Review: Grand Millennium, Dubai

The 352 rooms and suites are split into two distinct areas. First there are 72 superior, 40 deluxe and 24 club bedrooms, all of 330 sqft; there are also 32 business suites of 580 sqft; 34 executive suites of 650 sqft; and one 1,200 sqft Royal suite.

In addition to these there is an apartment suite tower, with 850 sqft one-bedroom and 980 sqft two-bedroom apartments and two palatial 3,350 sqft penthouses.

All these rooms are fully equipped to five-star standards with the latest in flat-screen Samsung LCD TVs, broadband Internet and wireless access, as well as impressive marble bathrooms. It is marketed as a home-from-home for the busy executive, and would be an ideal base for setting up a business in the Tecom zone.

The public spaces and restaurants continue the combination of space and comfortable modern design, and this hotel is created with business entertaining in mind.

Entertaining in style

Downstairs the Crystal Bar greets guests with cocktails and champagne, while the Dante restaurant on the same floor has murals on its high ceiling, good standard Italian cuisine and a terrace for evening dining.

For something different the lavishly finished Asian fusion restaurant at the top of this high-rise building has some great views down over the Dubai Internet City and over to the Palm Jumeirah. Or for all-day buffet dining the Atrium restaurant also boasts some spectacular views.

Half-way up the hotel is an outdoor swimming pool with a bar for refreshments and light snacks. Here you will also find an imposing spa with exquisite marble treatment rooms and an excellent sauna. In addition, the gym is also on this level and equipped with the latest in exercise machines.

The hotel is owned by one of the partners in Al Habtoor Engineering which built to hotel. This perhaps accounts for the high standard of finish, although the delivery was still six months late.

Little details

Business users will appreciate attention to detail, such as a universal remote control in the meeting rooms which activate everything from the curtains to the TV monitor.

At present this area of Dubai is a construction zone but the hotel is well sound-proofed and functions immune to the surrounding building activity. The only inconvenience might be giving way to a passing mobile crane when approaching the hotel.

Otherwise this is an excellent location and will doubtless become a firm favourite with the companies of the Tecom media and internet community both for its useful assortment of meeting rooms and as a convenient hotel for visiting guests and new members of staff.