oXVa hoTel bouTique hoTel $$
Map p210 (%04-353 5383; http://www.xvagallery.com;
bastakia quarter; r from Dh600; W) This chic
boutique hotel occupies a century-old villa,
complete with wind towers, in the heart of
the historic Bastakia Quarter. Rooms open
onto a courtyard doubling as a cafe and are
decked out with local artwork, arabesque
flourishes and rich colours. Ask for Room
1 with its large private terrace. The only
downside is the lack of natural light in
some rooms. Don’t miss the gift shop and
superb XVA gallery in the Financial Dis-
trict’s Gate Village (p82).
orienT GuesT house bouTique hoTel $$
Map p210 (%04-351 9111; http://www.orientguesthouse
.com; bastakia quarter; r Dh1000) Located close
to the XVA Hotel, this romantic boutique
hotel captures the feeling of old Dubai.
Rooms in this former home surround a cen-
tral courtyard; each is styled with carved
wooden headboards, some with canopies,
plus delicate chandeliers and velvety-soft
jewel-tone fabrics. The overall atmosphere
is pure tranquillity.
Grand hyaTT dubai luXury hoTel $$$
Map p214 (%04-317 1234; http://www.dubai.grand.
hyatt.com; al-qataiyat rd, oud Metha; r from
Dh1050; iWsc) The vast white-marble
lobby at this hulking resort re-creates a
tropical rainforest, with dhow hulls hang-
ing from the ceiling. Rooms are dressed
in sophisticated shades of taupe, peach
and auburn, and exude a timeless elegance
with their thick carpets, picture windows
and tasselled draperies. Bathrooms have
separate tub and shower combinations. Fa-
cilities are impressive and include Dubai’s
biggest swimming pool, extensive palm-
tree-studded gardens, a kids club, tennis
courts, a fantastic gym and several excel-
lent restaurants. Bonus points for the solar-
panelled roof that cools the pools (or heats
them in winter).
Golden sands hoTel
aparTMenTs hoTel aparTMenTS $
Map p210 (%04-355 5553; http://www.goldensands
dubai.com; Mankhool; studio apt from Dh325;
iWs) Golden Sands gets kudos for being
a pioneer of the hotel apartment concept
in Dubai and remains one of the best-val-
ue stays. The 750 studios, one- and two-
bedroom apartments are spread over 12
stand-alone boxy buildings off Al-Mankhool
Rd. They all include spacious living and
sleeping spaces, although the bathrooms
are small and showing their age. Furnish-
ings are good and the efficient kitchenettes
include a washing machine. There is a daily
shuttle to Jumeirah Beach.MöVenpicK hoTel bur dubai h oTel $$
Map p214 (%04-336 6000; http://www.movenpick
-hotels.com; 19 St, oud Metha; r from Dh750;
iWs) Tastefully revamped lobby decorat-
ed in shades of charcoal and cream lead to
a Gone with the Wind sweeping staircase.
The hotel takes its art seriously with regu-
lar exhibitions and some superb artworks
throughout. The rooms’ decor plays it safe
in a midrange business kind of way, but
crisp white quilts, feather pillows and spa-
cious bathrooms more than compensate.dar al sondos hoTel
aparTMenTs by
le Meridien hoTel aparTMenTS $
Map p210 (%04-393 8000; http://www.starwoodhotels
.com; rolla St; r from Dh360; is) In the heart
of historic Dubai, these roomy digs put you
within walking distance of a lot of major
sights, including the Bastakia Quarter. You
could even catch an abra (water taxi) to
Deira and pick up some goodies at the mar-
kets, then whip up a delicious meal back in
your kitchen. Wind down the day looking
out over the sparkling city while splashing
around in the rooftop pool.raMada hoTel h oTel $$
Map p210 (%04-351 9999; http://www.ramadadubai
.com; al-Mankhool rd; r from Dh660; aWs)
The most attention-grabbing feature of
this longstanding hotel is its cathedral-
like stained glass feature that stretches 10
storeys up in the atrium and, fittingly for
Dubai, is the world’s tallest such artwork.
Otherwise, the rooms get the thumbs up for
their split-level spaciousness at 48 sq metres,
although the decor is a little too heavy on
the beige. Feel like a pint? Check out the ho-
tel’s Old Vic pub (p72).four poinTs by sheraTon
bur dubai hoTel $
Map p210 (%04-397 7444; http://www.starwoodhotels
.com; khalid bin al-Waleed rd, Mankhool; r from
Dh425; iWs) Despite the gritty pavement
scene out front, this Four Points (one of
three in Dubai) is a reliable choice. The car-
peted rooms are decked out in soothing soft
yellows and cream, and has exceptionallys
leeP
ing(^) b
ur
Dubai