By Shereen Shabnam
My favourite place to be in Dubai is the Shangri-La Hotel, my perfect sanctuary during these trying times for fitness and relaxation, delicious dining and premium wellness and leisure facilities. EVery morning I start my day at the wellness area and while people close to me wish it was more in the gym, I absolutely love the serene and calm environment of the indoor spa and jacuzzi.
The hotel offers a glimpse of the iconic skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road nad has spectacular rooms, from one-bedroom suites with spacious living areas to two- or three-bedroom apartments for larger families. There is a relaxing living space that suits everyone’s needs.
Each room at the hotel provides guests with the best views of the city from the Burj Khalifa to the Arabian Sea, allowing guests to really view Dubai for what it is, a blend of history and modernity. As a longtime member of Shangri-La Dubai’s Gym and Spa, I love the ambience, the staff and the retail offering on the 4th Floor.
The hotel has one of the best rooftop pools in the city with the best views of the Burj Khalifa, which is beautifully framed by palm trees creating the ultimate photo opportunity. Guests can enjoy poolside food, including mouth-watering burgers, pizza and salads, while cooling down with delicious mocktails and juices.
The hotel offers some of the finest Asian cuisine with traditional Chinese food at Shang Palace, the signature restaurant of Shangri-La Hotels worldwide and authentic Vietnamese food at Hoi An; for those looking for a more international mix Dunes Café provides guests with an array of choices and a la minute dishes with live-stations.
My current favourite Asian Restaurant is Shang Palace, which offers a delightful taste of traditional Chinese cuisine and currently highlighting Peking Duck as a must have delicacy. Shang Palace offers a wide selection of exquisite, mouth-watering Cantonese and provincial delicacies, complemented by authentic Chinese hospitality in a welcoming and relaxing dining ambience.
CHI, The Spa is the perfect place to unwind with relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to benefit whatever the guest desires. The signature treatment is the Asian Blend Massage, which will take guests on a journey through Asia, combining traditional Asian techniques, including Thai pressure points, Balinese and Malaysian strokes and Chinese energy flow.
The Spa is perfect for balancing your inner chi and restoring equilibrium throughout your entire body as guests can indulge in CHI’s ancient healing philosophies and rituals, to relax and rejuvenate both body and mind.
The hotel is in close proximity to the Dubai Mall which features the largest indoor aquarium, as well as KidZania, an expansive indoor playground. Just five minutes from the hotel, City Walk is a prime destination for dining, shopping and leisure.
