Hotel Arabian Courtyard

Across the street from Dubai museum, the hotel is a stone's throw from the old district of Bastakiya and the banks of the Creek, in the heart of traditional Dubai. A 12 minute journey is necessary to go to Dubai international airport, just 4 miles away.

There is free wireless internet access in the entire hotel, even in the rooms. Guests also have a choice between smoking or non-smoking rooms which must be specified at the time of booking. Non-smoking floors include: 1st, 4-6th and the 8th floors. The hotel also has some rooms with a great view of the Dubai Museum and the mosque minaret which is beautiful at sunset. However, be aware that traffic in this area is very heavy throughout the day and is audible despite the double glazing. For holidaymakers wishing to be better isolated from noise, we recommend you book a backyard-facing room which has a less pleasant view but which is quieter.

For families, there are also 27 connecting rooms which can be handy if parents do not want to be too far away from their children.

The hotel also has a lovely spa. A great effort has been made to make it relaxing and enjoyable. There is also a family treatment room which is rare in the city.

Built in 1998, the Arabian Courtyard took over the existing building and opened its doors in 2005. This eight-floor rectangular hotel stands on a lively street and its facade is decorated with stone lace and arabesques. The rather over-the-top reception lobby is like an exhibition hall for the eclectic pieces of furniture from India: a palankeen, a spice table, a travel chest, etc! On the first floor, you will find the small but long swimming pool. The ochre-coloured terrace also has a small kids' pool as well as a dozen deckchairs. But there isn't enough room to move around freely. Lower down, the solarium and deckchairs are sheltered from the wind. Inside, guests can enjoy a whirlpool bath, a sauna, a hammam and a gym equipped with a decent number of very modern apparatus and look generally quite pleasant. The many narrow corridors and low ceilings may make you feel a little claustrophobic, or on the contrary, give you the impression of navigating through a little maze to make eclectic and unsuspected discoveries. A contrario, the transparent lifts make the place seem a whole lot more spacious.

Otherwise, the décor is a little outdated. A little freshening up wouldn't go a miss. But the hotel is ideal for guests looking for an Arabic atmosphere as opposed to the brash interiors of more modern hotels in the city.

The 173 bedrooms are divided into five categories: Standard, Deluxe, Executive, Executive Suite and Suites. You will have a choice here between standard rooms decorated in a very pleasant Arabic style, and suites with themed Chinese or Indian decoration (we preferred the Arabic style). There is plenty of sunshine coming in from the large bay windows and reflecting on the driftwood floor, and the frames of the windows stand out against the carved stone façades. The harmonious Arabic decoration is very effective with its high carved headrests, bedside lamps hanging down from the ceiling, large desk/dressing table, Arabic chest with copper corners, leather and wood seats, etc. In addition to the very comfortable bedding and its numerous cushions, you will find: a free safe, an adaptor, a large television screen broadcasting 32 channels, internet connection, individual air-conditioning, a telephone with a direct telephone line and a mini-bar with tea and coffee-making facilities. Be aware though that the bathrooms, however beautiful, are not very spacious and give you just enough space to open the door. Other than the bathtub, you will find a washbasin integrated into a black marble bathroom cupboard, a good selection of hospitality products, a hair-dryer, a large mirror as well as a magnifying one, bathrobes and slippers, scales, and a shower curtain with topstitched lace. 24 hour room service.

Four restaurants are available at the Arabian Courtyard, including one buffet. The long, main restaurant has a direct view of Dubai museum and offers varied and tasty international cuisine, from 7:00am to 10:30am, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm and from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. It also has a small menu. The Mexican restaurant, in the reception lobby, the Indian restaurant and the Chinese restaurant are all open for lunch and dinner. The Chinese and Thai restaurant stands out from the others because it has a small terrace. The music is, unfortunately, too loud, although maybe in an effort to cover the sound of the traffic. Our personal award goes to the Indian restaurant with its open kitchen, superb carved furniture, carved wooden and brass tables, framed mirrors, pillars, chairs with nails and leather, etc. In the centre, Indian dancers and a zither player will entertain you in the evenings. There is also a pub which looks quite lively in the evenings.

The hotel's Mumtaz Mahal Indian restaurant has been a finalist for three years running in the 'What's on Awards' (2007, 2008, 2009).