The Fairmont Dubai

United Arab Emirates
Africa and Middle East

The Experience

Centuries ago, when Dubai was a small, steamy port centered around the pearl trade, local craftsmen developed the barajeel, a rooftop tower capable of catching and funneling even gentle breezes into living spaces, allowing desert visitors to rest in surprising comfort. And from the day it opened in 2002, the Fairmont Dubai's striking architecture has reflected this tradition—the building itself resembles a 34-story barajeel, presenting an iconic image of comfort before travelers have even arrived. Inside, the Fairmont's airy interior, plush furnishings, and highly attentive service honor yet another local custom: Arabian hospitality.

The Rooms

You'll find well-appointed baths, tasteful modern furnishings, large work areas, excellent climate control, wifi, satellite TV from 16 countries and even polished granite floors that cool tired feet. Six penthouse suites feature personal butler service and views reaching to the Palm Islands; the Imperial Suite, the hotel's largest, is two stories high with vast floor-to-ceiling windows, an indoor Jacuzzi and a rooftop terrace. When not occupied by multi-millionaires or heads of state, it's suitably impressive for product launch parties and similar high-end gatherings.

The Service

Willow Stream is 40,000 feet of treatment rooms, hammam steam rooms, rooftop pools and a 24-hour gym—especially useful, because the Fairmont also offers no fewer than ten dining venues. The standouts: Cin Cin is a chrome and glass wine bar featuring over 300 labels and 53 wines by the glass; its collection of French vintages may be tops in the region. And don't miss Spectrum on One, an award-winning eclectic mix of six global cuisines. (But call ahead—it's so fully booked that during the filming of Syriana, even George Clooney couldn't get a table.)

The Highlights

Dubai offers more beaches, nightclubs and shopping than you can shake a per diem at, but corporate visitors often stay just long enough to accomplish a specific task, so a hotel especially suited to business travelers is in order. Linked to Dubai's World Trade Center and Convention Center by a covered walkway, the Fairmont's 18 meeting rooms (most with panoramic views) and array of restaurants (with 24-hour room service and catering available) mean that nearly any gathering can be accommodated in style. Plus, the Fairmont's Gold "hotel within a hotel" service features complimentary airport transfers, an efficiently staffed business center and top-flight concierge service. This particular barajeel makes getting work done in Dubai a breeze.

 

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