With so many options for accommodations in the hot (popularity- and temperature-wise) Middle Eastern emirate of Dubai, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd. Seemingly half of the buildings in the forest that is central Dubai are hotels or hotel / apartment combos.
The Doubletree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach stands out by offering the perfect combination of an amazing beachfront location, fantasic luxury units with postcard views and legendary Doubletree service. I spent a week there for my very first excursion to this exotic Arabic luxury destination.
Location
Right on the edge of Jumeirah Beach Residence’s popular The Walk at JBR, the hotel is perfect for Dubai first-timers or regulars. This beachfront area is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants and even nightclubs. This is Dubai, so those beachfront shops include some of the world’s top luxury brands and this is Dubai, so it’s safe to walk around the area 24 hours a day.
I found the mix of vacationing Westerners and women in full-face covering, head-to-toe burqas quite wonderful. And many of these women in Dubai, although covered in public, are wearing the most stylish, designer outfits under those burqas, according to other Muslim women I met on the trip.
You are also steps away from the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) tram stop, which by itself or by metro connection, takes you to all the popular tourist destinations. Yes, Dubai has a metro and public transit and I ventured out one night and (with help of a travel blogger friend) successfully made it to the Mall of the Emirates and back. The cost was about $3.00.
My suite
I had an awesome one-bedroom corner unit on the building’s eleventh floor. The foyer led into a spacious living area with high ceilings. A door led to a large balcony facing the buildings of Dubai Marina and the surrounding area. The corner of the balcony allowed a sea view and some units are fully oceanfront. The entire room had floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views.
The suite continued with a powder room, and then into a large dressing area with closets and a desk. The closets were outfitted with sections for shoes and drawers, along with a safe. The dressing area led into the master bathroom with a vanity and bathtub. The bathtub had a strange half shower door, which I’ve seen before, but personally prefer a full door or curtain. There was a bidet and the sink vanity unit had storage space below. The bedroom was spacious, with that same high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a comfortable chaise lounge by the window and a large wall unit with an LG flatscreen. There was ample bedside lighting and the bed was perfect to sleep in. WiFi was included and worked well and consistently during my entire stay. I enjoyed the property’s resort-style infinity pool and private beach. There is also a 24-hour fitness center which I intended to use but never did. A one-bedroom suite typically goes for about $250 per night.
Dining
Breakfast, included in some room rates, was served buffet-style in the hotel’s restaurant, The Kitchen Table. The food was fresh and delicious, with a range of Western and Eastern options, as well as an omelet station and other custom-made choices. Al Maeda is the hotel’s upscale Arabic restaurant and Areia is their beach bar and grill. There’s also Maiya Lounge, a lounge and coffee shop in the lobby. Room service (available 24 hours a day) was delivered quickly and I enjoyed two Caesar salads with Cajun chicken during my stay.
Doubletree service
From the fresh-baked signature chocolate chip cookie presented on arrival to the brand’s “cookie care” service, I am very impressed lately with Doubletree. This is my second recent experience staying at one (the other being theWit in Chicago) and I really like their drive for five-star, personal service with a commitment to total guest satisfaction. All this presented with a great deal more value than other brands considered much more luxurious. You’re getting Four Seasons service with rooms as stylish as the W, at Doubletree prices.
Follow travel blogger Freddy Sherman on Twitter, @luxuryfred and on his blog, luxuryfred.com
(Accommodations provided by Doubletree by Hilton)
