Dubai & Abu Dhabi 7 - Full PDF eBook

4 Deira

oparK hyaTT dubai luXury hoTel $$$
Map p208 (%04-602 1234; http://www.dubai.park
.hyatt.com; next to Dubai Creek Golf & yacht
Club; r from Dh1275; iWs) The mile-long
driveway through a lush date-palm grove
is the first hint that the Park Hyatt is no
ordinary hotel – an impression quickly
confirmed the moment you step into the
domed and pillared lobby. Tiptoeing be-
tween hip and haute, Park is Hyatt’s luxu-
ry brand, and it’s evident in the details: the
light-flooded rooms are artfully styled in
natural tones, tactile textiles and subdued
arabesque flourishes. Count the dhows
from your Creek-view balcony, rinse off
the jetlag in the rain shower or huge oval
tub and luxuriate in the multiple award-
winning Amara Spa.

radisson blu hoTel h oTel $$
Map p206 (%04-222 7171; http://www.radissonblu
.com; baniyas rd; r from Dh675; iWs) This
Creekside stalwart was the city’s first
five-star hotel when it opened in 1975. As
such it’s old-fashioned but fits as comfort-
ably as your favourite jeans. Rooms are
snug but have been fast-forwarded into
the 21st century, boasting a good range
of business-class amenities and small,
furnished balconies. Other trump cards
include a location close to the souqs and
dhow wharves and, best of all, the restau-
rants: Sumibiya (p55) for Japanese, China
Club (p55) for yum cha, Shabestan (p54)
for Persian and Yum! (p57) for noodles.
The 24-hour gym has a separate work-out
area for women.

hilTon dubai creeK h oTel $$
Map p206 (%04-227 1111; http://www.hilton.com; bani-
yas rd, rigga; r from Dh850; iWs) In a build-
ing designed by Bastille Opera architect,
Carlos Ott, this sexy glass-and-chrome
hotel offers a smart alternative to the con-
servative white-marble opulence of Dubai’s
other high-calibre establishments. After
a day of turf-pounding you can retreat to
rooms with wood-panelled walls, leather-
padded headboards, grey-granite baths,
and fabulous beds with feather-light du-
vets. Your flatscreen TV may have a gazil-
lion channels, but you’ll probably prefer the
Creek views.

Villa 47 b&b $

Map p208 (%04-268 8239, 050 634 1286; www

.villa47.com; cnr 19 & 47 Sts, al-Garhoud; r incl

breakfast Dh300; iW) A superb find if you

don’t need buckets of privacy, this B&B is

just two rooms in a bougainvillea-draped

private home on a quiet street, yet close to

the airport. Your outgoing hosts Ancy and

Thomas make a mean Indian or English-

style breakfast and will happily help you

plan your day. The Irish Village pub (p57)

and restaurants are close by.

riViera hoTel h oTel $$

Map p206 (%04-222 2131; http://www.rivierahotel

-dubai.com; baniyas rd; r from Dh600; iW) Next

to the Carlton Tower Hotel, the Riviera has

updated all their rooms, which are now

a delight with soothing colour schemes,

plush carpeting and classy slate-grey-and-

cream bathrooms. The front rooms have

Creekside views – make sure you request

one when you book. No alcohol.

sheraTon dubai creeK

hoTel & ToWers luXury hoTel $$$

Map p206 (%04-228 1111; http://www.starwoodhotels

.com; baniyas rd; r from Dh1050; iWs) Floor-

to-ceiling windows provide mesmerising

Creek vistas at this classic business-class

property. Rooms don’t get kudos for creative

design, but amenities such as flatscreen

TVs, DVD players, cushy bed linen and mar-

ble baths provide extra comfort. There’s a

well-equipped gym and unusual triangular

pool. The Club Class provides 24-hour pri-

vate butler service.

landMarK hoTel h oTel $$

Map p206 (%04-228 6666; http://www.landmarkhotels

.net; baniyas Sq; r from Dh600; iWs) Just off

Baniyas Sq, this is one of the better hotels

in a hyper-busy Indian business district.

Rooms are furnished in mass-market blond

wood, but they’re clean, have satellite TV

and enough room to feel comfortable, if not

to do cartwheels. The tiny rooftop pool pro-

vides an atmospheric panorama of Deira,

especially during the call to prayer when

mosques’ loudspeakers compete in a blar-

ing cacophony.

al-busTan roTana h oTel $$

Map p208 (%04-282 0000; http://www.rotana.com;

Casablanca St, al-Garhoud; r from Dh800;

iWs) Everything works like a well-oiled

machine at this warm and welcoming five-

star hotel near the airport that mainly

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(^) Deira