Conrad Dubai, story of an upgrade to the 46th floor

Conrad is one of the luxury brands of the Hilton chain. Together with Waldorf Astoria, it is one of the two historic insignias that have redefined the standards of the global hotel industry over the years.

Conrad Dubai, which opened in 2013, is a 46-story skyscraper in the heart of the city's financial district.

The World Trade Center subway stop is right in front of the hotel, making it possible to get around Dubai's most iconic sights such as the Emirates Towers, Emirates Mall, or Burj Kalihfa in just a few minutes.

If you are unfamiliar with the capital, this is the area with the DLFC, the heart of the city's night life, unlike the Marina, Palm, Deira and Jumehira areas that are by the sea, here we are halfway between the beaches and the airport.

Hotels are popping up like mushrooms in Dubai, with more than 20 super hotels coming next year, including the new Atlantis, new Hilton and Marriot properties in the Marina area, and the mega hotel Jumeirah near the iconic Burj Al-Arab.

It seems clear that the ranking of the "best" hotel in Dubai is constantly evolving. In spite of this, the Conrad is defending itself admirably, and indeed, only 7 years after its opening, it is already thinking about getting a makeover.

Hilton's choice, unlike the nearby Fairmont which houses Just Cavalli and the famous Bagatelle, is not to have clubs inside, but 4 restaurants that can meet the needs of all customers.

Reservation

I visited Dubai for business, I could not have done so for tourism, as at the time of my visit non-essential travel for Italians to the UAE was prohibited. In contrast, the UAE is open to tourists from all over the world, only a negative swab is required in the last 96 hours before arriving at the airport.

I could easily have stayed for free using my Hilton Honors points, I decided instead not to "waste" them since the rate was very aggressive for this type of facility (about 650 aed, 80€ per night) and because the current HHonors promotion involves awarding double points and double nights status for each stay.

In detail I booked a corner room in the x2 points rate, which allowed me to earn twice as many points as the normal 10 HH every dollar spent, when added to the current promotion, in the end with this stay I took home an impressive 12,771 points, which alone is practically worth a free night.

Check-in and room

Hilton's app allows people to check in independently and if the hotel is equipped with a digital key, even use the app to open the room door, activate the elevator, and all other situations where they would normally use a card.

My advice, however, is not to check in. Sure, you often get to choose your room, but the rooms offered are those from the category you booked. In contrast at the front desk if you have elite status, such as level Gold Free for American Express Platinum Holders, you can receive an upgrade or otherwise request a better room.

This is what happened. Upon arrival I am offered a room on the 24th floor, the same one that the app offered me. After my request for a higher floor, I am "sent" to the top floor of the facility, the one that houses the two super suites and only executive rooms.

In fact, I found myself in one of the most beautiful rooms in the entire hotel, with a priceless view of the city skyline on one side and Old Dubai on the other.

The room was absolutely superb, Conrad allows you to choose via app the type of pillows and customize the bath products, right down to a one-click request for room service.

The bathroom was equally huge with a shower and a dramatic bathtub that overlooked a glass window from which to enjoy the view of half of Dubai.

The management of the room is completely tamed, from the console next to the bed, the immense curtains could be opened to let in light and admire the spectacle of the Dubai skyline with the world's tallest skyscraper at its center.

Spa, gym and swimming pool

The hotel offers a 24-hour gym, accessible by all hotel guests simply by using their room key. It is located on the hotel's 6th floor and enjoys a view towards the skyscrapers of the Emirates metropolis.

Yoga enthusiasts can relax in the yoga pavilion, a terrace where group classes are held, but also accessible to those who want to practice yoga in a setting isolated from chaos and distractions.

The hotel also has a spa, unfortunately due to anti-covid measures, the "wet" rooms were closed and it was only possible to use the massage rooms.

The pool is definitely the added value of this facility; located on the 6th floor, it is surrounded by a large garden with palm trees and other tall plants.

It feels like being in a garden and not on the roof of a building; it is positioned so that it is never in the shade, which allows you to enjoy total relaxation both in the morning and in the late afternoon.

Also designed for children, it has an area with a depth of less than 1 m, while for those who want to be active, there are three small lanes 1.4 m deep.

Access is manned, and every time a station is vacated, it is promptly disinfected. Each crib is covered with a disposable sheet before its use to ensure maximum safety for all guests.

Restaurants

Inside the hotel there are four restaurants. On the ground floor to the right of the reception is Kimpo, a Korean restaurant that doubles as a bar/pub for late-night dining. On the sixth floor is Ballarò, which is also used for breakfast in the morning and lunch by the pool. Then on the seventh floor are two restaurants, Maestro and Babel. The former offers Italian cuisine and the latter Middle Eastern.

The breakfast offerings are superb, sure the anti-covid regulations keep guests away from the smells but it is impossible not to be satisfied with what you can eat. The entire buffet area is divided into islands. Each island is dedicated to a different cuisine and the dishes are freshly prepared. We are not just talking about the classic egg station, there is a fruit bar where a custom-made fruit salad is cut and prepared, there is the Indian corner where dishes are freshly prepared. There is the salad bar where you can make up your own salad. There is even a pizza oven or one can order yogurt that is freshly prepared.

Breakfast can be enjoyed either inside or in the garden overlooking the pool, also looking for tables isolated from other guests. In any case, table service is present and you can order whatever you want from the waiters, even an excellent cappuccino.

In conclusion

To sleep in a Conrad hotel for less than 100€ per night is a "steal." Certainly there are more luxurious or cheaper, larger or smaller hotels in Dubai, but if you want the guarantee of Hilton quality at the highest level, spending what you would spend in Germany for a night at the Garden Inn, this is the ideal choice for any type of traveler.

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