Breathtaking views, five-star service, luxury amenities, fine-dining, first-class massage treatments and easy access to the vibrant city of Dubai is all on offer at the Al Bandar Rotana hotel.

FACT was invited by the prestigious Al Bandar Rotana hotel in Dubai to spend three nights at their exceptional venue, an invitation that not only gifted us with a great opportunity to fully appreciate the pristine accommodation, but to further experience the wonders of this flourishing emirate.

First Impressions

Welcomed by friendly and attentive staff members with sincere smiles, we were well looked after from the moment we arrived. Before entering the lobby area, we took a moment to absorb the modern and architecturally striking hotel, perfectly positioned on the north shore of Dubai Creek, the mere sight of which promises a firstclass experience.

Rooms & Suites

Our hassle-free yet informative check in lasted all of five minutes and we soon found ourselves en route to our rooms.

The Al Bandar Rotana is a five-star hotel featuring 190 uniquely designed rooms and suites, all of which exude a luxurious feel. We were fortunate enough to be given a quick tour of the various options, which revealed their spacious nature and large range of modern amenities.

The hotel kindly housed me in a Creek View One Bedroom Suite that not only included a signature Rotana kingsize bed, a 49-inch flat-screen TV, high-speed internet, a coffee machine and many other comforts, but also offered unrivalled views of both the city and Dubai Creek.

Fine Dining

Amongst the extensive amenities located within the hotel’s walls, are no less than five high-end culinary venues. Over the course of our stay, we were privileged to experience four of these restaurants, all of which proved to be exceptional.

Salt & Pepper

Our first culinary experience was to be at Salt & Pepper, an all-day dining venue serving international cuisine from all over the globe.

Lucky enough to partake in two dining experiences during our four days’ stay, we were truly satisfied by both our continental breakfast, and open buffet lunch. Watching the chefs prepare dishes at live cooking stations added to the fresh feel of the feasts on offer.

Gusto Italian Restaurant

What struck us first about our visit to Gusto was the genuine Italian-style hospitality we received and the laidback atmosphere. Located on the 18th floor of the hotel, this impressive dining destination – with its al fresco terrace – boasts one of the most spectacular views of the city’s skyline, along with the waterway.

During our dinner, we sampled several of Gusto’s signature dishes including Spaghetti all’astice datterino, a delicious pasta dish comprising pan-seared lobster, lobster bisque, cherry tomato, basil and a liquor flambé that really excited the taste buds. The antipasti Burrata e tartufo is another must-mention dish as is the Risotto di mare, a seafood risotto with a healthy kick of garlic, which had our mouths watering at the delicious aroma before it even reached the table, and the Tartufo e burrata, truffle pizza, featuring an unusual topping of pumpkin puree alongside the wonderfully fresh burrata and black truffle. Truly delicious!

Morgan’s

Morgan’s Gastropub – the only one of its kind in the Dubai Creek area – provides guests with a unique menu of shared plates, premium beverages and signature mixed drinks, all served up in a hip, warehouse-style venue which we were told is ‘the place to be seen’ – it was certainly buzzing when we visited.

Opting for a simple yet succulent choice, we went for the House Signature Cut beef rib-eye complete with herbroasted potatoes and black pepper sauce, complemented by a side order of halloumi fries. Delightful hardly begins to describe the experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed the company of not only the attentive staff, but many of the other patrons as well.

It’s worth noting that Morgan’s has offers running throughout the week, such as Sausage by the Meter with house hops, which was very tempting.

Vanilla Lobby Lounge

During our stay, we were presented with several opportunities to visit the Vanilla Lobby Lounge, a relaxed, comfortable and serene venue, perfect for a quiet moment or to catch up on emails.

Offering a full Starbucks menu, along with a range of house dishes, we took full advantage of the highly-trained resident barista’s skill set to try some of the finest coffees we have ever experienced.

Five-Star Amenities

Although we didn’t have time to enjoy all the first-class amenities on offer at the hotel, we were afforded the opportunity to tour many of them.

Event & Meeting Rooms

The Al Bandar Rotana hotel houses six fully equipped event and meeting rooms that not only offer a flexible set-up, but an abundance of space and natural light. These venues cater to a wide range of occasions including conferences, workshops, seminars and board meetings.

Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club

Another highly impressive feature of the property is the Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club.

This high-end venue, complete with a beautiful view of Dubai Creek, features a fully equipped gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room and three massage rooms.

The Magic of Dubai

By the time our experience drew to an end, we had made sure to explore the vibrant city of Dubai, taking in the spectacular architecture, bustling souqs, massive malls and high-end restaurants. Despite several previous visits, we felt this had been our first opportunity to really appreciate so much of what the city has to offer thanks to the excellent central location of Al Bandar Rotana hotel.

Special Thanks

We’d like to sincerely thank the amazing staff at the Al Bandar Rotana hotel, Dubai. You ensured that our time in the city was truly memorable.✤

GO: CALL (0)4 704 2222 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING.