“My friends say if I get more than a mile from a Fairmont, I get a nosebleed,” jokes a guest sitting next to me in the Gold Lounge at Fairmont Dubai.

A colourful example, maybe, but a neat illustration of the dedication the brand can inspire.

Fairmont Dubai itself is the case in point - an institution in United Arab Emirates hospitality.

Celebrating its 15th year in 2017, the venerable property has watched Dubai develop from a small pearl fishing village into the global metropolis it is today.

From its enviable position on the Sheikh Zayed Road, it offers a lesson to all the new upstarts; an institution of unmatched sophistication.

Modelled after an Arabic wind tower, or barajeel, the 34-story property features 248 guestrooms and a further 146 suites, luxury penthouses, and residential apartments.

The design is a blend of contemporary chic and more traditional touches, with a stunning lobby ushering guests into the world of delights within.

Arriving on weekday night this autumn, the service is immaculate, even at 02:00 – perhaps explaining why the hotel has just taken the Middle East’s Leading Hotel Service Award at the World Travel Awards.

Within moments I am up in my one-bed suite, enjoying a moment of relaxation.

Here the polished granite floors and soft fabrics are united to create a soothing atmosphere, complemented by stunning panoramic views of the city.

All guest rooms at Fairmont Dubai feature well-appointed bathrooms, in-room business facilities, and a separate chaise lounge sitting area.

Everything the cultured guest would expect is on offer - from a huge flat-screen television and super-fast Wi-Fi, to an espresso coffee machine - as well as a few things you might not.

Each Fairmont Gold Suite comes with free suit pressing, for example, while personalised Rose 31 toiletries are a unique touch.

Upstairs, Fairmont Gold is a hotel-within-a hotel, designed to meet the needs of the most discerning corporate or leisure guest.

Exclusive features include a discreet and attentive concierge service, a dedicated check-in area; a private lounge with drinks and canapés; and a complimentary breakfast.

The Gold Lounge, with views over the city below, is a real treat, and is a perfect place to while away the evening.

Guests are also greeted by name, even on arrival for the first time.

The concierge confides: “A week before you arrive, we know who you are, we know all of our guests; we are a family.”

But all this luxurious leisure is just one side of the coin, as the Fairmont Dubai is also built for business.

The multi-use complex is just minutes from Dubai’s key attractions, shopping facilities, golf clubs and beaches and is directly linked to the Dubai International Convention Centre by a dedicated covered walkway.

This makes it the perfection location for hospitality travellers attending the annual Arabian Travel Market.

Away from the convention centre, Dubai is a city full of adventure and surprises.

Its diversity provides visitors with a wide range of experiences from beautiful undulating sand dunes to unspoiled beaches, to the excitement of a bustling nightlife.

Trade is the lifeblood of this traditionally Arabic and tolerant society, where business and commerce bring the best and brightest from across the world to help build Dubai’s future.

The city is also expanding away from its luxury routes to offer more to travelling families and those on a budget.

As Dubai Tourism chief executive, Issam Kazim, recently told Breaking Travel News: “There is a Dubai that has proved remarkably popular, featuring the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.

“But there is a lot more to the destination.

“Tradition is something we will be focusing on moving forward, the spice markets, the textile markets, things people can go and explore.

For those with a little more time to spend at the hotel, there are few better places to relax than the spa.

This unique destination is designed to inspire, nourish, and guide guests on a journey to find their personal energy in a location that reflects their cultural and environmental surroundings.

By combining proven methodology for relaxation and rejuvenation, all experiences are designed to soothe, pamper, de-stress and invigorate the mind and body.

The spa covers over 40,000 square feet and offers two distinct experiences.

One being the dedicated spa facility which has a luxurious Romanesque feel throughout, with separate male and female sections, which both feature an opulent Jacuzzi area with Turkish Hammam inspired steam rooms, invigorating ice shower, two relaxing footbaths and a total of seven private treatment and relaxation rooms.

The second location offers state of the art health club facilities.

With so much on offer, you will never want to leave.

In a town full of close imitations of luxury, false approximations, and third-tier facsimiles, Fairmont is something real, something timeless, and something to be envied.

More Information

The first international property for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Dubai opened in February 2002 and is managed on behalf of the private office of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

From the stunning architectural design, unrivalled accommodation and facilities to the warm and engaging service, it has become a distinctive landmark on the ever-evolving city skyline and the Middle East flagship property for the company.

Find out more about the hotel on the official website.