It was my first time in Dubai, and I was arriving late at night. I wanted to stay somewhere near the airport, the city center, and a metro station, so it would be convenient for me logistically. Fitting my requirement was the palatial Holiday Inn Bur Dubai – Embassy District, which surprisingly, was affordable for a hotel in an attractive location.
Holiday Inn Bur Dubai – Embassy District is a 10-minute drive or a few metro stops from the airport, making it a suitable stopover hotel as well. Business travelers will find its location near to embassies and office buildings convenient, while for us leisure travelers, the best of what Dubai has to offer like the Burj Khalifah, the Dubai Mall, and the Mall of the Emirates is just one ride away from BurJurman Station, one of the only two interchanges between the red and green lines of the Dubai Metro. Also within the vicinity is BurJurman Mall, as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants.
Upon arrival from the airport, I was welcomed into what looked like a palace. For some, it may be “too much,” but since it was Dubai after all, I thought it reflected the essence of the city. And it was unlike the other Holiday Inn hotels I’ve stayed at elsewhere, so I did like it.
Like the lobby and the rest of the hotel, my suite was bordering on kitschy, but again, for a hotel in Dubai, it made sense. The spacious suite had three parts—a living room with a dining area, the bedroom, and the bathroom in between.
Despite its locally-inspired design, it had features and amenities akin to a Western hotel and, well, a Holiday Inn, including a comfortable bed with both soft and firm pillows. The bathroom was immaculate and had an enclosed large tub and shower combo.
I came in during Ramadan, so serving and consuming food during the daytime for non-Muslims had to be done discreetly—I had my breakfast and lunch either at Two Guineas (the hotel’s English pub) or through room service. I loved the hotel’s take on kebabs, as well as its grilled seafood.
One evening, I was invited to partake in the hotel’s Iftar or breaking of the fast at Anwar, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, and it was a grand affair. On offer was a stupendous spread of mostly Arabic cuisine that frankly I didn’t think I would enjoy as much.
Amid the desert heat, I wasn’t interested at all in breaking a sweat, but I did check out the outdoor pool and fitness center in the hotel.
HOLIDAY INN BUR DUBAI – EMBASSY DISTRICT
Al Hamriya, Khaleed Bin Waleed, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 357 2999
Email: hiburdubai.info@ihg.com
Website: www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/dubai/dxbhi/hoteldetail
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