Hotel Sofitel City Centre

In the town centre, next to the Deira Shopping Centre, 3 miles from the airport. Expect a 10 min transfer.

The Sofitel City Centre has a well equipped health centre: there you can find weight lifting equipment; two squash courts, a 540 ft² swimming pool, an exercise room, a hammam, and a sauna. You can request massage sessions also.

Occupying a large glass and concrete building, the Sofitel City Centre has a spacious lobby furnished with pastel coloured sofas. The front desk is at one end. At the other is a coffee-shop where, at any time, you can have some pastries, and a hot beverage. Access to the shopping centre is from inside the hotel. On the top floor, there is a fitness centre and an outside swimming pool. Unfortunately, it has a lot of chlorine (be careful if you have sensitive eyes). The solarium is small, but you can set up your lounge chair (with mattress), sunshades and there is a little pool-bar. Free swimming pool towels are furnished.

The Sofitel City Centre has 327 rooms. They do not have balconies and they overlook the town. The furnishings include a lounge area where you can watch satellite television (broadcasting Euronews). Pastel colours are quite impersonal and a more lively decor would be more appreciated. The rest of the amenities include air conditioning, a safe, a minibar, and a international direct telephone line. The bathrooms have a bathtub, a hair-dryer, and bathrobes.

In the main restaurant, a breakfast buffet is served. Spacious, but with simple decor, it offers a full buffet where the traditional fruit juices, cereals, an assortment of breads and pastries, a crepe stand and a section with dietetic dishes can be found. In the other restaurants, you can eat Italian or international cuisine which make most of the grilled foods, as well as curried foods and fish dishes or seafood. Expect around 12 pounds per dish.