The next time I'm going anywhere unfamiliar I'm going to ditch Google Maps and just follow my instinct.
The destination of the day was Radisson Blu Hotel Downtown. I told my travel buddy that I was going to drive. So I made a quick search for directions. Everything checked out on the virtual map. That was until I was out on the road. To be fair, it did point me to the right direction from International City to Ras Al Khor Road.
After that, it was just confusing: a detour and at least three right turns before we could reach the 4-star hotel. I could have just taken the exit towards Dubai Mall, and the first left turn at the traffic signal.
Thankfully, it was easy to forget the stress of the drive the minute I stepped inside the hotel. "Sorry you got lost. We're trying to get Google to update the map," a hotel staff told me with a sympathetic smile when I checked in. But my sour mood had already lifted, just looking at the minimalist but cheerful-looking lobby with several happy-looking guests already occupying the chic green and orange lounge chairs.
The room
Check in was a breeze and one of the smiling staff members escorted us to our room, a spacious suite on the 19th floor that had amazing views of Dubai's busy skyline.
I could look out that view all day. Which was the idea of this weekend retreat. I took a pear from the welcome tray, which also contained a bottle of Aqua Panna and Pellegrino, some chocolate and a handwritten note from the manager. What a nice touch.
The bed looked inviting but it was the bathroom area that excited me. More views of the Dubai skyline and a nice bathtub. "This is mine for the day," I declared to my grinning companion.
Where to eat
Lunch was a treat at the hotel's all day dining restaurant Lemon Pepper. The ambiance alone was definitely worth more than Dh79, but the service and the good selection of starters, main courses and desserts, plus two live cooking stations for pastas and grills (salmon, squid, chicken and beef) impressed me. The breakfast buffet is just as good. Definitely on my shortlist for that next birthday party.
In the evening, we headed to the La Terrasse Bar & Terrace for chips and drinks. The average drink costs Dh30, which isn't bad, while starters cost Dh55. No DJ here, but there's upbeat music playing in the background--loud enough to be heard but not too loud to drown out conversations. The open-air bar was such a cozy hangout we ended up staying there until late.
Breakfast in bed? The hotel's in-room dining service has that covered too. I was expecting a simple breakfast plate but got what looked like a buffet spread, with a generous plate of cold cuts and cheese, a basket of warm assorted bread, cereals, milk, tea, coffee, jam, fresh fruit cuts, turkey bacon and eggs... the works. Not bad for less than Dh100.
What to do
After the amazing breakfast, we headed out to the pool deck and sat at the comfortable swing bed by the pool. The area was brimming with action, with plenty of children splashing on the water and adults content on lounging under the sun. I skipped the fitness centre, steam room and sauna (they were great but I wasn't in the mood) to just spend the entire morning there.
The hotel has easy access to The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, but there's no need to walk as the hotel offers complimentary rides for all guests, even all the way to Kite Beach if ever I was in the mood for some sun and sand.
I can't remember the last time I checked into a four-star hotel and got this kind of five-star treatment. Definitely a gem of a find.
