I agree with some of the other reviews: this property is dated but it definitely is not as basic as a Travel Lodge. It is still 5* if you bear in mind that it's an older hotel in a superb location. I was pleasantly surprised by the room which was spacious and very clean. Good black-out curtains, aircon worked fine and decent soundproofing (could not hear Iftar feasts or the Friday night party from first floor). Bathroom was tired but clean and hallway carpet was stained. Staff were all amazing: Olivier and Lee the trainee at reception, the brilliant cleaners and waiters, the breakfast staff every day, the lovely ladies at the cafe counter, all the pool and beach staff, the concierge who went out into the street to get us a taxi and had to drive back in the taxi as it was some distance away. They cannot do enough to help and are super-smiley and polite. The level of service is better than some 5* hotels I have stayed at.
What you are paying for is location, location, location. If you want a new, snazzy hotel, this is not it. But there are very few places in Dubai where you can walk out of your hotel onto the beach and onto a pedestrian walkway that takes you to Ain Dubai (great for views, sunsets, food) and all the way past the Pavilion on the Beach up to the Hilton. It is such a pleasure to be able to walk, run, jog from the hotel and not have to get a taxi every time we want to leave the hotel. That is what you pay for. And this hotel is worth the trade-off.