Travel broadcaster Phil Blizzard discovers they advantages of an Executive Stay during the hot summer months for a cool city break.

The temperature outside was sizzling in the mid-40 degrees Celsius as I valet parked my car in the afternoon heat of a summers day. The friendly smile of the parking attendant welcomed me to Dubai’s Al Bustan Rotana Hotel a stone’s throw away from Dubai International Airport. Mind I had not flown in from distant shores - my journey was a short one as I elected a city centre break, rather than for me,  a more ‘traditional’ stay at a beach resort.

I was ushered efficiently from the car into the cool, cavernous lobby of this 5* hotel and then taken up two floors to the Executive Check-in. There I was served with a cool face towel and an equally cool fruit juice, whilst the check-in procedure was conducted with a smile I was served a cool fruit juice. I say procedure, because these days all hotels in Dubai, indeed across the United Arab Emirates, require guest identification in the form of a valid passport or Emirates I.D card! Once again, I had forgotten mine - but with free Wi-Fi on offer I was able to retrieve my I.D. on line. Check-in was completed and I was off to my executive room which was indeed spacious. Just one snag, the continuous rumbling of the the hotel’s air-conditioning system, on the roof a couple of floors above me. Not the most pleasant of sounds!

The rooms of the hotel are reached by open walkways, overlooking the floor of the naturally lit lobby, with it’s coffee lounge and musical accompaniment from the resident pianist. Straddling over one corner of the lobby, high up on the second floor, is the Executive Lounge, always an added bonus to any hotel stay. This one, I must say, was extra special as I discovered when I went for early evening drinks and canapés. The wine selection was impressive including a very fine and delicate bubbly, along with a delicious choice of dishes, ranging from salmon ceviche and sun dried tomato & pine seeds proschetta to name just two. More substantial ‘canapés’ were next and I particularly enjoyed the lamb meat patties over paratha. Cheese and biscuits were there for the taking, along with a sumptuous array of desserts - but, whoa boy whoa! Time to stop, as to continue would ruin dinner that night at the wonderful Benihana’s - and that my dear reader is another story!!

Next morning the breakfast served in the Executive Lounge was equally well presented - in both choice and array and would satisfy the taste buds of most discerning quests. This ranged from lite and healthy to the more traditional and hearty breakfast, along with Asian cuisine and for those who wish to start the day fruity - there was plenty of it. There was also a choice of eggs, cooked the way you wish, on order and just a few minutes away. Mind you no one seems to be able to come up with a good ‘proper’ Egg Benedict and it was the same this time!  I wonder why? Apart from that, the breakfast was egg-cellent and so was the stay.

Summertime at Al Bustan Rotana, with it’s special deals, is a good time to experience the Executive Room offerings and the hotel makes a good base from which to explore the city.

In the end I decided to do that during the cooler months and this time, instead, I explored the Executive Lounge - for Afternoon Tea, the Evening cocktails and a Cool Breakfast and jolly nice it was.

Al Bustan Rotana is a World Travel Award Winner - including Middle East’s Leading City Hotel 2014.

For more information visit the website http://www.rotanatimes.com/albustanrotana/escapes  Telephone: +971 4 282 0000

Note: Al Bustan Rotana Dubai, a luxury 5-star hotel balances a unique blend of traditional Arabian hospitality and international standards of luxury. The award-winning hotel offers 275 luxuriously spacious rooms and suites, located conveniently in downtown Dubai, five minutes from the Dubai International Airport and major shopping malls. This hotel is the ideal place for discerning leisure and business travellers.
Treat yourself to a fantastic summer break at the renowned Al Bustan Rotana Dubai with an exciting summer room offer starting from AED 199* per room per night, this is one summer adventure you will surely love! *Plus various taxes’, service charge and Tourism Fee.