2B-AnantaraNorth-802P by bnbmehomes

There was a strong mold smell in our lagoon access room, a serious concern since I’m highly allergic to mold. We called the front desk, and someone came but only sprayed air freshener. By 2:00 AM I was having an allergic reaction, so we left the room and went to reception. They moved us to a larger room, but its mold smell was even worse. Other guests told us they had noticed the same smell in their rooms. This was uncomfortable and a health concern. We expected a safe, clean environment given the standards the hotel promotes. I ask that the matter be investigated urgently and that appropriate compensation be considered for the inconvenience and health risk.

We booked 6 nights and arrived late at night, only to find the hotel dirty and smelly, nowhere near the advertised standard. It looked like it hadn’t been updated in around 15 years, with cracked, crooked tiles around the pool and overgrown foliage throughout. The resort didn’t look like the online photos, and the surrounding area was a building site. I wouldn’t eat there. It’s hard to believe the good reviews, and I suspect staff must have asked for them directly. We told staff right away that we couldn’t stay and moved to a better hotel. One staff member smiled as we explained. Now they say we can’t get a refund for the unused nights. This place is a disgrace and needs knocking down and rebuilding. We thought every resort on the Palm would be nice. Go anywhere else, please don’t make the same mistake we did.

Anantara is known for luxury, and you can expect that here. The staff are very helpful and ready to support you. It’s one of my favorite properties, with a beautiful location that makes the higher price feel worth it. It’s luxurious, so costs are on the high side, but there’s a pool, activities, a spa, and more.

My family and I went to Anantara The Palm Dubai after a marketing representative named Jullnar approached us at Nakheel Mall. She described a new family friendly event and said we could take part and get complimentary access to the hotel or another complimentary experience. We agreed to visit with our two young children, expecting a pleasant family outing. When we arrived, nobody was expecting us. Reception said there was no event, just a marketing appointment to sell hotel services. That was very different from what we’d been told at the mall, and felt misleading. The marketing department’s reception lady was also unwelcoming and impolite, making us feel our children were an inconvenience. There was no kids’ area or other child friendly space, and nobody tried to accommodate families. The sales representative then pressured us to buy a hotel package for approximately AED 90,000. It seemed this was the real purpose all along, despite the promise of an event. With the children left to entertain themselves in a crowded marketing area, it was difficult to focus on the presentation. The whole visit was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I expect Anantara to be honest and provide good customer service and family hospitality, but this fell far short. I wouldn’t recommend this kind of invitation to families.