Anantara Downtown Dubai ★★★★★

Dubai radiates cutting edge glamour and style – that much is obvious – but the pinnacle of the city’s sleek modernity is found in “Business Bay”. I couldn’t help but feel terribly important as my taxi cruised through the cluster of futuristic skyscrapers to reach the Anantara Downtown Dubai, as if I too had suddenly become one of the ultra-wealthy that call the City of Gold their adult playground.

Besides the immense light and space that greeted me as I first stepped through the doors, I was surprised by the intimate atmosphere that was more reminiscent of a boutique establishment. In my room, stunning, spacious design was paired with specially commissioned art and hand crafted rugs, lending a warm and almost bespoke ambience to the hotel. Yet the star of the Anantara Downtown Dubai’s show is without a shadow of a doubt its world-class service. Despite (unfortunately) not being one of the elite that fill the city I was most certainly treated like one – the staff’s sincere, thoughtful gestures and military-precision attention to detail went above and beyond anything I’d seen anywhere else.

Even though I could quite happily while away my mornings at breakfast (which, like everything else in the hotel, were fit for a king) the hotel’s central location meant exploring was not an option – especially with the complimentary shuttle to and from the Dubai Mall. The hotel however knows full well that the greatest luxury is choice, and a delightful Spa was on hand along with the enormous heated pool to make lazy days extra special. After a dinner to satisfy even the most discerning of critics, I made sure to finish my day on the 27th floor at the open-air lounge, watching Dubai’s skyline twinkle and light up the night. Who knew Dubai could be so grand and so intimate all at once?