Reviews Paul Revel
PULLMAN DUBAI Deira City Centre
PO box 61871, Dubai, UAE / Tel: +971 4 294 1222
www.pullmanhotels.com
Paul Revel
51 BUCKINGHAM GATE Taj Suites and Residences
THIS ALL-SUITE PROPERTY caters to a wide variety of markets, from long corporate stays to high-profile private dinners and meetings in its iconic designer suites. Travel bookers can treat the suites as serviced apartments, with long-stay deals, self-catering and basic services, or in varying levels up to a full-service five-star hotel. The Taj is co- managed with the adjoining Crowne Plaza and shares some facilities.
A LAVISH PARTY in March this year saw the relaunch of this former Sofitel property as Accor’s upscale business brand Pullman, following a major refurbishment. It is less than ten minutes from Dubai International Airport and has good road and Metro links to key city districts. It offers free wifi in all areas. Accor has to date 15 properties in Dubai, and a second Pullman is due to open later this year.
THE ROOM: The hotel has 317 rooms and suites in six categories. My executive room was smartly decorated in neutral tones and well appointed with UK mains sockets, a Nespresso machine, a 42in flatscreen, and Roger and Gallet amenities. The view takes in a 12-lane highway (its noise is heard faintly through the thick glazing), Dubai airport and creek, and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Executive-room guests have access to the 11th floor private lounge, which features a small bookable meeting room, computer terminals, complimentary breakfast, soft drinks throughout the day and a happy hour (6pm-8.30pm) with free cocktails and canapés. RESTAURANTS & BARS: The main restaurant is Medley, where lunch and dinner feature à la carte classics, and a buffet with a wealth of choices, including traditional Arabic mezze, international hot dishes, sushi and fresh shellfish. Azure is the outdoor poolside lounge bar, serving paninis and salads. Le Cafe in the lobby is open 24- hour hours (with no alcohol) and offers breakfast for those with
early flights. The La Fabrique bar on the first floor has a lively pub-like ambiance, with sport on the widescreen TVs, draught beer and a menu including burgers, buffalo wings and fish ’n’ chips. BUSINESS FACILITIES: The hotel’s meetings floor is being renovated. When completed in October this year it will feature up to nine flexible meeting spaces totalling more than 900sq m, with events managers and IT solutions managers. The lobby level’s ‘connectivity lounge’ has PCs and printers for guests. LEISURE FACILITIES: For downtime, the highlights here are the outdoor floor pool terrace and the Soma spa and health centre – it features an airy, bright gym of decent size with Technogym machines, plus a fitness instructor and four treatment rooms. VERDICT: Accor is promoting Pullman as a ‘bleisure’ hotel (combining business and leisure), and the sleek design, free wifi, excellent facilities, relaxed ambience and great food do add a healthy dose of comfort and pleasure for travellers staying here for work.
THE ROOM: I stayed in the stunning Jaguar suite, created by Jaguar’s renowned design director Ian Callum – both the car manufacturer and Taj are owned by Indian company Tata, hence the collaboration. It’s vast and utterly glamorous: bespoke furniture and fabrics, original artwork, seven flatscreen TVs (including in the bathroom mirrors), two luxurious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a study and elegant dining/meeting room for eight. In the sitting room, a Crestron handset controls the 42in TV, Blueray DVD, iPod docking station, Denon hi-fi and surround-sound ceiling speakers. The large kitchen is comprehensively equipped with everything from designer bone china and cutlery to double Neff oven. The rest of the accommodation is in three mansion blocks around the St James Court quadrangle, each with a range of spacious, smartly appointed apartments from one to three bedrooms, all with separate living areas and well-equipped kitchens. There are several options to adjoin suites or take whole floors for larger groups. RESTAURANTS & BARS: A highlight here is the excellent Michelin-starred south Indian cuisine at Quilon restaurant – dishes include delicious black cod baked with honey and spices, chargrilled scallops with mango chilli relish, and crab cakes with ginger and curry leaves. The Library is a cosy venue for à la carte breakfasts and complimentary evening cocktails during happy hour. The Taj and Crowne Plaza properties also
feature the Bank and Bistro 51 restaurants, the Zander bar and the picturesque courtyard for summer barbecues and events. BUSINESS FACILITIES: As well as the larger suites, bookers have a choice of 20 spaces for meetings and events, in various sizes and configurations, for up to 180 delegates theatre-style, or 300 for a reception. The hotel also has Cisco Telepresence facilities. LEISURE FACILITIES: The gym, with cardio machines and free weights, is open 24 hours for guests, and also has classes such as yoga and spinning. The spa uses Anne Semonin and Osmium for Men products in its three treatment rooms, and has sauna and steam rooms. VERDICT: Alongside the spectacular showcase suites, this classy property offers a wide choice of accommodation options for a range of budgets, with luxury and comfort aplenty in a central location that is likely to keep most business travellers happy.
51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF / Tel: +44 (0) 20 7769 7766
www.51-buckinghamgate.com
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