Towers Rotana

Towers Rotana is part of a large, well-established Middle Eastern hotel chain. It is not among the most luxurious properties of the group, but it does offer an upscale experience in central Dubai. The hotel is housed in a gleaming glass skyscraper built along Dubai’s main thoroughfare, Sheikh Zayed Road. The gym and the heated outdoor pool are located in an adjacent building, which also houses the parking garage. The hotel is a popular pick among business travelers, and the lobby -- an attractive bright space with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and several seating areas -- is always busy with suit-clad men as well as with tourists. Decor is thoroughly contemporary throughout, but rooms feel somewhat generic, with a blue or red palette, and dark furniture. 

The hotel is located right on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s largest thoroughfare. The immediate neighborhood is always busy with businessmen and women and with tourists, as there are plenty of other hotels on this road. Guests can find a variety of restaurants and cafes within a few blocks from the property, ranging from cheap eateries to upscale restaurants. The location is particularly convenient for business travelers, as it offers easy walking access to Dubai’s Financial Centre. No major attractions are within easy walking distance, but there are two Metro stops a few minutes’ walk from the main entrance. Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) is just down the road, but not quite within walking distance. Taxis in Dubai are inexpensive and readily available.

Rooms at the Towers Rotana offer everything expected of a four-pearl hotel, including contemporary (if slightly generic) decor, large flat-screen TVs, well-equipped minibars, and coffeemakers with free tea and coffee. Probably the only basic amenity missing here is free Wi-Fi. Wireless Internet is available throughout, but only Club Rotana guests get free access; the rest of the guests are charged a surprisingly steep daily fee. Rooms vary in size, but all have a king bed (or two twins on request), and at least a small sitting area with two chairs and a coffee table. Deluxe Rooms feature a leather window seat offering stunning city views. Club Rotana rooms offer free access to a private lounge featuring lots of freebies, including Wi-Fi, breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, evening drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and transportation to/from the airport. Bathrooms are clean and bright, and feature shower/tub combos. Some, however, are a little small.

The hotel is known among expats for its hopping basement bar. It is always busy and has a lively vibe, but there are no non-smoking areas, which can make it a little unpleasant to some. Also popular with foreigners is Flavours on Two, an international restaurant with contemporary generic decor and a solid food and drinks menu. The hotel also features an eclectic restaurant serving pan Asian and Italian cuisine, and a lobby lounge with light bites and snacks. The property is popular among business travelers, and offers a wide array of amenities for them, such as a bright fitness center featuring personal trainers, classes, and separate wellness areas for men and women; 24-hour room service; nine fully equipped meeting rooms; and a small business center. A small heated rooftop pool is available in the adjacent parking garage. Free shuttle service to major attractions and shopping malls is also available.