One of the oldest and most well-established hotels in the Dubai Marina, the Habtoor Grand Resort has an opulent lobby, which is enormous and lined almost entirely in marble, flanked by palatial pillars with a bronze gazelle fountain in the middle and domed mural overhead. The grounds are sprawling and nicely landscaped, with handsome lawns, palm trees, and tropical plants as well as the occasional lion statue and fountain. There are tennis courts and a kids' club on one end of the grounds and a vast expanse of sandy beach behind the hotel, which includes a beach club and several rows of lounge chairs for hotel guests. The facilities draw plenty of leisure travelers, though conference attendees are also frequent guests. Families will find lots of entertainment for the kids and guests looking for the complete resort experience with a variety of dining, drinking, and entertainment also have plenty of options at this resort. As one of the older hotels in the area, some of the decor isn't exactly the most trendy or stylish, and shows in certain spots throughout the resort, like Cheesecake Factory-style furniture in some of the restaurants.

The Habtoor Grand Resort is located on Jumeirah Beach with direct access to the sand. It's situated at the north end of the Dubai Marina complex, meaning the Marina’s many cafes, shops, and restaurants are about 10 minutes away on foot along the area's famous The Walk. For the brave, the Skydive Dubai Palm Drop Zone is five minutes away on foot. Several attractions are a short drive away, including the man-made Palm Jumeirah, considered the eighth Wonder of the World, which is five minutes away by car. Wild Wadi water park, the Mall of Emirates with its indoor ski slope, and Emirates Golf Course are a 10-minute drive away. Downtown Dubai, the World Trade Centre, and the Dubai Museum, situated in the city’s oldest building, are a 25-minute drive away and the airport is about 30 minutes away by car.

There are 446 rooms at the Habtoor Grand Resort and the ones higher in the building are definitely the most attractive; sea views and city skyline views get incrementally better the higher up you go. Although all rooms are spacious, with plush beds, large flat-screen TVs, and lovely wood laminate floors, the garden level rooms look onto the trunks of trees and can be subject to outdoor noises from the pool and night club. These rooms are also fairly bland, with a chain-style ambience created by chunky furniture and generic abstract wall art. The Tower Rooms are far more attractive, with Arabic-style arches, lattice-inspired cutouts and decor, and shelves with ornate vases. The color palette is more inspiring, with whites, soft greens, and aquas creating a handsome, beachy, upscale look. All rooms have an electric kettle, a minibar, safe, sitting area with armchairs, and a desk. Some are adorned with a vase filled with tall stalks of fresh green bamboo. Bathrooms are bright and contemporary, with immaculate glass showers or mosaic-tiled shower/tub combos. Wi-Fi access is not included in the room price except for Suite and Grand Club guests, who have additional privileges such as free drinks at the Club Lounge and full buffet breakfast. 

The outdoor pool at the Habtoor is one of the property's highlights. It features several islands of foliage as well as a covered swim-up bar. There is a separate kids' pool with cave and water slide. There is also a kids' club with outdoor playground and indoor play area with activities, games, and movies. The grounds also feature several paths and bridges, tennis courts, and a sprawling sandy beach with private lounge chairs and a Beach Club. Elixir Spa offers a range of massages, body and nail treatments, facials, and waxing. There is a modern fitness center and gym offering classes such as Zumba and water aerobics. For events and conferences, the hotel has a massive ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests plus seven meeting rooms and a boardroom. The hotel is home to several snack shops, souvenir boutiques, and tour desks. Airport shuttles and taxis are available; concierge and room services are available 24/7. Wi-Fi is available throughout, but for an expensive fee.

This property is home to eight restaurants and bars, a couple of which even have their own grand lobbies, including the Acacia Lounge, which features a whimsical white fountain resembling angel’s wings. Each of the restaurants has a different vibe -- Luciano’s, located by the pool, is an airy and casual Itlian restaurant near the patio but feels more cavernous and formal the deeper you venture inside. Al Basha is an authentic Lebanese joint with faux mud floors and twisted yellow curtains, complete with live music several nights a week -- it's Friday brunch is popular with everyone, including guests outside the hotel. The Fish Bazaar is classy and mostly outdoors with many cushy lounge sets. The Underground is very much underground, with a sports bar-basement feel, a lively late-night vibe live music, and pool tables. Al Dhiyafa is where the buffets are served, and although the stations and expanses of self-serve counters give it the feel of a cafeteria, the windows and comfortable cushion chairs brighten the atmosphere. Breakfast is only included for guests in Suite or Grand Club rooms.