Rating
"Top marks to the Hallmark" We have just returned from a week at the Hallmark Hotel in Dubai, which greatly exceeded our expectations. When 'Value Added Travel' recommended the hotel to us I was concerned that I couldn't find it in any of the Travel books, nor had it been rated on the Trip advisor website, which I always consult in advance of making a holiday booking. 'Value Added' said that the facilities couldn't be bettered at the price, so we decided to take a risk. Eventually I found a mention of the Hallmark in the 2005 Footsteps guide, and then realised that it was probably too new to have made the other editions The hotel is family run and couldn't have done more to make our holiday the success that it was. They arranged complementary airport transfers both ways,all the staff were helpful and friendly, Reception provided good advice on trips and things to do etc The Hallmark is about 5 minutes drive from the Airport in downtown Deira, but being positioned in between Al Rigga Road and Al Maktoum Road , it is remarkably free from traffic noise and as no alcohol is served on the premesis there was no bar to disturb us either! We only saw/ heard planes when using the rooftop swimming pool and sunbathing area. As the Hallmark is only 2 years old, it is still in pristine condition, Standard Rooms are a good size - fitting in an extra bed for our 9 year old daughter was no problem - with all the usual 4* facilities. There are Monet prints on the walls and lovely deep baths in the ensuite. We were concerned that staying in a city centre location could be a disadvantage, especially as our daughter loves the beach, but this is compensated for by the daily morning shuttle to and from the Jumeriah Beach Park (nominal 5 Dhrs entrance per person) about 20 minutes drive away. There's also a free shuttle to a nearby Shopping Mall at 4pm daily (return at 8pm) Food at the hotel was good. There's an excellent complementary Buffet Breakfast and the Coffee shop is open all day until well into the evening, serving a good range of snacks, pasta/pizzas etc. The Restaurant serves a really good Buffet at lunchtime, prices both there and in the Coffee Shop are reasonable and well below what one would pay for similar fare in England Although the Rooftop pool is on the small side it is an ideal spot to relax and sunbathe. Towels are provided and there are a good supply of chairs and umbrellas So top marks to the Hallmark, and also to Value Added Travel, for having such good local knowledge and recommending the hotel to us. We found this Agent by chance on the Internet and would certainly book through them again for Midddle East trips.

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