TRIED & TESTED HOTEL
25hours Hotel Dubai One Central B A C K G R O U N D 25hours, an Accor brand under its joint venture with Ennismore, is known for its “individualised made-tomeasure hotels with personality in vibrant cities”, hence Dubai was the perfect location for its Middle East debut. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? It’s difficult to encapsulate the essence of this hotel succinctly, because it’s so different to anything else in this region. However, the ‘Come as you are’ slogan above the door speaks volumes for the 25hours vibe. It is purely lifestyle driven – you can walk in wearing what you like, to do what you like, whether it’s lounging in the swing chairs or
It is purely lifestyle driven – you can walk in wearing what you like, to do what you like sofas, grabbing something to read from the giant central fountain-style seating area, which is also a massive bookshelf, plugging in and emailing on the giant co-working table, grabbing a coffee indoors or outdoors – they merge into one in this magnificent space known as the 25hours Social Hub – or simply admiring the modern Bedouininspired décor and art with quirky touches everywhere. You need to see it to believe it, but I loved the almost psychedelic ceiling – look closely and you’ll spot a cartoon version of the man behind 25hours – Christoph Hoffman.
W H E R E I S I T ? It’s super convenient – on Trade Centre Street in Dubai One Central, within walking distance of Dubai World Trade Centre and opposite the new Museum of the Future (MOTF). R O O M S I stayed in a funky 30sqm Bedouin Room, the design of which, as the name suggests, was modern Bedouin, with natural and earthy tones and special décor touches such as woven bags, mock artifacts, oldschool Dubai postcards, and nick-nacks like a chess set. Eco touches included
BEST FOR A fun business stay, for nomads at heart
DON’T MISS Drinks at Monkey Bar with city and MOTF views
PRICE From AED1,000 ($207) per night
CONTACT 25hours-hotels.com refillable bathroom amenities, while there was plenty of bottled (glass) water, tea, an innovative fresh coffee pouch concept and complimentary soft drinks and chocolate. A table and chair served as a work desk (with plenty of plugs) and a dressing table. There was a smart TV, king bed, rain shower, UE Boom Bluetooth speaker and a smart TV. It was fun, fresh and functional. Loved it. Oh yes, the view of MOTF was stunning.
F O O D A N D D R I N K There’s Tandoor
Tina, a fun and frivolous ‘younger daughter’ restaurant to London’s famous Tandoor Chop House. It’s northern Indian meets flame-oriented cooking, with a playful British twist. I loved the Indian version of a chicken Caesar salad. A buffet breakfast
is served here too. Other venues include Nomad Day Bar, an all-day café operated by local baristas Nightjar Coffee; Berlin import Monkey Bar on the top floor with museum views, monkey cages for groups, DJs, and Latin American-inspired food; and Ernst, a Bavarian Biergarten & Wirsthaus serving German beers on draught and house-baked pretzels and showing live sport.
B U S I N E S S A co-working table in the lobby and a dedicated co-working space with pantry on the first floor, plus three meeting rooms and two flexible venues where you can dine, work or party. L E I S U R E A rooftop pool with MOTF
and city views, a indoor gym with outdoor training space, and The Extra Hour Spa. You can also rent Schindelhauer bikes.
V E R D I C T This is a busy – and buzzy – business hotel with a super cool nomadic theme. It’s perfect for a business stay, because you can work in social or quiet spaces, meet with colleagues or clients in the giant lobby or courtyard, or just sit back and enjoy the Dubai vibe, because this hotel really encapsulates the city’s dynamism, pursuit of the cutting-edge, and passion for innovation. I can’t think of a better place to ‘come home’ to after a day at the Trade Centre. Gemma Greenwood APRIL 2022
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