beyond. Spend the day by one of three pools
or on the expansive beach. An extension
with 163 rooms was under construction
when we visited.
WesTin dubai Mina seyahi reSorT $$$
Map p220 (%04-399 4141; http://www.westinmina
seyahi.com; al-Sufouh rd, al-Sufouh; r from
Dh1700; iWsc) The top choice for water
sports enthusiasts, this sophisticated beach
resort sits next to the yacht harbour and
aesthetically is a cross between a sheikh’s
summer palace and an Italian palazzo.
With their classic furniture and vanilla and
chocolate hues, the oversized rooms look
sharp yet homey. Ask for a sea view. The
three pools include a 150m-long lagoon-like
winding pool for lazing (the others are for
kiddies and for swimming laps). The hotel
shares facilities, including a water sports
centre, with the neighbouring Le Meridien
Mina Seyahi.
KeMpinsKi luXury hoTel $$$
Map p220 (%04-341 0000; http://www.kempinski
-dubai.com; Mall of the emirates, al-barsha; r from
Dh1375; iWs) Adjoining the Mall of the
Emirates, the Kempinski is perfect for a
shopping holiday. The monumental marble
lobby contrasts with the rooms, which are
warmly decorated in silver, burgundy and
white, and have polished wooden floors and
subtle Arabic design accents. Some of the
bathrooms sport enormous tubs and tra-
vertine, sit-down shower stalls with rainfall
showerheads. Spot the Burj al-Arab through
floor-to-ceiling windows facing Sheikh
Zayed Rd. The Kempinksi is also home to
unique ‘Ski Chalets’, enormous Alpine-style
apartments overlooking Ski Dubai.
le Meridien Mina seyahi beach
resorT & Marina reSorT $$$
Map p220 (%04-399 3333, http://www.lemeridien
-minaseyahi.com; al-Sufouh rd, al-Sufouh; r
from Dh1350; iWsc) Twinned with the
Westin, this beachfront hotel is nirvana
for active types, offering a plethora of wa-
ter sports (from waterskiing to kayaking),
tennis courts and an enormous gym with
state-of-the-art equipment and courses in
everything from Thai boxing to Pilates.
The giant freeform pool is as lovely as the
meandering palm-tree-lined gardens and
calm beach. The resort’s 210 rooms were
renovated in 2011.
GrosVenor house luXury hoTel $$$
Map p220 (%04-399 8888; http://www.grosvenorhouse
.lemeridien.com; al-Sufouh rd, Dubai Marina; r
from Dh1150; iWs) Grosvenor House was
the first hotel to open among the jumble of
the Marina’s sky-punching towers. The pub-
lic areas are sleek, grown-up and angular,
but rooms feel warm and homey with their
cream and brown hues brightened by red
accents. Beds have gazillion-thread-count
linens and even come with a ‘pillow menu’.
Downstairs is the famous Buddha Bar
(p111). Staying at the Grosvenor entitles you
to full access to pool and beach facilities at
the nearby sister hotel, Le Royal Meridien,
served by a shuttle bus.address dubai Marina luXury hoTel $$$
Map p220 (%436 7777; http://www.theaddress.com;
Dubai Marina; r from Dh1000; iWs) This place
has the sophistication of a city hotel, but
its location close to the beach, the Dubai
Marina Mall and The Walk at JBR makes
it popular with leisure lovers. Rooms are
spacious with a fresh contemporary flair, as
well as the gamut of amenities. The huge in-
finity pool on the 4th floor has heady views
of the Marina yachts and high-rises.naJd hoTel
aparTMenTs hoTel aparTMenTS $$
Map p220 (%04-361 9007; http://www.najdhotelapart
ments.com; btwn 6a & 15 Sts, al-barsha; 1-/2-
bedroom apt Dh950/1450; iWs) One of the
nicer of the hotel apartments mushrooming
around the Mall of the Emirates, Najd is a
welcoming host. The tiled-floor apartments
make maximum use of space, packing a liv-
ing room, bedroom, kitchen, full bathroom
and guest bathroom into a relatively com-
pact frame. Ask for a room overlooking Ski
Dubai. Discounts are often available.coral beach bouTique
hoTel aparTMenTs hoTel aparTMenTS $$
Map p220 (%04-340 9040; cnr 21 & 2 Sts, al-
barsha; 1-/2-/3-bedroom apt Dh600/1200/1600;
Ws) You’ll have plenty of space to stretch
out in these stylish apartments that fea-
ture flatscreen TVs, tiled floors and natural
stone bathrooms, and are within walking
distance of the Mall of the Emirates. The
rooftop pool is great for post-shopping re-
laxation, while additional perks include a
good buffet breakfast, regular shuttle to the
mall and free wi-fi.s
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ubai