SimplyAbuDhabi XII

3 4 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I chestnut piping. I make a beeline for it. The Middle East is hinted at with arabesque screens and exotic fabrics. An open-plan bathroom adjoins the room and I run a deep, piping hot bubble bath and cast an eye around the rest of the room. There’s a tempting tray of organic dark chocolates left invitingly on the side. Wrapping up in a fluffy hotel robe, I pop the kettle on for a cup of tea in the butler’s kitchen and settle myself at the dining area with my iPad and check my emails using the lightning fast WiFi. For the lucky (or wealthy) there are ten suites to choose from, adding extra living space and linked room options to an already decadent standard room. Business guests can stay in comfort, safe in the knowledge that the technology, facilities and services are at their immediate disposal. Technology and connectivity are built in. Check in is through iPads. The business centre has a large social networking space. iMac computers are freely available for travelling business meetings and catching up with those back at home. What’s more, prices are set such that many are inclusive. No unpleasant hidden surprises here. The basics are firmly included. Four meeting rooms are available in a separate meeting suite adjacent to the main hotel to afford additional outdoor areas. They can be combined to host up to 180 delegates in a theatre-style set-up, enough for most mid-sized conferences. And during time off? There is plenty to choose from. Why not relax at the ultra- modern pool, stroll over to the atmospheric and modern souks, work out in the gym or bask in the balmy Middle Eastern sun. After dark, curated lounges and restaurants host the city’s movers and shakers. A boulangerie serves fresh bread with Parisien bowls of coffee and hotel chocolate, pumping out the most delicious smells in the process. Two modern Asian restaurants serve up contemporary fusion cuisine and traditionalists can enjoy the hearty French bistro if they so choose. Visitors to Dubai can be roughly drawn into two camps: marina devotees and Downtown fans. Vida could be the answer to luring a few people back towards the Burj Khalifa.