Dar Al Masyaf and Crowne Plaza Festival City (Hotels in Dubai)

Dar Al Masyaf

Situated in the middle of the madinat jumeirah’ s waterways, rooms in these villas, set around their own leafy central courtyards, can be booked individually or, if you have a large group, you can take over the whole two-storey house yourself. Built in the same old Arabia style as the rest of the resort, these are chic and discreet and popular with large families from the Gulf who would rather stay away from prying eyes. Each has its own butler, who is on hand in the communal lounge area should you need any assistance (or 6-8 p.m. daily, should you need a complimentary gin and tonic poured). The rooms are larger and grander than at neighbouring hotels Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr – with a minimum of 60 square metres (almost 646 square feet), each one has at least one large terrace (some which lead directly out onto the lawns, others which have sea or waterway views) and can sleep a family of four comfortably. The facilities are the same as outlined for Al Qasr but are closer to the sea and also share their own exclusive pools.

Madinat Jumeirah, PO Box 75157;

Phone: 04-366-8888; 04-366-7788;

Cost AED 3,900

Location Jumeirah

Number of rooms 254 rooms, plus 29 suites

Room sq m 60-130

Conference facilities Yes

Pool/sauna Yes

Beach access Yes

Exercise facilities Yes

Spa Yes

Parking/valet Yes

Licensed bar Yes

On-site dining International

Extra amenities Internet; private butler; drinks 6-8 p.m. daily in private courtyard; tea/coffee facilities; dates, fruit and chocolate in rooms

Business amenities Business centre in Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam

Shuttle buses To Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams

Wheelchair facilities Yes

Crowne Plaza Festival City

This five-star i s popular with people spending only one or two nights in Dubai – it is literally five minutes from the airport and right next to the Festival Centre (and a giant Ikea, although obviously the flat-pack merchant is less of a tourist draw). The parent company also recently took over what was formerly the Four Seasons golf club, renaming it Al Badia, so an 18-hole championship course is just three minutes away. The hotel is attached via a connecting walkway to the neighbouring, more upmarket, InterContinental hotel, so it also benefits from access to the dining outlets and spa.

The standard rooms are smaller than at most five-star Dubai hotels, and they are fairly masculine, with dark wood, faux leather headboards and cream carpets. The beds are large and comfortable, though, and the bathrooms have the ubiquitous slide-back screen so you can watch your flat-panel TV from the bath. There is an outdoor baby splash pool but no kids’ club, although the mall’s cinema, bowling alley, arcade, abra rides and, during the more temperate months, outdoor funfair should keep little ones happy.

The dining options are limited here to a large Belgian-themed pub and a rather workaday Arabic/International restaurant. It’s worth specifying that you would like a Dubai Creek view from your room so you don’t get an eyeful of a roundabout every time you open your curtains. You can avoid paying the AED 140 per day for an Internet connection by shelling out around 50% extra for a larger Executive Club room – this will also get you breakfast, access to the Club Lounge, free drinks 6-8 p.m. and transfers from the airport.

Dubai Festival City, PO Box 45777;

Phone: 04-701-2222; 04-232-9097;

Cost AED 950

Location Deira

Number of rooms 298 rooms, plus 18 suites

Room sq m 34-124

Conference facilities Yes

Pool/sauna Yes

Beach access No

Exercise facilities Yes

Spa In the adjoining InterContinental hotel

Parking/valet Yes

Licensed bar Yes

On-site dining Arabic/International, Belgian, coffee shop

Extra amenities Self-service laundry facilities, iron/ironing board, scales, coffee machine, kettle

Business amenities Desks, secretarial services, 24-hour business centre, laptops and mobile phones for hire

Shuttle buses To Dubai International Airport, Al Badia Golf Club, Jumeirah Beach Park, Mall of the Emirates

Wheelchair facilities Yes