Habtoor was our bit of luxury during our Dubai trip as the room rate was on the higher side but we wanted to enjoy the pool and beach access.
We travelled as a young family and were given possibly the last room on the ground floor near the pool.
The hotel entrance is very grand and you feel like you have arrived somewhere, the layout of the hotel is a bit odd, with elevators a long way from reception and needing a buggy to transfer to the rooms in the annexe areas (nearer the beach / pool)
We did the merry tour with the buggy and eventually arrived at our room which was 40sqm and whilst dated decor, was comfortable and clean.
lovely robes and comfy bed was appreciated. Room service was a bit slow as we were far from the main building but they were helpful and cleaning was spot on.
Pool is the highlight, with a huge main pool plus kids pools with excellent slides.
Kids would happily run around all day on the slides and there are lifeguards attending. Quite busy and you have to get up v early to bag a sunbed, or they are all occupied by 11am!
Nice families by the pool and whilst there are many brits, also russians and other nationalities who are mostly friendly.
We managed to find a spot each day and sometimes you are helped by the timeshare sales man instead of any hotel staff. He wants to befriend tourists to get them to attend a sales presentation for a timeshare / holiday club. This doesnt reflect well on the hotel and should be removed from the pool area as the club itself is not good value and is missold (e.g. they claim it costs $200 a night for a maldives 5* hotel)
Anyway, the beach is good but could be improved - just sun loungers and far from the actual sea, next to a pumping party club next door (aandreas)
Breakfast is good, with a reasonable selection of items (not much fruit) and omlettes (with a long queue) fruit juices, good coffee, pastries.
Overall we would return and had a good stay at Habtoor