The Best Business Accommodation in Dubai
Heading to Dubai for business? Here’s where to check in.
Armani Hotel Dubai
It’s not often you can claim that the man who designed your suit also styled your suite. Occupying the first nine floors of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, with suites on levels 38 and 39, the Armani Hotel Dubai is without a doubt the city’s most stylish address. Understated and elegant, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani’s lifestyle concept is a sleek, muted and masculine affair. Neutral shades of grey and brushed gold are a signature theme across the interior of the spire-shaped structure that Tom Cruise scaled in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The 160-room luxury hotel is in Downtown Dubai, near The Dubai Mall and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Armani’s touch is evident in every last detail, down to the velour smoking slippers in the wardrobes.
Business facilities There are two boardrooms, two event rooms, a ballroom for 450 people and an outdoor pavilion suitable for 1000 guests. Al Majlis – designed in the style of a traditional Arabian meeting room– is ideal for intimate business meetings, while Armani/Lounge has private nooks for small catch-ups. Wi-fi Complimentary
Food and wine The hotel’s seven dining and drinking outlets include Armani/Deli, which serves fresh Italian lunchtime options, and contemporary Japanese restaurant Armani/Hashi.
Fitness and wellbeing Unwind at Armani/Spa or work up a sweat at the 24-hour gym, where you can hire a personal trainer.
Grosvenor House Dubai
This sophisticated Dubai Marina hotel has a hint of English charm despite its laid-back Arabian Gulf location. Tower One and Tower Two have 749 rooms, suites, villas and serviced residences, including a ladies-only wing. Lit up at night, the buildings, shooting 45 storeys into the sky, look like two giant blue lightsabers. Close to Dubai Media City and Dubai Marina Mall, the hotel carves out its
cool with hip London-inspired design accents. Naturally, a huge red gorilla sculpture chest-thumps over the fleet of Ferraris and Lamborghinis marking their territory outside. When you’re not enjoying the hotel’s 24-hour butler service, take advantage of some of the most reliable pampering spots in the city. For gents, 1847 offers manly mani-pedis and luxury shaves, while the hairdressers at JetSet are topnotch.
Business facilities There are seven meeting rooms, from small boardrooms to a ballroom suitable for 400 guests. Level 5 is a business and leisure lounge for Premier Room guests and SPG Platinum members. Wi-fi Complimentary
Food and wine Gary Rhodes’ dishes at Rhodes W1 are inspired by the chef’s British heritage, while Latin restaurant and tapas bar Toro Toro draws a discerning crowd – and that’s just two of your 15 dining options.
Fitness and wellbeing B/Attitude Spa has 12 treatment rooms, five hammam pools, a gym (open 24 hours) and a juice bar.
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
In a city that prides itself on superlatives, it’s no surprise that the world’s tallest hotel is also one of Dubai’s best bases for business. The 1608-room hotel takes inspiration for its structural design from the local date palm, with its staggered twin-towers echoing the ridges of the tree’s trunk. There’s little to stop your ego inflating on the ride to the top of this 77-storey structure. Just ask rapper Wyclef Jean, who ushered throngs of club-goers to his penthouse here following a gig at the hotel’s VIP Room Dubai in 2014. Located in Business Bay, what the hotel lacks in coastal views it makes up for in bragging rights.
Business facilities Thirty-two rooms take care of meetings and events, including two ballrooms that each cater to more than 1000 guests. A 24-hour executive lounge offers express check-in and complimentary breakfast. Wi-fi Free in public areas; from 60 AED ($23) a day in-room.
Food and wine Enjoy a drink at Vault then move to Prime68 for a steak or GQ Bar for unlimited-sushi deals on Sundays.
Fitness and wellbeing Soak in the Dead Sea Flotation Pool – with salts shipped in from the Dead Sea – at Saray Spa or swim in a pool that plays music under water. There’s also a 24-hour gym if you’re just looking to get in some cardio or weights.
Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
These luxurious digs are set on the golden sands of Jumeirah Beach, across the water from the sail-like Burj Al Arab hotel. With a desert-hued façade, weaving waterways and traditional Arabic wind towers, Mina A’Salam melts into the landscape. Located near Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina, the 292-room boutique hotel is part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort complex, which is where you’ll find some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. The hotel’s spacious lagoon doubles as a sea turtle rehabilitation centre. Get up close to the endangered animals at feeding time, every Wednesday at 11am.
Business facilities There’s one boardroom, two ballrooms, a conference hall and Madinat Arena, which seats up to 4500 guests. The Club Executive Lounge offers airport transfers, a pressing service and pre-dinner drinks and canapés.mWi-fi Complimentary – and it’s even available at the beach.
Food and wine The opportunity to ride an abra (traditional wooden boat) through the canals to some 40 restaurants and bars is all part of Mina A’Salam’s charm – and it’s quicker than walking. Set sail for chic wine bar The Agency, Al Makan (Lebanese food) and Rivington Grill (elegant British lunch fare). Inside the hotel, head to Tortuga for of-the-moment Mexican cuisine and Bahri Bar for meze plates and cocktails.
Fitness and wellbeing The fitness centre has a high-altitude suite, 25-metre swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and a rock-climbing wall. If that sounds like hard work, get a Relax and Revive treatment at Talise Spa.
