Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach ★★★★★

Upon entering the Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach you are immediately struck by the majesty of your lavish surroundings. Strolling along the shining marble floor, you glance upwards and see the heavens encapsulated in the midnight blue ceiling, and star-shaped lanterns suspended.

This elegant contemporary design is carried through to your spacious room, furnished in gold and velvet, with mahogany accents. The crowning glory, however, is the sublime sea view from the balcony, where you stop to pass a tranquil moment before drifting down to the rooftop terrace.

There, you are greeted with vistas of the turquoise Persian Gulf and extraordinary Palm Jumeirah, a feat of modern design and engineering. Diving into the rooftop infinity pool, you are immersed in an abundance of blue, suspended between pool, sea and sky. You float up to the bar, and order an energising drink, all still in the water.

As the day draws on, you consider strolling down to the sea front, or indulging in some retail therapy on The Walk, before treating yourself to a massage in the spa. In the evening, the Plantation Restaurant eagerly awaits, with its mouth-watering culinary treats in abundance. Exploring the Mediterranean menu, move from delicate seared scallops, to succulent braised lamb shank, to a praline dessert.

As night begins to fall, head back out onto the roof terrace and the Infinity Pool Lounge, to soak up the last of the sun. Deciding to throw yourself into Arabic culture, you order some exotic shisha, and breathe in your captivating surroundings.