Over one of the weekends, TTN had the opportunity to review Habtoor Palace Dubai, the star of Hilton’s Al Habtoor City Collection, including Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and V Hotel Dubai.
But first, a little context: Al Habtoor City is an upscale hospitality, residential and leisure complex consisting of three five-star hotels, three luxury residential towers located on Sheikh Zayed Road and on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal. It is home to La Perle by Dragone – the region’s first permanent show, created by the legendary artistic director Franco Dragone. This aqua-theatrical performance is a clockwork-precision choreography of AV, technology and immersive artistic performances. It is touted to be Dubai’s number one show.
Habtoor Palace Dubai was built in 19th century Parisian architectural style, complete with a driveway leading to its portico. It’s the first property of Hilton’s LXR collection of top-tier luxury hotels in Dubai. Regal columns and rich decorative details of the façade provide a natural backdrop to wedding guests arriving in one of the hotel’s Bentleys. The Grand Lobby features two sweeping marble staircases, many imposing exhibits of oil on canvas immerse the visitor in a milieu of classic tastes. Habtoor Palace Dubai makes a big first impression.
The property is surrounded by a clutch of outdoor facilities, for example, the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy, Careem bicycles readily available to explore the nearby canal’s seven-mile cycle path. Silk Spa boasts of hammam suites, steam rooms and saunas. Besides three rooftop pools, guests have access to pool decks of the connecting hotels, as well as the 650-ft beach and pools of Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, a 25 minutes’ drive away.
Butlers are always on hand to anticipate and exceed expectations. Our six-year-old daughter was taken out for a ‘training’ at the Bultler’s Academy, a fun shadow programme for kids. The little girl enjoyed her time sitting at the grand reception welcoming guests, catching up with chefs in the kitchen and learning a trick or two from the housekeeping staff. She was very excited to learn how to fold a towel and make them look like her favourite animals. At the end of the ’training’ she earned a certificate and some delicious treats from the kitchen.
ROOMS
Habtoor Palace Dubai is home to 52 opulent suites. Discover the bespoke Bentley Suite or Sir Winston Churchill Suite – the only of their kind in the Middle East. Soft pastel tones, well appointed mix of damask and striped wallpapers, padded leather headboards, chaise lounges, armchairs, dark wood furnishings and high white skirting boards. Decadent bedding and carpeting ensure utmost comfort, with the essentials to keep the day ticking including iPod docks and coffee machines. Our suite featured a wine cooler, a wonderful provision to have. Marble bathrooms have roll-top bathtubs, separate showers, twin vanity units and Acqua di Parma toiletries.
All guestrooms and suites offer luxuriant comfort and each of them includes a spacious bathroom, a walk-in closet, a 48-inch screen TV and a minibar. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and public areas. The hotel offers seven distinctive dining venues, including award-winning World Cut Steakhouse. With its personalised Butler Service and a palatial experience, guests will be spoilt for choice.
WINTER GARDEN
The Winter Garden at Habtoor City, which lies directly in front of Habtoor Palace Dubai, is a daily haunt for al-fresco foodies. A great informal space to mix with guests from the hotel as well as locals from the nearby catchment areas of Dubai, The Winter Garden lights up like a carnival when the sun sets. Originally created as part of Al Habtoor City’s Festive Season activities, the Winter Garden has since then expanded to a multi-month-long celebration of Dubai’s cooling season with pop-up stalls and specialties, international street food and local favourites. It has something for everyone: fun rides for the little ones, a dedicated play area and art display, food trucks oozing with burgers and milkshakes, a quirky noodle stall, a pop-up store that just sells colourful iced sodas and even some in-house Hilton stalls if you feel like it. We tour the whole open market twice, first to look at the rows and rows of food stalls and secondly just to enjoy the great weather. Finally, we decided to follow the beeline, which led to a stall selling Korean corn dogs and mochi ice cream. We can honestly say there was no looking back after that. The Winter Garden season opened its gates from November 1, 2021 and will last until March 31, 2022. There’s even live music on Saturdays.
KEY F&B EXPERIENCES
Home to 20+ bespoke dining venues, The Al Habtoor City Collection will truly leave you spoilt for choice. We get to sample outlets such as BQ – French Kitchen & Bar, an elegant breakfast that provides a great start to the day. Offering an international breakfast buffet of chia seed puddings, congee, sambar and Arab specialities, French brasserie BQ is incomplete without going through rows after rows of freshly baked French goodies. Daytime dining is also offered at the hotel’s pool bar, named The Roof Gardens. Try The Market at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, if you’re looking for a wider spread to pick on, specially Asian-inspired dishes but be warned that this breakfast can get quite busy if you arrive late in the morning.
Ribs & Brews also at the connecting Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, offers a unique and modern take on an American bar, serving regional US fare. The food is supersized, which means the portions are just right for my family. Between the Chinese sticky short ribs and wobbly burgers, we made room for the Tennessee Pecan-Nut Pie, almost as large as its namesake US state.
Summer Place, situated on the 31st floor of the adjoining V Hotel Dubai, takes us back to its namesake in the original Metropolitan Hotel, which was razed down to make room for the Al Habtoor City Collection. It soars high above the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road framing the captivating views of the Dubai Water Canal. Specialties to feast on include the Peking duck, homemade dim sums, Szechwan style chicken, noodles, fresh seafood, vegetarian menu, and a lot more – we know from experience.
WORLD CUT STEAKHOUSE
The Raise the Steaks Saturday Brunch at World Cut is quickly becoming a favourite with its unique a la carte service, paired with a lovingly curated list of beverages. With its dark, wooden interiors and tables big enough for a poker game, World Cut Steakhouse provides a unique setting where all the high-rolling carnivores can snuggle into the sheer joy of a decadently meaty brunch.
As guests make an entrance fit for royalty from the Grand Lobby’s two magnificent gilded staircases, they are first welcomed to a cocktail reception at the Champagne Lounge from 12:30 to 1pm. There is an air of Sinatra guiding guests inside the venue – Maria, the resident vocalist will keep diners entertained with classic jazz and soul tunes. The food steals the show with waiters in waistcoat serving bountiful trolleys of seafood, soup, dessert and of course meat in all its decadent varieties with all the trimmings.
THE POLO BAR
The Polo Bar at Habtoor Palace Dubai is one of those experiences that will warm the cockles of every polo-loving heart. The place is filled with references to the sport of kings – including a saddle and mallet showpiece, cupboards shelving trophies and memorabilia or equestrian arts. Paired with instrumental jazz, vintage spirits and fine cigars, The Polo Bar has beverage rituals performed table-side via service stations. The Cigar Cabinet is no less appealing, ranging the finest Habanos and cigars from the Dominica Republic, Honduras and Costa Rica.