In the heart of the city of gold, Shangri-la Dubai is not only one of the most luxurious hotels but also a retreat with exceptional hospitality. Shagri-la is a mix of tradition with modern, unbelievable views of Dubai’s majestic skyscraper and a sophisticated touch everywhere you look. Their hospitality is much more than offering you a luxurious experience, you can tell in every detail that they genuinely care about their costumers.
The hotel is only 5 minutes from Downtown Dubai and 15 minutes from the airport. Dubai’s traffic can get a little bit hectic, so to be only 15 minutes from the airport is truly a plus. One fun fact about this hotel, is that it’s constructions began in 2003 and constructions of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) started in 2004 right next to it. So, by “accident”, luck or as I like to say Universe’s blessing; without knowing, they built the hotel facing one of the most beautiful buildings/skyscrapers in the world. (How do you like them apples?)
We were in Dubai celebrating my boyfriend’s (aka best photographer in the world/ best human) birthday. And when we got to our room, the first thing we saw was this amazing greeting from Shangri-la:
This! Pure royalty. (Meghan Markle ain’t got nothing on me).
Jokes apart, it was a very sweet touch, I was not expecting it, I did tear up a bit.
Accommodations
The hotel has 302 rooms and suites but it never shows, it feels so private and quiet. Rooms goes from Deluxe, Premier to Horizon Club Suites and Presidential Suites (which by the way are breathtaking beautiful). They all have amazing views, and I do recommend choosing the option that comes with the Horizon Club access (I will tell you more below).
On top of the genuinely warm service, this is me going nuts over the “toiletries” being La Prairie (one of my favorite brands). Now, this is where they got this right. Great hospitality is to have what your costumer wants/needs before they even voice it. I felt like every detail was so thoughtful, I never had to even think about requesting anything else.
Let Me Tell You About The Fun Things:
- Horizon Club Access
Please consider this when booking your room and thank me later. It made our stay extra special, I have to say we were spoiled (guilty and non-apologetic). When you have access to the Horizon Club, that means you have exclusive private check-in and check-out, access to the Horizon Club Private Lounge on the 41st floor, which includes complimentary:
- Daily breakfast
- Non-alcoholic beverages served all day
- Evening cocktails and canapés
- Wi-Fi and broadband Internet access
- Wide selection of newspapers and magazines
- Suit pressing and shoe shine service
- Use of meeting room facilities for two hours per day
- Lounge opens at 06.30am and closes at 12midnight
Sounds like a no brainer, right? You also get to access the private health club and the icing on the cake in my humble opinion: the private indoor infinity pool and jacuzzi on the 42nd floor. The skyscraper views are just extraordinary, it’s just so worth it.
Access to All:
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
Open from 6am to 10pm, tons of pool beds for you to relax soaking up the sun, while appreciating the amazing views of the Burj Khalifa. At night (from 6pm to 2am), enjoy the IKandy Ultralounge, with live DJ’s, delicious cocktails and bites. The hotel also has another 2 different bars (Balcony Bar and Lobby Lounge).
- Chi, The Spa
The spa is open from 9am to midnight and all treatments are based on authentic natural healing practices, found in many Asian cultures. (Meaning: get ready, amazingness is about to happen.)
- Gym
Fully equipped open from 6am to midnight.
What About The Yummy Stuff?
The hotel’s restaurants has several sophisticated dining options to suit all tastes. 6 restaurants and bars, offering a very authentic experience to each featured cuisine. Our favorite picks:
- Hoi An (Vietnamese)
Let me tell you how our dinner here was amazing and it felt like we were in Vietnam. The whole kitchen and service team are from Vietnam, they truly want you to have the authentic experience. The food was fresh, and so delicious. The staff was so very kind and just amazing.
- Dunes Cafe
We had breakfast here and the selection was endless. Everything was so delicious, they have live cooking stations and you can chose from buffet or a la carte. (Photos show just a tiny bit of the space, I was busy with all the deliciousness, know what I’m sayin?)
They also have the beautiful Shang Palace ( provincial Chinese delicacies).
Yes, I know what you are thinking, we didn’t want to leave either.
We had a blast, and I can’t wait to explore more Shangri-la hotels around the world soon! They sure know what they are doing and deserve all the success of a true 5 star hotel.
Special thanks to Sam, Amanda and the Shangri-la team, for taking such great care of us!
For bookings, visit Shangri-la Hotel Dubai: http://www.shangri-la.com/dubai/shangrila/
Disclaimer:
We had the pleasure to be hosted by Shangri-la in Dubai, as always I’m very transparent with my audience, I keep it honest and all opinions are my own. Except when there is sarcasm, then, I don’t know where it comes from 😉
Sounds amazing and luxurious. Dubai is on my wishlist of cities I want to visit one day. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience.
Thank you for your support, Virginia! You will absolutely love Dubai. It’s alive, fun with beautiful spots to see! xoxo
Dubai is such a beautiful city to look at and your accommodations match that beauty. The pool with the gorgeous sunset and lush trees are calling my name. I like the look of all three restaurants so I’d have to visit each!
Thank you, my dear! I appreciate your support! Shangri-la really is a beauty anywhere in the world, it was very refreshing to see they kept the tradition with the Dubai hotel was well. Just so beautiful and worth a visit!
Shangri-La, paradise. So, of course this had to be amazing. Great photos too 🙂
Thank you, Ben! I know, right? Shangri-la being Shangri-la lol. I appreciate your support. xoxo
Your post and pics are amazing! Dubai is on my list of places I’d like to travel to, I just have not made it there yet.
Thank you so much! You should totally go, It was on my list for a while, I’m so happy I finally did it. Dubai is amazing!! Have a great weekend! xoxo
Dubai was already on my bucket list, now the Shangri La Dubai is on my bucket list 🙂 So luxurious 😉
Isn’t it? I never wanted to leave! Very relaxing for sure, I hope you get to experience it too! Thank you so much for stopping by! xoxo
Shangri-la Hotels are posh and elegant anywhere in the world! Their service is, tried and tested, one of the best as well. 🙂
You are so right! I’m so glad you got to experience it. I’m dying to see the one in the Maldives, China, London ohhh so many! Thank you very much for the love! xoxo
I love the hotel! Love the luxury at Shagri-la and would love to go to Dubai.
I hope you go one day, Cristina! There is so much to see, it’s a fun, alive and beautiful place! Thank you so much for the support! xoxo
Oh how fun…it looks like such a lovely hotel. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Yes, it was a lot of fun 😀 Shangri-la has the best hotels around the world and I’ve been to a few hotels in Dubai, they are by far the best one. Thank you so much for the visit. Xoxo
Looks like a beautiful place to stay. I have heard so many great things about Dubai. PS. love the shot of you in the pool fierce!
haha thank you, Shannon! I LOVE LOVE that shot. It looks like a photoshoot, in reality I just got totally lucky. My bf has a good eye lol Thank you for the love! xoxo
What a wonderful post! This hotel is so amazing, I would be star struck at the architecture if I were able to stay here. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you, my dear, for reading it! It was an amazing experience that’s for sure, and i hope you get to experience it too one day! Have a lovely weekend! xoxo
This is a really beautiful hotel. Is the mini bed a cake? That is so cute.
Hi Luci, it is a mini bed cake, isn’t it AMAZING? Haha I was so blown away, it was a very sweet touch! Thank you for the visit! XO
How awesome to receive the royal treatment, and with heart connection through personalize non printed writing, no less! They didn’t miss a thing!
A place i’m skeptical of on my travel list but everyone always has great things to say about it!
Hi Kaitlyn, Dubai? I was skeptical too at first, thats why it was sitting on my list for so long! But I have to say, going, was the best decision I’ve made. It’s 100% safe, it’s fun, clean, entertaining, and beautiful! If you have any specific questions about it, I’d love to answer if I can 😀 Thank you for stopping by! Xoxo
This is such an impressive structure. I really need to see this place before it is too late!
I’m very impressed by the attention to details. Love the hotel room and views. Those sweets where such a great touch.
This hotel sounds amazing! What a gorgeous view and the facility is gorgeous! So many luxury touches too. I’d love to visit!
What an amazing hotel to stay in! I could go and just never leave the hotel to see the rest of Dubai! It looks like you had a relaxing time.
Your photos are just stunning. The hotel looks like a lush escape with high-end options for guests.
Can’t say no to place this awesome! I just love the fact that it’s all about luxury and relaxation. I’ve never been to Dubai but I know where to stay if I ever come visit!
This looks like such a luxurious place indeed. It definitely screams elegance to me. It looks like you had a really great time visiting.
I would absolutely love to stay here! It looks so luxurious, welcoming and posh – I’m not too sure I would fit in! I love the bed cake!
This place looks amazing. Would love to visit there and stay. All the clicks are awesome
Wow, your photos are spectacular. The hotel looks beautiful, would love to go visit.
First I would say I love your blog. Nice pictures. My sister and my close friend is working in Dubai and I saw their pictures it’s so wonderful. And while I’m reading your blog wow! It makes me want to visit Dubai someday. Also to visit my sister.
wow! ive been there few years back andi can’t stop day dreaming about going back! truly a lux experience! great photos by the way!
That is a beautiful hotel!
What an amazing surprise to see upon arrival! Looks like an amazing time
What an amazing place! Gorgeous. I would love to go to Dubai. It’s definitely on my list.
Your photos look amazing. I would love to go here after reading your post. Thanks for some great tips on where to go