Firstly due to location (Jumeirah Beach area) plus the roadworks near hotel, it meant we had to use taxis everywhere we went. These are fairly cheap but if hotel offers private car and you accept be prepared to pay at least double the normal taxi fare.

Although we arrived before official checkin and our room was not ready, the receptionist organised free coffee/tea while we waited. Although we booked one of the cheaper rooms, the room was large and clean with everything you need plus a balcony and seating. The beach was nice but because of the many shells at waterline it made it uncomforable to walk into water. But once you navigated this hurdle the water was refreshing, not cold. There were a number of pools (with lifeguards on duty) which catered for all, even those wanting to do laps. The only issue I had was that a few of the guests would allow their toddlers (with floaties) to use this facility to splash around in even though there was a kids pool a few feet away. This prevented some serious lap swimmers from using this facility.

Breakfast was great and catered for most tastes. Food and drink prices in the various resturants are in line with other hotels of this standard in UAE.

I had to use the Business Centre and Irina and Theo were extremely helpful and went out of their way to help me. Also Concierge, Reception and all other staff were fantastic - Thanks

BUT the best kept secret was the Courtesy Lounge. We stumbled on this as we had 3 hours before our transport to airport. It is available for those who have checked out but have some time before their plane. Not only do they have tea/coffee but the best cookies I have tasted. Also available are bathroom facilities with shower plus they provide all you need - towel, soap, toothbrush/tooth paste, moisturisers and lots more. What a wonderful idea. Probably also available for those arriving early and have some time before their rooms are available.

Had a great time mainly due to pleasant and helpful staff - Thanks

We stayed at this hotel for a week and could not find much to fault with it. The room was very big and spacious and well cleaned each day, the only slight thing is being on the land side meant that at night you could hear the traffic roaring away from the lights just outside the hotel, so maybe a bit better sound insulation.

Other than that things were excellent, we were in the club rooms and so enjoyed breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and the staff remembered our drinks within a day and would bring them over without us asking, they also ensured that during the evening our glasses never went empty.

We ate in the hotel, though not in every restaurant, we really liked Bussalo and Hunters, though if you want to go to the pizzaria you need to book a few days in advance as it was always full whenever we tried.

The beach was well maintained and there are plenty of lifeguards, plus there is a small shack where you can order drinks and food and this was delivered very quickly.

All in all we had an enjoyable break and really enjoyed this hotel and would happily come back.

I booked this hotel as a little treat at the end of an extended stay in Dubai over our last weekend and we were not disappointed. We arrived to check in and were greeted by fabulous friendly staff who couldn't do enough for us. During the check in, we were handed a towel and small elixir, really special touch. Our room wasn't quite ready so we were taken to have some tea and then collected and shown to our room. The room was really well equipped. Large flat screen TV with cable channels, DVD player, Nespresso machine and kettle, fridge with complimentary water, ipod dock and a control for the room systems.

The pool area and beach have very attentive staff and comfy beds. The towels provided are huge and really soft. Everything here really feels like it's of the highest standards.

The restaurants (apart from the buffet and pizzeria) are a la carte/fine dining so are a little pricey, but the food is wonderful as is the service.

We really didn't want to leave.

This was our second trip to Dubai in 6 months and we booked the Westin with the view of staying in an even better Starwood hotel.
We had booked two executive rooms, so the airport transfer was inlcuded. On arrival to the airport we noted that the Westin (surprisingly) does not have its own desk in the arivals hall. We were, thus, left to hunt for our driver outside the terminal amongst a fair few people. Took a call to the hotel to locate the car, but after a little hassle things got sorted. But it is exactly the kind of hassle you do not need when arriving on a delayed flight with two kids in tow.
Hotel itself is wonderfull. A very impressive lobby greets you on arrival and we could not fault the quality of rooms. Sea view, high floor and very nicely furnished.
Pool area and beach are top notch. There was never a shortage of sun loungers and the way the lagoon pool stretches out ensures that the pool does not get crowded, either. And then there is the lap pool and the children's pool and the sea...
For those without kids, the adults only area of the garden and pool provide a nice escape. My wife and I would occasionally swim to the adults only area for some peace and quiet :-)
The facilities are top notch, but for a hotel of this calibre, service left wanting. Pool area service is slow at best. Our food took an average of 45 minutes to arrive every day, with one day it taking way over an our.
We also attended the lovely seafood barbeque at the Blue Orange restaurant one night. Or it would have been lovely, had the staff not lost our order. So no food was delivered until I started to ask around. However, full marks to Raj, the reastaurant manager, who handled the situation exceptionally well.
The same on/off experince marked also the room maintenance. Amenities were not filled regularly. One day we ran out of shower gel. I pointed this out at the front desk on our way to dinner. On return, two extra toilet rolls had been delivered, but not shower gel.
These kind of occurences were almost a daily feature, i.e. you had to ask for service rather than your needs being anticipated, as you would expect in this kind of a hotel.
However, our feedback was requested for at the check out and very professionally received. So do not let the above comments put you off of what really is one of the best hotels you can come accross.