WHAT'S IT LIKE? Open since October last year, the Address Downtown Burj Dubai is an extremely luxurious five-star city-centre property with views across a man-made lagoon that has one of the world’s most extravagant fountains in its centre, capable of sending jets of water 70 metres into the air. The hotel is also adjacent to one of the world’s largest shopping centres, Dubai Mall, and has a rooftop bar for evening drinks. When I stayed, the staff were very helpful, arranging taxis for me, taking the time to find out the location of my appointments and explaining to the driver exactly where I wanted to go.
WHERE IS IT? In the Downtown Burj Dubai development, with the world’s tallest tower – the 818-metre Burj Dubai – at its centre. The hotel is less than 15 minutes from Dubai International airport, traffic permitting, and is within easy reach of several of Dubai’s landmarks and popular destinations.
ROOM FACILITIES The tower is 63 storeys high, with 196 rooms, including 25 suites, located on floors seven to 12. There are also 626 residences available for short and long stays on floors 15-60. Rooms have views of Burj Dubai, the Old Town and Burj Dubai Boulevard, and come in a range of categories including Deluxe, which are 55 sqm and have dark wood Venetian blinds dividing the bedroom and the bathroom; Premier, which measure 70 sqm and have balconies; and Grand, which measure 85 sqm and also have balconies.
Club Premier rooms are the same size as the Premier rooms but offer guests access to the Club lounge on the seventh floor. This offers free food and drink five times a day, free airport transportation, a VIP welcome service on landing and use of a boardroom. In addition, there are 85 sqm Club Grand rooms, 110 sqm Junior suites, 130 sqm Executive suites, four Spa suites measuring 160 sqm, and the 200 sqm Tower suite. I was impressed by the 24-hour check-in and check-out policy for all guests – I arrived in Dubai at 4am and left at 4am for an onward flight three days later, and was charged in 24-hour blocks.
All rooms come with free wifi and local phone calls, flatscreen TVs, iPod docks, tea and coffee-making facilities, DVD/CD players, safes, minibars, and marble bathrooms with separate baths and showers.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS The seven eating and drinking venues include Neos bar on the 63rd floor (open 6pm-2am), Chinese restaurant Hukama on the sixth floor (7pm-11pm), and Fazaris, an all-day diner on level five. There is also a large outdoor area, which is a great choice if you want to take in the views across the marina, although not so good in the hottest months between May and September, especially if you are wearing a suit. If you are relaxing, it is very pleasant, with a children’s pool, sun loungers and a chilled infinity pool cascading over five piers.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Venues include two ballrooms, a boardroom and two meeting rooms. The Symphony ballroom has floor-to-ceiling views facing Burj Dubai and the fountains, and can accommodate up to 550 delegates. It can also be split into three smaller rooms. It is decorated with Arabic patterns and elegant wood panelling, and has various lighting schemes. Catering is of a very high standard, with chefs from Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, New Zealand, France, Switzerland and Germany.
LEISURE FACILITIES The spa and fitness area is on the 13th floor, although to reach it you have to descend to the lobby from your room, walk across to another bank of lifts and then go back up. The spa is open from 9am to 9pm and has 11 treatment rooms, steam rooms, a sauna, a hair and nail studio, and relaxation zones. A gym with state-of-the-art equipment is next door.
VERDICT An excellent new option for business travellers wanting a five-star hotel with good meeting facilities and a central location in Dubai.
Fact file
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 196, including 20 Deluxe rooms, 85 Premier rooms, 32 Grand rooms, 22 Club Premier rooms, 12 Club Grand rooms, four Junior suites, 16 Executive suites, four Spa suites and one Tower suite.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The views over the marina are worth asking for – you could watch the 70-metre high fountain all evening.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in July started from Dhs 1,198 (£200) for a Deluxe room.
CONTACT The Address Downtown Burj Dubai, Burj Dubai Boulevard; tel +971 4436 8888; theaddress.com
Tom Otley
