The 13-story Marina Byblos Hotel is a mostly contemporary property set in the popular Dubai Marina area, giving its crowd of leisure travelers quick access to the mall, metro station, and beach. The design throughout is mostly contemporary, though some barrel chairs in rooms, old-fashioned wood furniture, and dated fabrics in dining outlets keep the property from feeling modern -- especially compared to many other properties in Dubai. Nevertheless, affordable rates, a convenient location, and ample on-site features bring a mostly young crowd. The rooftop poolside bar and ground-floor nightclub particularly appeal to party-minded travelers, but some past guests have complained of noise reaching rooms, especially from the latter. This is one of the cheaper options in the area, but nearby properties such as Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, JBR Dubai and Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach offer better values.

This hotel has an excellent location in the Dubai Marina area, within a 15-minute walk of its mall, metro station, and lovely beach. The seafront promenade known as The Walk is lined with shops and eateries, plus many more are found at the mall. A free shuttle runs from the hotel to the beach. Farther sights, such as Mall of the Emirates and the Burj Khalifa, can be reached in 15 and 20 minutes by car, respectively. Dubai International Airport is around a 25-minute drive away, while the Al Maktoum Airport is about 30 minutes. 

The 184 rooms are decorated in a mix of traditional and contemporary styles, consisting of tan carpeting with small patterns, honey-toned wood furniture, and barrel armchairs in light-blue and beige. Tufted blue-gray fabric headboards, aqua accent walls, and pretty velvet bed runners with floral motifs add some color.  Big windows let in lots of light during the day, and many have pleasant marina views. Many guests recommend getting rooms on the upper floors to avoid noise from the nightclub that's open until late. Another downside is that in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee. Amenities provided include work desks, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles for hot beverages. Wardrobes are stocked with robes, slippers, and electronic safes. Modern, attractive bathrooms have shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and free toiletries. 

There are several on-site features at Marina Byblos Hotel, all of which are geared toward adults. Up on the roof is a temperature-controlled pool with mosaic tiling and an infinity edge. Also on the terrace are cushioned loungers, ample seating, and a bar that serves snacks and beverages (until 11 p.m. during our stay). Near here is the simple Thai Chi Spa, which offers massage treatments, a sauna, and steam room. A hair salon is on the second floor of the hotel. A small gym has just a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights. 

An array of restaurants and bars are on-site, which largely receive positive reviews. Le Frenchy is an aptly named French eatery that's open for dinner and serves drinks until late. The all-day Captain’s Table is a casual spot that serves both buffet and a la carte fare. An English-style pub offers live music, and the ground-floor Amadeus is a nightclub. A hookah spot is also on-site. A business center and meeting rooms are available. Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby.