Building number 11 | Zen 3, Discovery Garden, Dubai 487021, United Arab Emirate
Located in the outskirts of Dubai, in a quiet green area, Ziqoo is at 12 minutes walking distance from the Ibn Battutah Shopping Mall and 17 minutes from the Ibn Batuttah Metro Station.
My room (a studio deluxe room) was very spacious, with quality classy furniture, great hard bed, beautiful colours and atmosphere, with a fully equipped kitchen (huge fridge, washing machine/dryer, rice cooker, toaster, microwave, electric stove, and basic kitchen and cooking utensils), a huge LCD TV with a good selection of international and local channels, and even a charming balcony with a table and chair. The common areas, as well as the room, are extremely clean and tidy, and the corridors have a classy decoration and the floors shine like a mirror. I found the area very quiet at night despite the existence of a small mosque nearby.
The staff (reception desk, maintenance and cleaners) are very polite, sweet and hardworking people. My especial thanks to Lorraine Rodriguez, who was extremely helpful during my arrival and stay at the hotel.
There is a big supermarket (Geant) at the Tunisia section of the Mall, so you can buy anything you want there. For an emergency you have an Indian convenience store next door and a few restaurants and other services in the neighbourhood.
Despite what the hotel’s website an different booking sites mention, there is no tour desk at the hotel, and the person at the reception desk takes care of booking tours with just one company, and gives you some maps, general info, and the Big Bus brochures; if you need extra info or booking with other companies they tell you politely to do the booking and call yourself.
The distance to the city centre might be a problem if you want to be close to the main Dubai sights, if you have mobility problems, or you carry a lot of luggage from the metro, as you have to walk 17 minutes to-from the metro station (you also need to know the fire exits to go through the mall if you need to catch a train before 10am, as the main exits to the MS are closed before that time). Just to give you an idea, going to the Dubai Mall takes about 30 minutes from the IBMS, whereas Deira City and the old Dubai area are at about 45-50 minutes from the IBMS, plus the walking distance to-from the station.
The Internet is LAN and good speed but a bit expensive for Western standards unless you pay for a 24 hour voucher; log out from your session or you will lose the remaining credit. You might need to refresh your cookies often to allow the hotel´s system program to operate.
There were just two power points in my room, and both of them had a switchboard connected, so the points are overcrowded if you need to use 2-3 gadgets/devices. There was just one power point in the bathroom, and that only for shavers. If you are a woman, you have to do your hair in the room; the lighting of the bathroom is poor and I would suggest a small lightened mirror for women.
No dish-washing liquid sachet provided in the kitchen, and that is the first time in an apartment hotel that happens to me. I had to buy a whole bottle for my 9 day visit.
The ceiling lights went off during my first day there, because of the fuses, and the handyman who fixed the problem (a very sweet and efficient guy) requested me not to use many lights at the same time, but I was using minimal lights and the aircon was off.
The number of wardrobes is humongous.
You’ll need to book your breakfast in advance because, if you decide to have it on arrival, it will be impossible.
You’ll be charged for an early checking even if the hotel is not full, or at least that was my case.
The service was poor despite the courtesy and hard work of the staff.
MY RECOMMENDATION
If you want a quiet location, a place located near the Metro and a shopping mall, good quality rooms and quietness for a business trip, this is your place. I would go for a one-bedroom apartment if I had to visit again, but the studios are great if you are on a budget and still want plenty of room and a fully equipped kitchen. The hotel is outside Dubai, therefore, if you go on holidays, make sure that you book your tours and pick-ups in advance. That will save you a big headache as the local companies I tried do not work according to Western standards. The metro is great and reliable and will take you anywhere for a small fee; the walk to-from the hotel is very nice and quiet and you will enjoy that if you like walking. I would certainly recommend the hotel for business/work related stays, or for independent travellers who have at least 5 days at Dubai.
Stayed November 2010
