The welcome
My first impression, in a word: gold. The lobby, which, though average in size, is the most ornate room I've ever been in. From the too-large chandelier to every pillar, post and pouffe, it's all gold, with sudden swatches of red thrown in. The place smells of crushed rose petals, which is pleasant to me but overpowering to my partner. Check-in is hassle-free and the receptionist is a calm and friendly presence amid all that sweet-smelling glare.
The neighbourhood
In the heart of the capital's Electra Street, this is the first five-star property of the UAE-based Bin Ham Group and is managed by City Seasons Hotel Group. Given the commercial neighbourhood it's located in, Royal Rose caters to a fair share of business travellers and organises conferences for government organisations and private companies.
The room
We stay in a deluxe room with a king bed. The architect's Midas touch, which followed us into the lift and along the plush carpet to our 11th-floor abode, is evident within, too. With gilted mirrors and photo frames, goldish wallpaper, gold-polished handles, glossy granite countertops and an ornate wardrobe, the space is bright to say the least. The bed is bouncy but not oversoft and there are enough pillows to construct a super-comfy makeshift headrest. A view of Electra Street's busy parking lot is the only letdown.
The service
Expect a broad smile, in full beam at all times of the night or day. Friendly without being overbearing or intrusive, its staff is one of Royal Rose's biggest pluses.
The scene
When we visited at the end of July, the hotel was almost empty, and the few guests we ran into were local families with young children. A handful of diners walked in for the well-stocked buffet at Printania, one of the three restaurants on-site. Despite its "new" status (they had a soft opening recently and the spa is meant to open in September) , the place runs smoothly - from the attentive reception and restaurant staff to the housekeeping and room-service facilities, the 355-room Royal Rose has all the trappings of a high-end hotel. Now all it needs is guests.
The food
The mushroom tagliatelle pasta and nasi goreng are especially good, even though our first choices, beef carpaccio and baked hammour, were unavailable at lunch. Breakfast was a regular affair - fruit, breads, cold cuts and eggs. The casual Brasserie Cafe, a lounge overlooking the lobby, and the Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant Barocco, seemed too empty to merit a visit although the executive chef from Greece has designated some of his signature dishes, such as cretan risotto and lobster spaghetti, to Barocco's menu.
Loved
The bathroom - with Roberto Cavalli toiletries, separate tub and shower sections and a rain-shower jet that knows its business - is a glorious space to spend time in after a soak in the rooftop, mosaic-tiled pool. Also the promptness of service.
Hated
That the room had no balcony. Also, it was strange that the pool shuts at 7pm; isn't it only in the evening that one can take a few leisurely laps without the fear of swimming headlong into errant children?
The verdict
A centrally located, well-serviced property ideal for a weekend getaway if you're based in the UAE.
The bottom line
As part of an ongoing summer promotion, double rooms at Royal Rose (www.royalrosehotel.com; 02 672 4000) start from Dh469 per night, including taxes, breakfast and Wi-Fi.
* Panna Munyal
