Text: Anastasia Zorina
If you still continue to believe that Dubai's city hotels are old, unsightly, foul-smelling guest houses that are not worthy of any attention, then you are mistaken.
Thanks to the active development of business in recent years, Dubai has acquired not a dozen worthy city hotels, which although they do not have their own beach, there are many other advantages and opportunities that more than compensate for the distance from the sea. They can be interesting not only for businessmen, but also for vacationers, to whom tour operators often do not offer any other options, like expensive beach hotel accommodation.
In order to fill this gap, from this issue of "RE" we begin the review of the best city hotels in Dubai. Today, the focus is on new 5 * hotels.
- InterContinental Dubai Festival City (opened in January 2008) *****
- Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City (opened March 2008) *****
- Management Company - InterContinental Hotels Group *****
Complete solution for business, leisure and shopping
Location: The hotels are located in the Dubai Festival City complex on the shores of Dubai Bay, in the Al Gharhud area, close to the main business centers of Dubai.
Distances: from Dubai International Airport -5 minutes, to the beach - 15 minutes.
Complex: a true integrated solution for business and leisure: in addition to two 5 * hotels, this hotel complex includes one of the largest Event Center in Dubai and the Iglooo tent, unique in concept, located on a small island near the coast. The concept of all structures is solved in a modern style, beating the marine theme. Inside - stylish and tasteful, from the category “everything ingenious is simple”, where there are many free spaces that create an atmosphere of lightness.
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Accommodation: 498 rooms on 34 floors: 374 standard rooms, 121 suites, 3 presidential suites and 1 royal suite.
"Highlights" - the rooms are decorated in the best traditions of minimalism, with excellent taste and attention to detail. Thanks to the original (and, it must be said, very smart) design solution, a single open space of rooms can be transformed to the needs of guests due to the abundance of mobile partitions that divide it into sections. An additional opportunity to admire the views of the big city is even in the bathrooms, where the bathrooms are installed side by side with panoramic windows.
Food and entertainment: a total of 6 establishments, including a lobby cafe - Vista Lounge, a romantic spirit bar Eclipse on the 26th floor, with great views of the city. Perhaps the best Anise buffet restaurant in the city, known not only for its wide selection of international buffet dishes, but also for its open kitchens, which serve Arabic, Chinese, Indian and Japanese dishes, most of which are included in the buffet menu not paid extra.
Zest - a sophisticated fusion of fine French cuisine and boudoir-style interiors - this is Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire, the only restaurant in Dubai by the famous French chef Pierre Gagner, awarded three Michelin Stars. Al Sultan Brahim Beirut - Dubai edition of the famous Lebanese restaurant chain, is famous for its fresh seafood and fish dishes, as well as an assortment of Lebanese wines and delicacies. For lovers of Parisian style there is the Madeleine Bistro, which serves original French dishes and real, fresh croissants.
Extras: an extensive recreation area, including an outdoor 25-meter swimming pool, a terrace for those who want to sunbathe, a children's pool, a hot tub with temperature control and a view of the bay, as well as a gym equipped with the latest machines, with a sauna and a steam room, working around the clock. The Spa InterContinental, offering traditional eastern and western treatments, has 10 treatment rooms and 2 VIP rooms for couples, with a private sauna and steam room. There is also a beauty salon and hairdresser.
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
Accommodation: 316 rooms and suites, also decorated in the best traditions of minimalism. “Highlights” - the rooms here are a bit simpler and smaller in size than in the “older brother” of InterContinental, but this is not a drawback: they are also thoughtfully organized, elegantly decorated and equipped with the latest technology. Many will like the interesting solution of the bathroom, which is separated from the general living space of the room by glass walls.
Food and entertainment: only 3 establishments, including the all-day buffet restaurant Arabian and European cuisine Zaytoun, and a spacious restaurant-cafe in the lobby - Mazar with a terrace.
Zest - Dubai's first original Belgian pub Belgian Beer Cafe is so famous that it does not need any advertising. The cozy atmosphere and a wonderful selection of fresh beer made it one of the most popular places in Dubai: in the evenings, even on weekdays, it is always full of interesting and worthy people who do not mind the often arising need to expect a free table and even a chair.
Extras: 25-meter outdoor swimming pool with adjustable water temperature, a children's pool, a gym equipped with the latest technology, a sauna, a jacuzzi with hydromassage in the open air. For business and events: a two-level Event Center with a total area of 3800 square meters, located between two hotels, one of the largest and most famous in Dubai. Thanks to the system of moving partitions, the giant common space can be divided into 14 separate rooms, depending on the request and budget of the event. Small VIP receptions are held here, as well as banquets and conferences that can accommodate up to 1350 guests.
For large events, two assembly halls are traditionally used - Al Baraha and Al Ras, which are led by a spacious gallery in all respects, glazed from floor to ceiling tens of meters high, overlooking the bay and the central part of the city. And that’s not all: there are 10 fully equipped rooms for negotiations, which can also be transformed by area. As for the Igloo tent, which is located on a small island near the promenade by the water, its concept is completely unique, because the inner space of the tent can be completely changed for any specific event. Themed presentations, exhibitions, corporate and private parties are held at Igloo.
Near the hotel: Dubai Festival City, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Dubai, two world-class golf clubs - Al Badia (18 holes) and Dubai Creek (18 holes).
Contacts: +971 (4) 701 1111 www.intercontinental.com [email protected] +971 (4) 701 2222 www.crowneplaza.com [email protected]
Raffles Dubai (opened in November 2008) ***** 
Management Company - Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Achievements - Conde Nast Traveler UK (2008 Hot List), Conde Nast Traveler US (2008 Hot List), Elite Traveler - 101 Best Suits in th e World 2008
Location: In the Wafi City complex, Al Gharhud district, near the main points of Dubai's business.
Distances: -15 minutes from Dubai International Airport, 15 minutes to the beach.
Hotel complex: a building in the form of a 19-storey pyramid. In the interior design, traditional themes of the Middle East, Egyptian and Asian styles are used, playing on four elements: water, earth, fire and wind. Accommodation: 248 suites of various categories with private balconies, including 4 presidential suites.
"Highlights" - space and luxurious design, a lot of natural materials. Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.
Catering and entertainment: a total of 10 establishments, including: an international buffet restaurant Azur, a traditional Raffles Salon for tea parties, a Balinese-style cocktail bar with a Crossroads Cocktail Bar & Terrace terrace, Asian restaurant Far Eastern cuisine, China Moon champagne and cognac bar Champagne Bar at the top of the pyramid.
Zest - the award-winning European restaurant Fire & Ice - Raffles Grill with a wine cellar and sommelier services; the repeatedly awarded Chinese restaurant The Noble House, and one of the most trendy nightclubs in Dubai - New Asia Bar and Club, known for its music and glamorous audience.
Extras: fitness club with natural light; Asian SPA Salon Amrita Spa; club library with a good selection of books; a botanical garden covering an entire hectare of area with 129,000 plants; flower boutique.
For business and events: a total of 11 spacious halls and rooms for events and negotiations, a magnificent assembly hall of 750 square meters. m with an 11-meter ceiling and a Swarovski crystal chandelier. It is possible to hold events in the open-air botanical garden. Near the hotel: the Wafi City complex with the most pompous Dubai Wafi Mall, restaurants, clubs, the famous Cleopatras' Spa, the real oriental Khan Murjan market with an emphasis on exclusivity.
Contacts: +971 (4) 324 8888 www.dubai.raffles.com [email protected]
The Monarch Dubai (opened 2007) ***** 
Management Company - Refad Hotels & Resorts
Achievements - included in the portfolio of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW)
Location: Building No. 1 on the main highway of Dubai - highway them. Sheikh Zayed, a short walk from Dubai International Financial Center and Dubai International Exhibition Center.
Distances: from Dubai International Airport -20 minutes, to the beach - 10 minutes.
Hotel complex: consists of a 33-storey hotel building connected to a 37-storey office tower, as well as multi-level parking for guests and visitors. The interior is made in a modern style with a prevailing Arab theme.
Accommodation: 183 rooms and suites, including 141 standard rooms, 38 suites, 2 presidential suites on the 31st floor, Heavenly Suite (bunk room on the 29th and 30th floors, suspended between the hotel and the office tower) and Royal Suite "(bunk room with 3 bedrooms, two reception rooms, a dining room, a library, a private cinema and a terrace with a pool). There are also 53 serviced apartments, including 9 studios, 21 1-bedroom apartments, 8 apartments - with 2 bedrooms and five - with 3 bedrooms.
"Highlights" - a large area with tastefully decorated rooms, panoramic windows, including those facing the sea, and bathrooms with glass partitions. The deluxe rooms feature handmade décor. Catering and entertainment: a total of 8 establishments, including the Mizaan international cuisine bistro, the Arcadia lobby restaurant with live music in the evenings, the cigar club for true gentlemen and ladies Diademas Cigar Lounge, the restaurant of wines and cocktails One on One. "Highlights" - Empire gourmet restaurant, which serves European cuisine; a restaurant of classical Indian cuisine of the period of the Mughal Empire The Red Fort, created in the image of the famous restaurant The Red Fort in Delhi; Japanese restaurant Okku with cooks discharged from London and a 10-meter aquarium in the interior.
Extras: fitness club, Asian SPA Salon Mandara; boutiques. For business and events: 15 meeting rooms, 2 spacious conference rooms. Assembly Hall Almaza Ballroom on 734 square meters. m, accommodating up to 800 guests, with an adjacent marble front staircase.
Near the hotel: Dubai Central Highway, Dubai International Financial Center and Dubai International Exhibition Center.
Contacts: +971 (4) 329 8888 www.themonarcghdubai.com [email protected]
The Address (opened in 2007) *****
Management Company - The Address Hotels + Resorts (Emaar Hospita lity Group)
Location: The hotel is located in the new district of Burj Dubai Down Town, which is positioned as the “most prestigious square kilometer in the world”, a few tens of meters from the tallest building in the world - the “Dubai Towers”.
Distances: from Dubai International Airport -20 minutes, to the beach - 10 minutes.
Hotel complex: 63-storey building with a height of 306 meters is considered the second highest building in the district. Exterior and interiors are made in the Art Deco style with an Arabic accent.
Accommodation: a total of 196 rooms and suites, including: 20 deluxe rooms, 85 premier rooms with balconies and views of the Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower), 32 grand Arabic-style rooms with balconies; 22 Premier Club Rooms with balconies and special services for businessmen; 12 Grand Club Rooms with spacious balconies, Burj Dubai views and business-friendly services. In addition, 4 Junior Suites with private terraces and marble bathrooms; 16 Executive Suites with private terraces; 4 spa suites with open-air bathroom and terrace; 1 exclusive Tower Suite with an extensive terrace. All suites have panoramic windows overlooking Burj Dubai and feature special services from the Executive Lounge.
"Highlights" - undoubtedly, a feeling of direct involvement in the tallest building in the world and bird's-eye views of the lights of the big city. For those living in suites and club rooms, the 24-hour rule applies: check-out is not scheduled at the standard hotel time (12.00), but exactly one day after the guest settles in the hotel, regardless of the time of day.
Food and entertainment: a total of 8 establishments, including the Fazaris international restaurant, a cafe and a tea lounge in the lobby - Risala, Xpresso cafe.
"Highlights" - the pride of The Address - a restaurant of traditional and modern Chinese cuisine Hukama; Calabar Latin American Bar & Bar, a favorite gathering place for young and heart-warm lovers to watch from the terrace at Burj Dubai at sunset; the trendy Neos bar on the 63rd floor with magnificent gigantic windows, panoramic views of the Dubai Tower and the city itself.
Extras: a fitness club overlooking Burj Dubai, The Spa Asian Salon. For business and events: 634 sq. M. m, on the 6th, 11th and 12th floors, including two meeting rooms and a meeting room. The Symphony Ballroom with seven-meter panoramic windows overlooking the Dubai Tower and a terrace can be divided into three smaller rooms.
Near the hotel: all the very best in Dubai - the tallest building in the world, the largest shopping center in the region, the most central thoroughfare of Dubai, the most comfortable central area of Dubai, stylized as a traditional Arab city with all the conceivable and unthinkable possibilities of a pleasant pastime, and also Dubai International Finance Center and Dubai International Exhibition Center.
Contacts: +971 (4) 436 8888 toll-free line in the UAE: 800 ADDRESS www.theaddress.com [email protected]
The Palace, The Old Town (opened in October 2007) ***** 
Management Company - The Address Hot els + Resorts (Emaar Hospita lity Group)
Location: The hotel is located on an artificial island in the new building of Down Town Burj Dubai, next to the tallest building in the world Burj Dubai ("Dubai Tower"), in the central part of the district stylized as a traditional Arab city.
Distances: from Dubai International Airport -20 minutes, to the beach - 10 minutes.
Hotel complex: a real magnificent Arabian palace standing on the lake.
Accommodation: a total of 242 rooms, including 81 suites. 133 deluxe rooms, 28 Palace Rooms with 24-hour butler service and Executive Lounge access.
9 Junior Suites, 40 Diplomatic Suites, 28 Palace Suites with 24-hour butler service and Executive Lounge access; 3 Royal Suites with 24-hour butler service and Executive Lounge access; two-story 4-bedroom Imperial Suite with 24-hour exclusive service.
"Highlights" - all rooms and suites overlook the "Dubai Tower" and the Old Town district ("Old City"). As in any palace, in The Palace everything is royal.
Food and entertainment: only 3 establishments, including the international restaurant Ewaan, with alcoves for lovers of privacy.
Raisins - Dubai's only Thai gourmet restaurant Thiptara, whose name translates as "Miracle on the Water"; Argentinean restaurant Asado, which serves excellent Argentinean meat cooked over an open fire, and no less excellent Argentinean wines. Extras: a fitness club with an outdoor pool, The Spa lounge with two traditional Arabic hammam bath rooms, tennis courts and a squash court.
For business and events: the main spacious conference hall is The Royal, which can be divided into two independent rooms, and has a separate entrance from the street. There are also two meeting rooms with natural light for negotiations.
Near the hotel: Old Town district, with cozy streets and nooks, a real slave market Souk Al Bahar, located on the boardwalk by the water, and, of course, very close to the world's tallest building Burj Dubai and the largest shopping center in the Dubai Mall region, as well as the main points of business in Dubai.
Contacts: +971 (4) 428 7888 www.theaddress.com [email protected]
Continuation of the review in the next issue of "Russian Emirates"
