Just moments away from three of Dubai’s top tourist attractions – Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain and Dubai Mall – Manzil Downtown is in the heart of the city’s very popular Downtown area. The Arabesque design blends perfectly with the surrounding Old Town residential district which, despite its name, is home to sought-after modern apartments. This small traditionally-styled district, with its winding alleyways and lantern-like street lighting, provides a welcome contrast to the ultra-modern mall and skyscrapers nearby.
The hotel’s prime location is complemented by a great guest experience. A plethora of doormen greet you with smiles after the short journey from the airport. The hotel lobby is welcoming, small enough to feel intimate yet undoubtedly oozing the glamour you’d expect from a top class Dubai hotel.
After a warm welcome from the front desk and a welcome early check-in, we were very happy to see our deluxe room. The 32-square metre sleek and contemporary room is the entry level accommodation but has ample space for two people to spread out and relax – and one child under 12 is welcome to share the room with parents. There is a desk area, armchair, comfortable king-sized bed and amenities such as a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and flat screen internet protocol TV. The bathroom is large with twin vanities, separate shower and bath tub, and toilet cubicle. All guest rooms at Manzil Downtown have a balcony and ours overlooked Old Town, with a sideways view of Burj Khalifa.
The pool area is fringed with palm trees and helpfully sits on the second floor so that you have a great view of the surrounding district but also catch any breeze. There’s a gym with cardio equipment and a range of weights machines and dumbbells; it’s open 24 hours a day which is perfect for jet-lagged guests.
We ate several times in the Boulevard Kitchen restaurant which serves a delicious array of Middle Eastern dishes as well as healthy salads and sinful desserts. The outdoor Courtyard restaurant was another favourite, its peaceful ambience and soft lighting at night make it an ideal place not only to eat but to enjoy shisha and tea for the evening.
Close to the airport and steps from top tourist attractions as well as an abundance of restaurants, Manzil Downtown is in the perfect location for a stopover break in Dubai.
From US$230 without breakfast; optional breakfast $34
– Unbeatable location within easy reach of the airport and moments from major tourist attractions
– Comfortable rooms and stylish Arabesque design
– Excellent sports bar attached to the hotel
– Service at breakfast was frustratingly slow
– Shortage of plug sockets and USB ports in the room, especially around the desk area
Steve and Candice
Review Team
A new hotel in the up-and-coming Dubai Water Canal district in Business Bay, the Raddison Blu Dubai Waterfront is an excellent choice for both business and leisure travellers.
We stayed in a deluxe room with a large balcony and a view of the canal and Burj Khalifa. The room was a great place to relax with two easy chairs for lounging, a large bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, and all the in-room amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel – mini bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, international TV channels, free highspeed wifi and a comfortable bed with top-quality linens.
We dined at the outdoor terrace of Fire Lake Grill House and Cocktail Bar which offered a wide range of flame-cooked top-quality seafood and meats as well as a small selection of vegetarian dishes. The setting was sublime, with the glittering towers of Business Bay and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, providing the perfectly decadent backdrop to delicious pre-dinner cocktails.
The hotel’s affable general manager is a Scot (like us) and there are Scottish touches throughout the hotel. From the Nigerian doorman resplendent in his kilt, to the Scottish bar and the cutlery at breakfast laid out in a cross, reminiscent of the Saltire, Scotland’s flag, these little Caledonian touches give the hotel a distinct character.
The most distinctive thing about the hotel, however, is the staff. In a city packed with luxury choices and great service, Radisson Blu Dubai Waterfront’s staff really do live up to the hotel’s slogan of “the friendliest 5-star hotel in Dubai”. I don’t quite know how the manager has done it – although he did personally meet each and every staff member during their recruitment process – but he has engendered a genuine warmth and friendliness throughout the hotel. With hundreds of staff from 41 countries, it’s quite an achievement and one which makes for a memorable stay.
From US$87 without breakfast (breakfast costs $30)
– Within easy reach of a metro station
– Adjacent to Dubai’s most ‘happening’ district, Downtown, with some of the major tourist attractions in the city
– Excellent accommodation, amazing staff and great food mean the hotel is fantastic value for money
– The pool area is quite bare and could benefit from some landscaping
– The area around the hotel is still being developed so there is currently not much to do within walking distance
+971 4 249 7800 
info.waterfront.dubai@radissonblu.com
Steve and Candice
Review Team
Fairmont The Palm has all the cachet that comes from its location on prestigious Palm Jumeirah island but with the convenience of easy accessibility to the attractions of the mainland – although with ten restaurants and lounges and a plethora of things to do, you may find you don’t want to leave the resort at all.
Entrance is through a grand, high-ceiled marble lobby adorned with Arabic artworks and beautiful, extravagant flower displays. The luxurious modern guest rooms are designed to reflect the colours of sun, sea and sand and feature Arabian touches such as the geometric patterns in the headboards and intricate detailing on the lamps.
We stayed in a 48-sq.-metre deluxe room with stunning views over the resort, the Arabian Gulf and the glittering towers of Dubai Marina in the distance. The beds were wonderfully comfortable although the pillows were a little soft. The room had a well-set-up desk area and sofa and was a great place to relax after a busy day. The best feature of all was the large balcony with table and chairs and a chaise longue – a perfect place to have a drink and admire the view before heading to one of the hotel’s excellent restaurants. Particularly worth visiting is Little Miss India, one of the finest Indian restaurants in town. The excellent food is prepared in an open kitchen and served by knowledgeable and helpful staff.
As well as five outdoor pools, the hotel has a well-equipped gym and offers daily fitness classes, beach volleyball, beach football, watersports and a range of other activities. From the fitness fanatic to someone who just wants to be a little healthier on holiday, everybody will find something to get them moving. As a contrast, the Willow Spa offers top-class treatments in a refined and utterly serene environment that will leave you blissfully relaxed.
Fairmont The Palm is the perfect hotel for a relaxing beach holiday on the Palm, safe in the knowledge that Dubai Marina and the rest of Dubai’s attractions are only a taxi ride away.
From US$200 including breakfast
– Accessible rooms which are specially designed for those with mobility, visual or aural difficulties
– One of the best locations on Palm Jumeirah
– Quiet, adults-only pool
– Currently not much to do within walking distance – though this will change soon when the new boulevard of restaurants and cafes opens
Steve and Candice
Review Team
The views out to the sparkling Indian Ocean are stunning. I’m told that the waters off lovely Port Elizabeth are some of the best in the world for dolphin-spotting, but I’m busy exploring the city and the Route 67 art walk this visit, so the dolphins will have to wait for next time.
The Boardwalk Hotel, one of Sun International’s properties, has a prime location in sunny Port Elizabeth along the Golden Mile. You can enjoy the spectacular views from the balcony of your room (each of the 140 rooms faces the ocean), from the pool on the second floor, or through the immense windows of the first-floor restaurant and lounge. Or cross the street to the beach to take a swim and admire the view back to the hotel’s Victorian-style architecture. There’s a chance of seeing dolphins from each location.
The Boardwalk’s well-appointed spacious rooms and suites have a private balcony with views out to the sea. They come with all the accessories and comforts you’d expect, plus a gorgeous bathtub in addition to the separate shower room. Whether you’re in Port Elizabeth with kids, for a relaxing vacation, or for work, you’ll be pleased with your stay at the five-star Boardwalk.
The hotel is located within The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World. In addition to the casino, there are on-property shops and dining, including several places ideal for kids. Don’t miss the twice-nightly (thrice on weekends) Lake Spectacular Light Show with dancing fountains. There’s also dining within the hotel, including the buffet breakfast, included in rates.
Port Elizabeth is known as South Africa’s Friendly City and you will feel welcomed and relaxed as you stroll along the beach, through town, or admiring the works of art that make up Route 67, the art walk celebrating the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent in political activism.
From US$150 inclusive of wifi and a buffet breakfast
– Gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean
– Spacious and beautiful rooms
– While there are shops and restaurants on the property, you’ll feel more like you’re at a resort than in a city hotel … which may be exactly what you’re after
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor