We stayed here for 2 nights at the start of our holiday and for 2 nights at the end.We have stayed in Dubai off and on for about 15 years so we are used to the standard.We were a little taken aback by our "welcome" from the door staff i.e non existent,after that though things improved.Our room was ok but already was showing signs of wear,the veneer on a table had come off and lots of bumps and scraps on the walls.
I really have a problem with breakfast,it was awful,not much of a choice at all with terrible earthenware crockery that was dirty and stained,very poor quality food,we only ate there once and just had toast and coffee by the pool after that.
On the plus side the pool area was brilliant great loungers with a great pool and really good poolside service.One point to remember is that on windy days the poolside umbrellas are taken away,this is because an umbrella was blown over a ballastrade,so thats one to remember especially during the summer when shade is essential!!!!
Overall though the hotel was very average

We Stayed in the intercontinental at festival city for four night's at the end of march. This hotel is brand new and absolutely fantastic, the staff, the rooms,the restaurant,breakfast,reception,eveything we did not have a bad word to say about it.There are great veiws of the creek from the leisure deck which they share with the Crowne Plaza hotel next door.The hotel is also connected to the festival shopping centre with over 500 shops including Marks and Spencers and 90 places to eat. It's only a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport.

I stayed at the Hotel as part of a work conference for three days. There are alot of positives e.g.

- the level of service is exceptional
- incredibly clean
- funky rooms with great bathrooms
- the standard of food is very good (I was being mass-catered for as part of the conference so I would expect ala carte to be exceptional)
- alcohol is well priced for a 5* hotel e.g. 20 Dirhams for a beer - about 3 quid
- connected on to a huge shopping/eating complex
- taxis always available

The Festival City complex is still being finished (about 85% of the way there) and the hotel was no exception e.g. just half the pool/ sun lounging area open in March 2008. Workmen were prevalent in the area surround the hotel, however I experienced no contruction noise.

The hotel, whilst convenient for the airport, is a bit out of the city centre. However mitigated against this is the ample taxis plus a culture of no-one walking too far in general. A general plus is Dubai airport which is well organised and chilled; unlike the mayhem of Heathrow at the other end.

Transferred from the adjacent sister hotel (Crown Plaza), we travelled on a great value weekend package with Virgin (£350 each for flights and 3 nights B&B - Wow!!). Most flights from the UK arrive early morning so unless you pay for an additional night you normally have to wait for your room. As the hotel was not full we were fortunate to get ours at midday. What a room! Other reviews have already described them, but modern, hi-tech and brand spanking new.
Service in the hotel and elsewhere very high (labour must be cheap and good quality) and though there was only one restaurant open in the hotel (Anise) the choice and quality was fantastic.
The pool was very nice though loungers occasionally were at a premium - what might it be like when the hotel is full?
Views over the local area and creek reveal a building site but no noise problems. Festival City is fast-developing and is well located for the road network and airport but otherwise is pretty uninspiring. Room windows were filthy which is the only negative I can mention about the place.
Travel from the hotel is OK - travel time depends on the time of day - 45 mins into Deira on a Saturday morning, 15 mins back in the afternoon; 45 mins to Jumeira Beach on Sunday morning, 30 mins back mid-afternoon. It's cheap to travel (ignore reviews to the contrary) - even the hotel taxi was only £10 to Jumeira Beach - with most trips just a few pounds if you take a Dubai taxi.
We ate at in the hotel, in the Festival Shopping Mall and (for a celebration) at the Manhattan Grill in the Grand Hyatt Hotel which was outstanding for it's great steaks. Alcohol? Available in the room minibar and in the hotel after 6pm. Beer was priced at UK hotel pices but watch for wine - our wine in the Grand Hyatt came to almost £14 per glass!!
A small Dubai tip - it's a Muslim country and the showing of flesh is frowned upon - you very quickly notice that (aside from the tourist/beach area) people don't wear shorts and women don't show shoulders or midriffs which meant that long trousers/short sleeve shirts and blouses/skirts were de-riguer.
We took the trip to sample Dubai. Will we be back? Maybe but probably not quickly, but this is no reflection on the Interconti which was top notch. I can't imagine you would be disappointed as long as you don't expect a beachside or city centre location.