The Fairmont Dubai, Dubai

I visited Dubai for the first time last year and was very impressed as soon as I had hit the airport. A friend picked me up and took me to a hotel where we were to stay for a night and day, before leaving for Abu Dhabi.

I didn't have any idea which hotel we were about to stay in. As we pulled off the expressway, I noticed the two beautiful towers of the World Trade Centre at the heart of Dubai, as we approached them. As I was gazing ...
...didn't notice the Fairmont Hotel fast approaching.

The building is beautiful. It matches the style of the surrounding structures yet still seems different. Each top corner of the building has a pyramid shape on top, looking like watch towers. We pulled up in front of the lobby area and entered the reception leaving our baggage with the concierge.

What first hits you in the lobby is the vastness of it. It is very big ... more

I visited Dubai for the first time last year and was very impressed as soon as I had hit the airport. A friend picked me up and took me to a hotel where we were to stay for a night and day, before leaving for Abu Dhabi.

I didn't have any idea which hotel we were about to stay in. As we pulled off the expressway, I noticed the two beautiful towers of the World Trade Centre at the heart of Dubai, as we approached them. As I was gazing at the towers and the numerous buildings surrounding it, I didn't notice the Fairmont Hotel fast approaching.

The building is beautiful. It matches the style of the surrounding structures yet still seems different. Each top corner of the building has a pyramid shape on top, looking like watch towers. We pulled up in front of the lobby area and entered the reception leaving our baggage with the concierge.

What first hits you in the lobby is the vastness of it. It is very big with numerous areas for sitting and relaxing. On the immediate right is the bar, which seperates itself from the rest of the lobby area using the magic of light alone. On th eleft were the reception and information desks.

This is where we hit our first problem. The computers were down so we couldn't be issued our keycards! After a long night flight, this is the last thing you need! So we waited in the lobby area while reception sorted out their technical problem. This gave me more time to observe the lobby area.

The lighting was very nice and soothing. Pillars looking like palm tree trunks rose up with a wide shape at the top housing the light unit. The ceiling was very high up and a lot of greenery using plants and trees were places in particular areas.

Once our keycards were issued, we made our way to the rooms using the lifts at the far end of the lobby. As the lifts made their way to the 17th floor, I seemed to notice that the lighting was changing. I looked more carefully, and as we rose up, I noticed the teflon material in front us, which was the front outside of the building, change colour from blue to red to yellow! As it was early morning, it was fully appreciated.

The rooms were very spacious with a pinewood theme used throughout. The bed was large and very comfortable. A mini-office was situated in the corner with a CD player, writing pad, tea/coffee maker and a tray full of stationary (stapler, pen, pencil, selloptape) made available for use.

Internet access was standard in all rooms, and was accessible via the TV set and a cordless keyboard. A mini seating area was present in the corner as well as a coffee table. The bathroom kept the pinewood theme with the addition of generous use of marble.

I thought I'd check my email before sleeping so switched on the TV and started up the Internet browser. This is where I hit the second problem! Due to the malfunction of computers in the lobby area, the internet system was down. I called the reception, and they told me that it would be up and running within the hour. As I was tired, I left it at that and fell asleep.

The hotel in the evening is more beautiful then in the day. The lighting is switched on to maximum and the variations in colour are something you don't see often. From the outside, all four sides of the building change colour constantly, making the hotel an eye-catching structure (notice in the picture above, the walls are blue!).

The only other problem we encountered was on returning from a night out, finding that our key cards wouldn't open the doors! Getting them re-programmed took a few minutes so it wasn't too much of a problem.

Overall, the hotel was very enjoyable to stay in from the luxury point of view and also due to the huge amount of facilities available on a room, as well as hotel, basis. The glitches with regards to some of the services were the only let down. A great place to stay costing around 100 GBP per night. 

...less