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Smana Hotel Al Raffa

Dubai , 37 Al Raffa St - Dubai (Show on Map)

6.4

Rated

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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests

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Summary of reviewsSmana Hotel Al Raffa in Dubai presents a varied experience for its guests with both positive attributes and areas needing improvement. The hotel enjoys a peaceful location close to amenities like supermarkets, shops, banks and restaurants. It is conveniently near the airport and is known among taxi drivers, making it easily accessible despite its distance from public transportation and ongoing road construction nearby.

The breakfast experience is generally satisfactory, particularly for South Asian guests who appreciate the predominance of Indian cuisine. However, the quality and variety of breakfast offerings have room for improvement and some guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the limited options and lack of an international spread. Dinner experiences are similarly mixed; while the food is tasty with large portions, the menu lacks variety and meal service can be slow.

The rooms at Smana Hotel Al Raffa are spacious, clean and comfortable with generally friendly and accommodating staff. However, some rooms suffer from noise disturbances due to the nearby nightclub and issues with cleanliness, such as dust, dirty bedding and occasional cockroach sightings. Maintenance concerns, including broken facilities and old-fashioned decor, also detract from the experience.

Cleanliness overall is praised by many guests, but inconsistencies in housekeeping standards, such as dirty bathrooms and mold, have been reported. The hotel's staff is largely commended for their friendliness and helpfulness, though some guests have noted instances of unprofessional behavior and communication issues.

The free WiFi service receives mixed reviews with some guests finding it fast and reliable while others experience slow speeds and weak signals. The gym is adequate, although the equipment needs updates and the operating hours are not ideal for everyone. The rooftop pool is a pleasant feature, though it requires better maintenance and has limited operating hours.

Parking at the hotel is generally convenient with ample spaces available, although the basement parking can be narrow and less clean. For families, the hotel’s suitability is mixed with some finding it adequate while others believe it falls short in terms of comfort and cleanliness for family stays.

Beds at the hotel are mostly comfortable with large sizes and plenty of pillows. However, there are concerns about old, worn-out mattresses and the cleanliness of bedding.

Overall, Smana Hotel Al Raffa offers good value for a three-star hotel with friendly staff and a desirable location for certain travelers. Improvements in service speed, meal variety and quality, room maintenance and consistent cleanliness could enhance the guest experience.
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Cheap Hotel

Located on Al Raffa Street, Dubai, it offers comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price. The hotel provides essential amenities and a convenient location for exploring the city.

Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel with Spa

Family Friendly Hotel

Hotel with Swimming Pool

Rooftop Pool Panoramic View Pool Outdoor Pool

Hotel with Free Wi-Fi

Business Hotel

Hotel with Parking

Accessible Hotel

Hotel with Gym

3-Star Hotel

Hotel with Outdoor Pool

Hotel with Panoramic View Pool

Hotel with Rooftop Pool

Room Types

Standard King Room Providing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features tiled floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning, soundproof walls, as well as a wardrobe. The unit offers 1 bed.

Standard Twin Room Providing free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room features tiled floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning, soundproof walls, as well as a wardrobe. The unit offers 2 beds.

About Smana Hotel Al Raffa

License: 625299

Guest Reviews

6.4

Rated

Location

The location of Smana Hotel Al Raffa in Dubai garners mixed reviews from guests. On the positive side, the hotel is praised for being conveniently close to various amenities such as supermarkets, shops, banks and restaurants. It is also known for its peaceful, quiet environment, making it ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to the airport is a notable convenience for travelers and its location is well-known among taxi drivers, enhancing its accessibility.

However, the hotel’s distance from public transportation, particularly the metro, is a common point of criticism. Guests frequently mention the need to rely on taxis due to the lack of nearby public transport options, which can be inconvenient and add to travel costs. The ongoing road construction and civil work around the hotel further complicate accessibility, making navigation confusing for newcomers. The area around the hotel is also described as less developed and somewhat remote from central Dubai and major tourist destinations, which may not be ideal for tourists aiming to explore the city’s popular attractions.

Despite these drawbacks, the hotel’s location is considered suitable for business travelers and those looking for a quieter stay. Many guests find the location decent and note that local transportation is easily available, even if public options are less convenient. Overall, while the location has its challenges, it also offers several conveniences that might appeal to specific types of travelers.

Breakfast

The breakfast experience at Smana Hotel Al Raffa appears to be a mixed bag based on guest reviews. While a portion of visitors found the breakfast to be quite good and even delicious, others were less enthusiastic, describing the quality as below standard. A recurrent theme is the predominance of Indian cuisine, which catered well to the large number of South Asian guests but left others desiring a more international or continental spread. The breakfast options seemed limited with some guests pointing out a lack of variety and the repetitive nature of the offerings. Additionally, several guests noted issues such as no coffee, modest and spicy food and the absence of dairy products. Service and value for money during breakfast hours also garnered criticism. Overall, while some found the breakfast offering to be satisfactory and a good part of their stay, many believe there's significant room for improvement, particularly in diversifying the menu and enhancing the overall quality.

Dinner

Smana Hotel Al Raffa offers a dining experience that primarily features Indian cuisine. While the food and drink are generally well-received for their taste and big portions, guests have noted variability in the meal quality. The restaurant serves tasty and delicious dishes with some guests appreciating the simple yet flavorful meals. The chef is highly skilled and the food is often described as lovely.

However, there are several areas of concern among guests. Meal service can be slow with simple dishes sometimes taking over 30 minutes to arrive. The selection is limited with no buffet options and the dinner menu often lacks variety, offering a single plate without choices. Despite some guests enjoying the consistency of dishes like chicken and rice, others found the repetitive menu and limited Indian cuisine options less appealing.

Moreover, a few reviews mentioned problems with cleanliness in the kitchen, which can be off-putting. Meals, particularly dinner, are sometimes served cold and there have been complaints about the overall meal quality. Additionally, the policy on meal plans can be confusing with some guests having to pay for a dinner despite being on a half-board plan.

In summary, while Smana Hotel Al Raffa's dinner offerings have their strengths, especially in terms of taste and portion size, there are notable inconsistencies in service speed, menu variety and meal temperatures.

Rooms

The rooms at Smana Hotel Al Raffa present a mixed experience for guests. On the positive side, many reviews highlight that the rooms are spacious, clean and very comfortable. Housekeeping generally does a good job and the staff tend to be friendly and accommodating. Guests noted that room sizes are often larger than expected with some finding them well-furnished and offering good amenities for the price.

However, there are notable concerns as well. A significant number of reviews mention that the rooms can be noisy, particularly those located near the night club on the first floor, leading to disturbances. Additionally, issues of cleanliness were frequently pointed out with several guests encountering cockroaches, dusty areas and dirty bedding. The rooms were often described as old-fashioned and in need of maintenance with broken facilities such as faulty fridges, TV signals and leaking baths.

Despite some rooms being tidy and well-maintained, the overall quality appears inconsistent. Some rooms had an unpleasant smell, were not equipped with basic amenities like kettles and towels and required the guests to request these items. Given these varying experiences, the rooms at Smana Hotel Al Raffa provide basic comfort but may require improvements to meet all guests' expectations consistently.

Beds

Smana Hotel Al Raffa's beds receive mixed feedback from guests, though there is a prevalent theme of comfort. Many visitors found the beds to be comfortable and commended their size with mentions of large, king-size beds offering plenty of pillows and a relaxing sleep. The comfort of the bed is frequently noted, often accompanied by appreciation for the clean condition on arrival.

However, some reviews highlight areas of concern. There are multiple remarks about old and worn-out mattresses that are not comfortable for sleeping. Additionally, the cleanliness of the bedding is a recurring issue with several guests pointing out that bedsheets were not changed regularly and were sometimes dirty or stained. The occasional mention of an overused smell in the bedding and towels detracted from the overall experience.

In summary, while the comfort of the beds at Smana Hotel Al Raffa is appreciated by many, the upkeep and cleanliness of the bedding need attention to meet all guests' expectations.

Cleanliness

Smana Hotel Al Raffa presents a mixed picture when it comes to cleanliness. On the positive side, many guests have noted that the hotel is clean, modern and tidy. Some reviews laud the hotel for its neat and clean rooms with cleanliness and order being a notable feature. Visitors have appreciated the overall calm and clean environment of the rooms, which were often described as comfortable and well-maintained.

However, there are numerous critiques about the cleanliness standards. Several guests pointed out that the cleaning services were inconsistent with some rooms reportedly not being cleaned daily. Issues such as dirty bathrooms, mold, dust and cockroaches were frequently mentioned. Some reviews highlighted poorly maintained and unsanitary conditions with specific complaints about dirty floors, stained sheets and bad smells. Additionally, old and worn furniture contributed to a less than satisfactory experience for some guests.

While the housekeeping staff received praise for their politeness, the hotel's management clearly needs to address these cleanliness issues to ensure a more consistently positive experience for all guests.

Staff

Smana Hotel Al Raffa has received mixed reviews regarding its staff, though many guests highlight positive experiences. Several reviewers commend the staff's friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism, noting that the team is generally accommodating and courteous. The reception staff, in particular, earn praise for being welcoming and attentive with some guests describing them as amazing and very nice.

However, there are notable concerns about the level of service provided by some employees. Instances of unprofessional behavior and a lack of training are mentioned, particularly concerning the reception and cleaning teams. Some guests report unprofessional conduct and rudeness, which detracted from their overall experience. Additionally, a few reviews point out issues regarding the staff’s responsiveness to guest needs and their ability to communicate effectively in English. Despite these criticisms, many visitors find the staff to be cooperative and pleasant and there are frequent mentions of the team being cheerful and keen to serve.

Wi-Fi

The WiFi experience at Smana Hotel Al Raffa has varied among guests. Some reported that the WiFi was fast and worked well throughout the hotel, while others appreciated that the free WiFi worked very fast. A few guests mentioned that the WiFi was good and performed adequately. However, several reviewers found the WiFi to be slow with weak signals and some even stated that the WiFi did not work at all. Complaints also included no signal in some areas and very bad connectivity. Despite the good remarks, the inconsistent internet service appears to be an area in need of improvement for this hotel.

Gym

The gym at Smana Hotel Al Raffa has received mixed feedback from guests. On the positive side, the gym is noted for being good and hygienic. However, there are several concerns that need addressing. Guests have highlighted that the equipment in the gym is not in good condition and lacks updates. Additionally, the gym's operation hours are found to be unsuitable for many and there have been instances where the gym was closed, limiting access further.

Pool

Smana Hotel Al Raffa offers an outdoor rooftop pool that many guests appreciate for providing a refreshing escape after a long day. The pool area is often highlighted for its beautiful appearance, making it an appealing spot for guests to relax. Additionally, the hotel occasionally offers extended pool usage times, which some guests find very accommodating.

However, several reviews mention that the pool's hours of operation—from 9am to 6pm—are not ideal for everyone. There have been reports that the pool area requires better maintenance with some guests pointing out outdated facilities, broken equipment and cleanliness issues. The pool's size has also been noted as smaller than what is depicted in photos, which can be a letdown for some visitors.

Despite these concerns, the fitness center, which shares similar operational hours and the pool still provide guests with a pleasant way to unwind or get in some exercise during their stay. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the rooftop pool remains a noteworthy feature of Smana Hotel Al Raffa.

Parking

Smana Hotel Al Raffa features various options for parking with an emphasis on easy access and convenience. Guests often appreciate the complimentary parking as an added benefit, which is particularly notable in a central location. Despite the fact that basement parking has been described as narrow and at times less clean, there are numerous parking spaces available, including those in front and behind the hotel. For guests visiting during weekends, parking tends to be especially manageable. Overall, the availability of free and private parking receives recognition, though improvements could be made in terms of signage and space.

Family

The reviews for Smana Hotel Al Raffa reveal that opinions on its suitability for families with children are mixed. Some guests found the accommodations family-friendly and even recommended the hotel for family stays, particularly highlighting the family rooms as good. However, a substantial number of reviews pointed out that the hotel is generally not kid-friendly and not suitable for family stays. Concerns were raised about the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, making it uncomfortable for family visits. Many guests explicitly advised against family stays, suggesting that the hotel may need to improve its facilities and services to better cater to the needs of families.

3 Star

Smana Hotel Al Raffa is situated as a budget-friendly three-star hotel that offers standard amenities expected for its rating. Despite mixed opinions regarding its star classification, many find it to provide good value for money, especially considering its decent location. The reception staff is generally noted for their understanding and polite demeanor. While some reviews suggest that the service levels could improve to meet three-star standards, others appreciate the hotel for its low-cost value and reasonable quality-price ratio. However, potential visitors should set their expectations accordingly, as feedback on the breakfast and some other services indicates they might not fully align with typical three-star offerings.

Business

Smana Hotel Al Raffa is often highlighted as a suitable choice for business travelers. With facilities that comply with the needs of those on work-related trips, it is a practical option for individuals with job requirements in the vicinity. The staff at the hotel are described as helpful, which can be a valuable asset for business guests needing assistance during their stays. Overall, for a compliant and convenient stay aligned with professional needs, Smana Hotel Al Raffa is considered a favorable option for business travelers.

Accessible

Smana Hotel Al Raffa offers limited accessibility for guests with disabilities. While there is recognition that certain areas of the hotel are accessible, numerous reviews indicate challenges. Guests faced difficulties with the club and other sections, which were noted as not accessible. The hotel's location was described as unclear both in physical navigation and online mapping, which compounded these issues. On a positive note, the reception staff was accommodating, assigning rooms designated for handicapped guests when standard rooms were unavailable. Despite being easy to access in some respects, the overall experience for guests with disabilities appears mixed with significant obstacles in certain parts of the property.

Yes, Smana Hotel Al Raffa has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Rooftop Pool, Panoramic View Pool, Outdoor Pool.

Yes, a spa is available at Smana Hotel Al Raffa.

No, Smana Hotel Al Raffa doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Smana Hotel Al Raffa.

Yes, Smana Hotel Al Raffa has a gym.

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