A frequent traveller to Dubai, I like to think of myself as an expert on its hotels. Lost at the prospect of having to spend a night in Al Ain (2 hours drive away) I checked with my travel agent and the choice was clear - the City seasons hotel presents itself as a recently opened luxury "boutique" hotel. The icing on the cake was that it was supposedly adjacent to the "City Centre", which in Dubai is a large shopping mall. Upon arrival I was struck by the fact that the "City Centre" is no more than a tiny minimarket. The rooms are small, modern and very clean with a good size bathroom. Unfortunatly the bathroom takes up half of the room! There is no direct dialling from the room so you have to call the operator who will then call you back whenever he/she feels like it. The 2 floor building is built in a way that most of the view is blocked by the outside structure of overhanging concrete.

The breakfast hall sports four large plastic palm "trees" and plastic flowers abound. I cant comment on the service because I had to take off the plastic coverings from the salads and breads. This was at 9am! The only waiter around came out of the kitchen 10 minutes after I had sat down and didnt give me much notice nor ask me if I want to have coffee. I had to pinch myself to believe I had just spent 110 euros and was in a 5 star boutique hotel!