Hotels And Restaurants In Dubai- Home Away From Home?

By Author: Dyllan Samer
Total Articles: 47
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Wanderlust and stardust- do these two go together? But, of course they do! And if wanderlust takes you to that brightly shining beacon in the desert, Dubai, you are going to be showered by voluminous amounts of stardust especially if your pockets are as deep as your desire to see all the bling that this city is heir to.

Hotels and restaurants in Dubai are as varied as the citizenry and you will find that there is something for everyone.

Home away from home
This is how the hospitality industry likes to advertise itself. But unless home actually means being served hand and foot, (or maybe just the hand, or just the foot) hotels are most certainly NOT “home” and that’s the very reason to choose a great hotel when you are wandering or lusting, or both.
There are so many classes and types of restaurants and hotels in Dubai, to suit every taste and pocket, but let’s start at the very top. The cherry on the whipped cream...

The Burj Al Arab
This giant sail, “billowing” in the breezes of the Persian Gulf is over 1000 feet tall and symbolises what Dubai has come to mean. ...
... Depending on your outlook, this could be over the top or the height of achievement, but it could never be nondescript. If Alice had dropped off a helicopter a thousand feet atop this monument (no other word can do it justice) instead of falling down a rabbit hole, this gold leaf plated Wonderland is what she would have experienced. The opulent decor is the running theme in the 202 ultra-luxurious duplex suites, 9 world class restaurants, 5 swimming pools and the Talise Spa. Even the iPads are gold plated.

The cherry to top this cherry is the Royal suite which features a 4 poster rotating canopy bed and a staircase built of marble and(don’t hold your breath) GOLD! If your disposition matches that of the princess who tossed and turned the night away because of that aggravating pea under 44 thick mattresses, you have the choice of 19 different kinds of pillow to rest your weary head on. Of course, such “homes” come with a huge price tag and this could be yours for the asking at USD 20,000/- a night or maybe a little more.

When you go high and want to touch the sky, it’s the Al Muntaha on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab. A glass lift takes you to an entrance pulled out of a sci-fi movie. The atmosphere is muted, the cuisine, European. If it’s Tuesday to Sunday that you’ve visited, you can hear the strains of piano music over the muted clinking of cutlery.

When you want to go LOW, and your aim is below the floor, try the underwater restaurant, Al Mahara( Arabic for Oyster shell), which offers delectable sea food. A simulated submarine ride takes you to a restaurant with large windows looking onto larger aquariums: you could be forgiven
for thinking that you are 20000 leagues under the sea. The bill at the end of the meal could also add to the sinking feeling at 400USD for 2.

Bab Al Shams
This one is just right for a romantic desert get away and has just 113 rooms but is not short on luxury or service. The reigning Arabian Nights theme is further propagated in the open-air dining restaurant, Al Hadheerah, where the entertainment includes belly dancers, henna artists on the move, live music and falcon displays.

Raffles Hotel
This is a slice of the international hotel chain pie located at a handy distance from the Sheikh Zayed Road malls and financial district and a 15 minute drive from the airport in good traffic. The theme of decor is Egyptian luxury, the carvings being reminiscent of ancient archaeological sites.

Atlantis- The Palm
When these guys said “immerse yourself” in luxury, they meant literally. The underwater suite is marked by huge views of the Ambassador lagoon and you can share your new home with 65000 marine animals, albeit behind huge glass partitions. If you thought the lost city of Atlantis was a piece of fiction, you could be right: but, nevertheless, the ruins are strewn just outside your underwater paradise. All in all, it’s thrilling!

The underwater theme continues as you descend a spiral staircase and enter Ossiano, the sea food restaurant with a range of European cuisine.Tthe brightly coloured fish, rays and sharks swooping in and out tend to be as fascinating than the food- served delectably and sized to perfection.

Rove Downtown
This 3 star hotel is the one of choice on a more modest budget. It’s contemporary in decor and spirit and its interiors exude a freshness appealing to the young and the young at heart. The Arab influenced geometric tables and tented canopies are integrated into the modern installations, stencils and murals sourced from the alleys of Dubai, celebrating Arab heritage.

Spoilt for choice
Dubai is bursting with the flavours of cuisines from all over the world. You could eat out the whole year and still find someplace you haven’t visited.

Coya , a much talked about restaurant, is one of the gems in Dubai’s culinary crown. Ceviches, grilled octopus accompanied with olive tapenade and perfectly done fish which flakes off your fork are just some of the marine temptations that compete with a wide range of desserts. You won’t forget the tasteful experience.

The popular Buddha Bar is famous for its eclectic atmosphere and stirring music. The food is a fusion of Sushi, Chinese and Thai and is sumptuous as the crowd is happening and chic.
Eat your way through the metre long flat bread at Lock, Stock and Barrel or seek comfort in The Central Park- a garlic and olive oil sautéed spinach and mushroom pizza topped by mozzarella, creation of The Pizza Guys which offer New York style deep pan pizzas.

At Govinda’s, the smell of Jasmine greets you and transports you into an array of North Indian vegetarian dishes and, curiously, an extensive Italian section. Excellent service accompanies excellent food in this down-to-earth food paradise. Vegans and gluten free diners will find plenty to their taste. Don’t miss the “thali” or platter which comes with 5 pots of curry and dahi (yoghurt) for just around USD 12.

‘Al’ that’s good in Dubai eating should include:
· Al Iwan which chicly dishes out Arabic –Moroccan dishes,
· Al Mallaha on the Al Dhiyafha road- you can sit at a pavement table nursing a pint mug of delicious juice and nibbling on tasty street food
· Al Minsaf Cruise where you can go for lunch, dinner or celebrate a beautiful sunset above a 56 metre yacht.

Deals on Meals and Meals on Wheels are the other choices, too innumerable to elaborate on.
Speaking of wheels, though the hospitality industry in Dubai is transporting, you will need actual transportation. A good cab or limo service is just the thing to keep you on the move.

Volumes to rival the Encyclopaedia Brittanica can be written about the hotel and restaurant scene in Dubai. From the no frills single star accommodations to the super luxurious “7 star” hotels out of a dream, it’s all there waiting for you.