Sofitel Dubai Downtown

The most business-friendly hotel of the three Sofitels in Dubai (Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa and Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach being the others) opened in May 2014. Its central location makes its convenient for corporates visiting on DIFC-related business and the 274-room hotel continues to prosper from Downtown’s ongoing development and proximity to Dubai Mall.

Rooms in the 31-storey building offer Jumeirah coastline and Burj Khalifa views; such are the changes in the vicinity that the once-clear views of the tallest tower are now obscured by a new Emaar tower, although you still get an unobstructed view in the far pool in the Mosaic Pool & Lounge – one of two on the fifth floor, which is connected to the hotel by an elevated walkway. As befits all Sofitels, there are plenty of pleasant artistic touches throughout. French artist Bénédicte Gimonnet’s Lineaments is on display on the first floor until February 28.

Flanked by two towers and adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, it’s a short walk opposite Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro, although most travellers will arrive from Dubai International (15 minutes away).

We stayed in a 17th floor corner Opera Suite (#1701) which had sweeping Jumeirah and Sheikh Zayed Road views – and also views of the under-construction Dubai Arena entertainment complex in CityWalk on one side, and The Address Boulevard (opening soon) on the other. Abstract art adorned the living room and bedroom walls and the stand-alone oval bath was a feature of the bathroom which had a vast wardrobe and spacious shower (Hermes toiletries). The bedside had a Bluetooth speaker and touch-pad lighting. We were made aware of butler services as we settled in, but didn’t need them on a short stay. I couldn’t get the USB port next to the desk to work but managed to charge through the TV socket.

Les Cuisines serves a comprehensive breakfast with cereals, Omelette station, Arabic breads and you won’t find a wider range of jams by the pastries. We enjoyed pre-dinner canapés and drinks at Club Millésime on the ground floor (terrace outside). The 31st floor has a brace of third party venues, the Peruvian Inka and newer Jaan at the Penthouse – we dined at the latter, a novel Indian-Japanese fusion from chef and owner Farrokh Khambata which serves a wide range of tapasstyle small plates and main courses, and contains a striking lounge bar as you walk through. Other F&B VERDICT options include the contemporary Asian Wakame, La Patisserie lounge & Café, Mosaic Pool & Lounge, Above bar and Tiaga nightclub.

The Diamond ballroom can seat up to 450 for dinners and there are 12 meeting rooms with natural daylight.

I swam in the lap pool while my partner had a dip in the adjacent relaxation pool that meanders around palm trees. The second floor So Spa features seven treatment rooms, couple’s room, dry sauna, steam and hammam facilities. Dominic Ellis Online rates for stays mid-February start from AED1,150, rising to AED1,400 for Luxury Premium Club rooms and AED1,480 for Opera Suites.

Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +9714 5036666, email: H7492@sofitel.com, sofitel-dubai-downtown.com