After completing a complete search, over several weeks, I finally opted for the Radisson BLU (Dubai Marina) UAE, as my base, for my impending business trip. The rates were reasonale, it offered the basic facilities, as would any other big brand hotel chain. Equiped with a pool, bar, restauraunt, gym, and right on the Dubai Marina. What it did offer, was the gym. everthing else was non existent. The pool is still under construction, when asked about the availability, I was told, ! The end of the month !...they just forgot to mention which year... I have a menu card in my apartment, advertising the Thai restaurant, unfortunately, that too has yet to be completed. The bar, I have yet to find, and I'm just tired of asking questions anymore, although one of the drivers told me, that the ground is actually owned by a Kuwaiti, who insisted that no alcohol will be served on his land. I now live in the only hotel in Dubai, without a bar. Strange as it may seem, you would have to visit Dubai to understand my comment. As for being on the Marina, it's actually situated, bang on Sheik Zayed road, with a 12 lane continous traffic congestion 24 hrs a day.
When I initially complained online, the hotel chain were quite fast in responding. The general Manager of my present Hotel, called me and offered the following solutions. Use of a sister hotels pool, with free travel down and back. I informed him, this is not very practicle, as I dwell at this hotel, and would like to visit my pool, when it suited me, not the other way around. Again free transport to other hotel, to dine, should I wish. Again not practicle, I do not wish to arrive at any eatery, dripping in sweat from the humid UAE temperatures. Unfortunately I'm stuck here for 2 months, as I paid up front...bad mistake. I hope to source my own apartment, close to, if not on the Marina, and as far away from the highway as possible. Radisson are definately off my xmas card list. Although to close, I will point out, that the staff are very polite and friendly. The rooms are spacious and very clean. One of the main reasons for choosing this particlar Radisson, was the fact Internet facilities were free. This is very rare in the UAE, as a lot of the hotel chains, charge up to $40 a day, for the use of Internet...staggering. The 40 channel satelite TV, is ok, but 35 of the channels are in Arabic.

Nuff Said.