Carlton Downtown Hotel

Competition is fierce between the many hotels lining the service road parallel to Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road highway. Nevertheless, this converted apartment block property stands out, particularly with its 47 stories. Though not the grandest, the lofty lobby's segmented woods are striking, and clustered mezzanine nooks offer intimate catch-up spots. The lounge's armchairs and sofas provide pops of ruby and pale-emerald around glossy coffee tables, and circular chandeliers add a touch of glam. For a real sense of the city's glitz, the rooftop pool, restaurant, and terrace are the hotel's highlight. The highest such facility in the city, poolside chilling turns to high-rise partying in evenings thanks to live DJ sets. Textured marbles in hallways are swish, but guests get frustrated by the slow and busy elevators. The property's proximity to DIFC draws many business guests, but the hotel equally welcomes leisure couples and families wanting to be downtown. 

Amid high-rise offices and hotels lining a busy road, the Carlton Downtown is in the heart of the action. Wits its setting near restaurants, the financial district, and Financial Centre metro, it's a great base for exploring the city. Dubai International Financial Centre is one metro stop (or a five-minute drive). Also a metro hop away is the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, or it's a 15-minute drive. Taxis are generally inexpensive, and journeys south to Jumeirah's oceanfront and Dubai Marina take no longer than 30 minutes. Free shuttles run to The Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Outlet Mall, and Dragon Mart's Asian stores. The World Trade Centre is a five-minute drive, or 20-minute walk. A hop-on-hop-off bus is within a five-minute walk. Allow 25-minute drives or metro rides to reach Dubai Airport.

The hotel's 82 rooms and 275 Suites come in a variety of categories, and start with Deluxe Rooms at a generous 452 square feet (42 square meters). Dark or blond woods and beige accents are lackluster and give the rooms a generic feel, but they're modern and well-maintained. Beds have adjacent charging points and soft-lit sconce lamps, plus there are desks with electrical outlets, international direct-dialing phones, and satellite flat-screen TVs. Also standard are minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, and ironing facilities. Suites start at 775 square feet (72 square meters) and have separate offices and living areas. Drab bathrooms are a bit of a letdown, and plastic curtains around shower/tub combos feel cheap, but the Gilchrist & Soames toiletries are fancy. Higher floors afford jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa or Jumeirah Islands views, but rooms here can suffer from noise due to the rooftop bar. Two-bedroom Suites are great for families, and the hotel has alcohol-free and women-only floors. All rooms have AC and can be fitted with cribs.

This hotel has a lot to offer. The 24-hour Bayty restaurant has live cooking stations, and international fare here extends to breakfast (which is expensive, but good). Zenses serves pan-Asian cuisine, while American-style Jimmy Wickets Sports Bar's offers light bites and beers. Le Regina's Arabian nightclub ups the ante, but note, smoking is permitted here. Chalkboards advertise Deli Grind's 24-hour coffee drinks, sandwiches, and pastries, but Zephyr is hands-down the most popular spot. Adjacent to the small rooftop pool's loungers and the terrace's cushion-topped wicker seating, this outdoor bar is a hip spot. Happy hour cocktails accompany DJ sets here, and views are panoramic. An elegant spa has a whirlpool, six treatment rooms, a hair salon, sauna, and steam room. The gym's Life Fitness equipment is modern, and there's an outdoor tennis court. Eleven meeting rooms are well-equipped, and the full concierge offers currency exchange. Valet parking and Wi-Fi are free.