Dubai hotel review: The Palace Hotel

The Palace Hotel is located in the Downtown area of Dubai, joined to the Souk Al Bahar and extremely close to Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. As such, attractions are of no short supply to visitors of the hotel. The area is generally agreed to be in the middle of Dubai, with both Dubai Marina and Bur Dubai not too far away. This middle ground allows good quick access to all of Dubai's various business hubs.

The decor of the hotel has a very Arabic theme, and the hotel openly targets a GCC based clientele. For visitors to the region this adds a welcome sense of culture to a visit, while those from within the GCC will just be delighted with the cool, calming atmosphere which resonates from the hotel.

The rooms in the hotel live up to the high standards set by the welcoming lobby area. Spacious and extremely comfortable, it's almost like being in a small apartment. The bed is a huge lap of luxury, while the bathroom boasts a walk in shower with a waterfall style shower head, a good sized bath and a host of high end shower gels, shampoos etc. A giant plasma screen TV provides entertainment, as does the iPod dock and radio beside the bed. Wireless internet is available to hotel guests free of charge, allowing a travelling business person to easily check emails and internet during their stay.

Many of the rooms have balconies which actually back onto the Dubai Fountain lake, which gives guests an exceptional view from their rooms. However, there is one drawback to being so close to the Dubai Fountain lake - and that is the Dubai Fountain. When the first show begins and the huge shoots of water and music are playing, you may feel privileged to be so close to what is an excellent show. But after the fountain has begun its routine for the 10th time that day, the whole process becomes slightly annoying. Those looking for an early night's sleep may also be woken by the cannon-like bang which resonates around the lake as the fountain's night show continues.

Three exceptional dining options are on offer in the hotel. The Argentinean steak house Asado comes with a huge reputation as one of the finest restaurants in Dubai, and it doesn't disappoint. Staff are more than welcoming, explaining the menu with a high level of detail, offering tours of the kitchen and even showing off the expansive wine cellar. The signature dish of the restaurant is goat, which is cooked for hours over charcoals, making it a beautifully tender meat. No Argentinean restaurant is complete without a healthy range of steaks and Asado is no different. A fine choice of South American beef is rolled out for each visitor to inspect prior to making their choice. Steaks are magnificently cooked and side dishes are wonderfully complimentary to the meat. A fine selection of desserts rounds off what is a brilliant menu. Ewaan restaurant offers traditional Arabic cuisine with buffets and live cooking stations, while Thiptara features Thai food and an epic setting, facing the Burj Khalifa. Overall the dining options at the hotel are varied, plentiful and exquisite.

The hotel also features a swimming pool, spa and gym. The spa offers a number of different treatments for travel weary visitors, and can bring a fantastic level of relaxation. Spa treatments can also be ordered to the room. The gym may be modestly sized but is well equipped and serves it purpose. A new concept soon to be introduced at the hotel is the in-room workout. Guests can have a personal training session conducted in their hotel room. A team of well drilled and energetic instructors take guests through a series of exercises, put together to give a quick and easy work out for those not keen or not able to get to the gym.

The Palace Hotel has the benefit of an exceptional location, and builds on this with brilliant service and exceptional leisure facilities, while its dining options are a cut above the average Dubai hotel. Many hotels in the world find themselves ridiculed when their property fails to live up to a self aggrandising name, The Palace Hotel, with its regal luxury, has no such problem.