Hotel Al Manzil

Al Manzil is in the centre of the Burj Dubai district, not far from the Dubai Mall (the largest in the world) and its artificial lake, and close to the World Trade Center. Allow around 20 minutes to get to the old town centre and the same to reach the airport.

The hotel offers direct access to the souk of the same name, which houses some 35 elegant boutiques and various places to have a bite to eat if you fancy a change from the hotel's four restaurants. Each has free Wi-Fi access and cable Internet connection (free of charge). Shuttles operate between the various malls, as well as the World Trade Center and Jumeirah beach. Accommodation tip : Request a room on a high floor for unrestricted views, bearing in mind that the rooms on the pool side in the central building have nothing immediately facing them.

The brand new Al Manzil hotel is built in a horseshoe shape. Many finely-worked arches adorn this very stylish property, but it often leaves you feeling cold because of the omnipresent white and the high ceilings. The hotel's many picture windows allow plenty of light into the building, which opens out in the centre onto a beautiful interior courtyard adorned with a little vegetation. Modernity and Arab decor harmoniously combine throughout the hotel's 9 floors, one of which is also home to the outdoor relaxation area with its long swimming pool surrounded by deckchairs and parasols. The hotel's sports club is open 24 hours a day; its dark wood parquet flooring, picture windows and minimal equipment exude elegance. Those here on business, however, and wanting to get online at any time of the day or night, will be pleased to hear about the hotel's superb business centre.

The hotel's 197 stylish and pleasant rooms are divided into three different categories, namely standard, with twin beds (32) or double beds (155), and junior suites (8), all offering views of either the swimming pool, Burj Dubaï or the surrounding properties. The highlight of these unusual rooms, decorated with Arabic touches, are the stylish bathrooms. The superb cream and brown bathroom stretches out in front of the very comfortable bed, with a bathtub on one side covered with a clear glass surround and a separate toilet and shower on the other. It soon becomes clear that the rooms have been furnished with 'practicality' in mind when you notice the huge flat-screen television between these two areas (broadcasting 70 channels) which can be positioned to suit the bed or the bathtub! The large mirrors enhance the feeling of spaciousness in the rooms (387 sq ft for standard rooms) which also have individual air-conditioning, a reading light, a telephone, a cable Internet connection, a free safe, a mini-bar with tea and coffee-making facilities, a hair-dryer, bathrobes and a selection of Al Manzil hospitality products. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The coffee shop in the lobby serves freshly baked pastries and light meals 24 hours a day, whilst the long main restaurant, a little further along, offers more substantial dishes. This restaurant is characterised by its white decor, high ceiling and picture windows along one side. It offers guests the choice between dining à la carte (from 6:30am to 11:00pm) or selecting from the international buffet with its selection of Arabic specialties. The latter is very well-presented and offers at breakfast, for example, ten or so different Viennese pastries, a dozen cheeses and cold meats, ten or so warm options and a variety of cereals and waffles. The sports bar, the "Nezesaussi", is also a must (commended by Time Out in 2008). Everything here revolves around rugby, from the large, wooden, rugby ball-shaped bar to the photographs and t-shirts adorning the walls, and you will find 24 types of beer available here. The open kitchens, where the chefs prepare various specialties from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, mean that guests can observe everything that's being prepared. The large wine cellar is also visible, behind the tall picture windows. The evening restaurant serving Arabic dishes is well-located in the interior courtyard of the hotel, offering guests the opportunity to dine outdoors and, should they so wish, try their hand at smoking a shisha pipe.