insideKENT Magazine Issue 87 - June 2019 | Page 127

However, this wasn’t our first stop as we were
privileged to stay as Fairmont Gold Guests, a unique
‘hotel within a hotel’ experience that not only begins
with private check in at the 33rd floor Gold Lounge,
but extends to offer preferential rooms and suites,
as well as all-day access to the private lounge for
complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and happy
hour cocktails and canapes in the evening.
From the moment we arrived all staff knew our
names and our personal tastes, and were on hand
to meet our every need. Effortless, courteous and
efficient check in complete we were shown to our
breathtaking corner suite. Entry was straight into a
large sitting room that doubled as a bar and dining
area with dual aspect floor-to-ceiling views of the
city and a welcome platter of fresh fruits and
handmade chocolates.
The suite offered the perfect balance of contemporary
furnishings and welcoming comfort combining
polished granite floors with dark wood furniture and
sumptuous furnishings with accents of gold.
Moving past the guest bathroom were two beautiful
bedroom suites both with ensuite marble bathrooms,
custom toiletries – so customised they even had our
names on – and yet more stunning views of the city,
this time all the way to the Burj Khalifa and beyond;
day and night, the views were outstanding.
This harnessing of night and day continues
throughout the hotel. Express lifts, with impressive
views of the central atrium restaurant, rooms and
suites beyond, take you to the rooftop where clever
design offers both a sunrise and a sunset pool; the
perfect way to make the most of the sun and the
best views of the city. While an expertly curated
programme of dining and entertainment guides you
from ample breakfasts in the main restaurant or the
Gold Lounge through to afternoon tea, rooftop
mezze at Dokuz the outdoor Turkish restaurant,
quirky dining at Dubai’s only dining-in-the-dark
concept, Noire, or to party the night away at one of
Dubai’s most elite nightspots, the Cavalli Club
designed by Roberto Cavalli.
Top of our dining wishlist, though, and our own
destination for dinner was the award-winning
Exchange Grill. Having won the accolade of Dubai’s
best steakhouse, as a couple of steak aficionados we
couldn’t wait to sample the newly launched menu,
but if the excitement of that alone wasn’t enough
we were shown to our table, the only table, in the
Exchange’s private dining room.
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