A Dubai outpost of the five-star luxury London brand Dukes opened this week on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. While the British hotel is in a historic building in London’s Mayfair, the brand-new Dubai hotel aims to offer “the best of British in the UAE”. Located on the west trunk of The Palm, the hotel has 273 guestrooms and 64 suites, including a ladies-only floor and 227 hotel apartments. The 15-storey building, owned and operated by Seven Tides, has a signature Great British Restaurant (GBR) and Dukes Bar. Guests can also eat at West 14th, a steakhouse in the same development, Oceana. A further group of restaurants will open early next year. Rooms currently cost from Dh740 including taxes.
Metropolitan Hotel Dubai opening offer
The new Metropolitan Hotel in Dubai, a rebuild and relocation of the original Metropolitan Hotel, which originally opened in 1979, is currently offering 25 per cent off the best available rate on all room types. The old Metropolitan Hotel was demolished in 2013 to make way for the development in Al Habtoor City. The new hotel, on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road, offers 320 rooms and suites, a rooftop swimming pool and a modern gym. Dining options include The Red Lion, a “traditional English pub” and Don Corleone, an Italian restaurant. The four-star property currently has rates from Dh357 per night including taxes.
Hot destinations for 2017
The guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has produced its Best in Travel 2017 report, which outlines the key countries, cities, regions and trends for the coming travel year. Its number-one-recommended country to visit is Canada, which it says has been “bolstered by the wave of positivity unleashed by its energetic new leader Justin Trudeau”, and has “dynamic cities that dominate global livability indices, a reputation for inclusiveness and impeccable politeness”. This, combined with exciting fusion food and a weak currency, makes it top of the 10 destinations “not to be missed in 2017”. Also in the top 10 are Oman, Myanmar and Nepal. Top of its list of cities to visit next year is Bordeaux, France, which has continued its fine reputation for gastronomy and will soon benefit from a high-speed train service from Paris. Other recommended cities include Cape Town, South Africa and Portland, Oregon.
