The welcome
Turning off Sheikh Zayed Road after the J W Marriott Hotel coming from Abu Dhabi, there’s a right turn and a U-turn before I’m heading in the right direction on the slip road to the hotel, which is well signposted from there (entry is slightly confusing, the second of two turnings to the hotel). My car is valeted without fuss. I’m intercepted on my way to the check-in counter by a young Ukrainian woman, who is polite and poised and escorts me to my room on the 16th floor.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is in the north-western corner of Downtown Dubai, facing the Burj Khalifa on one side and Sheikh Zayed Road on the other. There’s a construction site between the hotel and the Burj Khalifa, so enjoy this property’s startling and uninterrupted views of the world’s tallest building while you still can. Conveniently, the hotel is within easy walking distance of Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa Metro station.
The room
I’m in a junior suite, which is a cavernous, rectangular, 63-square-metre space with a great view of the Burj. There’s designer furniture, which is nicely marooned in the space, including a circular swivel seat by the window and a comfortable desk chair. The bed is central and brilliantly comfortable, air conditioning is effective and lighting controls relatively easy to use, though I’d prefer individual controls to panels, which glow in the dark. Blackout blinds are effective and the room is quiet.
The scene
When I visit, most of the other guests seem to be Russian, Asian and Arab families, with western holidaymakers and expatriate families there for Friday brunch on the fifth-floor pool deck. The best vantage point seems to be the slick bar on the top (31st) floor, at night. On weekdays, there are more business guests.
The service
Attentive and effective, though the company’s customary “bonjour” still seems odd in Dubai.
The food
The hotel has three restaurants; I try only Les Cuisines, the all-day-dining restaurant, which really is open 24 hours a day. It’s a bright and fairly inviting space, though the view of Sheikh Zayed Road from the second floor is a bit dull. For lunch, I have the organic penne arrabiata pasta, and it’s good for Dh65. At dinner, I try the Wagyu rib-eye steak with French fries and mushroom sauce (Dh380), which is decent, although the side salads could have been more appetising. The buffet breakfast, with a healthy juice of the day, fresh orange juice, a nice selection of house-made yogurts and smoothies, French bread, crepes and coffee, is also good.
Loved
The room and the view of the Burj Khalifa.
Hated
On the afternoon that I arrived, the gym and restaurant were empty apart from myself, and cleaners were at work with vacuum cleaners – not the most relaxing of experiences. The gym, on the second floor, offers a close-up view of Sheikh Zayed Road. And in my bathroom, the hot water took a long time to come through to the taps and shower.
The verdict
A smart and comfortable base in Dubai.
The bottom line
Double rooms at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai (www.sofitel.com; 04 503 6666) cost from Dh884 per night, including taxes.
rbehan@thenational.ae
Follow us @TravelNational
Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.
