Browse
related articles
First impressions
Rezidor took over the property, previously the JAL hotel, in July this year and has aimed it towards the more luxurious market. A Japanese theme runs through the hotel, something which instills a pleasant, calming atmosphere from the moment a guest walks through the door. As you'd expect in any Dubai property, customer relations are excellent. Helpful desk staff give a warm welcome and any request is met with the maximum assistance possible.
Hotel rooms
To say the rooms are spacious would be a disservice. The suites in particular are bigger than the average one bedroom apartment and for a business person staying in Dubai for a week, offer everything needed to create a comfortable space away from the hustle and bustle of a business trip. A huge bathroom, walk in closet, two widescreen TVs and a large desk all contribute significantly to the rooms feeling like a luxury home rather than those darkened, cramped rooms more associated with travelling abroad for work.
Hotel dining
The gem in the hotel's dining options is undoubtedly the Japanese themed Icho Restaurant. It is located over three floors at the top of the building. No matter where diners sit they are treated to outstanding views. The lowest floor offers regular seated dining. The second floor offers visitors the chance sit around live cooking stations and watch their food being cooked in front of them. The top floor hosts a DJ on the weekends and has a lively atmosphere. The food itself is exquisite with the Wagyu beef a particular highlight.
Health and fitness facilities
The hotel's health and fitness facilities are immaculate. The spa offers a supremely relaxed environment, giving visitors the impression they are thousands of miles away from the exhibition halls over the road. The pool area, although overlooking one of the less glamorous parts of Dubai at the back of the hotel, is still well laid out and brilliantly staffed. The pool snacks are varied and tasty enough to keep visitors by the pool when they feel hungry. The gym, as you would expect from a brand new hotel, is full of the latest equipment. Several treadmills and cross trainers mean the wait for equipment to become free is either nonexistent or short. Trainers are on standby in the gym to give assistance where needed.
Conclusions
The best compliment a hotel situated so close to the business centre of Dubai could be given is that it's relaxing atmosphere lets visitors believe they are in a far off resort, away from the troubles of exhibitions, meetings and sales pitches. This is something which can definitely be said of the Radisson Royal. It has a perfect location for a businessman visiting Dubai, and once inside a perfect environment to relax and escape.
Peter Ward, Reporter
