Kicking off my trip to the Middle East and the Caucasus, I briefly stopped in Dubai, spending one night at the Delta Jumeirah Beach.

As a disclaimer, I’ll mention right away that the suite I was assigned to is not normally available for complimentary upgrades. However, I imagine that its design and amenities are representative of the other guest rooms.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Booking

Originally, I wasn’t planning on staying at the Delta Jumeirah Beach. Unsure of how to tackle Dubai as a first-time visitor for one jet-lagged day, I booked a few refundable options at similar prices, the Delta among them.

All I needed was a place to crash and recover for a full experience at Al Maha the next day. I figured if I were up for any activities, it would be the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, a couple of easy check-boxes to tick and keep me awake.

As I was arriving at 4am after a full, wide-awake evening at the exquisite Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha, I quickly realized that having a bed ready was paramount. Ideally, I would have stayed at the Four Points Sheikh Zayed Road, close to the aforementioned attractions.

However, upon relentlessly chatting with the front desks at the hotels I’d booked, I committed to the Delta Jumeirah Beach instead. It was the only property that could have a room ready for an early morning check-in, and in a good enough location to poke around while still being reasonably accessible to the attractions on my list.

Furthermore, the only room available early enough for me was a two-bedroom suite that usually isn’t offered for elite upgrades, but the staff were happy to oblige. While it was more space than I needed, the guarantee of a room ready at my early arrival time was an easy excuse to take more real estate than I needed.

All said and done, I paid AED 367, posting as US$100 on my Amex US Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. Compared to a redemption rate of 30,000–40,000 Bonvoy points per night, paying this cash rate was significantly preferable.

(For anyone looking to book the two-bedroom suite, I’m seeing it for $300–600 (CAD) on weeknights depending on season.)

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Location

The Delta Jumeirah Beach is located in Dubai Marina. The neighbourhood reminded me of Vancouver’s Yaletown, with its urban design, towering glass architecture, and unmistakable opulence.

There are countless other chain hotels nearby, including several other Marriott-, Hilton-, and IHG-affiliated brands, plus a Sofitel and other international brands.

The area is surprisingly walkable for such a sprawling city. However, in the oppressive summer heat, I’d say the only walkable activities are Marina Beach two blocks away, the seawall at dawn, and whatever fun and games you find on the plaza in the shade of the skyscrapers.

You’re only a short drive away from many other attractions including the Ain Dubai Observation Wheel and Skydive Dubai, and the Palm Jumeirah which is a separate resort district in its own right.

I reached the hotel by metro from the airport, about an hour’s ride, including the walk from the station to the hotel. Getting around by taxi or Uber, it’ll cost about AED$75 (CA$25) and take 20 minutes to get to other key attractions near the Burj Khalifa, or 30 minutes plus walking via metro.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Check-in

Arriving by car or from public transit, you’ll approach the hotel from the south, via a driveway built into the covered parkade.

Despite the slick appeal of Dubai’s modern buildings, it also has its fair share of indistinguishable uninspired towers, of which the Delta is one.

Inside, there’s a bright but simple space with the front desk and some seating.

I didn’t wait long to be checked in. Having chatted extensively with the friendly staff prior to my arrival, check-in was quick and painless. My room was ready upon my arrival at 7am; all we had to do was process payment.

The front desk staff were comprehensively informative with regard to the hours and locations of various facilities, including the restaurant and each meal’s service times, the Club Lounge and its various phases throughout the day, and the gym and spa.

As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member, I was also offered a welcome amenity choice. I was given the option of 1,000 points, or a food and a drink.

I selected some snacks: a fruit plate (with cheese or nuts also available) and a beer (with wine or orange juice also available). They were delivered to my room shortly after I arrived.

I also received a second plate with all three food amenities a few hours later, a nice surprise.

I nibbled a bit, but in retrospect I should’ve just taken the points, as I was ready to crash after a long travel odyssey.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Two-Bedroom Suite with Partial Sea View

My suite was Room 1113, tucked away in a more private corner of the hotel, behind the main elevators.

Entering the suite, it’s immediately apparent that this is more an apartment than a hotel room.

The main room is an open-concept, with a distinct dining space.

To the left, there’s a living room with family-style seating around the TV. The grey leather furniture wasn’t remarkably comfortable, though.

In the far corner, there’s a desk by the west-facing window, with views of the surrounding towers, streetscapes, and swimming pools.

There’s a lot of unused shelving and storage space, the type that would be filled in a vibrant home but is hard to make your own as a transient resident.

Behind the dining table, there’s a small balcony with a couple of chairs. Guests have to ask hotel staff to unlock it, as a safety feature for small children.

To the right of the entrance, there’s a kitchen with a galley window. The space is fully loaded with appliances – a full-size fridge and freezer, an induction stove, a dishwasher, and a toaster.

There was also a small amount of flatware, glassware, and silverware; I’m sure you could request more to entertain a crowd. Instant coffee and a selection of teas were provided, along with a water kettle.

At the back of the kitchen, there’s a hallway to a locked service door, with a washer/dryer combo machine.

Returning to the main room, the hallway to the bedrooms and bathrooms extends forwards from the entrance.

Let’s start at the end, with the master bedroom and ensuite.

The master bedroom features a king bed (which I found too firm for my liking), large closets, a desk with a copy of the Qur’an, and north-facing views of the waterfront.

The vista includes the Observation Wheel, although it was significantly occluded the day I checked in due to a dust storm.

Attached, there’s a spacious bathroom. The shower-tub was a bit deficient, with the glass wall barely covering half of the splash zone, and hot water taking five minutes to arrive.

The second bedroom contains two twin beds, ideal if you’re travelling as a family with kids.

Across the hall is the second bathroom, a public space semi-dedicated to the second bedroom.

Finally, closest to the entrance is the powder room, without a shower.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Breakfast

A breakfast buffet is served in the main restaurant daily from 6:30am to 11:00am. Platinum Elite members and above are entitled to free breakfast.

I was impressed with the variety offered, drawing on a mix of cuisines that have touched the cultural crossroads of the Persian Gulf.

First, there’s a comprehensive set of familiar Western breakfast options that you’ll find at any hotel, including cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, an omelette bar, meat and cheese, pancakes and waffles, and English breakfast staples. Classic meats like bacon and sausage are prepared with halal substitutes.

There’s also a huge selection of pastries, mostly familiar, but with a few unique standouts like doughnuts and zaatar croissants.

By the salad bar and yogurt, there’s a spread of hummus and nuts fit for the Middle East.

They also offered a rotation of South Asian cuisine, featuring chapati bread with traditional sauces, sambar, idli, and aloo mutter.

Other East Asian dishes were available, including congee at the porridge station, and stir-fried noodles at the salad bar.

I also tried pelmeni, a Siberian beef dumpling catering to the Gulf’s Russian tourist cohort.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Dining

The hotel’s main restaurant is Shores, the same space where breakfast is served. The lunch and dinner menus feature international fare, available from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 10:30pm respectively.

As you enter restaurant, you’ll pass through La Sala, a small cafe for light bites throughout the day.

But the prime dining spot at the Delta Jumeirah Beach is undoubtedly Fogueira, a Brazilian steakhouse on the 35th floor. There’s a Latin band performing every night, and their music plays through the speakers on the rooftop balcony if you opt for an outdoor table.

You can enjoy the smorgasbord from 6pm to 1am, plus they serve a Saturday afternoon brunch.

The restaurant patio has a cool sightline on the illuminated Observation Wheel at night, and is worth checking out for the view alone.

Finally, in-room dining is available 24 hours a day, a nice convenience.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Bar

Fogueira’s other half is Sama, a symmetrical space with a similar aesthetic and rooftop patio. Seating is a bit more lounge-style, and music is a bit more electronic. You can order food, drinks, and hookah from 5pm to 2am.

Adjacent to the plaza down below, there’s Speakeasy, an American prohibition-style pub open from 12:30pm to 3am.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Club Lounge

The Club Lounge is on the 17th floor. They serve snacks from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and happy hour drinks from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

I dropped by before noon for a quick look-around, and there were some light bites available.

The space is not very big or interesting. I imagine it would be useful if you need a comfortable space to get some work done, but weren’t able to secure a room upgrade.

Delta Jumeirah Beach, Dubai – Other Facilities

While check-in is on the ground floor, the hotel’s heartbeat is on the LP level.

Here, there’s the main pedestrian entrance, connecting to a sprawling plaza which spans the neighbourhood and sits atop the parkade. From the plaza, you can conveniently access the beach on foot, two blocks away.

On this level, you’ll find Shores and Speakeasy. There’s also information about the spa, car rentals, and tours.

The pool is on the roof of a separate building, accessed by walking outside across the backside of the plaza. The outdoor pool is exceptionally exposed to the sun and heat for most of the day. Hotel guests can use the pool from 7am to 9pm.

The fitness and wellness facilities are on the 1st floor. The gym is open from 6am to 11pm.

(There are also guest rooms on this level, undergoing extensive renovations at the time of my visit.)

Finally, I’ll note that the hotel Wi-Fi would constantly cut in and out as I moved around the suite.

Conclusion

My stay at the Delta Jumeirah Beach was pleasant, a self-aware no-frills recovery day. It was fun to check out a familiar Canadian hotel brand which I’ve come to quite like.

I was impressed by the soft product, including the customer service, breakfast, and breadth of food and drink options. However, the hard product, including the interior and exterior designs, less-than-comfortable furniture, and rampant construction, left something to be desired.

I’ll tip my hat in particular to the staff who were happy to put me in a non-upgradable suite, even if it was excessive for my needs, as the only way to accommodate my early check-in request. While the suite was sprawling, it lacked soul – not an unreasonable description of my first impression of Dubai.

I think the Delta Jumeirah Beach is a reasonable choice if you can book a room at a good price. The space I stayed in would have been suitable for a family on an extended stay.

However, next time I’m in Dubai, I’d rather try a different property. The Delta was a mixed bag, and in a city chock full of more intriguing hotels, I wouldn’t be drawn back to the Delta with excitement.