Habtoor Palace Dubai stands true to its name – it is a palatial city hotel in the centre of Dubai on the main thoroughfare Sheikh Zayed Road. This hotel is designed for business and leisure travellers, with excellent facilities and many dining options.

Arrival

My journey to the hotel started with a stylish Bentley transfer from the airport, a nice introduction to Dubai lifestyle. Courteous driver met me at arrivals, relieved me of the luggage and escorted to a shiny Bentley, ready to whisk me away to a luxurious getaway that is Habtoor Palace Dubai.

After a 20-minute drive we arrived at the Palace and were promptly showed to our suite for check in.  Before guests’ arrival all rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised and have ‘Covid safe’ rating – guests’ safety is the hotel’s priority.

Needless to mention that all staff and guests wear masks in the airport, taxi and hotel’s public areas. The only time when you can take off a mask is in the privacy of your room, at a dining table in a restaurant, on a beach or by a pool.

We arrived late at night and were pleasantly surprised to discover a cheese platter and red wine to settle us in with a nightcap.

Accommodation

Habtoor Palace Dubai offers guests some of the largest rooms in the city, they start from 55 sq meters and all are luxuriously appointed to suit a discerning traveller.

I had a pleasure to stay in a one-bedroom Ambassador Suite, one of the 52 sumptuous suites in the hotel. This elegant and spacious suite feels more like a home, than a hotel room. A little entrance lobby opens up to a luxuriously appointed living room with a comfortable sofa setting, study area, minibar equipped with a coffee machine and a selection of complimentary gourmet teas.

Living room joins to an equally spacious bedroom with a plush king bed, walk in wardrobe and marble bathroom for two with a separate rain shower and pretty bath. I love Italian Acqua Di Parma toiletries, a rare find in the hotels.

But if you are searching for the ultimate luxury, look no further than the Winston Churchill Suite, an iconic, two-storey, three-bedroom suite with its own private entrance.

It is located on the highest floor and comprises of 913 square meters of sublime luxury with multiple living areas, regal bedrooms and bathrooms, various types of marble used throughout, unique furniture, majestic in-room staircase, entertainers terrace and a private plunge pool to mention just a few unique features.

Dining

Habtoor Palace Dubai’ signature restaurant World Cut Steakhouse has been awarded Best Steakhouse in Dubai seven times within the past three years. Dark wood and leather furniture give the restaurant an atmosphere of an old-school American steakhouse. The restaurant owes its reputation to a fine selection of gourmet meat cuts from around the world to suit every palette. Whether you prefer grain fed or grass fed, wagyu or lean meat, Australian or American, World Cut Steakhouse will satisfy your craving. You can even choose a steak knife to suit your steak.

Pair the meat with a beautiful bottle of red from an extensive wine list and you’ll have a superb dining experience right at your doorstep.

For those who have a sweet tooth, hotel’s BQ Patisserie is outstanding –French éclairs on the display have been tempting me every day. BQ Patisserie also serves simple European dishes for lunch like Burrata salad, Mushroom soup, pasta and risotto. If you are in Habtoor Palace for work, it is a nice, quiet place to sit down with a coffee and a laptop or have a business meeting.

Habtoor Palace Dubai is a part of a much larger complex with two other hotels, multiple restaurants and even a show called La Perle, somewhat similar to Cirque Du Soleil. So if you are seeking more dining options or entertainment, head next door for an Italian, Chinese, Japanese feast or a dinner and a show.

Facilities

I am a big spa fan and always enjoy a little bit of pampering on my business trips. Habtoor Palace has a lovely Silk Spa with sauna and Jacuzzi facilities, hammam, decadent marble relaxation area and ultra comfortable massage beds. I had a massage, that was much appreciated after a flight, and enjoyed every moment of it. Treatment rooms are the nicest I’ve seen in Dubai with colour therapy jacuzzi tubs, marble walls and silky sheets.

If you prefer a facial treatment, the spa uses Natura Bisse products from Spain. They have a range to suit every age and products feature active ingredients that would make your skin glow for a couple of days after the treatment.

There is also a pretty swimming pool and fitness room, small but functional, with a few cardio machines and some weight training equipment.

Being a city hotel, Habtoor Palace Dubai doesn’t have a beach nearby, but a day pass to their sister hotel Waldorf Astoria The Palm could be arranged through the concierge. It is a pretty beach with a family and adults-only pools and a great poolside restaurant. It would make a very pleasant day out for those seeking sun and relaxation.

The Lux Traveller Loves

I loved very attentive service. So many examples of that – beautiful snacks and drinks to welcome me on arrival, a little gift or berries or treats brought before bedtime, housekeepers kept made cute animals out of towels and left them on my bed every day, reception staff knew my name, attentive butlers.

I think such wonderful service comes from the leadership of the General Manager. Christophe Mousset, the man behind the Palace, has a world of experience in luxury hospitality and is driving the hotel from strength to strength.

Other things we loved was butler service, opulent suites and fancy Bentley transfers.

Splitting Hairs

A couple of hiccups during my stay were with technology – smart lighting in the room and phones didn’t work properly for a couple of days.

All In All

I would definitely recommend Habtoor Palace for a business traveller or leisure guest looking for luxurious suites, attentive service, gourmet dining and entertainment. Hotel is conveniently located on the main thoroughfare of Dubai, Sheik Zayed Road, close to many of Dubai’s attractions – Palm Jumeirah, Marina, JBR, DIFC, Dubai Mall, Atlantis, all within a 10 to 20 minute drive from the hotel.