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 Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: DUBAI HOTELS : Hotels in Dubai Guide |
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DUBAI HOTELS : Hotels in Dubai Guide
Business Hotels
Al Bustan Rotana
This ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ member, under the leadership of Imad Elias, is one of Dubai’s most established five-star luxury business hotels. It is very conveniently located within easy reach of both the airport and the city centre. The 300 guest rooms are split between standard rooms, the ‘Club Rotana’ executive floor (with its own business centre and secretarial support) and a range of luxurious suites. The first floor rooms offer direct access to the outdoor pool and the four tennis courts. The largest conference space is the Grand Rashidiya Ballroom, which can seat up to 1,500 delegates. Leisure facilities include a private beach club at Jumeirah and the Bodylines Health Club at the hotel.
Casablanca Road, Al Garhoud, PO Box 30880
Tel: (04) 282 0000. Fax: (04) 282 8100.
E-mail: albustan.hotel@rotana.com
Website: www.rotana.com
Price: From Dh1,400.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Voted ‘Best Business Hotel in the Middle East’ in 2005 by Business Traveller, these two ultra-modern skyscrapers are amongst the tallest buildings in the Middle East. Part office, part hotel, the towers are very conveniently located for doing business in Dubai, right at the heart of the Central Business District. Each state-of-the-art room is geared towards business guests – there is access to the Internet via high-speed modem points and the in-room TVs as well as individual fax/printer/copy machines, each with their own fax number. The deluxe rooms even have their own chaises longues. The conference centre has 17 meeting rooms and the hotel also has 14 offices for guests to use.
Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 72127
Tel: (04) 330 0000. Fax: (04) 330 3030.
E-mail: jetinfo@jumeirah.com
Website: www.jumeirahemiratestowers.com
Price: From Dh1,500.
Grand Hyatt
Opened in 2003, this offering from the Hyatt group has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s finest hotels. This 674-room hotel pitches itself at the business crowd, with its great location on Dubai Creek and a conference and convention centre capable of holding up to 2,000 delegates. The hotel, with its 15 hectares (37 acres) of grounds, boasts no fewer than 14 venues in which to eat and drink. All of the standard leisure facilities are backed up by the Grand Spa, which has a range of massage treatments and, for those travelling with families, dedicated swimming pools for both children and toddlers. One unusual feature is a 650m (2132ft) jogging track situated in the landscaped grounds.
Al Qutaeyat Road, PO Box 7978
Tel: (04) 317 1234. Fax: (04) 317 1235.
Website: www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com
Price: From Dh1,700.
Sheraton Deira Hotel
This central 224-room hotel is justifiably popular with both the domestic and international business communities. The rooms have all mod cons, with three telephone lines, voice-mail, wireless Internet access and large safes. A number of state-of-the-art conference rooms are available to meet the different requirements of its business guests, with the centrepiece, Al Massah Ballroom, catering for up to 1,200 people. Other plusses include complimentary airport transfers, a rooftop pool with views over Dubai’s skyline and no fewer than nine eating and drinking venues. For days off there are also free shuttle transfers to the Sheraton at Jumeirah Beach.
Al Mateena Street, PO Box 5772
Tel: (04) 268 8888. Fax: (04) 268 8876.
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com
Price: From Dh1,150.
Luxury Hotels
Burj Al Arab
The ‘Arab Tower’, which has become one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of Dubai, is truly unlike any other hotel on the planet. Rising, like something out of a Bond movie, from its own man-made island in the Arabian Gulf, this multi-storey monster is an oasis of true luxury. All rooms are sumptuously designed suites with wide-screen TVs and all mod cons, although the garish overuse of gold and bright colours does not suit all tastes. Even the cheapest rooms have their own dining table and individual business centres, complete with laptop and printer. There are also in-room Jacuzzis. As the price of the suites rises, so do the number of facilities, with additional extras like snooker tables, cocktail bars and even private cinemas. The most expensive place to stay in Dubai remains one of the most unique hotels in the world.
Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 74147
Tel: (04) 301 7777. Fax: (04) 301 7000.
E-mail: reservations@burj-al-arab.com
Website: www.burj-al-arab.com
Price: From Dh4,500.
Ritz-Carlton Dubai
This top-drawer hotel is one of the best on the Jumeirah Beach strip and a model of casual elegance. There are only 138 rooms, making it one of the smaller hotels in this area, which results in more personal standards of service, with over 350 staff members. The low-rise buildings and soft terracotta hues make this building look more like a European hacienda than a hotel in 21st-century Dubai. Leisure facilities include three swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar) tennis courts, squash courts, a gym and a cigar bar. Business facilities include 209 sq m (2250 sq ft) of function space and 88 sq m (950 sq ft) of meeting space, as well as 24-hour secretarial support. Another plus is that all rooms have either a sea-facing patio or a balcony with sea views.
Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 26525
Tel: (04) 399 4000. Fax: (04) 399 4001.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price: From Dh2,300.
Moderate Hotels
Landmark Hotel
For a budget, four-star hotel that is centrally located, this accommodation is difficult to beat. The 160 en-suite rooms are clean and well kept and the staff are friendly and helpful, although the hotel has few frills. One bonus is the free parking that the hotel provides for its guests. The modern, glass-fronted hotel also has a small business centre and a swimming pool.
Nasser Square
Tel: (04) 228 6666. Fax: (04) 224 3997.
Website: www.landmarkhotel-dubai.com
Price: From Dh500 (excluding breakfast).
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers
The Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers is one of the best value luxury hotels on Jumeirah Beach and an excellent place for one to stay for both business and leisure. The 255 rooms are spacious and comfortable, with the ‘Towers’ floors offering the use of a dedicated lounge, complimentary breakfast and 24-hour butler service. Leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, floodlit tennis courts and a well equipped gym, while the hotel caters for corporate clients with a business centre and the Al Sufough Ballroom, which can hold up to 350 delegates.
Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 53567
Tel: (04) 399 5533. Fax: (04) 399 5577.
E-mail: sherjum@emirates.new.ae
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com
Price: From Dh990 (excluding breakfast).
Budget Hotels
Deira Palace Hotel
Deira Palace Hotel
67 St Deira
Tel: 04 229 0120 (info)
Tel: 04 225 5889 (info)
Email: marwan32@emirates.net.ae
This large 'family hotel' (no visitors after 9pm) has been providing low-cost lodgings one block from the Gold Souq for years. While it's certainly no palace, it has clean enough rooms with views of the street action.
Having not visited this part of the Deira's commercial area for quite a while, we were taken aback at how little has changed in this busy part of Dubai. And for better or worse, the Deira Palace Hotel had not changed one bit. In fact, after visiting, we can't see anything that's changed here besides the sheets and the rack rates in more than seven years. The rooms are okay for the price and the place still seems to survive on business from African commercial travellers and the occasional tourist.
Dubai Youth Hostel
Dubai Youth Hostel
39 Al-Nahda Rd Deira
Tel: 04 298 8161 (info)
Tel: 04 298 8161 (info)
Tel: 04 298 8141 (info)
Email: uaeyha@emirates.net.ae
While it's a fair distance from the action, it's the only hostel in town. Taking this into account it has far better facilities than you'd expect and the new wing with spotless single and double rooms beats the Deira and Bur Dubai zero star hotels hands down for comfort.
While you shouldn't expect a warm welcome here (more to do with the language barrier than anything else), this hostel is pretty darn good compared with most others in the Middle East. While the dorm rooms (in the Old House) are more like pre-teen bedrooms (yes, good old bunk beds!), the New House rooms are excellent value - as long as you are a YHA member, with membership Dh150 per annum. Keep in mind that if you're not a member, taking into account taxi fares (although you can take the bus), it may be more economical to stay in a better-positioned cheapie in Deira. However, you won't be able to match the facilities: there's a pool and soon to open is a gym, sauna, spa, jacuzzi, tennis court and billiards room.
Florida Hotel Dubai
Florida Hotel Dubai
Al-Sabkha Rd Deira
Tel: 04 226 8888 (info)
Tel: 04 226 4100 (info)
Email: floridai@emirates.net.ae
Web: http://www.floridahotels.co.ae
A small, clean, very popular and well-situated hotel with rooms that are better equipped and better value than many others in this price range in Deira. A sure sign of the uneven nature of Deira's budget accommodation is that this hotel's rates are the same as some hotels in the area that are, quite frankly, atrocious.
This is no secret to businessmen here to do some trading in the souqs who quickly saw what great value it is. The rooms, while a little on the small side, are clean, but unremarkable apart from having satellite TV. There's a rather brightly lit coffee shop, but as with most hotel restaurants in this price bracket you're better off heading out to get a shwarma.
Gold Plaza Hotel
Gold Plaza Hotel
Suq Deira St Deira
Tel: 04 225 0240 (info)
Tel: 04 225 0259 (info)
This 'family' hotel is located smack bang at the entrance to the always tempting Gold Souq. While it's a great position, the place doesn't appear to have had a sniff of renovation in years. As you enter this hotel through a small arcade off the Gold Souq, you might see workers taking naps anywhere they can rest their heads, perhaps the only cheaper place to sleep in Dubai.
The rooms are quite small, simply furnished, with tiled floors. While the reception staff amusingly proclaim that they have no facilities in the hotel, at least it's air-conditioned. Besides the odd lost-looking backpacker, clientele appear to be mainly East Africans here for a spot of trading. Still, with the Youth Hostel inconveniently located, it's slim pickings for budget accommodation in the heart of the action.
Hotel Delhi Darbar
Hotel Delhi Darbar
Naif Rd Deira
Tel: 04 273 3555 (info)
Tel: 04 273 3737 (info)
Email: dedarht1@emirates.net.ae
This small Indian-oriented establishment is better than most of the hotels in Deira's commercial centre, featuring spacious, clean rooms and a popular Indian restaurant on the ground floor.
Whenever we see an Indian man with his proudly groomed moustache, we're reminded that a Dubai jewellery chain recently told their employees to shave off their facial hair. Thankfully, the proudly hirsute staff of this hotel and most of the customers of their popular restaurant appear safe - for now. Upstairs, the 36 rooms have the usual furniture, but are thankfully not decorated in a chintzy manner like most others in this price bracket. It's in a good location too, not far from the Gold Souq, where you may spot some moustache-less Indian men, none too happy about their recent loss…
Pacific Hotel
Pacific Hotel
Sabakha St 115 Deira
Tel: 04 227 6700 (info)
Tel: 04 227 6761 (info)
Email: info@pacifichotel-dubai.com
Web: http://www.pacifichotel-dubai.com
Close to the Creek and right in the heart of the souq action, the clean rooms have balconies where you can check out the street action. While the facilities aren't up to much, the management is friendly.
It's a little hard to find the entrance to this hotel, especially if you're coming from the Gold Souq, where the sign is in Arabic only. If you're arriving in the afternoon, just look for the people gathered at the shwarma restaurant on the corner. The clean, unremarkable rooms are a little small, but the balcony views help excuse this. The beds are better than you'd expect and there's a wall-mounted TV with satellite stations, but it's far more interesting taking in the action outside the window.
Other Recommendations
Al Maha Resort
This luxury retreat draws on the classic image of Dubai in times gone by, as an Arabian desert land, crossed by nomadic tribes. The ‘eco-friendly’ style is very low key, as the décor and facilities are moulded so as to have as little impact on the surrounding desert as possible. There are 30 suites available in a hotel that also puts an emphasis on personal service, with a staff-to-guest ratio of three to one. Al Maha Resort can organise four-wheel desert safari trips or camel treks into the surrounding deserts. The only drawback is that it really does feel a million miles from anywhere and getting to the city centre can take over an hour. In terms of meeting facilities, the hotel can cater for groups of up to 20. The hotel is surrounded by a protected nature reserve.
Al Ain highway (by four-wheel drive vehicle), PO Box 7631
Tel: (04) 303 4222. Fax: (04) 343 9696.
E-mail: almaha@emirates.com
Website: www.al-maha.com
Price: From Dh4,600 (including meals and some activities).
Madinat Jumeirah
The new Madinat Jumeirah is a resort that is impressive in both its scale and attention to detail. There are two ‘grand boutique’ hotels as well as 29 ultra-exclusive traditional courtyard summer houses, with a total of over 800 rooms. The resort has been created along a stretch of Jumeirah Beach with an eye to Arabic décor and neat touches include the 3.7km (2.2 miles) of waterways, which boats use to connect guests between their rooms and the 45 restaurants that are located on site. There is also a 1km (0.6 mile) stretch of private beach and the decadent Six Senses Spa amongst an array of leisure facilities. The Madinat Arena (a concert and events venue) can house up to 4,550 guests.
Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 366 8888. Fax: (04) 366 7788.
Website: www.madinatjumeirah.com
Price: From Dh1,900. |
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