Over the past couple of decades Dubai has grown from a remote desert town to one of the world’s most luxurious resorts.
The city’s determination to offer the last word in accommodation has left most countries far behind – which dedicated sybarite will be content with a five-star hotel when the now famous Burj Al Arab boasts an astonishing seven stars? Even though the rating has been questioned by various hospitality experts, this sparkling emirate’s reputation for excess remains undimmed.
However, if your tastes are less outrageous there are many hotels that – unlike the Burj Al Arab – won’t stretch your bank balance to breaking point, but which will deliver an unforgettable experience all the same.
One of Dubai’s most surprising hotels is the Dusit Thani, a Thai-themed establishment that offers the ultimate experience if ‘service with a smile’ is high on your list of priorities. The hotel has 321 rooms and suites, and the top three floors contain executive rooms and suites serviced by the Club Lounge, which offers facilities to travellers that exceed even the uniformly high standards of the Dusit Thani. How does a butler service sound? This could be especially useful when you’re unwilling to move from the hotel’s sun deck and swimming pool to order a cocktail.
Fine dining is guaranteed at the hotel’s renowned Benjarong restaurant, which has gained a reputation as the best place in Dubai to enjoy Thai cuisine. Travel writer, Aaron Sutherland, recalls his own experience at Benjarong: “The ambience of the restaurant is strikingly beautiful, with blue and gold walls and intricate carvings…Benjarong is Dusit’s signature restaurant that served us the most authentic Royal Thai cuisine in its purest traditional setting. Benjarong’s dishes are genuinely prepared by a full Thai kitchen staff with ingredients flown directly in from Thailand.”
Perhaps there are hotels on offer with higher star ratings, but the Dusit Thani Dubai is hard to beat for its understated elegance and dedication to customer satisfaction.
