The Metropolitan’s grand white marble lobby offers balconies overlooking the main area, gigantic glass chandeliers, and a curving double staircase. Heavy brown leather armchairs add to a look that’s incongruous and mismatched. Neutral-hued hallways are lined with carpeting vaguely reminiscent of an ‘80s casino. The exterior of the building, which is plain and made of the same materials as many modern fast-build condo high rises, opens up onto a bland street lined with other hotels and apartment buildings.

The hotel is on a service road next to a busy wide street in the heart of Deira, near Dubai Creek. The street is populated with other hotels, office buildings, and a few small businesses and budget shops with little appealing street life. However, livelier areas of Deira are about a 15-minute walk away, and a 15-minute cab ride will bring one to the historical section of Bur Dubai. It’s 10 minutes to Dubai International Airport by car and 20 minutes by bus via a stop that’s about 10 minutes south on foot. Some have noted that cabs do not pass frequently in the area, so it’s important to budget in waiting time when ordering one.

The eclectic decor and dated aesthetics present in the rest of the hotel continue in guest rooms, which are generally pleasant. They're staid rather than gaudy, with light wood laminate furniture and panel built-ins that contrast with dark green carpeting. Some rooms can feel a bit cramped. Other rooms have lighter carpeting, all with a pattern that harkens back to the '80s or '90s. Bathrooms, though they have separate baths and rainfall walk-in showers, are equally mediocre in style, with standard-issue plastic tubs, wooden toilet seats, and kit tiles. All rooms have hairdryers, flat-screen TVs, kettles with tea and coffee, and air-conditioning. Larger rooms have generously stocked minibars (in some cases with full-sized bottles of liquor) and separate living areas.

The Metropolitan’s fairly sizable gym has a handful of stationary bikes, treadmills, stair masters, and weight machines as well as an adjacent hot tub and sauna. Some have noted the fitness center has a somewhat musty smell. A rooftop pool with views of the city is flanked by a stucco deck in need of a paint job. The hotel’s business center is outfitted with a few computer terminals and printers. For business travelers, the property has several meeting rooms while a ballroom is available for special events and functions, including weddings. There are also several on-site dining and bar options, including an Irish pub and an Italian restaurant named Don Corleone.