Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, Dubai

BACKGROUND Much like the recently opened Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, this is a ‘twoin-one’ complex with hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA), although it’s been open a good deal longer, since January 2014. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel only has eight floors which creates a cosey feel and while it may not have all the jaw-dropping accoutrements of the 1,608-room JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, for example, the lifts are quick and taxi queues short.

Elite Rewards members have their own desk at check-in (and mobile check in) and it was interesting to see the pop-up banner behind, promoting the three programmes within the ‘new Marriott’ following the Starwood merger. Alongside the 352 rooms, the tower comprises 128 MEA units (42 one-beds, 68 two-beds and 18 three-beds).

The F&B is small yet strong, the large sixth floor executive lounge is a comfortable space and wooden flooring in the room creates a homely aura. A subtle Arabic theme runs throughout, with Mashrabiya designs in the public areas, rooms and ballroom, and a small shop by reception, next to a display showing dhow heritage, is stocked with essentials. WHERE IS IT? The positives are the five-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and close access to Al Khail Road (Downtown Dubai is equally accessible), but its proximity to the highway – and busy Oud Metha Road – is a double-edged sword as it’s means many whizz past. Not much has come up around the hotel in the last two years, but this is Dubai, so expect more development in the vicinity; for now, the lack of other buildings adds to a sense of exclusivity. ROOM FACILITIES We stayed in a seventh floor executive suite (#782), the first room set back from the main corridor which had some abstract art pieces; it was the first time I’d ever stayed on the same floor as the spa, so the aromas as you entered and left the lift were novel. The spacious lounge had a large TV, oval desk stacked with connectivity points, tea/coffee making facilities and sizeable guest toilet while the bathroom, beyond wooden sliding doors, had an oval bath, and separate cubicles for shower and toilet (toiletries from Acca Kappa). An attractive vanity area was sandwiched between ample cupboard space and the safe. RESTAURANTS & BARS The lobby level Market Place serves up a comprehensive breakfast with separate Asian, Arabic and egg stations and stand- alone fixtures for pastries, fruits and cereals (buffet options too around the corner). The first floor contains the Italian Merletto and Scots American Grill; we enjoyed the first Cuts and Kilts evening brunch (‘Scottish fare with American flair’) which serves a choice of three courses accompanied by free-flowing drinks (AED225 per person). The quality of the US marbled meat was fabulous, and you can see the chefs cutting it up on the left.

Despite the scale, it was heartening to see the executive lounge full for evening snacks/drinks – and equally refreshing to see more hearty dishes (eg Cacciatore Chicken) alongside all the discreet salad dishes (above right). A newly designed bar area served decent DV Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Here and in Scots we enjoyed the light-changing Burj Khalifa views.

Complementing the 24-hour lobby lounge on the left of the lobby is birdnest lighting and a soothing water feature. MEETING FACILITIES The ballroom can hold 880 theatre-style and 500/550 for round-of-10 dinners, and can be partitioned into five sections, and it’s complemented by eight meeting rooms (four can open up into larger rooms) that feature Bose sound systems. LEISURE FACILITIES You can access the pool by taking the lift up to the eighth floor or up steps through the Saray Spa, which also contains a decent gym stacked with Starc equipment. The pool is narrow, long enough for some laps in the morning but busy on the weekend afternoons, and the Jacuzzi is big enough to warrant its own crossing. A bar and poolside dining is available, the chicken on my caesar salad came grilled kebab-style, and the pasta arrabiatta would have been substantial for an adult, let alone a nine-year-old.

Plenty of seating and patio space is available – which made me wonder why the pool couldn’t have been larger. Some of the towels were frayed. Dominic Ellis VERDICT I am sure many Marriott loyalists know this is a decent hotel but does everyone else, amid Dubai’s five-star cacophony? The roadside setting makes it an accessible location and it’s fine if your business is in central Dubai.