By Elizabeth Smith
The Grosvenor House Dubai is one of the most tasteful and relaxing hotels in the city. It is removed from the major tourist zones, providing an elegant, low-key respite from Dubai's heat and traffic. The Grosvenor House is in the Dubai Marina area. It offers a full fitness center, spa, pool area and a selection of high-end shops. It is ideal for travelers who are looking for a spot away from the carnival of child-filled hotels farther north.
Wows and Woes
The Grosvenor House staff is excellent and well-trained. They are helpful, discreet, going out of their way to ensure that your stay is comfortable.
The hotel is beautiful and well-decorated, and the room service food is excellent.
The hotel is not located on the beach, and the pool is poorly located on a lower level and is in shade for much of the day.
The usual clientele is quite focused on appearances. Travelers who are not deemed "appropriate" may be made to feel uncomfortable by other guests.
Insider Tips
It pays to tip well and treat staff kindly, particularly the service staff. Working wages in Dubai are not high.
If you are staying for longer than a few nights, consider renting one of the Grosvenor House's apartments. They are stunning, and offer extra space and a full kitchen.
The Grosvenor House has Internet access, but it is subject to Dubai's governmental restrictions. Some sites, like Facebook, are not accessible from the hotel.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
I lived at the Grosvenor House Dubai for a year, and I found the absolute luxury and the helpfulness of the staff to be peerless. I am a technology-phobe, and they were immediately responsive to my many needs, setting up the Internet, replacing my wall-mounted, flat-screen TV within an hour (not an easy thing to do) and maintaining perfect grace throughout.
Bottom Line
The Grosvenor House is perfect for single travelers or couples who want to experience Dubai without being in the midst of the tourist carnival.
Resources
About the Author:
Elizabeth Smith has been a scientific and engineering writer since 2004. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, newspapers and corporate publications. A frequent traveler, she also has penned articles as a travel writer. Smith has a Bachelor of Arts in communications and writing from Michigan State University.
