As someone who strictly enforces the ‘no work on weekends’ rule, checking into a business hotel in Dubai’s appropriately named Business Bay goes against my usual weekend plan. Luckily, said hotel is The Oberoi, Dubai, the first Oberoi hotel in the Middle East. I’m here to stay at one of the two Presidential Suites on site: 2,700 square metres of luxury.
My eagerness was marred slightly due to a delayed check-in (the suite wasn’t ready and we were passed along to several different staff members at the front desk), but my wait with a coffee in the lobby only heightened the sense of anticipation.
And I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Stepping over the threshold of the suite on the 25th floor, a long, brightly lit corridor extends all the way to the end of the suite, with a kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom and walk-in wardrobe commanding the left side of the apartment and a guest bathroom, dining room, office and living space to the right.
The colour scheme throughout is neutral, complemented by tasteful furnishings and decor in regal colours of gold and red, and dark wood. Bright artwork by Indian artist Mrinmoy Barua, specially commissioned for the hotel, can be found throughout. The colours dance off the crystal chandeliers in each room, which appear to be lit up even when switched off thanks to the abundance of natural light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the suite.
With just my companion and I staying for the night, the expansive space (especially the eight-seater table in the dining room) seems excessive, but it would be ideal for families and groups of friends. There’s just one bedroom, but another deluxe room and additional security room can be connected by request. After taking a quick shower in the marble-tiled bathroom, with oversized shower, freestanding tub, double sinks, dressing table, self-contained toilet and Etro amenities, I throw on a robe and explore the rest of the suite in detail.
The office, decorated with dark wood furniture, is perfectly suited to conduct business meetings, but I’m more interested in the bookshelves, which are thoughtfully stocked with a varied range of literature. I select Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being and walk through to the living room, with its plush gold lounges, mini bar and Samsung flat-screen TV (which seems small as it is dwarfed by the suite’s size), to the covered deck and private plunge pool outside, which comes with great views over Dubai’s ever-expanding business district.
The real drawcard here is the master bedroom. Swapping marble tiles for floating wooden floorboards, the expansive bedroom commands most of the left side of the suite — where the best views of the city can be found. It features a king-size bed and a smaller lounge area with a second TV and minibar.
After a day spent enjoying the hotel’s other facilities, including the state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre (both of which are conveniently open 24 hours), outdoor infinity pool and Umai restaurant, I retire to bed. I leave the blinds open to take in the night lights of the city, commanded by a twinkling Burj Khalifa, so close but seemingly a world away. Whether you’re here for a weekend or longer, a stay at The Oberoi’s Presidential Suite will take relaxation to new heights.
THE IMPORTANT BIT
What: Presidential Suite 2501
Where: The Oberoi, Dubai
Price: from AED 12,000 (US $3,267) per night
Tel: +971 4 444 1444
www.oberoihotels.com
