Top 10 new UAE hotel openings of 2016

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Every year marks another advance in the onward march of the UAE’s hotel industry, and this year was no exception, as the country got its first W and Versace hotels, and the Four Seasons opened in the capital. Here’s a round up of the top 10 new hotel openings in 2016 in the UAE.

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

The long-awaited Four Seasons Abu Dhabi marks the entrance of one of the world’s great hotel brands to the UAE capital. The slick, purpose-built block on Al Maryah Island has a fairly intimate feel, with “only” 200 rooms, an excellent spa and a great selection of restaurants on its lower levels.

• For more, visit www.fourseasons.com/abudhabi

Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi

Another brand new building, the Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi lends a touch of luxury to what is essentially a corporate city centre hotel. There’s a nice rooftop, a good steak restaurant and excellent American-style bar food in the sports bar Velocity. The all-day dining restaurant Kuzbara has changing themes to its dinner buffet.

• For more, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auhmc-marriott-hotel-downtown-abu-dhabi

W Dubai

The W brand has wowed guests all over the world, and its new Dubai outpost is no exception. Behind its Habtoor City facade is a full-on kaleidescope of neon, futuristic furniture and glittery floors. When taken all together these can be over-the-top, not forgetting the signature round beds. Rates are competitive, from Dh881 including breakfast and taxes.

• For more, visit www.wdubaialhabtoorcity.com

Four Seasons DIFC

In some ways comparable to its Abu Dhabi sister, the Four Seasons DIFC in Dubai has an intimate, almost boutique hotel feel. Its Gate Village location allows you to explore the surrounding restaurants and galleries on foot - not that you have to go far, as Michael Mina’s Firebird Diner is downstairs. The boxy, clear-sided rooftop swimming pool is the perfect accompaniment to the open-air view of Dubai’s startling skyline.

• For more, visit www.fourseasons.com/dubaidifc

Rove Downtown Dubai

The first of Emaar brand Rove’s hotels which aim to offer stylish accommodation on a relative budget, the proudly 3-star Rove Downtown Dubai has an excellent location near the Burj Khalifa and is both hip and homely. More please.

• For more, visit www.rovehotels.com/hotel/rove-downtown-dubai

Bab Al Qasr, Abu Dhabi

The gold-coloured, double-towered, 677-room, 36-storey Bab Al Qasr is perhaps the most eye-catching of what is now a cluster of hotels between the Khalidiya Rayhaan by Rotana and Etihad Towers. Inside, there’s a suitably dramatic lobby complete with a set of palm trees, and the hotel also has its own private beach.

• For more, visit www.millenniumhotels.com/en/abu-dhabi/bab-al-qasr-hotel

La Ville Dubai

A late entrant onto this list because it has just opened, La Ville Hotel & Suites, at City Walk, between Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai, is a sign of good things to come. The new boutique hotel is by luxury Marriott brand The Autograph Collection. The five-storey block has 77 rooms, 11 suites and 68 apartments, plus a gym and swimming pool, three restaurants, a 24-hour lobby cafe and a rooftop bar. It’s not cheap, however - double rooms cost from Dh2,072 per night, including taxes.

• For more, visit www.livelaville.com

Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai

This new beachfront hotel between the Jumeirah Mina A’Salam and Burj Al Arab is part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex and marks the final chapter of the two-kilometre resort development, which began with the opening of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 1997. The new hotel offers a further 430 rooms, an adults-only swimming pool, seven new Jumeirah restaurants and bars and four restaurants run by third-party operators.

• For more, visit www.jumeirah.com

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Our reviewer ventured to this newly-opened hotel in the first week of 2016 and found herself lost in a construction wasteland in the middle of the night. Yet while the hotel’s location is an issue, once inside the experience couldn’t be more different, with palatial interiors excellent restaurants and a high level of attention to detail.

• For more, visit www.palazzoversace.ae

Wyndham Dubai Marina

Somewhat under-the-radar, this new 2016 addition impressed our reviewer for its great views over the Gulf, quietly efficient service, excellent food and value for money.

• For more, visit www.wyndhamdubaimarina.com