TRIED & TESTED HOTEL
BEST FOR A ‘bleisure’ stay
I’d bring my family to combine a business trip with a leisure break
DON’T MISS Club Millésime Lounge evening drinks
PRICE AED1,300 ($354) for a Deluxe Room with Club access
CONTACT +971 4 324 9999; sofitel-dubai-theobelisk.com
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk B A C K G R O U N D The largest Sofitel in the Middle East and Africa, with 498 rooms and suites and 97 furnished and serviced residences, opened in November 2020. As the name suggests, this iconic building is in the shape of an obelisk, adorned with a gold pyramidion. Its Egyptian theme is in keeping with its location, Wafi City, famous for its pyramid-shaped shopping mall. Sister property, Raffles Dubai, is also close by. Both are operated by Accor. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? This hotel merges modern French art de vivre and ancient Egyptian heritage, with a touch of UAE culture thrown in too. Simply put, the grand entrance is opulent and ornate with several sphinx lined up to greet you as you enter and a giant golden falcon, a symbol of the UAE, hangs majestically over the check-in desk. Beyond that, Sofitel’s French roots take hold, with elegant modern design throughout. The staff here are friendly, helpful, professional and chatty – a perfect combination for me. W H E R E I S I T ? Wafi City, connected
to the popular Wafi Mall, opposite Dubai Healthcare City and just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek, DIFC and DWTC.
R O O M S I stayed in an Art Deco inspired Deluxe Room on the 30th floor with a magnificent view of the Dubai skyline,
and bath, I appreciated the high-quality Lanvin toiletries and liked the Egyptian Hieroglyphic wall hanging. This room provided access to the Club Millésime Lounge and on the 51st floor with privileges including personalised check-in/checkout, a dedicated butler service (for suites), and complimentary breakfast, Le Goûtet (afternoon tea) and L’Apéro Chic (evening cocktails and canapes).
F O O D A N D D R I N K French contemporary cuisine is served at Brasserie Boulud, designed by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, best known for DANIEL, his two-star Michelin restaurant in New York. From French classics such as Burgundy snails and beef tartare to lighter modern fare like mosaic of tuna, sweet and sour eggplant with a Middle East labneh twist and pan-seared Mediterranean black sea bass, there is an option for every palate. Of course, the cheese board is unmissable. Brasserie Boulud offers a two- or three-course business lunch. My favourite restaurant though was Taiko, presenting a new take on Japanese and Asian classics. The innovative Shisha Sushi is a must try – a trio of soy glazed wagyu, torched salmon and Persian eggplant, each on a sushi rice bed. My top picks also include Miso black cod and the pea and tofu gyoza (dumplings) with truffle and sesame. B U S I N E S S There are 10 events venues and a ballroom. I used one of the meeting rooms, which had access to a very spacious and elegant breakout area with sofas and tables. The staff were friendly and helpful and the refreshments we had ordered were plentiful. Rooms offer ample AV, plus water, notepads and pencils, whiteboards etc. L E I S U R E A gym with a good mix of
including the Burj Khalifa. The electric blinds open automatically to reveal this vista every time you walk in, which I enjoyed. A comfortable king bed, work desk, chairs and coffee table, ample wardrobe space plus tea/coffee making facilities and plenty of bottled water ensured I had all I needed. In the bathroom, which had a double sink unit, large walk-in shower
equipment, spa, kids’ club and a fabulous outdoor pool with plenty of sunbeds, some cabanas and a pool bar.
V E R D I C T A convenient location, great leisure and business facilities, high-quality food and a team of happy hotel professionals who could not do enough to please. I’d bring my family to combine a business trip with a leisure break. Gemma Greenwood NOVEMBER 2021
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