Arrival/Check-in: From Abu Dhabi, I arranged for a car from The Fairmont Dubai to pick me up and drive me the 90 minutes to the hotel. The Fairmont’s Mercedes delivered me in style and check-in was swift and efficient. I was briefed on the Fairmont Gold privileges that came with my one-bedroom suite, and on the way up to my room I couldn’t help but notice the size and modern structure of the tower: The exterior design was based on an Arabian wind tunnel. (30/30)

Guest Quarters: The modern décor of the spacious, light-filled suite had Middle Eastern influences fused with European and Asian accents. It created a fresh and remarkably timeless feel. The full-sized living room had a half bath, a solid wood dining table and a desk with Internet connection. There was a separate bedroom and master bath. (29/30)

Services/Amenities: The friendly staff at the Fairmont Gold club went the extra mile to get information I needed. The only difficulty I encountered was when I needed to reach the hotel by phone; it was often difficult to connect with an operator. On an excursion to the gold and spice souk I managed to get lost. After 30 minutes of asking for directions and trying to get a cab, I called the hotel for help. It took a few attempts before I got through to the concierge and by the time I did I had found a taxi. Luckily it was not an emergency. However, once back inside the hotel the personal service continued to impress.

The 40,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa was a true oasis, with a state-of-the-art fitness center — including a separate smaller gym for women only — and sunrise and sunset pools on different floors of the hotel to maximize the sun at all times of day!

Among the hotel’s 10 restaurants, I had the pleasure of dining in Spectrum One. The fine dining restaurant contains eight separate open kitchens and if everyone at your table orders from a different kitchen, the chefs communicate to each other via headsets to ensure all the food arrives hot and at the same time. My dish from the Middle Eastern kitchen was divine! (35/40)

The Experience: Unlike the historic hotels that are typical of Fairmont’s offerings, the new Fairmont Dubai was built expressly for the company. It’s an iconic hotel and a reliable place to stay in the Dubai financial district that I would recommend to fellow business travelers.

Total Score: (94/100)

The Fairmont Dubai

Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai, U.A.E.
tel 971 4 332 5555
http://www.fairmont.com