We check into the boutique hotel for its bars, Burj views and premiere of Dubai Bling.
The EDITION brand is known the world over, from Madrid to Miami, for its luxury boutique hotels. When The Abu Dhabi EDITION opened in 2018, it was the talk of the town and loved by team FACT. So when its sister property The Dubai EDITION arrived, we were eager to check it out and for it to match the excellence of its predecessor.
The Dubai EDITION wins on location and gives visitors the “I’m in Dubai” experience. Situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai, it’s near blockbuster attractions such as The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Best of all, the sights are not only a short taxi ride away, but you can see them from the pool, restaurants and, in our case, room.
Unfortunately, the check-in was less five-star and more Fawlty Towers: our reservation was not on the system; we had to wait 45 minutes for a reservation to be created; while waiting in the lobby, nobody offered us a drink; and despite giving staff a form of ID, the room was put under (first name) Kohi and (surname) Noor. Despite flagging the incorrect name twice, it never got altered during the stay. Miss Noor, things can only get better.
The Dubai EDITION’s rooms and suites
The EDITION Hotel is famous for its thoughtfully designed venues, and Dubai EDITION is on-trend with its less is more approach. LW Design Group are behind the interiors, which have a minimalist yet sophisticated feel. Take the lobby with its clean aesthetic from beige walls to high ceilings, which are punctuated by green foliage and a white statement spiral staircase.
The hotel boasts 275 rooms, 42 suites and a penthouse, plus the EDITION State-of-Mind spa. The rooms have a universal appeal, as the contemporary chic furniture and shades of cream create a light, airy ambience. We checked into a deluxe room with a king size bed, balcony and, of course, that Instagrammable view of the Burj, which lets everyone know you’ve arrived in Dubai.
While we were impressed with the mod cons – we wish we could always open our curtains at the touch of a bedside button – we tried on three occasions to press for service but it never worked. So, while we had to go old-fashioned and pick up the phone, it did get us the swift service we required.
The generous size bathroom, with its rainfall shower and must-hop-in bathtub, is the stuff that #bathroomgoals are dreams are made of. The Le Lebo products give it an artisanal meets luxe edge. Thanks to the window separating the bathroom and bedroom, it has an extra-spacious feel. Plus, we could sit in the bathroom tub while watching the bedroom TV. Don’t worry: you can draw the drapes for privacy.
The Dubai EDITION’s restaurants and bars
The Dubai EDITION is home to fashionable restaurants and bars, which are well worth visiting in their own right. The venues include the Japanese restaurant Inti, speakeasy Leon, and superstar bartender Jimmy Barratt’s Ergo.
Thia SkyLounge is a chilled yet classy pool bar, which serves classic cocktails and Mediterranean food. The bad news: despite booking to have drinks, we had to wait before we were allowed into the venue. Perhaps, they were after Miss Noor and not Miss Sahota. The good news: A couple of apologies later, we are given front row seats to the Burj Khalifa. If you want to get a taste of the high life, we’d recommend sipping on some bubbles and watching the world-tallest building twinkle at night.
By day, Duomo serves the hotel breakfast. By night, it is a refined Italian restaurant. The generous brekkie is served to your table, and includes classic western as well as Middle Eastern dishes, from avocado on toast to shakshuka.
While you may be tempted to visit somewhere else for dinner, Duomo turns into a theatrical dining experience. Settle into one of the plush leather semi-circle sofas, and soak up the Italian palatial vibes. The venue has a 15-meter-high vaulted arch ceiling, a crystal chandelier, and a ceiling with digital art. Not that you need more of a wow-factor, but the terrace has uninterrupted views of that recurring special guest: the Burj Khalifa.
The menu is a masterclass in fine Italian food. The parmigiana (eggplant, tomato sauce and mozzarella) has a rich, silky texture, and the carpaccuio di mazo (Wagyu beef, hazelnut, pecorino cheese and truffle dressing) is a light, zingy dish. Plus, it certainly knows its pastas, as it got us excited by a classic bolognese with its hearty yet herbal taste.
The Dubai EDITION verdict
The Dubai EDITION is clearly a place to see and be seen. During our stay, the hotel put its most fashionable foot forward and we witnessed it in A-list action. The venue hosted a showstopping premiere for Netflix’s Dubai Bling, and we partied the night away with its stars including DJ Bliss, Kris Fade and Farhana Bodi.
On our final day, it was left up to us to double-check that the late check out we were promised was confirmed – it was not. As part of the apologies for the errors, we were told that the staff were busy with the party.
The Dubai EDITION – for now, it’s hit and miss on practicalities and personalisation, but has all of the potential.
GO: Visit www.editionhotels.com/dubai/ for more information.
