Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club Review
Dubai is the home of opulence, with hotel standards often higher than the rooftops themselves. So does choosing a hotel with a rooftop actually add value, or is it just a nice extra?
I stayed at Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club on my last trip to Dubai, and here I share what the experience was really like beyond the glossy photos. From the room and location to whether the rooftop is somewhere you’ll genuinely want to spend time, this review breaks down the practical details to help you decide if it’s worth booking.
⭐ Quick verdict
Best for: Marina location, reliable, safe for solo stays
Not ideal if: You want the beach on your doorstep, partying, or ultra-lux
Rooftop value: Average
Who this hotel is for: Families, couples, business stays
Overall feel: Solid, safe, and great if you get a good deal
🛏 Room Details
Type: Deluxe Room Marina View King
Size: Bigger than expected
Storage: Good
Bed: Amazing
Table: Yes
Blackout curtains: Yes
Air con: Good
View: Marina – very peaceful
Balcony: Yes
Mirrors: Yes – a few
Water in room: Yes
Mini bar: Yes
Any extras?: No
🛁 Bathroom
Style: Modern
Shower pressure: Good
Hairdryer effectiveness: Good
Shampoo & conditioner: Yes
Bathrobe: Yes
🏨 Hotel Logistics & Practical Info
Distance from airport: Around 30 minutes by taxi
Location: Dubai Marina (map)
Getting around: The back of the hotel opens onto the marina walkway; the front leads to a taxi rank. Free bikes are available and the tram/train is just minutes away. It’s around 30 minutes by taxi to Downtown and 20 minutes to the Palm.
Hotel size: Big
Communication prior to arrival: Ok
Welcome drink: No
Local supermarket: Yes
Staff: Perfectly polite
🏋🏼♀️ Workout, Rest and Play
Gym: Yes
Spa: No
Pool: Yes – infinity rooftop pool
Beach: No
🍽️ Restaurant & Bar
Breakfast: Didn’t have – £15 extra per day
Bubbles at breakfast: N/A
Bar / restaurant: Yes – three options. Flo at the rooftop, Origins (more formal), and Stage 2 in the lobby spilling out onto the marina. The latter was ideal for a chilled nightcap.
🥂 Rooftop
Size: Big
View: Marina and city
Bar: Yes
Restaurant: Yes – lunch only
Pool: Yes – infinity
Shade: Yes
Best for: Lazy days, lie-ins, skipping breakfast and grabbing a light lunch before heading out
Read my full rooftop review
💰 Cost & Value
Cost: Average for Dubai, but not cheap
Worth the money?: Yes – although I did fall for the upsell from city view to marina view
Would I stay again?: Yes, but only if there was a good deal on again
✍️ Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club Review Summary:
In a city renowned for exceptional service and sky-high hotel standards, choosing where to stay in Dubai can feel like a minefield – especially if you’re on an average budget and trying to get the best deal. And then there’s the big question: do you actually need a rooftop here?
If pools are important to your holiday, I’d say yes. Many of Dubai’s pools are on rooftops, and day passes are common (including at Vida). Was this the best rooftop pool I visited? No. But in Dubai, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. Vida’s rooftop was lovely, just average by Dubai standards, which feels wild to say! However the rooftop bar closed at 7pm, which was a shame, and the downstairs bar shut at 11pm, which also felt early for that cheeky nightcap! That said, having a marina-view room made it easy to unwind on the balcony, with a wine, watching the soft ripples of the water under the moonlight.
The hotel has small personality touches I really liked: fun quotes in the lifts and notepads saying things like “Let me over this” and “It’s day-drinking weather”. Slightly off-brand for the hotel feel, but it gave the place character. Free bikes are available (not for me – I’m far too clumsy), and I loved being able to walk straight out onto the Marina, wander over to JBR, and feel completely safe walking back after midnight.
Overall, this was a solid, safe stay. The rooftop definitely adds value, but only during the day. If you have a bigger budget, Dubai has rooftop pools that are truly jaw-dropping — but so are their price tags!
📝 Admin
Date Stayed: March/ April 2025
Information check/updated: 2026
Hotel website: Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club
Hotel Rooftop Booking Tip
Some hotels close their rooftops for private events, seasonal schedules, or refurbishment. This isn’t always communicated to guests in advance. If the rooftop bar or pool or restaurant is vital for your stay, do contact the hotel to confirm opening times during your potential stay.
