Designed to capture the spirit of Dubai, the vibe at V Hotel Dubai is daring, driven and ready for something special. Research will show you that this is a hotel for the young at heart: think round beds, borderless rooms designed around the theme of see and be seen, ample options for couple’s dining and partying within the hotel as well as within the larger collection of Al Habtoor City outlets, all just a few steps apart. But our curated itinerary revealed the other side of V Hotel Dubai. We discovered that it is perfectly possible for a young family with a curious seven year old in tow, to have a relaxing and a fun time together – V Hotel Dubai has enough pedigree and panache to offer you that.
After all, not many make it to the shortlist of Hilton’s Curio Collection. V Hotel Dubai has cleared the requirements in style. Distinctive urban personality, suave and party minded, the 33-storied V tower stands proud at the cross-section of Dubai alongside the Dubai Water Canal, and with a generous panoramic view of old and new Dubai.
After check-in our little girl was whisked away by Chef and his friendly team for a precious hands-on pizza making class at the Firefly Kitchen. If first impressions were to be topped up, this class definitely had our girl smitten. Not only did she thoroughly enjoy a detailed piazza making experience, the takeaway was equally fun. A chef’s hat, a recipe named after her and of course the pizza itself – looking absolutely professional (with some help from the kind chef).
Post a recent refurbishment, the brand-new V Hub is now located on the 7th floor – a fully open area where hotel guests and visitors alike can access a hidden, yet exhilarating array of facilities – from the V Gym, reception, 24 hours V Lounge and by sundown a DJ to set off the mood, while sipping on a few nothings.
V Hotel Dubai 7th floor is the action central of the hotel, this is where the curation around unique outdoor and indoor dining and lounging experiences come to life. Our afternoon tea at the V Lounge on this floor as well, and it was an event of pure pampering – with freshly made bites to pair your beverage of choice. A wide range of tastes were covered at the three tiered tray of savouries. The service is super friendly, one that is tested by repeated requests for customisation.
A relaxed sit down and intimate affair like this can only be contrasted with the mind-boggling and edge-of-the-seat experience at La Perle, arguably Dubai’s best show. This was our third visit to La Perle and any doubt we had about a rewatch dissipated quickly. The galleries were packed adding to the show’s dramatic sequences with their squeals of excitement and applause. The show had brand new elements, actors and a plot line that kept us engaged. The other-worldly acrobatics, pyrotechnics of light and sound and the harmonised bled of artistic choreography makes for a very special evening.
Distinctive urban personality, suave and party minded, the 33-storied V tower stands proud at the cross-section of Dubai alongside the Dubai Water Canal
An unrivalled offering at Al Habtoor City is the splendid array of dining and entertainment outlets guests can access, crisscrossing the three hotel venues, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton; and Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels and Resorts. Our dinner appointment was an illustration of what can be done to take advantage of options as we headed for BQ French Kitchen and Bar at Habtoor Palace. The acute attention to details and the mindset to pamper had us floored.
The morning after, we were treated to a pampering of another kind at the Silk Spa. The therapists were absolutely 10/10 and the spa facilities top notch. Separate ladies and gents sections, locker facility, resting area, wet areas, sauna and jacuzzi and a splash of experiential showers. The couples spa experience features a serene mood-lit therapy chamber with its own shower and bath tub.
Before long, we were back on the 7th floor, this time to taste the offerings at the poolside V Deck. Cabanas and cosy corners for groups and couples make it just-go-to place for an outdoor terrace experience.
Stays at V Hotel can come in many different styles and formats, all of which with a dose of edginess. Consider our Valor Suite, which comes with a round bed overseeing fantastic city skyline views and those of the glittering Arabian Gulf, an inbuilt bar area, working desk and walk in closet. We hear the signature suites take this exhilarating stay one level higher. We’ll reserve that for another review.