John O'Ceallaigh, The Daily Telegraph, December 13, 2013
Here are Dubai’s best five-star and luxury hotels and resorts, as reviewd by The Daily Telegraph.
The Palace Downtown
With a touch more soul than many of Dubai’s monolithic skyscraper hotels, The Palace Downtown is low-rise and fronted by an elegant palm-tree avenue and ochre-coloured exterior walls. Inside, the heavy trail of oud might distract from the property’s many attractive features, such as a petal-filled pool and keyhole-shaped doors. Service is well-intentioned but occasionally ineffectual; for sightseeing, the property is by Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
J W Marriott Marquis Dubai hotel
Another record-breaking Dubai building, the J W Marriott Marquis is the world’s tallest hotel. Containing 1,608 rooms within two identical towers that rise to 1,164ft, it is in Dubai’s developing Business Bay district. As such the feel can be somewhat corporate but staff here are efficient, helpful and welcoming. Dining is another forte – the property serves an exceptional and incredibly comprehensive breakfast – and the 71st-floor bar Vault is a popular spot for cocktails.
Mina A’Salam hotel
An exceptional choice if you’re looking for sun, sand and shopping by day, and drinking and dining out by night, Mina A’Salam is a sumptuous property inspired by Dubai’s Bastakiya quarter and the ancient skyscrapers of Yemen. Service is polite and discreet; rooms are comfortable and stylish; restaurants and bars are consistently excellent.
Park Hyatt Dubai
On Dubai Creek, Park Hyatt Dubai is a popular spot with honeymooners as well as visitors on brief stopovers to Dubai – it’s located 10 minutes from the airport. Rooms are decorated in shades of cream, ivory and pearl and those with balconies overlooking the creek are especially recommended. Of all the restaurants, The Thai Kitchen is the most lively and authentic, while brunch at French brasserie Le Traiteur is popular with locals.
One&Only Royal Mirage
One of Dubai’s most exclusive resorts, One&Only Royal Mirage is another property that remains particularly popular with honeymooners and couples keen to celebrate a special occasion. Designed to resemble a modern Arabian palace, Royal Mirage features vibrant kilims, tiled corridors illuminated by Moroccan lanterns and an Oriental hammam. Rooms are similarly lavish and the range of restaurants is so extensive and satisfying that you could happily go a week without leaving the hotel grounds.
Grosvenor House
A cosmopolitan, beachside hotel, Grosvenor House is a good choice for visitors who don’t want to choose between a seaside and city break. The property is by sister-property Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, which features Dubai’s best beach and water sports facilities – but also benefits from its own raft of excellent bars and restaurants. Rooms are plush and include butler service as standard; staff members are among the best to be found in Dubai’s many luxury hotels.
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
One of InterContinental’s most glamorous properties, this hotel draws visitors with its stylish interiors, chic rooms and engaging staff. Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant Reflets is a flamboyant space that serves inventive food, but Lebanese restaurant Al-Sultan Brahim is also worth a visit. Guests staying in executive club-level rooms are treated to plenty of enticing extras in the hotel lounge.
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