Introduction

I arrive at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai just after four in the morning, roughly eight hours behind schedule. I had aready sent the hotel an email while I was stuck on the ground in Paris to let them know that I would be arriving late, but that they should keep the room for me.

The Room

This time, I’ve been upgraded to a deluxe room with a view overlooking the pool below and the famous Burj Khalifa Tower. Especially at night, with all the lights on, the view is fantastic! The door opens into a wide hallway, with the wardrobe on the left side. The rooms at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai are generally very spacious and comfortable.

The bed is a King double and very comfortable. The surface of the mattress is soft, but under it is a firm texture that provides great lumbar support.

There is a comfortable round armchair that can be swiveled around by the window, which is where I usually sit watching the world go by after a long day.

The working desk is a good size. My only issue is that the surface is clear glass, which makes it impossible to use a mouse.

Amenities

As in most of the hotels in the Middle East, the minibar is empty, but the hotel will stock it on request. There’s also a kettle and a coffee machine in the room and four bottles of still water.

The Bathroom

Like the rest of the room, the bathroom is generously laid out. There is a separate bathtub and a walk-in shower. The water pressure in the shower is very weak, and you have to fiddle with the faucets and be very patient to have a decent shower. The cosmetics are by Balmain, with a gentle, mild scent – which is very atypical of this part of the world, where they tend to favour very heavy, spicy scents that lack subtlety and complexity.

Service

When I arrive back in my room on the first day of my stay, the hotel has delivered a very nice welcome gift to my room. It includes a large bowl of fresh fruit, a small bowl with dates, a box of chocolate and a tray with five macarons. In addition, there is a daily turn down service, which is nicely done, and as part of which they place yet more chocolate on your pillow.

The Public Area and Lobby

The public area of the hotel is kept meticulously clean. My only complaint is that they tend to cool down the place too much. I turned off the air conditioning first thing when I arrived, and it was fine. But in the restaurant, for example, I need a cardigan.

The lobby is very grand and the marbled floor has been polished to within an inch of its life. Seriously, while I’m waiting for my car to arrive, I look down at the floor and get front row view straight up my nostrils.

Conclusion

I can’t really say what it is about the Sofitel Downtown Dubai, but I just like the hotel. It feels comfortable. The location is excellent and as close to downtown as you can get in Dubai. The proximity to the metro station also makes it a convenient hub from which to explore most of the city. As I’m often somewhere out near the newish Al Maktoum airport, the Sofitel isn’t always convenient for me, though, because it would mean having to drive through downtown during the rush hour and having to leave the hotel even earlier in the morning.