8 minute read
Lola Taberna Restaurant
BACKGROUND A hiddne gem, Lola is one of two of Sunset Hospitality Group’s recent Dubai launches. The company also opened Goldfish sushi restaurant in Galleria Mall earlier this year.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Inside, there are many traditional Spanish ‘taberna’ touches, from wine bottle stocked shelves to heavy wooden furniture and terracotta tiling. A painting of Lola Taberna Española, Spain’s most famous Flamenco dancer, is the centre-piece on display, while wooden shutters and proper meat hunks hang on the other side. Outside, a cosy terrace dotted with greenery and wooden finishes, makes you feel a million miles away from the busy streets below. Situated in an area close to business hubs such as DMCC, Internet City and Media City, it is a convenient spot and within walking distance of Dubai Metro.
THE FOOD Creativity meets authenticity; this is definitely not a standard tapas o ering. The menu is varied, but classically Spanish, rather than trying to o er multiple cuisines to suit all palates. It’s a pork and ham lover’s paradise and the slowcooked paella (order this before all else) is a must-try. I had the black paella with squid allioli, which was delicious and great value at AED 169 for two. Starters were full of flavour and included classics like patatas bravas, manchego cheese chunks and delicious padron peppers. Garlic and chilli prawns were light and delicious, especially if you like a bit of spice, as was the sea bass tiradito and ‘green Mojo’ (Canary Islands sauce). We finished with the classically indulgent freshly cooked churros and chocolate dip, which definitely did not disappoint. And one thing’s for sure; this is an absolute winner for seafood and meat fans. One visit won’t be enough to get through the extensive list of choices, which are certainly a refreshing change from the run-of-the-mill steakhouse. Don’t forget to try the sangria (white or red) for that taste of Spanish summer.
THE SERVICE The service was fast and attentive, with no shortage of sta to ensure all ran smoothly.
THE WORK SPACE Maybe a little dark for a work space, but in the cooler months, a wonderful spot to get out of the o ice if you can grab a table on the terrace.
VERDICT Perfect as an after-work drinks spot or dinner venue, the bar/ restaurant vibe is casual and comfortable. It’s welcoming and cosy, rather than formal and intimidating. Melanie Swan
HOURS Sun-Thurs, 5pm-1pm; Fri-Sat 1pm-2am
LOCATION TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights, Dubai
CONTACT info@lolataberna.com; +9714 2476688
Occidental Al Jaddaf
BACKGROUND Just two months old, this new Dubai hotel is operated by Spanish hospitality group Barcelo.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Blending Arabic architecture with contemporary simplicity, the hotel can best be described as modern Moorish and o ers 365 large rooms and suites. Check in was smooth, but valeting the car was slow, as was receiving the luggage in the room. COVID-19 is still making its mark and at this hotel, guests are asked to bring their own towels to the pool, which I found odd.
WHERE IS IT? In the up-and-coming Al Jaddaf district, Old Dubai, with views of city icons including Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers, Dubai Frame and Wafi Mall. Close to Dubai Healthcare City and the World Trade Centre, it’s a handy location, but this undeveloped area of the city feels remote if you are new to Dubai. The hotel is next door to a mosque.
ROOMS I was upgraded to a junior suite, which had a nice lounge area with a TV, as well as a spacious bedroom. A large balcony was a nice touch, providing some welcome outside space, though it looked out to the E44 highway, which was quite noisy as it’s a busy ring road around the city, day and night. Bedside wireless device charging was handy.
FOOD AND DRINK At this point, just one of the three restaurants was open. Souk, an all-day dining concept, o ered international bu et and à la carte cuisine. Lebanese and Tapas restaurants will open soon, but for now, The Stage lounge/bar at the pool o ers a casual space to dine and relax and has great views. Sta were happy to o er menu alternatives at this venue, including healthy options.
BUSINESS There are six dedicated meeting rooms with a capacity of 12 to 180 people. Wi-Fi connection was patchy for me, making it di icult to work at the hotel.
The hotel can best be described as modern Moorish
BEST FOR Sundowners with Dubai views
DON’T MISS The cosy lounge areas at the pool
PRICE A deluxe room costs around AED 208 per night, plus taxes
CONTACT 326 Al Khail Rd, Dubai; +971 (0)4 246 4500; aljaddaf@occidentalhotels.com LEISURE The pool area was spacious with a large lounge area. The city views were great, particularly at sunset. The gym has been created as an afterthought, o ering the bare minimum in terms of equipment.
VERDICT Only two months old, the hotel is finding its feet during a tough period. Though initially designed as a business hotel, with inbound arrivals down due to the pandemic, it has had to diversify and felt like a family hotel at this point in time. It’s a good value accommodation option, but some might feel isolated as Al Jaddaf is still under development. Melanie Swan
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
When it comes to the travel experience, it turns out you can take it with you
WORDS RAMSEY QUBEIN
If you’re like me, 2020’s stay-at-home period led to lots of spring cleaning. As I slowly worked through the toiletries from business class amenity kits and the stash of luxury soaps from di erent hotels, each rekindled special memories of past trips.
Another discovery, as the great purge of closets and desk drawers continued, were countless hotel pads and pens. ose, too, brought to mind special recollections – anecdotes from various trips, which created even more wanderlust for where to travel next when once again we are able to venture far and wide.
Even if you don’t have the same drawer full of hotel and airline souvenirs but still long for the old days of travel, you’re not out of luck. Many hotels are making some of their guests’ favourite items, from toiletries to candles, available online to recreate the hotel experience at home.
Airlines, too, have online stores with branded merchandise. But the ultimate reminder of in ight premium cabins might be the rst class nut mix now available directly from GreatNuts.com, the same supplier that provides the snacks to airlines like American and United.
FRAGRANT MEMORIES
Sometimes a familiar fragrance is all you need to transport yourself back to a special place. Many hotels use di users to share custom aromas in public areas. Westin Hotels has done this for years with its white tea scent, which is the same in every one of its global hotels and is available for purchase online at WestinStore.com.
Casa Angelina, along Italy’s Amal Coast, sells its signature fragrance of citrus and sandalwood online as does Charleston, SC’s HarbourView Inn, which has its own green tea lemongrass scent.
RUB-A-DUB-DUB
e Atelier Bloem Bath & Body products found in most Kimpton hotels are available from Kimpton’s online store (KimptonStyle. com), which also sells unique products like zebra and gira e-patterned robes.
If you’re a fan of the Asprey toiletries used globally at Ritz-Carlton properties, you can buy them at RitzCarltonShops.com.
SWEET SLUMBER
And who can forget the Heavenly Bed pioneered by Westin Hotels & Resorts? Westin, which is part of Marriott, is one of the many hotel-branded bedding products you can buy online. e hotel company even awards points for your purchase if you go through its Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques website. e Hilton to Home Collection sells everything from its pillows and toiletries to robes and mattresses. e Four Seasons at Home shop sells its well-known mattress in both rm and plush models.
Whether you are traveling now or simply want to recreate the experience at home, search out those mementos, and let them spark your favourite travel memories.
And if you nd yourself yearning for more, look for those prized travel souvenirs online – at least until it’s time for you to get back out there and enjoy them in person.
