This wondrous beachfront retreat with splendid facilities, affable staff and sights of relaxing waters of the Arabian Gulf on one side and the glitzy Dubai skyline on the other is one of the loveliest places to stay in Dubai.
Hotel
Good first impressions? The cheerful lobby replete with fresh flowers in Murano crystal vases and an enormous two floor panoramic window with views that run through the well-manicured lawns to the ocean, certainly has me in awe! The aesthetic, comfortable property merges the characteristic Four Seasons style with luxurious Middle Eastern dashes like gold-leaf ceilings, sparkling mosaics and marble floors. Here, I discover the splendour of classical Arabic hospitality and the magnificence, beauty and luxury of a world-class hotel.
Rooms
With a focus on space, privacy and nature, each of the rooms offer a grand balcony overlooking the skyline or the beach. My sea facing suite comes with a cosy living room area with a swanky sofa, a mammoth bed that feels like sleeping on a cloud, an iPad Mini flaunting the resort services, and a complete marble bathroom with an egg-shaped bathtub, dispersed shower and select Rajasthan by Etro toiletries.
There is everything I could ever need apart from some unexpected luxuries. The whole ambience conveys luxury, privacy and originality galore. And I enjoyed revelling in the beauty of the sea view and sinking into the sounds of the ocean. Like this there is rarely any reason to leave the room anymore.
Food and drink
Eleven restaurants and bars congregate at the resort and provide an unmatched experience. A sweeping staircase takes me graciously towards Suq, the heart of the hotel with a courtyard overlooking the beach, serving international flavours through all meals. Breakfast is open here from 7am to an unhurried 11.30am and comprises a buffet with live cooking stations and miscellany of perfectly presented dishes like the Arabic meze and fresh juices, as well as à la carte options such as the decadent avocado toast, waffles and pancakes.
At The Shai Salon and Terrace, chef Nicholas Lambert, voted Best Pastry Chef, is renowned for his unique pastries that are both authentic and innovative. As for me, I gorged on the tiramisu à la Nicolas that reminded me of my mornings in Paris with the scents of coffee when you go for a walk. This dulcey chocolate edible cup is enjoyably layered with rich coffee and mascarpone.
The elegant beachfront eatery Sea Fu offers seafood with an Asian bent, a perfect alliance between a cuisine that is light and traditional, or inventive and refined. Try the wok tossed black pepper wagyu with shimeji mushrooms, broccoli, bean sprouts and jasmine rice and thank me later. The rooftop Mercury Lounge is the perfect spot for sundowners, and six independent restaurants in the adjacent restaurant village include the trending Japanese restaurant Mimi Kakushi and Turkish Nusret of the ‘Salt Bae’ fame.
To do
Classy beach and pool aides waft by hourly with gratis refreshments like cupcakes, fruit bowls and tangy shooters – though if you do not wish to be disturbed in your sun lounger, just press a button and you will be left in peace.
Fitness enthusiasts get lucky as the fitness centre is open 24 Hours, additionally there are water sports and tennis courts. Get pampered at the beauty salon; the Pearl Spa is one of the best in Dubai and demands at least an hour of your time – try one of the treatments outlining on the region’s good old pearl diving industry.
In a nutshell
From the swift and welcoming check-in to the mind-reading spa therapists, willing chefs and well-informed wine waiters, the accent certainly is on service of high quality. The remarkable thing is the element that it truly feels like a holiday resort.
One can enjoy here the restful stylishness of the resort, the joys of sultry ambience and leisure between palm grove and sea or the pure joie de vivre of bright Four Seasons for a placid or robust vacation. It isn’t a wonder that Four Seasons Jumeirah has already become a landmark within a city of landmarks.
Factbox
Address: Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, PO Box 128777, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +971(4) 270 7777
Website: fourseasons.com/dubaijb
All imagery credit: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, unless otherwise stated.
