Dubai is one of those places that feels like Mars: an unattainable out-of-this-world location dreamt out of nothingness.
And that’s what it was. A desolate flat desertscape which the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum developed in 1966 after the discovery of oil. Maktoum co-founded the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and developed Dubai into the sprawling commercial hub as it is today.
Dubai is nothing short of magnificent. Boasting some of the most incredible sites in the world, from the Burj Khalifa standing at 2,722 feet (over half a mile high), the sail-like Burj Al Arab which is positioned on Dubai’s first man-made island, and one of the largest malls in the world measured at 12 million square feet with 5.9 million square feet of internal area: the Dubai Mall.
The grandeur and enormity of Dubai’s buildings are heart stopping – from the Dubai Fountain to the world’s largest suspended aquarium – the 10-million-litre Dubai Aquarium tank.
Competition between hotels in Dubai is fierce – competing for the attention of an affluent international market who come to Dubai and expect the very best. What is particularly special about the Middle East is the top-level service. Nowhere else in the world has compared to the outstanding standard of customer hospitality, eye for detail, and excellent food experienced in the UAE. A leisure traveller visits Dubai with the expectation of feeling like a queen or king.
The Four Seasons Dubai DIFC is hands-down the best hotel I have ever stayed in in Dubai. What made it particularly incredible was the service above all else. From the greeting and swiftness of the valet, the warm welcome of the receptionist, to the fact that every hotel staff greets you with a smile in every room you enter. The Four Seasons Dubai DIFC staff’s warm welcoming hospitality makes you feel light and completely at ease.
The Four Seasons Dubai DIFC is positioned perfectly in the heart of the city, surrounded by the most incredible restaurants in the world. With only 106 rooms, you get the feel of a boutique hotel without the crowd and immense vastness of one of the larger hotel properties. It is a place where you can book an intimate couple’s holiday or business trip whilst being in the heart of it all. In the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), arguably the best restaurants in the world are there – from Zuma, LPM (La Petite Maison), Amazonico, Cipriani, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Gaia and Avli by Tashas. A special recommendation is to have coffee in the morning at the gorgeous earthy Orijins coffee shop next door to the Four Seasons.
We stayed in the executive suite which showcased gorgeous, hand-picked furniture, lighting, and artworks. The impressive interior design was stunning, the cleanliness impeccable, and we were even welcomed with a homemade marzipan designed cake, delectable exotic fruits, homemade truffles, and macaroons.
The large living area with beautiful furniture, the walk-in glass waterfall shower, stand-alone bathtub, embossed pillows with the Four Seasons logo, and walk in dressing room made this particular suite feel exquisitely grand.
The food is equally impressive. There is delectable sushi, sashimi, seafood, and wagyu beef burgers served atop the Luna Sky Bar overlooking the city which is a must. At Mina Brasserie, we delved into incredible rib eye steak with green peppercorn crust and bone marrow jus, the signature tuna tartare with pine nuts, garlic, and habanero-sesame oil mixed at your table and we finished with the most delicious, caramelised Banana Tatin made by renowned Chef Michael Mina.
If you are staying for a weekend or a longer break, I would highly suggest relaxing by their glass pool and jacuzzi and booking a massage in their spa. The massage therapists tailor their treatments to you. Opting for a sports-style massage “Proverb Mechanic Full Body Massage”, my masseuse managed to work my knots and crack my back which was a heavenly relief.
The Four Seasons Dubai DIFC is pretty flawless – melding that perfect mix of excellent service, incredible food, and gorgeous luxurious décor.
*A special tip is, if you book the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Finance Centre, you also have access to their more expansive Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Finance Centre,Building 9, Unit GV09, Level GF Gate Village, Dubai United Arab Emirateshttps://www.fourseasons.com/dubaidifc/contact-us/+971 (0)4 506 0088
Written by Jessica Patterson