Review: The Waldorf Astoria DIFC, Dubai
The hotel with total Manhattan vibes | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
A hotel dedicated to those traveling for business, it gives strong New York City vibes
Amenities
Spa services, don’t forget to experience the flotation pod
Gym equipment by Technogym®
Two onsite restaurants
The Review
Background
The hotel was the first of its brand to open in Dubai and this summer it’s coming up on its 6th year anniversary. The Waldorf Astoria brand is part of Hilton Worldwide, and is one of the premium brands in Hilton’s portfolio. Birthed from a feud between cousins William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor IV, who built competing hotels across the street from each other, the two decided to lay down their differences and merge. Moving to Park Avenue, the original Waldorf Astoria was the largest hotel in the world at the time, and it became a hotel of high society and elegance.
Waldorf Astoria DIFC is in the heart of the financial district where guests can easily spot downtown, Zabeel, and the royal stables. It offers all the services you’d expect from a luxury hotel from 23-hour room service, leisure services, laundry facilities, VIP service, and more.
Where Is It?
Located in the Burj Daman complex, the hotel is in the heart of Dubai’s DIFC (Dubai International Finance Center). From the windows it’s easy to spot the Arabian palaces on the ground.
What’s It Like?
The hotel is a modern nod to the Art Deco era, and its quiet yet lively. A total city hotel, it’s chic, urban, and very grown up. The best part about the hotel is the skyline views it gives off. The bottom floors of the Burj Daman complex are dedicated to restaurants not associated with the hotel, but the hotel’s meeting and ballrooms are also located on bottom floor. Floor 18 is dedicated to Bull & Bear restaurant, Peacock Alley, the lobby, and public spaces.
Rooms
There are 275 rooms, suites, and residential suites, with rooms being situated between floors 27-50 and require key card access. Floors 50-55 belong to the residences giving larger skyline views to Dubai. While the lobby and Peacock Alley may all be about Art Deco influence, the rooms give more a mid-century feel to match with the grown-up New York City vibes.
King Corner Suites with Skyline Views come with 1,345 square feet offering views of the city and downtown Dubai. The large living room opens up even more with floor to ceiling windows and automatic drapes that pour in the morning light. The mid-century modern design is done with timeless effort and unique touches that make the suite feel like you’re staying in a friend’s home rather than a hotel. Coming with a half bath, there’s an even larger marble bathroom off the bedroom with separate vanity sink spaces across from each other, a walk-in shower, a circular deep soaking bathtub, and a walk-in water closet. The bedroom has a king bed, 55-inch HD TV, a sitting area, and a desk that overlooks royal grounds below and the city. Comfortably sleeping four, rooms start at ($540) 1,986 AED per night.
Food and Drink
The best thing about any hotel is its ability to be, well, hospitable. The Waldorf Astoria DIFC, Dubai has mastered this well. The staff, including the chefs are more than welcoming. Chef Gurkan Gozyilmaz is often walking the hotel. We saw him a time or two on the 18th floor and even on the ground floor. Warm in his countenance, we warn you, he can make a mean Waldorf Salad.
Peacock Alley | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
Afternoon tea at Peacock Alley | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
Peacock Alley is where guests can have the hotel’s namesake Waldorf Salad- an item that can be found on any Waldorf Astoria hotel menu around the world. Take note of the Art Deco design, including the clocktower in the center of the restaurant. It’s the perfect spot for a meeting or simply to have the “Meet Me at the Clock” Afternoon Tea, which includes finger sandwiches and fresh scones from 2-6PM at $62 (225 AED per person). The hotel has a range of must try teas.
Bull & Bear has roots from NYC but has also found a home in Dubai | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
Bull & Bear by Marc Hardiman serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is done in a buffet style with salad and cold cut items, as well as a hot section and made-to-order eggs to your liking. And while breakfast is great, Bull & Bear is where you want to be in the evening. One for the views. The evening skyline and glistening lights make guests feel like their dining in the heart of Manhattan. European with its fare, Hardiman’s focus is the craftsmanship and presentation of dishes. An in-house sommelier is available to help pair the right wine with your meal. If you’re a beef wellington connoisseur, you want to dine at Bull & Bear on a Wednesday when it’s beef wellington night. For starters the Burrata with green ben, peach, and walnuts will melt on the palette smoothly, while the Hokkaido scallops with sweetcorn, and beef chorizo served on a scallop shell is both presentable and tasty. Don’t forget to occasionally peak out the window and see views of the Burj Khalifa.
Leisure
The flotation suite | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
St. Trop pool area | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria DIFC
The spa on the 18th floor offers signature massages, a grooming suite, and a flotation suite. The aim and mission of the spa is to make guests feel like, in the busyness of the city, they can unplug. The flotation pod is like being on the shores of the Dead Sea, and if you aren’t able to catch a flight to Jordan, then the hotel’s spa is the place to go. With 1,322 lbs. (600 kg) of Epsom salt the experience will provide a weightless experience that gives way to detoxification and relaxation. As you walk into the suite, you’re guided to rinse in the shower then you’re told to lie down in the warm water in the pod with music or no music playing. If you’re claustrophobic, the pod door can stay open. Lasting thirty minutes, the session provides the rest and renewal the comes from four hours of sleep. Hands down, I felt relaxed after the session.
The outdoor pool at St. Trop is spacious, shielded from the sun, and surrounded by lounge chairs. With a poolside bar the vibe is French Riviera. It’s the best way to spend an all-day in at the hotel by lounging by the pool, dining on lite bites from the bar, and going to the spa afterwards.
Verdict stay here. You’ll get all the urban vibes in a 60s era chic hotel.
Best For the skyline views of Dubai.
Don’t Miss the St Trop outdoor pool.
Contact Burj Daman - Al Mustaqbal St - Za'abeel – DIFC, Dubai UAE; hilton.com
