Trianon Hotel-Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Trianon Hotel
3-Star Hotel
There will be two different reviews for his hotel.
January 2013

Room Service:  Total Points: 12/12

1. Food is Fresh (3)
2. Appearance (3)
3. Taste (3)
4. What was ordered? Appetizers with Main Course and Dessert
5. What time of day? Lunch
6. Quality for the money? (3)

Reception/Check In/Check Out: Total Points: 11/15

1. Wait Time (2)
2. Friendliness of Staff (3)
3. Bell Hop/Concierge (3)
4. Confidentiality (2)
5. Refreshment offered upon arrival (1)

Housekeeping: Total Points: 9/9

1. Cleanliness of the Room (3)
2. Clearly Smoking or Non-Smoking (3)
3. In-Room stationary, and pen are provided (3)

Laundry Service: Total Points: 9/9

1. Clothes smell fresh (3)
2. Spots are taken out (3)
3. Delivery is on-time (3)

Restaurants: (Not Rated)

1. Bars-fully stocked ready to make any drink suggested.
2. Cleanliness and Appearance
3. Noise Level in Bars
4. Freshness of Food
5. Friendliness and Helpfulness of Restaurant Staff

Mini Bar (In Room): Total Points: 6/6

1. All items in Menu are in the Mini Bar (3)
2. Mini Bar has alcoholic refreshment. (3)

Swimming Pool: Total Points: 5/6

1. Year-Round Availability (2)
2. Cleanliness inside and outside the pool. (3)

Fitness and Equipment: (Not Rated)

1. Types of Machines available
2. Cleanliness of Gym Area
3. Well-Maintained Machines

Spa Services: (Not Available)

1. Body Scrubs
2. Massage
3. Reflexology
4. Variety of Times to choose from
5. Segregated/Non-Segregated
6. Privacy and Confidentiality
7. Professional Staff
8. Competitive Prices

Other Services:
Internet: Total Points: 3/3

1. Paid/Unpaid (3)
2. Rate charged per night (Free)

Retail Shops: Total Points: 6/6

1. Availability of Items (3)
2. Hotel Gift Shop is stocked with Souvenirs, Emergency Supplies like pain killers, toiletries and other items "forgotten" at home. (3)

Beauty Salon: Total Points: 6/6

1. Present/Not Present (3)
2. Multiple services are available? (3)

When I booked this hotel in 2013, I was a little apprehensive as it only had a then 3-star rating, and in the Middle East, usually three stars and below have really lower quality-type services available.  However the week I spent there in 2013, it truly exceeded my expectations.

On a 5-star hotel rating this hotel in January 2013 scored according to my ratings: 67/72 points. It received a 93% "A-" Rating.  Everything was perfect during my stay, as they had upgraded my room without charge, and treated me as royalty.

The hotel was brand new, as hence this may have been why they did exceed expectations of their guests.  However, the restaurant was still under construction in the dining area and open only certain hours.  Still, the location is stellar as it is near to the Corniche and across the street from one of the Cinemas, McDonald's and Chili's.

I definitely booked again that year as the quality for the money was awesome!  Rates were generally 275 Dirham per night, equaling about $74 USD per night competitive to the other 2-3 star hotels.  However, as this one had exceeded my expectations, it was completely worth the my stay.

April 2014-Same Hotel
2 Star Hotel


Room Service:  (Not Available)

1. Food is Fresh
2. Appearance
3. Taste
4. What was ordered?
5. What time of day?
6. Quality for the money?

Reception/Check In/Check Out: Total Points: 8/15

1. Wait Time (1)
2. Friendliness of Staff (2)
3. Bell Hop/Concierge (2)
4. Confidentiality (2)
5. Refreshment offered upon arrival (1)

Housekeeping: Total Points: 5/9

1. Cleanliness of the Room (1)
2. Clearly Smoking or Non-Smoking (1)
3. In-Room stationary, and pen are provided (3)

Laundry Service: (Not Utilized)

1. Clothes smell fresh
2. Spots are taken out
3. Delivery is on-time

Restaurants:(Not Available)

1. Bars-fully stocked ready to make any drink suggested.
2. Cleanliness and Appearance
3. Noise Level in Bars
4. Freshness of Food
5. Friendliness and Helpfulness of Restaurant Staff

Mini Bar (In Room): Total Points: 2/6

1. All items in Menu are in the Mini Bar (1)
2. Mini Bar has alcoholic refreshment. (1)

Swimming Pool: Total Points: 3/6

1. Year-Round Availability (2)
2. Cleanliness inside and outside the pool.(2)

Fitness and Equipment: (Not Used)

1. Types of Machines available
2. Cleanliness of Gym Area
3. Well-Maintained Machines

Spa Services: (None Apparent)

1. Body Scrubs
2. Massage
3. Reflexology
4. Variety of Times to choose from
5. Segregated/Non-Segregated
6. Privacy and Confidentiality
7. Professional Staff
8. Competitive Prices

Other Services:
Internet: Total Points: 4/6

1. Paid/Unpaid (Encrypted) (2)
2. Rate charged per night (Free) (2)

Retail Shops: Total Points: 6/6

1. Availability of Items (3)
2. Hotel Gift Shop is stocked with Souvenirs, Emergency Supplies like pain killers, toiletries and other items "forgotten" at home. (3)

Beauty Salon: Total Points: 5/6

1. Present/Not Present (2)
2. What services are available?(3)

When I booked this hotel, which was now a 2-star hotel in April 2014, I was shocked that it was rated as a 2-star hotel and there must be some type of mistake.  However, I soon learned the reason it had deteriorated so much from my previous experience in January 2013, only a year and four months prior to this stay.

First, as I do with my parents, start with the good points.  The Gift shop, the shops nearby, and availability of taxis are still the highlight of this hotel.  The location is still one of the best in Abu Dhabi.

As for the bad, here is an excerpt from the review I gave the hotel after my stay there in 2014: 
"This time, the 5-star theme has dropped to a 2-star theme. They are completely disorganized at reception. They first put me in a room which was not cleaned, or someone was still inside. Then they upgraded my room choice and the bidet was broken. The sealant for the bathtub was cracking. There was a strong odor of mold in the bathtub. The restaurant was closed or under renovation. There was no room service, which they failed to mention when I checked in. I waited 15 minutes for the concierge to take my car key so I could go to my room. Parking was not free, and the internet, which used to be open, had an encrypted website which does not always connect immediately.  Lastly, I made two bookings. The second booking was to extend my stay. The fist booking, they ignored, which ended up being cancelled and charging me an extra two nights."

Can you believe it?

So sadly my rating on this hotel has really been a disappointing one.  Maybe they have improved after a year, but I have not been back there since then.   The points I have rated this property for April 2014 are 33/48 points.  The percentage score is a 69%; a "D+" Rating.  It is so disappointing!

If they have fixed these problems and have improved to what they were in 2013, then I would book again.  But sadly, I will never stay at the Trianon Hotel in Abu Dhabi again as long as it remains such a disappointment.

Happy Travels!