The view of Shaikh Zayed Road is breathtaking, particularly when you are peering from the floor-to-ceiling window of your hotel room on the 61st floor. An hour earlier I was just driving on that highway with my travel buddy, trying to navigate our way to the weekend’s destination: the 5-star Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai.
“Are you sure we’re not headed straight into the Dubai Metro station?” I asked my companion as I took a right turn into the single-lane service road, passing by a few familiar restaurants and slowing down just before a raised pedestrian crossing. The Dubai Metro station entrance was on my left. To my right was Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai. I shouldn’t have bothered taking my car—the hotel is literally just a few steps away from the Metro station!
I took the corner, following a sign that pointed to the hotel parking area at the back of the building where a couple of valets were waiting. One immediately approached us and offered to park our car. A smiling porter then helped us with our luggage, asked us how we were and wished us a pleasant stay as we went to check in.
At the reception, there were already a handful of guests in queue, but no one seemed to mind—my party included—since the customer service was consistently warm and helpful. Shortly after we fell in line, a guest relations officer immediately approached us to ask if there was anything she could be of assistance for. “Sir, since you have children staying with you, I have tried my best to book adjoining rooms for you,” I overheard the receptionist tell a guest. How thoughtful.
The room
The next surprise came as soon as we entered our room. On a table was a beautiful cake with our names on it and a tray of assorted fruit and nuts—one of the perks of staying in a club premium room. “Feels like my birthday,” my companion said, grinning.
I noticed more of the staff’s attention to detail in the spacious bathroom where amenities thoughtfully came in twos: towels, toothbrushes, body scrubs, bath salts, a pair of soap, vanity kits, shaving kits, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, tubs of lotion and shower caps with hair bands. There’s even mouthwash! They’ve thought of everything that I didn’t need to bring out my travel kit!
What to do
This business hotel is next door to the Dubai Metro, so it’s easy to take a quick ride to the city’s key areas. You could also use the station’s air-conditioned walkway to cross Shaikh Zayed Road and take a five-minute walk to the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Staying indoors isn’t bad as well—there’s a gym, a spa, a salon and a gift shop to keep guests occupied. We spent a lot of time in the pool area, which has one of the best views in town. From the pool you could see a very different bird’s eye view of Jumeirah.
I also visited the well-equipped gym. A woman was already sweating it out on a treadmill, while a middle-aged man was singing a hymn while pedaling on a stationary bike. I settled on a bike that was a row away, setting it up for a 30-minute workout. I only managed to do 22 minutes, and the machine said I lost 90 calories.
To completely de-stress, my companion and I headed to the spa, which was on the same floor as the gym. We detoxed for about five minutes in the sauna and steam room before heading to the massage room, which had an in-suite shower—perfect for privacy. The room smelled of sweet fig and olive, which I found relaxing. The massage was another hit. I loved how the masseuse knew exactly which kind of pressure I can tolerate as she kneaded away all the stress in my muscles. Even my toes got extra TLC. I got up from that table feeling completely re-energised.
Where to eat
The pool bar was under construction when we visited, so we had to wave quite a few times to get a waiter’s attention. Food and beverage prices are surprisingly affordable at this hotel. Sandwiches cost less than Dh30 and there’s steak for less than Dh80 at the pool bar. The Atrium Café at the ground floor serves delicious smoothies for less than Dh25, while Metro, its all-day dining restaurant, has buffet nights on Thursdays with Asian cuisine for Dh125 and Indian fare for Dh105 on Fridays. I really liked the Thai seafood curry and Peking duck on Asian night, and the rogan josh (lamb curry) and the spicy rechado masala salmon on the Indian buffet.
Since guests in club premium rooms have access to the Club Lounge, we decided to hang out at the business centre on the 61st floor. The lounge is open from 8am until 10pm and serves complimentary breakfast and snacks throughout the day. If I needed to get away from the maddening morning crowd at the Metro restaurant, I could have my breakfast in peace here. There’s also free coffee, tea, cakes and soft beverages that I could enjoy with that fantastic view of SZR and its towering buildings.
“The cappuccino from their coffee machine surprisingly tastes better than my usual branded coffee,” my companion said as I took a forkful of rich, chocolate cake, washing it down with Perrier. There were emails to check, which I could easily access from any of the four computer terminals in the lounge, but I guess those can wait while I’m enjoying my stay at this hotel of the millennium.
Ratings
Rooms ①②③❹⑤
Service ①②③④❺
Value ①②③④❺
Cleanliness ①②③④❺
Location ①②③④❺
The Millennium Plaza Hotel is located along Shaikh Zayed Road, opposite the Emirates Metro station. Website www.millenniumhotels.ae. Contact 04 387 7777 or email Info.Mphd@millenniumhotels.com
