PULLMAN SHARJAH — Hotel in Sharjah

A Disheartening Experience at Pullman Sharjah, Dubai

My wife and I had a deeply disappointing check-in experience at Pullman Sharjah on February 21, 2025, around 10:00 PM. What was meant to be a smooth and welcoming arrival turned into one of the most humiliating and frustrating hotel experiences of our lives.

We had made our reservation weeks in advance using a credit card guarantee—the same card we had successfully used for online payments at multiple hotels, including three nights with Airbnb and five nights with Booking.com. However, when we arrived, the receptionist coldly informed us that our reservation had been canceled just hours earlier due to an “invalid credit card.”

This made no sense. The hotel’s own booking policy clearly stated that the full amount would be charged after 6:00 PM the day before arrival or in the event of a no-show. If this was the case, why was our reservation canceled on the very day of our arrival? Furthermore, why had this same credit card been accepted without issue for all my other bookings, yet Pullman Sharjah singled it out as invalid?

The truth became clear: Pullman Sharjah had likely resold our reserved room at a higher price due to room shortages in the area that night. This last-minute cancellation forced us to scramble for alternative accommodation, costing us an additional $150 and requiring a frustrating 20-minute drive late at night to find another hotel.

Shocking Behavior by the Duty Manager

The most disturbing part of the night, however, was my interaction with the duty manager, Bassem Gabrallele (though I’m not even sure if this is his real name). When I asked for his business card, he refused, only giving me his name after I insisted. Instead of addressing my concerns professionally, he raised his voice at me and falsely accused me of recording our conversation on my iPhone—which I had not done.

What happened next was even more shocking. He demanded to take my phone and insisted I unlock it so he could check inside. I was stunned. How could a hotel manager at an international chain like Pullman demand access to my personal and business data? This was a blatant invasion of privacy and an abuse of authority.

Knowing my rights, I refused to hand over my phone and left the hotel, humiliated and outraged. Later, when I checked into another hotel, the manager there confirmed that such actions could violate UAE privacy laws, specifically Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes.

A Call for Accountability

It is deeply disappointing that Pullman Sharjah, part of a globally recognized hotel chain, allowed such behavior to take place under its management. A hotel should be a place of comfort and hospitality—not a place where guests are lied to, mistreated, and subjected to unethical demands.

I urge Booking.com and Pullman Hotels to provide proof of their claim regarding my credit card. I also want to call on Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to investigate this matter so that no other guest has to go through such an appalling experience.

This was, without a doubt, the worst hotel check-in...

Event review:

I stayed here prior to the event and loved the stay. Therefore I was admint to do the wedding in the same place. However, I was extremely disappointed! My whole day from the start to the end was so stressful because of their unprofessional attitude.

I arrived to check in to my room, and it was so delayed! More than an hour and half. Bare in mind I had already booked the wedding more than a month ago and yet the room was not ready on the day. The staff was acting like they are doing a huge favor by giving me a room. I was planned to get ready in the room but due to unavailability my make up was delayed, my make up artist had other bookings therefore everything was so rushed and my anxiety was at peak. Everything was delayed due to this from the start till end!!!! If that wasn't enough, even though I booked for extra number of people and much less people than expected showed up the food got over so fast that alot of my guests didn't get it! There was nobody there to communicate anything to me so I could find a solution.

Even through out the planning process prior, they took forever to respond, my quries were not answered. However, when it came to payment they put deadline and actually pressured me to pay WITHOUT answering my queries and didn't give me time to make an informed decision. After receiving the payment it was radio silence again! I escalated this and therefore it was rectified. Even after the wedding they were absolutely horrible. There was damage on the venue carpet and after going through all this the way they spoke to me to pay for it was so unrespectful and rude. Everything they did was a mess. I am ready to pay, but atleast show some professionalism.All this is the last thing a girl needs at her wedding. They caused so much emotional stress to me and showed no remorse. They were not only rude to me but my also to my event decorater, who has worked with alot of hotels and was extremely disappointed by their behaviour.

Anyone who wants to have a good, stress free event DO NOT book a hall here!!

Reolt to you apology: I appreciate you apologising but what am I to do with it now. My special day was messed up, even after months of planning....people didn't even get food due...

I had high expectations for a 5-star hotel, but my experience at Pullman Sharjah was deeply disappointing. Initially, we were placed on the 18th floor, but due to excessively noisy neighbors, we had to request a room change. The hotel moved us to a 14th floor, but it was far from an improvement. We could hear everything from the hallway—doors slamming, people talking, and even the housekeeping staff moving around. Even from the 14th floor, traffic noise and honking made it difficult to sleep.

The worst part was the unbearable construction noise that completely ruined our stay. As it is Ramadan, we sleep little at night and try to rest in the morning. On Saturday morning at 11 AM, I was abruptly woken up by loud drilling, hammering, and heavy-duty work. When we called the reception, they first claimed it was from a nearby building. The next day, Sunday at 9 AM, the construction noise started again. This time, we were told it was coming from the hospital floor. My husband checked, and it turned out the work was actually happening on the 9th floor, inside the hotel itself. They are installing an elevator to connect the hotel to the hospital. Were we informed about this before booking? No, they even lied about it.

By checkout at 12 PM, the noise had been ongoing for hours, and despite our complaints, the hotel offered zero refund—just an offer to lower the price or provide extra services for a future stay, which is completely useless after such an experience. The manager apologized, but apologies don't erase the fact that our stay was completely ruined. The only response was a last-minute offer to stay until 6 PM "to rest"—as if I wanted to stay longer in these conditions.

This is absolutely not a 5-star experience in any way, in fact, I'm still looking for these stars. Poor soundproofing, misleading communication, and constant disturbances make it impossible to enjoy a stay here. If you value peace, rest, and professionalism,...