Park Inn Dubai Hotel Review

We don't blame you for only thinking of the Burj Al Arab and The Atlantis hotels when you think of places to stay in Dubai, but let's be honest, you're never going to stay in either.

Dubai is known for its over the top luxury everything. From cars to hotels, clubs to restaurants, Dubai just seems to do it a bit bigger, crazier and weirder. But what is great about this city is that while you could easily spend every penny in your pocket on a single hotel room, you don't have to.

One thing we love about Dubai is how easy it is to have a staycation in the city without having to do far at all. Located walking distance from the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest malls on Earth, the Park Inn Barsha is a truly hidden gem in this gigantic city.

** Check out our Complete Guide to the 5 Best Malls in Dubai **

If you read our blog at all, you know we have a serious love affair with Radisson Blu hotels and try to stay at one no matter where we are on Earth, but we were excited to check out the Park Inn brand and see how it differed. We love Radisson Blu because it offers us all the comforts from home and whether we are in Finland, Prague, India or Azerbaijan, we'll know exactly what to expect.

Being so comfortable with Radisson Blu, I was a bit hesitant to try Park Inn, but we were very happily surprised. The manager Michael greeted us as we checked in and we had a lovely conversation about the location, their new redesign and the goals for the hotel - to provide a comfortable, homely alternative in Dubai, and to make each room feel like your own apartment, which they have done a great job of.

With carefully placed room dividers, a full kitchen, washing machine and living room area, we actually took pictures of the room to inspire our own apartment decorating. We even found ourselves ordering from our favorite sushi restaurant, just as we do at home. The delivery guy even recognized us, we didn't try to explain haha.

With a lovely pool on the roof, a small spa, delicious restaurant, spacious rooms and friendly staff, the Park Inn name still holds all the values we find most important in our Radisson hotel stays.

When the weekend was over we didn't want to leave the room, and realized the hotel had a better located in the city than our own apartment does.

The wifi is free and fast, another Radisson staple, and with CNN I was able to stay connected to everything. You'd be surprised how many hotels don't have a basic English speaking new channel - a personal need for me, so it only helps.

We've entered an era where the term "budget hotels" means a completely different thing than it did when you were growing up. Budget hotels don't mean a seedy motel room off the freeway with caution tape around some of the rooms and brown tap water anymore. With brands like Radisson redefining the hotel stay, and offering multiple brands that not only make you feel at home, but make you feel more at home than when you are AT home - if this is budget, it's fine with us, we'll be just fine.

Our only wish was that the Park Inn had the "Super Breakfast" we've come to know and love at Radisson Blu, but when you're steps away from the largest malls on Earth there are plenty of other options.