We went to the Harbour for a three-night getaway from neighboring Oman. We arrived to a pleasant surprise: an upgrade to a seaview two-bedroom at what had already been a very good rate (and was now just this side of a steal).
While in some ways it is clear that the Harbour was originally designed as an apartment building, most of those details work in favor of the hotel-staying traveler. The Harbour's flats comfortably straddle the line between an extremely luxuriously furnished serviced flat and an extremely generously sized hotel suite. A few, admittedly, don't: the bathrooms are definitely more residential than the palatial mini-spas some hotels now feature, and the corridors are stark stone-and-tile.
These, though, are quibbles in comparison to the large, well-equipped kitchens, the huge and beautifully decorated living area, and the thoughtful touches like Frette sheets and towels, l'Occitane amenities, and the range of books and magazines provided. And that's on top of having four bathrooms, a maid's room, and hall/entrance space alone that's larger than some hotel rooms.
As the still-new property evolves, one thing looks to set it ahead of its competition: the food. We arrived late, and ordered in from room service, expecting the usual good-enough, slightly tired meal one would get even at many five-star places. Instead, already impressed by the lively and inventive menu, we got a deliciously , carefully prepared, and very reasonably priced meal that ranged from prawn salad to spectacular Singapore noodles to a "side salad" that would feed three. The next night we ate at the new Mediterranean restaurant, Az.u.r., on the fifth floor, and had a meal that could have come from a leading kitchen in New York or London - a great combination of fresh, organic produce, extraordinary meat and seafood, and careful preparation. I can only imagine how good the soon-to-open Observatory on the 50-somethingth floor will turn out to be. Even the groundfloor deli, Counter Culture, has fun dishes beautifully prepared (I especially enjoyed a design-your-own sandwich choice that featured roast lamb, red peppers, and carmelized onions). Dubai has no shortage of good food, but even so the Harbour could well become a standout.
We did a spa morning, and while the facilities are small (even, in the case of the locker area, cramped), they are well designed and nicely appointed. The massages were excellent, and while the pool area is small, it makes a nice place to unwind in tandem with using the sauna, steam, and jacuzzi.
I cannot say enough good things, too, about the staff - from the valets and bellmen who greet you, to the front desk staff who handle every request with aplomb and smiles, to the room service and housekeeping attendants (are you listening, Emirates? Maybelle is a flatout treasure - ditto Stephane in guest relations and all the staff in Az.u.r.).
In short, especially given the way that hotel rates at most five-star properties in Dubai are rocketing up, the Harbour is definitely worth a look from travelers seeking a (luxurious) homebase from which to explore.




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