Cozy studio at Westwood By IMTIAZ

The building is well kept, and the residents and general condition are good. Security staff check who visitors are and ask unfamiliar faces for ID to sign in. That's a good thing. Delivery workers and others who dislike the checks are the ones giving one star, but security is doing its job well.

The guard at reception was very bad. I told him I was in a hurry and asked him to write it down, handing over my ID. He told me to wait there, and kept me standing for 15 to 20 minutes. Then he finally said I could go. Before that, he had said, "Hello, if you want to go up, write it yourself and go." When I asked him to write it, he just made me wait.

The metro makes getting around easy. It’s exactly five minutes from Gardens metro station to Dubai Marina, and the building also has spacious parking if you drive. The place is clean and tidy, with nice facilities and diligent security. I find it very quiet, and I’m fussy about noise, though I guess that depends on your neighbors, like in most Dubai apartments or hotels.

The rooms and furnishings are great, and the pool is great too. Staff are really nice and helpful. The gym is a little small, but that’s alright. It’s also very close to both Gardens and Discovery Gardens metro stations.