Erbil Rotana Hotel, Kurdistan, Iraq

Erbil Rotana Hotel
5-Star Hotel
March 2015

Room Service: Total Points:  12/12

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

Reception/Check In/Check Out: Total Points: 13/15

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

Housekeeping: Total Points: 8/9

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

Laundry Service: (NR)

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

Restaurants: (NR)

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: 4/6

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

Fitness and Equipment: Total Points: 9/9

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

Spa Services: Total Points: 24/24

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

Other Services:
Internet: Total Points: 2/3

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

Retail Shops: (NR)

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

Beauty Salon: (Not Available)

1. Present/Not Present
2. What services are available? 

This hotel has customer service as its asset.  The staff are very knowledgeable of services that are available outside of the hotel.  The Concierge was able to book a full salon service for me in Dream City.  I paid a total of $240 USD for Pedicure, Manicure, Eyebrows and Upper Lip Threading, Cut, Highlights, and Style.  In a 5-star hotel, it probably would have been a lot more expensive.

The only negative aspects of this hotel are that it is without a free Wifi connection and costs the guest $24 USD per night.  Also, airport taxi shuttles are quite expensive: $30 USD.  That is approximately 36,000 Iraqi Dinar just to get to the airport, which is a bummer as there are no public taxi services after midnight.  It costs me 90,000 Iraqi Dinars to travel to Erbil from Zakho which is a 3-hour drive.  So, this is quite expensive to charge the guest to take them to the airport, and at the nightly rate that the guest pays, this should be a complimentary service, at least one way.

Also, the price per night is competitive with other 5-star hotels in Erbil, but quite expensive at $270/night.  This is expensive when it accumulates over time.  Basically for three days at this hotel, I can stay at the Marriott Renaissance in Cairo for an entire week.   However, I would book again if there is no other 5-star option in town.

Overall, the score that this property receives is 78/84 points, a percentage rate of 93% and a Grade Rating of "A".  I hope you enjoy your stay in Erbil.  There are many attractions nearby at the Rotana. 

Happy Travels!