Ibn Battuta, the 14th-century wanderer widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest travellers, would probably feel quite at home in the Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate — although he would definitely be unaccustomed to such luxurious surroundings!
The well-appointed guest rooms are tastefully decorated with influences from Battuta’s native Morocco, with terracotta-coloured soft furnishings, mosaic-tiled bathrooms and Arabian lanterns. The suites are tastefully themed after the destinations the great explorer visited, with inspiration from regions as diverse as Andalusia, Russia and China. All accommodations have the amenities you would expect from a 5-star hotel such as free wifi, LCD TV, mini bar, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
The hotel is next door to one of Dubai’s most-loved malls, Ibn Battuta Mall, which is, again, themed around the famed traveller. It’s also a short walk from Dubai’s highly efficient air-conditioned metro.
Restaurants in the hotel are not to be missed and showcase cuisines from Arabia, India, China and the Mediterranean. Dubai is blessed with an abundance of excellent Indian restaurants but if you taste the offerings from Chor Bazaar’s three tandoori ovens you’ll quickly understand why it beat all the competition and was voted BBC Good Food’s ‘Best Indian Restaurant in Dubai’.
Guests at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate have the best of both worlds: the convenience of a city hotel and access to the beach via the hotel’s beach club. There are free transfers and entry to the up-market Oceana Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah. So, when you’ve finished exploring the city and shopping, you can relax with a cocktail and dip your toes in the Arabian Gulf on one of the world’s largest man-made islands.
From US$145, without breakfast
– Only 10 minutes by taxi from one of Dubai’s most vibrant areas, Dubai Marina
– Three floors for business travellers with separate check-in and a lounge area
– Stunning atrium with 68 huge Arabian lanterns
– The pool feels a little ‘closed in’ with the hotel building rising up close by on two sides
+971 4 444 0000 
hotel.dubai.ibnbattuta@movenpick.com
Steve and Candice
Review Team
Sofitel Dubai Downtown is a super stylish hotel which is great for both business travellers and holidaymakers. With three of Dubai’s top attractions – Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain and Dubai Mall – on its doorstep, and a location only 20 minutes from Dubai airport, it makes a perfect stopover hotel. It’s also only a few minutes from the business district of DIFC and the convention centre.
The Sofitel’s rooms are contemporary and funky with swirling patterned carpets and soft tones interrupted by splashes of vivid lime greens or, in the best suites, deep purples and reds. All rooms have free wifi, Nespresso machines, Bose Wave sound systems, and LED high-definition TVs.
The luxurious black-tiled bathrooms come with separate shower and bath tub, generous supplies of toiletries, and plush robes. Rooms have a spacious wardrobe/dressing area with full-length mirror.
Buffet breakfast is served in Les Cuisines, one of Sofitel’s chic restaurants. It offers a wide range of hot and cold options and friendly, prompt service. Alongside all the usual buffet breakfast fare there are great healthy options like detox juice shots, soya milk, gojji berries, nuts and smoothies. There’s even a made-to-order falafel station.
The hotel’s infinity pool overlooks the towers of Downtown Dubai and makes for a very relaxing spot pre- or post- exploring.
From US$140 without breakfast
– Location, location, location: in the heart of Dubai’s most vibrant district with easy access to the rest of the city by metro
– Beautifully designed restaurants with unique décor
– 24-hour gym
– A lot of construction visible from the otherwise beautiful pool (a very common situation in Dubai)
Steve and Candice
Review Team
The Georges is known as one of the top hotels in Lexington and the Shenandoah Valley. The boutique hotel’s 18 rooms are in two buildings across Main Street from each other in two of the oldest buildings in Lexington, dating to 1789 and 1809. “Walls-out” historic restorations were completed by the current owners in 2014 to restore them to their former glory and beyond. The early-1800s’ character remains, but all the modern conveniences have been added.
Each of the 18 suites is unique, with custom furnishings and artwork. The bathrooms have the most modern touch — the heated marble floors and towel warmers coax you out of the walk-in shower, and you’ll have a luxe sleep between your Frette sheets. Some rooms have clawfoot tubs and fireplaces too.
Michelin-starred chef Matthew Bousquet heads The Georges’ culinary program. I had a wonderful dinner at Haywood’s, a casually-elegant restaurant and piano bar in the Washington Building. I sampled Brussels sprouts kissed with local honey; a mac & cheese made with white cheddar, burrata and braised short rib; lamb chops; and a blueberry crumble so good I wanted to lick the dish. Across the street in the Marshall Building is TAPS, a more casual cocktail bar and restaurant serving upscale pub fare, as well as a hidden patio for guests.
The hotel is so pretty that the Jodie Foster / James Earl Jones film “Sommersby” was filmed in The Georges’ Washington Building.
From US$170-$460 inclusive of parking, wifi, gourmet breakfast and afternoon refreshments
– Haywood’s cuisine and piano bar
– Super luxe bathrooms with Frette towels and robes
– Each room is exquisitely and uniquely decorated
– None!
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
This boutique hotel is on Main Street in Lexington, a charming college town with fascinating history, lots to see and do, and with great places to eat. The hotel is named for the general that commanded the Confederate army in the American Civil War and who spent his last years in Lexington as the president of what is now called Washington and Lee University (his house, with the doors to his horse Traveller’s barn remaining open, is a short walk away).
There are 39 guestrooms at the Robert E. Lee. Each has dark wood furniture and high ceilings and there are lovely views of the historic town and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains out every window. The top floor provides the most luxe rooms — the spacious penthouses. Staff provide southern hospitality and go out of their way to ensure you have a good stay.
Be sure to spend time in the Rocca Bar Ristorante. Bartenders know their way with classic and inventive cocktails (try the Icebox Lemon Pie or the refreshing Adeline’s Pastime) and you can sit in the lovely bar or on their sunny patio overlooking the quaint town. I enjoyed a five-course dinner in the beautiful dining room featuring locally-sourced ingredients and fresh Italian dishes created by Rocca’s new chef, who trained in Parma, Italy.
From US$179 inclusive of breakfast
– Just downstairs is Cheese to You, a fantastic cheese shop with an extremely knowledgeable owner
– Rocca Bar Ristorante, on the second floor, serves locally-sourced contemporary and authentic Italian cuisine
– Drop off your luggage before you take your car around the block to park
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor