I visited the Millennium Abu Dhabi last weekend - what a disappointment!
For some reason i had it in my head that this hotel was in the first division of Abu Dhabi hotels. Whenever i had driven past, it always looked sleek and shiny from the outside and well, the price per night suggested it had to be.
The ‘first division’ perception pretty much evaporates as soon as you get inside. Yes, it has got a big grand chandelier, yes, it has got marble floors but the service is shoddy, the finishes shabby, and the food, frankly diabolical!
OK, so down to specifics:
Starting with the room, whilst the bedroom/living area is just about OK, the whole thing is so tired and old. The bathrooms are circa 1970 design with a colour combination that has to be seen to be believed - shower over the bath as opposed to a walk in which im not a big fan of. Bathroom smellies from the White Company were the only highlight in this otherwise unremarkable bathroom. On the upside, the full height glazing to the bedroom did mean a lot of natural light - views over the city from the 10th floor not bad. If i was grading the room i would give it 3/10.
Now i got myself down to the pool area for a quick dip at the end of a hard day. Next major shortcoming - the size of the pool and bathing area. The pool is the size of a thimble and has been squeezed into an area the designers had leftover rather than well planned out - also its only good for morning sun and then is in shade. There are so few sun beds that if you are not quick as a whippet in the morning, you get the old plastic variety without a cushioned cover - 5*? i think not! The gym area was just about ok but equipment was old. If i was grading this aspect of the hotel i would give it 3/10
Now onto food. Unlike some of the newer hotels in AD the Millennium offers are rather dull and predictable - i wasn’t tempted by any of it - did some room service food that was not good at all - basic, basic food done badly and poorly presented is a let down. The buffet breakfast is a rip off at £20/120dhs - doesn’t have an egg counter so you get the semi warmed scrambled stuff and no pork bacon (if you are not partial to the veal/beef bacon). If i was grading food i would give it 2/10 for choice and quality...and the rubbish breakfast!
So i’m sorry if I sound like i’m doing a bit of a hatchet job on the old Millennium Hotel, but honestly this wasn't my intention. My problem is that if these 5 star hotels are going to promote themselves as luxury/business hotels and charge accordingly they need to deliver across a number of basic features - this hotel doesn’t.
I wont stay here again - the Hilton Abu Dhabi (not to be confused with the other Hiltons) and the Sheraton Beach club (not to be confused with the other Sheraton) are both far better bets offering good service, far superior facilities and beach club, modern gym and equipment, grater chioce and quality of food offering ( particularly the buffet breakfast!) and far better room service. It really is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned, but i will let you be the judge of that!
