Shangri-La Dubai - Review
Posted: 25 Sep 2007, 18:01Wrote this back in May, thought I'd share it here.
When visiting Dubai, it’s important to stay somewhere which is as classy as the city itself, somewhere that is in a prime location, somewhere that’s going to treat you like a star, somewhere that’s going to be luxurious and most importantly somewhere you can brag about when you get home. Where is that place? Well in our opinion, it’s the Shangri-La.
This beautifully designed hotel is situated at the end of Sheikh Zayed Road, in amongst some of the largest and modest beautiful buildings in the world. At 43 stories high it offers jaw-dropping views of the city, and allows you to see just what a perfect location it is in. In the distance you can see Dubai Creek, a 10 minute taxi ride away, Jumeriah Beach is about 20 mins away, and The Mall Of The Emerites is about 15 minutes. Everything is easily accessible, and thanks to the cheap taxis, is an affordable distance away, whatever your budget.
The hotel is in essence a business hotel, but it conjures up such the wrong image, so remove that from your mind. This is an executive hotel, a classy venue, a sumptuous, luxurious sleep city! From the moment you step into the opulent lobby and are greeted by around 5 smiling, happy, caring staff, you know you’ve made the right decision. Everything about the hotel wreaks class and sophistication. It is beautifully deigned, with all the little touches working perfectly to make you feel at home in a wonderful atmosphere.
The hotel features a fine selection of bars and restaurants, and a world-class spa. The pool area is vital due to Dubai’s heat, and is suitably large and well designed. The attentive staff bring round drinks and fruits to help you stay cool, as you relax by palm trees on thick comfy loungers and soak up some rays.
The secret to staying at the Shangri-La is to stay in one of the Horizan Club Rooms, on the highest floors of the building. That way you are treat to an extra special service. You’re whisked up to the floors private lounge when you arrive for your own private check in, when the staff will then greet you by name for the rest of your trip. Everything is thought of and done for you without intrusion, you feel like an honoured guest of the highest order.
Being in the Horizan Club you get use of the club lounge throughout the day and night, offering drinks, snacks, fruit, in the evening cocktails and in the morning you get a lavish breakfast.
The room are something else, massive, expertly designed and just plain beautiful. Complete with all the mod cons you could ever want (including a button by your bed to open and close the curtains) the hotel have thought of everything. A room is so much more than just a bed, no matter how large and comfy it was. It’s about a good overall design, good quality materials, well-appointed desks, chairs, sofas, and bathrooms, and the Shangri-La has it all. The mini-bar is not just a little fridge, it’s a little cocktail bar in the corner of your room, with proper plates, glasses and cutlery. It is replenished daily with water and a fruit selection.
The bathroom is incredible, huge with comfy robes left for you to use. It features an oversize bath, marble throughout, a separate toilet area, a huge rain shower, and a fine selection of toiletries.
I seem to get to a point in a review like this, where I worry, because I’ve not written anything bad. I don’t want people to think I’m just writing a puff piece for the hotel, ,as that’s not what this is about, I tell it like it is. So I am desperately trying to think of a few things that were wrong with the hotel… and do you know what, I can only think of two things. The first one was that one day a bottle of water that I got from the lounge wasn’t very cold, and the second is that the shower temperature sometimes changed a bit… and… well, that’s it. After a four day stay those are the only complaints I had, and do you know what? They’re not even complaints, they’re nothing, and I had to really think hard to remember them.
So it’s fairly straight forward, this is a unique, wonderful, world class hotel that is simply unbelievable. It’s as close to perfection as you can get, it’s a treat, a delight and a jewel in the crown of Dubai. An executive hotel, that treats you like the star you feel you are.. what more could you want?
The Pool
View from the window 1
View from the window 2
When visiting Dubai, it’s important to stay somewhere which is as classy as the city itself, somewhere that is in a prime location, somewhere that’s going to treat you like a star, somewhere that’s going to be luxurious and most importantly somewhere you can brag about when you get home. Where is that place? Well in our opinion, it’s the Shangri-La.
This beautifully designed hotel is situated at the end of Sheikh Zayed Road, in amongst some of the largest and modest beautiful buildings in the world. At 43 stories high it offers jaw-dropping views of the city, and allows you to see just what a perfect location it is in. In the distance you can see Dubai Creek, a 10 minute taxi ride away, Jumeriah Beach is about 20 mins away, and The Mall Of The Emerites is about 15 minutes. Everything is easily accessible, and thanks to the cheap taxis, is an affordable distance away, whatever your budget.
The hotel is in essence a business hotel, but it conjures up such the wrong image, so remove that from your mind. This is an executive hotel, a classy venue, a sumptuous, luxurious sleep city! From the moment you step into the opulent lobby and are greeted by around 5 smiling, happy, caring staff, you know you’ve made the right decision. Everything about the hotel wreaks class and sophistication. It is beautifully deigned, with all the little touches working perfectly to make you feel at home in a wonderful atmosphere.
The hotel features a fine selection of bars and restaurants, and a world-class spa. The pool area is vital due to Dubai’s heat, and is suitably large and well designed. The attentive staff bring round drinks and fruits to help you stay cool, as you relax by palm trees on thick comfy loungers and soak up some rays.
The secret to staying at the Shangri-La is to stay in one of the Horizan Club Rooms, on the highest floors of the building. That way you are treat to an extra special service. You’re whisked up to the floors private lounge when you arrive for your own private check in, when the staff will then greet you by name for the rest of your trip. Everything is thought of and done for you without intrusion, you feel like an honoured guest of the highest order.
Being in the Horizan Club you get use of the club lounge throughout the day and night, offering drinks, snacks, fruit, in the evening cocktails and in the morning you get a lavish breakfast.
The room are something else, massive, expertly designed and just plain beautiful. Complete with all the mod cons you could ever want (including a button by your bed to open and close the curtains) the hotel have thought of everything. A room is so much more than just a bed, no matter how large and comfy it was. It’s about a good overall design, good quality materials, well-appointed desks, chairs, sofas, and bathrooms, and the Shangri-La has it all. The mini-bar is not just a little fridge, it’s a little cocktail bar in the corner of your room, with proper plates, glasses and cutlery. It is replenished daily with water and a fruit selection.
The bathroom is incredible, huge with comfy robes left for you to use. It features an oversize bath, marble throughout, a separate toilet area, a huge rain shower, and a fine selection of toiletries.
I seem to get to a point in a review like this, where I worry, because I’ve not written anything bad. I don’t want people to think I’m just writing a puff piece for the hotel, ,as that’s not what this is about, I tell it like it is. So I am desperately trying to think of a few things that were wrong with the hotel… and do you know what, I can only think of two things. The first one was that one day a bottle of water that I got from the lounge wasn’t very cold, and the second is that the shower temperature sometimes changed a bit… and… well, that’s it. After a four day stay those are the only complaints I had, and do you know what? They’re not even complaints, they’re nothing, and I had to really think hard to remember them.
So it’s fairly straight forward, this is a unique, wonderful, world class hotel that is simply unbelievable. It’s as close to perfection as you can get, it’s a treat, a delight and a jewel in the crown of Dubai. An executive hotel, that treats you like the star you feel you are.. what more could you want?
The Pool
View from the window 1
View from the window 2