The words luxury, sunshine and relaxation make our ears prick with excitement, without fail. If you’re the same, then Grosvenor House could be the perfect place for you. Based in the heart of Dubai Marina, with its own nightclub, top restaurants and award winning spa, this is a vibrant hot spot for astute, holiday-goers.
Idea
Set across two iconic 45 storey towers, every facet of the Grosvenor House Hotel is designed to impress. From views overlooking the shimmering water and yachts in the marina to fine dining in over 20 bars & restaurants, Grosvenor House has become a party hot spot for Dubai’s elite this is a hotel seen as a destination venue not to be missed.
Location
Dubai, with its audacious architecture, spectacular skylines, and obsession with fashion has increasingly become a destination a must visit destination for the modern traveller. From the Palm, a man made structure visible from space, to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai is brimming with five (and six, and seven – go figure) star resorts, making choosing accommodation into one of those good dilemmas. We life had more of them. Grosvenor House, known for its iconic tower and outstanding reputation, is a fantastic choice.
Located in the heart of Dubai Marina, it is just a short (3 minute) bus journey to the beach, not far from the Palm or Jumeriah beach. The architecture of the tower block is iconic, with 1930’s style Manhattan exterior contrasting with the blue neon lighting. This gives the building a modern styling, and helps them stand out amongst the neighbouring towers lining the marina.
Atmosphere
Grosvenor’s grand, high ceilinged lobby – complete with marble floors, columns and a giant red and silver jewelled falcon (the UAE’s national bird) is the welcoming scene to arriving guests. Light and refreshing watermelon drinks from the hotel’s staff allow you to cool off whilst checking in.
With every last thing thought of; from a complimentary daily amenity such as plates of fruit delivered to your room, to scent pumped around the communal areas to heighten customers’ sensual experience; it is safe to say Grosvenor House oozes luxury from its very pores.
Rooms
Rooms in Grosvenor House are everything you would expect; sumptuous decor is sophisticated and cosmopolitan, decorated in warm neutrals and rich chocolate browns giving a calm and cozy feeling. Quality furniture including a lounging chair in luxurious fabric makes you want to utilise the Nespresso coffee machine sitting on the side, put on the white fluffy robe provided by the hotel and curl up with a book.
Unlike London where space is a precious commodity, Dubai has it in abundance. This has resulted in the architects not being shy with allocating space. A large dressing room complete with vanity mirror and wardrobes is the norm, whilst the marbled bathroom boasts a separate shower room leaving the bath beckoning you in for a soak in the provided, gorgeous Bvlgari products. All of this creates the perfect haven to inspire you to dress up for the glamorous restaurants and bars on site.
Facilities
With courteous staff to help you with every errand, welcoming your requests with smiles abundant it’s not difficult to see why Grosvenor House has become the destination of choice for both businessmen and celebrities alike. Whether it is organising the chauffeur service from the airport or directing you through the hotel’s maze of corridors, the staff were always there, and genuinely giving the impression everyone cared.
A bus provided by the hotel can shuttle you across to the sister hotel Le Méridien Beach & Resort, which boasts the city’s best beach and water sports facilities, where you get full, complimentary access. At the sister hotel you are provided with a towel and some of the best service in Dubai, staff are on hand at the sun beds to provide chilled towels to help keep you cool, a little luxury as Dubai reaches scorching temperatures, allowing you to cool down without lifting a foot! The sea water is unbelievably warm, it feels more like you are descending into a bath rather than the sea, which although enjoyable means it does little to cool you off in the searing heat. Thanks again then, to the cooling flannels supplied by the staff.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is served at Sloanes, the main buffet restaurant, located on one of the lower floors and open 24 hours. Guests have a choice to be seated either on a sunny terrace or indoors. The spread was as extensive, with everything imaginable from sushi to a full english or continental. All dishes turned out to be as delicious as each other. There was also a chef visible, happy to prepare just about anything that wasn’t available in the buffet – waffles, pancakes, eggs and more.
After this, the list is extensive, boasting over 20 bars and restaurants – it would be some feat if you managed to visit them all during your stay. We particularly recommend an evening dinner in Toro Toro, overlooking the marina. The menu is created by Richard Sandoval, a famed Latin American Chef with over 15 years’ experience across the globe. He has built a reputation for combining authentic Latin ingredients with international flavours and inventive techniques, to create new and unexpected concepts. With a bar stretching the length of the restaurant and a long list of quirky cocktails, we found ourselves wittering away hours just experiencing the flavours before we even considered the food. Once we did, we were blown away, this food being designed to be shared. The plates gave off so much flavour we were glad we got to taste so many.
As for nightlife, Grosvenor House doesn’t disappoint. For a quiet aperitif, sip bubbly at Bar 44, famed for its 44 different types of champagne and dazzling views. For a nightcap, head to perennial hot spot Buddha Bar, for a spicy cocktail. Finally, for a dance head to Embassy, the on-site club playing tunes into the early hours.
Spa
Aligning with the hotel’s luxurious environment is a complete floor dedicated to wellness and beauty. A zen like Asian Spa in a unique Balinese theme, as soon as the lift doors open the atmosphere of serenity envelops you from head to toe. Dimmed lights, oriental rugs, mozaic tiles and silk cushions create a unique and tranquil ambiance. Facilities include hammam pools (5 temperature controlled pools ranging from cool to very warm), lined up in a row, eleven Chakra themed treatment rooms and his ’n’ hers relaxation areas with spa, sauna and steam rooms.
When it comes to treatments the list is extensive; whether it be Turkish mud treatments, Balinese massage, hydro therapy or just a good old fashioned sauna and steam, you’ll find it here. The facials are wonderfully indulgent and blissfully relaxing – products are gently scented and the heated towel beneath you is guaranteed to make you want to drift off!
Aside from the spa there is also a nail bar, hair salon and men’s grooming lounge, as well as a full gym and outdoor pool for those who like to keep fit. We have to admit we were enjoying the spa far too much to venture out to experience this.
Why Go
Dubai is full of luxury, with all tastes in shopping, dining and relaxation well and truly catered for. If you are looking for that extra little something, brimming with charm and personality, look no further than Grovesnor House.
Website: www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com
Disclosure: IDEAL stayed as a guest of the hotel