Hotel The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort amp Marina

The hotel is located on Jumeirah beach, 15 mi from the city centre and 18 mi from the airport. Allow 30 minutes for the transfer to the city and the airport.

The Westin hotel enjoys a good location on Jumeirah beach, next to the Méridien Mina Seyahi and the new marina. Guests staying at the hotel can use the facilities of the neighbouring Méridien Mina Seyahi hotel as well as the Westin's own facilities, because the two hotels form a resort together. Access to each is just a short walk across the gardens and over the beach. Both the Westin and the Méridien Mina Seyahi are great places for younger guests, as they both have a children's club and the latter also has a club for adolescents. Sporty adults can make use of the large and spotless gym with its many modern machines housed in one of the Méridien Mina Seyahi's buildings, as well as another impressive room where they can train in a number of sports, including boxing (see the schedule of gym activities). Tennis and swimming lessons are also available in the resort. A shuttle makes 6 return trips a day to the mall of the Emirates.

Open in 2008, the Westin is a U-shaped complex that looks out over the Jumeirah palm in the distance. The entrance has a rather low ceiling, with white marble and black stripes and offices to either side. The enormous lobby opens into an imposing hall that leads to the hotel's 9 cream-coloured floors, topped by a large dome. There are bay windows everywhere. The comfortable split-level 'Senyar' bar hosts a live band during the week and a DJ on the weekend. The gym has a fine view over the sea and many of the latest fitness machines, however, the gym at the Méridien is even better equipped. The immaculate, spotless and softly-lit spa here has 11 treatment rooms and the business centre is open until midnight. There is a children's club for 4 to 12 year olds, who can also splash about in the beautiful swimming pool reserved for them (which is slightly covered to avoid sunburn).The large main swimming pool lies on a gentle slope, whilst the meandering lagoon pool becomes an artificial river in places that can be crossed via a series of little wooden bridges. In terms of equipment, there are plenty of wooden parasols and cushioned raffia deck chairs. In the centre of the resort, there is a second rectangular pool of 82 ft, with palm trees on either side, and gardens criss-crossed with footpaths stretching out in front of it. In total, 14 life guards monitor the pools and the beach.

The Westin has 294 large rooms, most of which enjoy sea views. In spite of the soft, relaxing colours of the decor, the style is very impersonal. The rooms have a floor area of 581 sq ft and 70% of them have a balcony. A generous range of services is available in all the rooms. In the comfortable standard rooms, a little corridor leads to the bedroom, which is mainly decorated in cream and contains twin beds or a king-sized bed. There are many facilities, including individual air-conditioning, a fan, a minibar with tea and coffee-making facilities, a Nespresso coffee machine, a DVD player, Internet, a widescreen plasma television, a free safe and a direct international telephone line. The bathrooms look a bit outdated in their yellow, cream and brown marble decor, but they are nice and spacious and comfortable enough with their large bathtub, tropical shower, large mirror and magnifying mirror, hair-dryer, bathrobes, slippers and full range of Westin hospitality products. The toilet is separate. Room-service and a butler service are available 24-hours a day.

There are 4 restaurants in total. The huge, main restaurant, 'Blue Orange' is open 24-hours a day. The buffets are served up from 6:00 am to 11:00 am, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm, and an a la carte menu is available at all other times of the day. The chefs can be seen behind the various buffet counters, preparing food for diners who can either eat inside or outside. There is plenty of choice, including Asian and Indian dishes and six themed evenings are organised each week: Italian, American, Mexican, etc. The Steakhouse is also an attractive option. 'Bussola' is a pleasant and stylish Italian restaurant in the swimming pool area, serving fish and seafood dishes for lunch and dinner. There is also a pizza and a salad area in a very peaceful space on the roof, under the shade of three veils. Most of the bars are outdoors, although two are indoors, and one offers a fine cheese and wine selection.

The Méridien and the Westin have a large and very beautiful beach which is a massive three-quarters of a mile long! The beach is monitored, just like the swimming pools, and its sand slopes gently down into clear turquoise water that is so inviting you will want to jump in straight away. The shallow slope extends quite far out and so it is perfect for children, but adults will consequently need to go a fair way out in order to swim. The beach equipment could be better though; guests currently have to make do with lying back in peace and quiet on plastic deck chairs, in the shade of straw huts, fabric parasols and palm trees. The services provided in the hotel extend to the beach, but there is also plenty of room to find a secluded spot if you so wish, and if you feel like being active, there is almost too much to choose from, starting with beach volleyball. Big game fishing, banana boat rides, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, etc., are all provided for an additional charge.