offered a welcome drink as we waited just a few minutes for our room.

🛏️ Room with a View:

We stayed in a Premium Creek View Room, and the view was breathtaking. Large floor-to-ceiling windows gave us a stunning look over the water and the traditional side of Dubai. The room was clean, spacious, and well-organized—ideal for relaxing or getting some work done if needed.

The interiors are tastefully done with soft neutral tones, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. It had all the comforts of a five-star space: a modern bathroom with a deep tub and rain shower, plush towels, bathrobes, a coffee/tea station, and thoughtful lighting controls.

🍽️ Dining Delight:

One of the strongest highlights of Al Bandar Rotana is its culinary experience. The food is fresh, diverse, and beautifully presented. • Salt & Pepper Restaurant (All-Day Dining): This was our go-to for both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast buffet offered everything from traditional Emirati dishes to international classics—eggs made to order, fresh fruits, pancakes, Arabic mezze, and freshly baked breads. The dinner buffets were equally impressive, with rotating global themes, live cooking stations, and options for both vegetarians and meat lovers. • Gusto Italian Restaurant: Set on the upper floors with scenic views, the food was authentic and rich in flavor. The pasta and risotto options are especially recommended. It’s a calm, family-friendly setting perfect for an early evening meal.

Room service was also excellent—prompt, neatly packed, and served warm. We ordered a couple of meals in-room when we were too tired to step out, and the quality remained top-notch.

🏊 Amenities & Relaxation: • Outdoor Swimming Pool: Located on the terrace, it offers wonderful city and creek views. The kids enjoyed their time here, and there were plenty of shaded loungers and towels available. It’s a peaceful spot for unwinding after a day out. • Wellness & Fitness Club: The gym is well-equipped and clean, and the spa staff are highly professional. I had a deeply relaxing massage that helped me shake off travel fatigue. • Prayer rooms are available on-site, and everything is designed with a high level of respect for comfort and privacy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Services:

We felt this hotel was ideal for families with children. Staff were kind to our little one, always smiling and happy to help. High chairs, baby cribs, and kid-friendly meal options were all easily arranged. There’s also enough room in the lobby and public areas for strollers, and everything is accessible.

📍 Perfect Location:

Al Bandar Rotana is strategically located—just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and right along the creek. You’re close to Deira, the Gold & Spice Souks, Al Seef, and even Dubai Mall or Downtown Dubai is only 15-20 minutes away by car. It’s an excellent spot if you want a taste of both old and new Dubai.

You can also hop on a traditional abra (boat) ride right across the creek, which adds a lovely cultural touch to your stay.

💯 Service That Sets It Apart:

Thank you, Al Bandar Rotana, for making us feel at home in the...

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!

VERY VERY PUSHY FOR 5 star reviews- I hadn’t even had a chance to settle before I was pushed to leave a 5* review. This makes sense why the reviews are as they are. I pride myself in being genuine when leaving reviews and not lying.

Drinking was highly encouraged and enabled at the pool and hotel & the local restaurants, the staff were allowing DRUNK guests into restaurants making the space unsafe for families and other guests- the following morning guests would be arguing with their partners at breakfast due to the drinking. Horrible atmosphere!

Many times guests would have drinks inside the pool/ I am a Muslim guest & communicated what problem this was to me as I was swimming in the pool & drinks were being SPILLED into the water restricting me from using the pool. Frequently there would be NO guest rotation by the pool so guests would be increasingly drunk & inappropriate UNACCEPTABLE!

MANY inappropriate episodes of guests touching one another- FULL ON KISSING, BEDROOM SEXUAL ACTIVITY- this is a MUSLIM country with strict rules & when spoken to life guards about it they would not approach guests who were being inappropriate dispite it being a MUSLIM country. I’m sure a report to the police would have changed this immediately. Children are present & this is awful for everyone to see. Disgusting & inappropriate!

There was only ONE cleaner who properly cleaned our room properly! Others would cut corners, leave dishes in the sink, not place new towels, bedding and change the bin. The managers GASLIGHT you when you complain & reassure you are LYING- our complaint was passed from Joanna-May to Diyaa who had very LONG nails and was unkept. who was very personal & his attitude was awful. The first time I have experienced this as a guest. Awful! There was an issue with Not replenishing soap & towels. One cleaner even picked up a dirty gown from the FLOOR & tried to hang it up for us to reuse- my husband saw this and was mortified the low level of hygiene! When this was communicated they said that this would be investigated but nothing ever was.

When we first arrived we noted this hotel likely wasn’t for us as a Muslim family & wanted to leave. Staff were friendly to begin with then shortly after we secured our stay they wouldn’t acknowledge us in the lobby. We would call to ensure that our car was ready- it NEVER was. We were late to several meetings and days out because of this. Breakfast is bad. Options are the same. The only thing we noticed change is the noodles/fried rice. Bad overal. Staff would take away plates whilst we were eating without clarifying if we were done yet. Many many many complaints, these...