Al Fahidi St, Opp Musallah Post Office, Near Dubai Museum, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (618) 248-8274
Located in one of the oldest Dubai neighborhoods, by famous Dubai Creek
10-minute walk to Al Fahidi Metro station
Artistic rooms with local flair blending antique and contemporary styles
Pristine bathrooms with rainfall showerheads
Vegetarian cafe for meals, snacks, and room service
Rooftop sun deck provides seating for relaxation
Art gallery featuring great contemporary Arab work
Gift shop sells handmade items
24-hour reception staff
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms are a bit snug and do not have TVs (a pro for some)
Windows offer little views due to the surrounding buildings
Fee for parking
The mid-range XVA Art Hotel packs a whole lot of art into a small boutique hotel -- not a common feat in mega-hotel loving Dubai. The 13 individually themed guest rooms are intricately decorated and have mini-fridges, safes, and rainfall showers in stylish bathrooms, but rooms lack TVs. Features include an art gallery with contemporary Arab work, a shop that sells art and textiles from Middle Eastern designers, and a wonderful vegetarian cafe that also provides room service. XVA Art Hotel is located by Dubai Creek, and is a short drive to The Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, and Dubai
International Airport. Those seeking a pool, gym, or more space could check out the nearby Arabian
Courtyard Hotel, though it's far less charming.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Intimate boutique hotel with artful style that stands out in Dubai
Originally built as a large family mansion, the XVA Art hotel is hidden amongst
built-up maze-like alleyways. Thick stone walls were built in the 19th century and renovated over time, but still embrace the stylish architecture used by the Persians who originally constructed the mansion. As its name implies, art is the star of the show here, and the boutique accents throughout this hotel put it way above many of the soulless mega-hotels that line Dubai's streets when it comes to charm. The small, colorful, lobby is crammed with bright chairs and art objects that are also for sale in the hotel's boutique. The
overgrowth of greenery in the main courtyard provides a calming vibe
that contrasts with the pops of color from the art-filled walls. Upstairs, there's a rooftop sun deck furnished with beige sun loungers and sofas -- it's a fine place to kick back after a day touring the city. Wooden sculptures provide a touch of sophisticated whimsy. Overall, the vibe is stylish yet informal, and the hotel primarily draws couples with it's quaint, romantic style.
Location
Surrounded by souks, a mosque, and historic heritage sites
The XVA hotel is located in
the center of the Al Fahidi neighborhood, one of Dubai's oldest and most character-filled, so it's surrounded
by museums, calligraphy houses, and heritage sites. Amid the rush of bikes and
street sellers is the Dubai Museum, which is located within a four-minute walk from the property, as is the nearby mosque. The proximity means the call to prayer is loud, but most find this only adds to the experience and atmosphere of the area. Visitors can practice their bartering skills at the textiles market or one of the souks on either side of Dubai Creek -- the heart and soul of the older part of the city. For those seeking Dubai's more modern pleasures, the hotel is about 15 minutes by taxi from
The Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, and roughly 25 minutes to the Palm Jumeirah. It's 30 minutes to the trendy The Walk, a strip lined with shops, cafes, and dining. On the other side
of the creek is the Dubai International Airport, which is a 10-minute drive away; a shuttle can be requested from the hotel for pick-up and drop-off. Expect to pay for parking at the hotel if you bring a car.
Rooms
Individually designed and art filled, with en-suite bathrooms, rainfall showers, and handmade robes
There are 13 unique and individually designed rooms in the XVA. Each has a theme that comes from a local sources, with names like the Dishdash Room, Henna Room, and the Gutra Suite. All rooms have air-conditioning
(essential in summer months), minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles for coffee
and tea, but there are no TVs. The hotel's in-house tailor made the cozy robes
that hang in the wardrobes. The lovely decor, which consists of statement art
pieces, reflects the hotel’s nod to art gallery-inspired living. Handmade carpets, wood carved furniture, and drapes also decorate the interiors, although color and detail varies by room. For instance, the Henna Room's white walls are decorated with large henna hand stencils. The Dishdash Room has a large and handsome terrace that's furnished and shaded from the punishing sun. While the rooms are all quite compact, they are original and complement the
neighborhood in which they're hidden. Clean en-suite bathrooms have large rainfall showers. To get a good look of the surrounding area, it's best to venture outside the rooms because views from the windows are hindered by adjacent buildings.
Features
Vegetarian cafe, contemporary art gallery, and design shop selling handmade goods
The list of services and facilities at XVA is short. Room service and three meals a day are provided at the on-site vegetarian cafe, which is also open to the public and gets stellar reviews. The art gallery, dedicated to pieces by contemporary Arab artists, is
worth a perusal as some of the pieces are truly breathtaking. There is also a
design shop that sells XVA’s own fashion items and other gifts
sourced from all over the Middle East. A small list of beauty treatments is
available too. For entertainment, table tennis paddles can be borrowed from the reception desk to play
in the courtyard and a movie is played each evening in the main
courtyard. The
front desk can help with bookings for bus tours and trips around old and new
Dubai. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
