Dubai & Abu Dhabi 7 - Full PDF eBook

symphony of luxury awaiting in huge,
amenity-laden rooms with balconies over-
looking the romantic jumble that is Madi-
nat Jumeirah or the striking Burj al-Arab.
Guests have the entire run of the place and
adjacent sister property Al-Qasr, including
the pools, the private beach and the kids
club. Rates include free admission to Wild
Wadi Waterpark (p102).

dubai Marine
beach resorT & spa reSorT $$$
Map p218 (%04-346 1111; http://www.dxbmarine
.com; Jumeirah rd, Jumeirah 1; r from Dh1200;
iWsc) You’ll forgive the vintage-1980s
condo-box architecture when you con-
sider the convenience of staying a frisbee-
toss from the paved Jumeirah Beach path
(great for jogging or cycling), within ear-
shot of the Jumeirah Mosque and close
to eclectic shopping on Jumeirah Rd. Du-
bai Marine is a compact beachside resort
with accommodation in low-level villas set
among me andering lush tropical gardens
complete with tumbling waterfalls. The
resort is home to an awesome total of 15
terrific restaurants, bars and nightclubs,
three pools, a well-equipped gym, kids club
and a small sandy beach. Rooms are comfy
enough but it’s the facilities that stand out.

rydGes plaZa h oTel $$
Map p218 (%04-398 2222; http://www.rydges.com; al-
Dhiyafah rd, Satwa; r Dh450-700; is) In the
heart of polyethnic Satwa, the Rydges has
a clubby English-style decor with classic-
designed wallpaper, plush carpeting and
shiny dark-wood furniture. There are tubs
plus big showers. The Australian-themed
sports bar (p97) is justifiably popular and
the health club has great circuit-training
machines while the pool is good for laps.
Jumeirah Beach and Deira are close and
taxis are plentiful.

holiday inn eXpress hoTel $
Map p218 (%04-407 1777; http://www.hiexpress.com;
cnr Jumeirah rd & 60 St; r from Dh299; iW) This
contemporary property would be more at-
tractive if it didn’t overlook Port Rashid,
but at least you’ll be close to the beach and
Jumeirah. The overall look is clean and con-
temporary, starting in the Bauhaus-meets-
Arabia lobby and transitioning nicely to the
rooms kitted out in ebony and apricot hues.
There’s no pool but there is a free beach
shuttle.

4 New Dubai

oone&only

royal MiraGe reSorT $$$

Map p220 (%04-399 9999; http://www.oneandonly

resorts.com; al-Sufouh rd, al-Sufouh; palace/

arabian Court r Dh2240-3740, residence & Spa r

Dh3540-5320; iWs) A class act all around,

the Royal Mirage consists of three parts:

the Moorish-style Palace, the romantic

Arabian Court, and the Residence & Spa,

with its majestic spa and hammam (bath-

house). All rooms face the sea, are taste-

fully furnished and shine with thoughtful

feel-at-home touches such as supremely

comfortable beds. The gardens are a cross

between Granada’s Alhambra and an Eng-

lish garden, with bubbling fountains and

croquet-quality lawns. Loll around the

giant lagoon-style pools, or kick back on

the 1km private beach. The bars and res-

taurants here are among Dubai’s best. You

can also hop on the complimentary wa-

ter taxi to the sister hotel One&Only The

Palm, which opened in 2011 and boasts

similar luxurious facilities.

le royal Meridien

beach resorT & spa reSorT $$$

Map p220 (%04-399 5555; http://www.leroyalmeridien

-dubai.com; cnr Murjan ave & Dhow St, off al-

Sufouh rd, al-Sufouh, Dubai Marina; r from

Dh2050; iWsc) An urge to splurge would

be well directed towards this 500-room

resort flanking a gorgeous beach and ex-

tensive gardens. While rooms in the main

building are the most family-friendly (some

TaXi sir?

Many four- and five-star hotels in Du-

bai offer guests a dedicated taxi serv-

ice in chauffeur-driven sedans under

contract with the hotel� These ‘limos’

have no signage, though they do have

meters (if not, don’t get in) and gener-

ally cost about Dh5 more than a regu-

lar taxi� But when you’re stuck in heavy

traffic, the meter ticks fast; expect to

pay nearly double the fee of a regular

cab� If you object to paying more, tell

the bell captain you want a regular

taxi (you might have to insist)� But if

you are pressed for time – and there

are no other cabs available – you’ll be

grateful for the wheels�

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