Nonstop Dan rating
SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai
A stunning room and bathroom with world-class wellness, held back by weak service and an underwhelming breakfast
What to expect at SIRO One Za’abeel?
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel exterior
What if you could visit a city, spend the day at a work convention next door, and still have plenty of opportunity to exercise, refuel, recover, eat healthy, and stay refreshed? That’s exactly what SIRO, often described as Dubai’s fitness hotel, promises.
We stayed here while attending Arabian Travel Market at the convention center right next door. It’s one of the biggest travel trade shows in the world, giving us the chance to check out new products, catch up with old friends, and meet plenty of new faces in the travel industry. If you’re attending the event, SIRO and One&Only Za’abeel are two of the best places to stay, thanks to their location right next to the convention center.
But SIRO is more than just a convenient place to stay. With in-room fitness and recovery equipment, a huge gym, and one of the most unusual mattresses I’ve ever tried, we were curious to see how it all measured up.
We paid $400 for one night in September, when it’s still unbearably hot in Dubai, so we basically couldn’t go outside.
What’s interesting is that pricing at this hotel is fairly consistent year-round. It seems to start at about $300 a night and only goes up to about $600, apart from New Year’s. Most of the year, you can expect to pay around $450 a night. Compared to many of the other options we’ve reviewed in Dubai, that seems like very good value for a room this big.
We booked a SIRO Plus City View room, and when booking through us as your travel advisors, you can enjoy the following perks:
Room upgrade, which took us to a corner room with a view of the Burj Khalifa
$100 hotel credit
Complimentary breakfast
Early check-in, which we used to check in at 9:00 a.m.
4:00PM late check-out
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Want free breakfast, a room upgrade, and $100+ in credit?
Book through our travel advisor link and get the same rate as booking direct, plus meaningful extras at no additional cost.
- $100+ property credit
- Complimentary breakfast for 2
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in & late checkout, subject to availability
* More benefits may apply at select properties
SIRO One Za’abeel Lobby and Check-in
The lobby is on the first floor, where you check in. There’s a nice spiral staircase, a merch store, and a vending machine that is actually quite cool. There’s also a barista making coffee.
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby merch store
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby vending machine
I like that the lobby gives you a view in the other direction from our room. You can see the Dubai Frame, and in the winter you’d likely see the airport on a clear day.
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel lobby vending machine
SIRO One Za’abeel hotel hallways
SIRO Plus Corner Room with Burj Khalifa View Features and Amenities
We were assigned in room 3314, and is very much our style. Since this is a health hotel, I started with the closet by the entrance. It holds a yoga brick, a foam roller, resistance bands, and a yoga mat. I don’t use this stuff, but it’s there if you do. You can even do pull-ups in your room on a bar rated up to 200 kilos, which is for a very specific type of person.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room king bed
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room pull-up station
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room closet
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room closet
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room yoga block
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room closet socket
By the desk, instead of a regular chair, there’s an exercise ball. That’s supposed to be a healthy way to sit while you work.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room seating area
There’s also a table with our welcome fruit, and a white armchair with a reading light. It’s beautifully clean, but I can’t imagine how often someone spills on it.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room table and chair
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room welcome amenity
One funny thing is the ceiling fan. In Dubai you survive on AC, so most of the time you don’t need a fan. Maybe it’s there to add a bit more wood to the room.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room ceiling fan
There are some nice design touches throughout the room, including the reading lights, which have a warm, almost Japanese-inspired look. There’s also a room control and welcome letter with some useful information about the hotel.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room sockets and controls
For drinks, there’s filtered water, coffee machine, and kettle. The minibar has juice and oat milk, which they may have added because we told them we’re vegan. There’s no alcohol, which I guess makes sense for a health hotel.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room espresso machine and kettle
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room minibar snacks
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room minibar
The TV pulls far out from the wall so you can angle it. It also has Chromecast and HDMI.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room tv
Past the hallway is the biggest closet ever, with plenty of storage and a vanity. Instead of the usual robe, there’s what looks like a hoodie and sweatpants. Not very luxurious, if I dare say so, but probably good if you’re heading to the sauna.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room closet
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room closet
The slippers are more like flip-flops, also meant for the sauna and the pool.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room slippers
We had to Google how the chair in our room works. It turns out it has an adjustable headrest and costs almost $5,000. I’m not sure why they would put it in a hotel room, but we ended up thinking it was one of the best things about the hotel. In fact, it's more comfortable than the bed!
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room chair
The bed is gorgeous, and most unusual hotel bed I’ve ever slept in. At first the mattress feels firm, but as you lie there, you realize your body is sinking into it. It has a memory foam effect without being soft, almost like hard memory foam. We still slept amazingly, though that may have been because we were so exhausted.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room king bed
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room king bed
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room king bed
Then there’s the view, which is insane. You can see Creek Harbour and the Burj Khalifa, with a panoramic view stretching all the way to the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, the World Islands, and the ocean. On that side of the room you can see the pool below.
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room with Burj Khalifa view
SIRO One Za’abeel corner room outside view
We also tested the Wi-Fi during our stay, and it was actually pretty decent. No complaints there.
SIRO One Za’abeel wifi connectivity
SIRO One Za’abeel Hotel Bathroom
Let’s head to the bathroom. The bathroom is also nice. I think this is the first time we’ve had a Japanese TOTO toilet in the UAE. There’s also a built-in system for calling the lobby if you have any issues.
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom toilet
There are double sinks, plus a huge mirror and a close-up mirror. The bathtub looks so comfortable and sleek, with a view which is very tempting.
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom sinks
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom sinks
SIRO One Za’abeel bathtub
Finally, the shower has a rainfall shower head and a little wooden stool, so it already feels like a sauna. The soap smells marvelous, and we also have little amenity kit. Inside is all the standard stuff: dental kits, a shaving kit, and a vanity kit.
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom shower
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom rainfall shower
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom toilet
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom stool
SIRO One Za’abeel bathroom toiletries
SIRO One Za’abeel Dining Experience
The in-room dining menu revealed that the hotel has an in-house nutritionist you can order from.
Since this is a health-focused hotel, we were intrigued to try the special nutrition options on the menu. These include a build-your-own bowl where you choose the exact amount of different proteins, carbs, and vegetables.
SIRO One Za’abeel in-room dining menu
We got what we asked for, mostly. My bowl was missing the broccolini, and we both got cucumber, so they got part of the order wrong. The tofu, the broccolini, and everything else were completely bland, and the avocado was stringy.
SIRO One Za’abeel in-room dining vegetarian meal
I understand it’s supposed to be healthy, but it doesn’t have to mean bland or free of spices. They could have presented it more appetizingly as well. We ordered it, so that’s partly on us, but at a health-focused hotel, healthy food should still be enjoyable.
I was also surprised there was no proper dining setup. There was no table when the server came in, just the trolley the food arrived on.
Overall, the cake was amazing, though, and both mocktails were good especially the Berry Blossom Fizz. Beyond room service, there are a lot more fun restaurants at The Link, the building’s dining area.
Breakfast at Aelia
Breakfast is where things got really confusing, because the hotel doesn’t make it very clear what’s included or where you’re supposed to go.
We were directed to Café Bateel on the ground floor, one of the most expensive café chains in Dubai.
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant
The menu is mostly QR code-based, and breakfast was limited to what was on that very small menu. That makes it one of the most limited breakfasts we’ve had in this whole hotel review series.
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant menu
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant menu
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant menu
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant menu
SIRO One Za’abeel Cafe Bateel restaurant menu
The hotel website, meanwhile, says daily breakfast is served at One Life Kitchen in The Link, but no one mentioned that at check-in.
In the end, we were sent to the Aelia, One&Only’s breakfast restaurant. SIRO guests normally don’t seem to have access to it, but the hotel made an exception for us because of our dietary needs. We appreciate the flexibility, although we had to push quite a bit.
The One&Only buffet looked very delicious. It has an omelette station, dumplings, an Arabic-style breakfast and a healthy corner.
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
SIRO One Za’abeel Aelia breakfast buffet
The bigger issue was that staff at both Café Bateel and One&Only didn't seem particularly familiar with dietary restrictions. When we asked for a tofu scramble because we're vegan, we were offered scrambled eggs instead. At Café Bateel, the recommended vegan options included halloumi toast and a yogurt bowl.
We filled up on the Arabic breakfast, plus some cereal for Oskar with protein crisps we bring ourselves.
SIRO One Za’abeel Arabic vegetarian breakfast meal
SIRO One Za’abeel Arabic vegetarian breakfast meal
For a hotel that puts so much emphasis on health and wellness, we would have expected better options for guests with dietary restrictions. Thankfully, they eventually sorted things out, and we left full and happy.
SIRO One Za’abeel Gym, Wellness and Pool
The gym is huge and well equipped. Whether you prefer free weights, specific machines, bodyweight training, or cardio, you’ll find what you need here. It feels more like a commercial gym than a regular hotel gym.
SIRO One Za’abeel fitness entrance door
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
The space is rather dark. We know a lot of people like that in a gym, but personally we prefer a brighter, more inspiring space for working out. We actually preferred the gym at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which we reviewed just before this. This is of course one of the best hotel gyms we’ve ever seen. It’s interesting that a family-friendly beach hotel holds up so well in comparison, especially when fitness is supposed to be SIRO’s main focus.
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym equipment
SIRO One Za’abeel gym towels and water station
SIRO One Za’abeel gym group class schedules
What you can’t complain about is the view from the gym. You can even see the infinity pool, which we unfortunately found out is only for One&Only Za’abeel guests and off-limits to SIRO guests.
SIRO One Za’abeel infinity pool
On the upper level, there are several relaxation rooms, a cold plunge pool, a sauna, and the spa facilities. There are so many different rooms that we weren’t the only guests who seemed confused about what they’re used for, since no one was there. Still, it’s nice to have plenty of options for places to relax and unwind.
SIRO One Za’abeel fitness and relaxation room signage
SIRO One Za’abeel cold plunge pool
SIRO One Za’abeel spa water and tea station
SIRO One Za’abeel spa room chairs
SIRO One Za’abeel spa room chairs
SIRO One Za’abeel spa corridor
SIRO One Za’abeel sauna room
SIRO One Za’abeel sauna room
SIRO One Za’abeel yoga studio room
SIRO One Za’abeel recovery room
SIRO One Za’abeel spa room
SIRO One Za’abeel spa refreshment station
SIRO One Za’abeel relaxation lounge
The dedicated SIRO pool is on the ground floor, and it took several different elevators to get there. The pool area is really nice, with lots of greenery and One&Only Za’abeel making for a pretty impressive backdrop. There isn’t an infinity pool, but I think it’s much cozier to have little pockets where you can sit in the shade by the beach bar.
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
SIRO One Za’abeel swimming pool
Is the Service Good at SIRO One Za’abeel?
Service was below par. The breakfast situation was confusing from start to finish, and we had to push to get a breakfast that worked for us. There was no turndown service, which is something we’ve come to expect based on our previous hotel stays and part of our room service order was wrong. We also left something behind at the hotel, and they never reached out to let us know.
Where is SIRO One Za’abeel located?
SIRO is located in One Za’abeel, also home to the One&Only One Za’abeel, both hotels are owned by the same parent company and share some facilities, although not everything is accessible to guests of both hotels.
SIRO One Za’abeel pool outside view
The hotel isn’t really in a walkable location, but you’re very close to a lot of attractions and to the Dubai International Airport. For our purposes, it was perfect, since the Arabian Travel Market was at the convention center right next door.
Is SIRO One Za’abeel Worth It?
We feel a bit mixed about the SIRO. We expected to love it, but we weren’t blown away, especially given how competitive Dubai’s hotel scene is and how many good hotels there are.
This is supposed to be the fitness and recovery hotel. We had such an amazing experience at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and when you put the two side by side, the SIRO should be so much better. It just isn’t.
Would we return, given how competitive the market is? Probably not. But we also wouldn’t tell you not to stay here. If you like what you saw, go ahead and book it.
SIRO One Za’abeel Detailed Scoring Breakdown
Room: 9/10. The room is the strongest part of the hotel, apart from the bathroom. It’s bright, with an amazing view.
Bathroom: 10/10. An obvious 10. Very, very good.
Night’s Sleep: 8/10. This is the most unique mattress we’ve ever slept on, though I wouldn’t say it adjusted to temperature the way the hotel claims.
Value: 6/10. To be fair, we stayed during a convention next door, so the price was a bit higher. Still, Dubai’s hotel market is so competitive that the value here wasn’t as extraordinary as at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Breakfast: 5/10. This is actually kind of generous. Café Bateel isn’t our cup of tea, and even the One&Only buffet is surprisingly ordinary compared to most buffets in Dubai. Atlantis The Royal, another Kerzner hotel, has an incredible buffet, outdone only by Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Those are the two best hotel breakfasts we’ve experienced anywhere in the world. Here, it’s simply not clear what the breakfast situation is, and for a fitness hotel, where nutrition matters, that should be more nailed down.
Condition: 8/10. The floors could have been a bit cleaner, but overall it’s good, and the hotel is very new.
Service: 2/5. Definitely below par. We left something at the hotel, and they never reached out.
Dining: 5/5. There are so many dining options in The Link, and plenty even on the room service menu. What we ordered wasn’t the best, but it was still pretty good, and the cake was amazing.
Location: 4/5. It isn’t walkable, but you’re close to a lot of attractions and the airport. For a convention at the convention center, it’s a five.
Wellness: 5/5. It has to be alive. Even so, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira felt like more well-rounded, inviting wellness hotels, partly because they’re on the beach. You expect to be blown away by the wellness at a hotel like this, and while it was great, it wasn’t mind-blowing.
Pool/Beach: 4/5. The pool is beautiful, but it’s hard to get to and not very big.
Overall Feeling: 5/10. This is a shame, but it reflects how we felt about the stay.
Final Score: 75/100. That’s still a pretty decent score. It wasn’t a bad experience, just not what we expected it to be. See how it compares to other properties in our full luxury hotel rankings.
Positives of SIRO One Za’abeel
Spacious corner room with an incredible panoramic view, including the Burj Khalifa
A $5,000 anti-gravity chair that was more comfortable than the bed
In-room fitness gear, including a yoga mat, foam roller, resistance bands, and a pull-up bar
Excellent bathroom with a TOTO toilet, double sinks, a bathtub with a view, and a rainfall shower
Massive closet with plenty of storage
Huge, well-equipped gym with a great view
Sauna, cold plunge, relaxation rooms, and spa facilities
Gorgeous, lush pool with shaded seating pockets and a beach bar
Plenty of dining options in The Link, plus phenomenal mocktails and an amazing cake
An in-house nutritionist available through in-room dining
Fairly consistent year-round pricing, around $450 a night on average
Travel advisor perks: an upgrade, $100 credit, breakfast, early check-in, and late checkout
Ideal for events at the convention center next door
Areas of Improvement of SIRO One Za’abeel
Confusing breakfast setup, where the included option at Café Bateel was very limited
Staff at both breakfast venues didn’t understand dietary restrictions
Bland room service bowls, a partly wrong order, and no proper dining setup
No turndown service
Never contacted us about an item we left behind
Gym is quite dark
Infinity pool reserved for One&Only guests only
SIRO pool is small and takes several elevators to reach
Mattress didn’t seem to regulate temperature as claimed
Loungewear instead of a robe doesn’t feel luxurious
Floors could have been cleaner
Location isn’t walkable
Want free breakfast, a room upgrade, and $100+ in credit?
Book through our travel advisor link and get the same rate as booking direct, plus meaningful extras at no additional cost.
- $100+ property credit
- Complimentary breakfast for 2
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in & late checkout, subject to availability
* More benefits may apply at select properties
