I potentially had to change some arrangements for our trip and when we contacted the tour operator "Letsgo2" (who we had first used last year) they were very helpful indeed. I even spoke to their MD (Eddie?) who was put me at ease so they are again recommended.

Regards the hotel, the property and general standards were faultless (similar to our honeymoon at another One & Only resort - Le Saint Geran). But it would be wrong not to highlight that the service in the pool bar and a couple of the restaurants was irritatingly slow for a 5 star deluxe product. We had to ask 4 times for our drinks at the pool bar and similar examples of v slow service in two of the restaurants (breakfast at Olive in particular). Without prompting, friends who were also staying there had similar comments.

Wouldn't stop me returning but plays on the mind when you have paid so much for a short break.

Can you find a real Boutique Hotel in Dubai?? I doubt it - and the O&O Palace Gold Club is as close as it gets. With its private entrance, short distances from entrance to reception to room and the extra service one always gets when staying at a small hotel with fewer people, this is a very good alternative. Had a lovely stay. Breakfast brought to the room at no extra charge and could enjoy in privacy on balcony overlooking the palm. The beach is pristine and waters so calm it was like swimming in a pool. Oh and one tip: Allan at the Zouari Salon is an absolute gem and hair master! I am very fussy about who touches my hair and he is the best - go while you can!! Finally let me join the chorus who complain about the expensive internet access. Very 1999 - move on and provide your guests who really are paying a lot (!!) with free internet, just makes us feel we are not being squeezed for every last penny.

we first stayed here before the Palm was built, been back a couple of times since.
Arrived early ,9am, the hotel were aware of that when we booked. We didnt get a room until 3pm.! Living out of a suitcase for 6 hours after a long trip didnt get the holiday away to a good start.
After mentioning that this wouldnt have happened a few years ago here, the front office manager said 'its easy to give fantastic service when you are only running at 30% capacity' ..... a pretty damning endightment I think. Quantity before quality. Yes the hotel has changed in attitude and this is evident.
The beach bar restaurent is poor, ridiculosly overpriced and the food average at best.
We thoroughly enjoyed the 'celebrities' restaurent and ate there on every night except the one.
Servie in here was very good and the French Maitre D is doing a very good job.

I was disgusted on the two visits to the 'Jetty bar' that tables had been reserved for customers not staying in the hotel. No outside seats/tables available .

This is not a 'ONE AND ONLY' hotel like it used to be ... it should be called 'one of many'. I left feeling disapointed, bubble burst, and will seek an alternative the next time we visit Dubai.

First time visitors will surely enjoy it, it is still a very good hotel, the rooms are well appointed, very clean, but in general the feel of the hotewl is not a patch on what it used to be.

As a footnote.... and this galls me out of all proportion.... the hotel charges £20 a day for wi-fi.!!! do you expect to pay this when you are paying hundreds of pounds a night for the hotel ??

Had a bad experience during check in due to a rude front desk employee. Stayed for two days, could have stayed more. It is not a good place for business meetings, some rooms are very far away from lobby.
The food is great, world class. The seating areas outside are nice, the rooms are very clean.
The internet is expensive. Shame on all so called five star hotels that are still charging for internet usage. I will always deduct a star for that, especially since the other 5 star hotels in Dubai do not charge for internet.
The hotel had great past, however, after the Palm was built, the beach died.... Many small lakes around the world do offer better views than their beach, no open views due to its location, hotel manager can't do anything about this. Just proper disclosure is in order.
If it wasnt for the great Jumeirah hotels, this facility would have received 4 stars. However, relative to its competitors, it falls short.