The Westin oozes style even as you enter the lobby. As you make your way past the grand atrium and along wide, quiet corridors, you can guess that your room is going to be impressive. My deluxe suite didn’t disappoint and had views over the resort and the Arabian Gulf beyond, a separate living room, a dressing room, and a bathroom with a fantastically deep tub as well as a separate shower cubicle. The Westin’s signature ‘Heavenly bed’ lived up to its billing and if there wasn’t so much to discover at the resort I may well have had difficulty leaving it.

The resort has three pools, including a lap pool and covered children’s pool. Junior guests are very well taken care of with a complimentary kids’ club seven days per week, beach games and special menus as well as a babysitting service.

Adults are kept occupied with a wide range of water sports, being pampered in the Heavenly Spa, or simply lazing on the very nice beach.

The hotel has great restaurants too. I had a delicious lunch in Bussola, the Italian restaurant, and Bubbilicious, the Friday brunch, is one of the most popular brunches in a city bursting with options. There are even acrobats, a petting zoo and kids’ corner to keep children entertained while adults savour brunch.

The Westin goes above and beyond to ensure not just the wellbeing of guests but of the planet and children too. They have a fantastic initiative where you can forego housekeeping for a day (or more) and they will donate $6 to UNICEF for environmental and educational work with children.

It’s a great hotel for all the family with lots to offer business guests too.

 
Situated at the furthest reaches of the man-made palm shaped island, the Palm Jumeirah, Anantara the Palm is a little bit of Thailand in Dubai. Water is everywhere: from the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf which lap the resort, to the three huge lagoon pools spread throughout the property and the infinity pool by the beach.

Built in Thai style with on-demand tuk tuks to ferry guests around the resort, Anantara merges Thai architecture with traditional Arabian hospitality – including a unique welcome in the lobby from the hotel’s resident falconer. He is in the lobby every day greeting guests with his stunning Peregrine falcon perched on his arm. To see this beautiful bird, the emblem of the UAE, and the get the chance to hold her and take photos was a huge thrill.

There are a variety of rooms from those with direct access to the lagoon pools, to villas with private infinity pools right on the beach. I was staying in one of the Middle East’s first over water bungalows (the only others being at the yet to open sister resort, Anantara Banana Island, in Qatar). With lots of wood and warm, earthy colours contrasting with the blue of the surrounding sea, the villa was private, large (106m²) and had with a bathroom bigger than many hotel rooms, complete with a huge bathtub built for two. There was also a balcony with shaded double day bed and sun loungers. With glass panel on floor giving views of any passing sea life this villa was luxury defined and truly romantic. Perfect for honeymooners or a getaway a deux.

There is plenty to do at the resort from a variety of water sports to a wonderful spa, to a gym and tennis courts. The on-site restaurants are excellent and I was particularly impressed with Bushman’s, the Australian restaurant which, despite specialising in meat and seafood, still managed to delight my vegetarian palate. And who knew so many types of salt existed?! The salt guru will give you samples and stories and advise on the best salt to accompany your meal.

The resort is ideal for those looking for a get-away-from-it all break. The city is a cab ride away if you need it but you may well find that you really don’t want to leave this beautiful resort at all.

 
Located beside Dubai Creek, the inlet from the sea that was the centre of Dubai’s trading past, the Park Hyatt is a lush oasis in the heart of old Dubai. The gardens are filled with palm trees heavy with green, ripening dates, and the hotel is adjacent to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club further adding to the feeling of an escape from the busy city outside.

All the rooms look out over Dubai Creek, either from their balcony or terrace, wonderful in the cooler months when it’s comfortable to sit outside and take in the view. Even the standard rooms are spacious (starting at 58m²) with neutral tones adding to the relaxing ambience of the entire hotel. I was lucky enough to have a terrace and enjoyed sitting outdoors, gazing out towards the Creek and admiring the yachts crowding the marina.

The hotel is situated in bustling Deira, making it ideal to explore the souks and heritage area. Browse – or buy – at the gold and spice souks then take an abra (traditional water taxi) with locals to the other side of the Creek for the textile souk, Dubai Museum and heritage area. Don’t forget to haggle in the souks, it’s expected and all part of the fun.

Golfers will think they are in heaven with the fine course right on the hotel’s doorstep. Perfect for experiencing one of Dubai’s outstanding golf courses without trailing across the city to do so.

Being just a few minutes from Dubai’s main airport, Park Hyatt is an ideal spot for those on a short visit who want to experience the traditional side of Dubai and still retreat to luxury at the end of a day; or those who want to split their holiday between beach and city locations.

 
Through the gently incense-scented corridors, over the Persian rugs and past the Arabian lanterns. Surely I’m in a palace and not a hotel?

The One & Only Royal Mirage resort is outstanding and the 48 room Residence & Spa section is its piece de resistance. My suite was spacious, comfortable and perfectly laid out, with a mosaic tiled shower and large sized Molton Brown toiletries as well as a roomy balcony with views of the hotel gardens and the Arabian Gulf.

The hotel’s Arabian architectural style and interior design is simply stunning. It’s well established but has been recently refurbished and is in pristine condition. It felt like home immediately – if my home was a exquisite palace. I needed a lot of assistance from the dedicated team assigned to each Residence and Spa guest and they were unfailing in their support and kindness. I had a broken foot and was using a wheelchair for most of my stay and I would call for assistance and somebody would be there, with a smile, almost immediately. ‘My’ team were fantastic, coming to me at regular intervals in my room, by the pool or wherever I happened to be, with ice packs for my foot. Certainly no sheikha in her palace has had more attentive service.

The beautifully kept gardens have decorative pools with trickling fountains and lead to a 1km long private beach and also contain a large private swimming pool just for Residence and Spa guests.

I dined at the Celebrities restaurant which, despite the less than appealing name, had good service and very good food. Breakfast was also of a high standard, ordered off the menu and cooked to order.

I’ve tried hard to think of any negatives about the Residence and Spa and have drawn a blank so far. I arrived expectant. I departed enchanted.