Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai

The two
concrete-and-glass towers soaring over Dubai Marina are iconic, from the Art
Deco-inspired balconies to the striking blue lighting that bathes the hotel at
night. Inside, each tower’s lobby is clad in off-white, tan, and brown
marble top to bottom, while artsy design flourishes, like soaring bird
sculptures and a giant bronze Arabian horse, add flair to the classically
elegant spaces. Each lobby has plenty of comfortable seating with clean, modern
lines amid hardwood accents, while the lobby bars make these areas an
inviting place to have coffee or a drink. This hotel is a destination for
tourists and ex-pats across Dubai, with hot-ticket venues like Buddha Bar -- one
of Dubai’s most famous restaurant/night clubs -- and Rhodes W1, a chic yet
inviting space that draws guests to Michelin-star chef Gary Rhodes' homey,
British cuisine. Guests here include couples, families, and groups, as well as
business travelers.

Situated just off of the
Dubai Marina, this hotel is well located for visitors looking to experience Dubai’s
trendier side, with the upscale boutiques and restaurants of The Walk within a
15-minute walk or a 10-minute car ride from the hotel. The city’s free, public
Marina Beach is about 20 minutes away on foot, though a free shuttle from the
hotel runs to Le Royal Meridien, a sister property, and guests can use its private beach as well. The DMAC metro station is a 15-minute walk from
the hotel, and trips to many of Dubai’s major sights, such as the Burj Khalifa, can
take up to 50 minutes by metro (or 25 minutes by car). Mall of the Emirates, which has
year-round indoor ski slopes, is 30 minutes from the hotel by metro. The
vibrant souks of Al Ras are about an hour away, or about 40 minutes
by car, while the Dubai International Airport can be reached in 30 minutes by
taxi or an hour by metro.

This hotel seamlessly
blends inviting comfort and top-of-the-line amenities like private butlers. Rooms are spacious, with undulating
striped carpets, dark-wood furniture with Art Deco accents, retro-silhouetted
tan chairs, golden brown curtains, and rust-colored throw pillows for pops of color in
the largely neutral spaces. All rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, free bottled water, DVD players, safes, work desks with ergonomic chairs, and coffeemakers. Rooms also feature hardwood closets
and dressing areas, as well as excellent beds with duvets, plush bed runners, monogrammed
pillows, and padded headboards.
Superior and Premier Rooms have more space, as well as loveseats and coffee
tables; several have balconies, and some have views of Dubai Marina. Higher-end rooms also offer more interesting art, like traditional pottery, complementing
the abstract framed pieces adorning the walls in every room. Bathrooms are
lovely, with off-white and dark marble tile work, large vanities with
contemporary sinks, marble walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, separate
bathtubs, terrycloth bathrobes, and luxury Bvlgari toiletries. Multi-bedroom
apartments and suites are available and show great attention to detail -- from hardwood floors to full kitchens.

The hotel has 14 drinking
and dining venues and offers full- and half-board bookings that provide deals
in some of its restaurants, including Sloane’s, which serves an excellent
buffet all day long (including breakfast). Buddha Bar, one of Dubai’s most
famous and exclusive destinations, serves Japanese food in a
Vietnamese-influenced space that draws a see-and-be-seen crowd in a relaxed
ambience. Rhodes W1, one of Michelin-star winning chef Gary Rhodes’
international restaurants, offers British comfort food, while guests are welcome to
sample everything from Turkish to Latin American cuisine in the hotel’s other
dining spots. Since the hotel lacks its own beach, guests have unrestricted access to
Le Royal Meridien’s private beach (and other features) by using the hotel’s
scheduled shuttle. The on-site Retreat Spa includes nail and hair salons, as
well as a men’s spa, and a full array of massage and luxury wellness treatments
in a chic, relaxed Southeast Asian-inspired setting that includes a hot tub,
sauna, and steam room. Two stylish outdoor pools with terraces and poolside
services, as well as two hardwood-floored fitness centers with personal
training, group classes, and standard equipment offer plenty of opportunities
to stay fit or relax. Guests staying in Premier Rooms in Tower Two have access
to Level 5, an exclusive series of lounges with with comfortable seating and
business amenities, as well as a free breakfast, cocktails, and refreshments in
the evening. Babysitting services are available with advanced notice, and Wi-Fi
is free throughout. The hotel has seven on-site meeting rooms, as well as a
business center, and can accommodate events of all sizes with full catering and
audiovisual services available. The hotel’s 24-hour front desk and dedicated
concierge can arrange car services and provide bookings throughout the city,
and laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Guests should be aware that nightclubs and bars on premises are subject to
restrictions and closures during Ramadan, the dates of which vary from year to
year. Dress codes are also enforced in various areas of the hotel.