Majestic Hotel Tower ★★★★

I had never quite understood the fascination with Dubai; or rather, I had never really thought it was the place for me. Perhaps if I could park my supercar outside one of the world’s tallest buildings, zoom up in a lift to my penthouse hotel room and crack open a bottle of champagne in preparation for a night out with my millionaire friends, I could just about see the appeal. But it hardly seems particularly approachable for the average traveller, especially when you read so many stories about seven-star hotels, palatial shopping malls and well-to-do celebrity tourists.

However, that was before I jetted off to the Majestic Hotel Tower, where VeryChic showed me that I could enjoy all the scintillating modernity, upscale extravagance, superb weather and jaw-dropping skyscrapers of one of the world’s wealthiest cities without breaking the bank. And neither did this mean that I had to sacrifice the opulent style associated with a break in Dubai… My heart was already racing on the descent towards the airport as I caught a glimpse of the famous buildings which momentarily looked so miniscule but which I knew to be so enormous, surrounded by gleaming white beaches and seemingly endless desert. I got my first taste of Dubai luxury as soon as we touched down: I was met at arrivals and whisked off to the Majestic Hotel Tower in style thanks to the hotel’s shuttle service.

It is just as well to arrive in style; although this may not be Dubai’s flashiest or most outrageously extravagant hotel, it still exudes an air of class and sophistication with its subtle, warm and inviting décor infused with gorgeous Arabian details, so a grand entrance will help you feel right at home. Speaking of feeling at home, my room offered everything I needed to feel blissfully comfortable throughout my stay, thanks to free Wi-Fi, cosy bedding, a choice of goose feather or microfiber pillows and international television channels. Best of all was the view out of the window –I could have stared for hours at the view over the impossibly tall metropolis stretching out before me, with the soaring spire of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, standing majestically in the background.

Shooting into the heavens, the Burj Khalifa is visible from almost anywhere in the city and reaches up to 163 floors high. By comparison, the Majestic Hotel Tower’s impressive 28 floors seem almost rather insignificant, but the hotel still manages to pack plenty in. For health-conscious guests there is a fitness centre, as well as a sauna and steam room to help you unwind after a workout. However, I am more the kind to take refuge from the blistering Arabian heat with a cold drink in my hand and my feet in the water of the rooftop pool, which also enjoys commanding views over the cityscape.

Then there are the plentiful restaurants and bars – six of them to be precise. Dubai’s dining scene has exploded along with its popularity as an upmarket tourist destination, so there are plenty of high level restaurants out there to discover. Closer to home however, the Majestic Hotel Tower offers superb Greek cuisine at Elia (overseen by celebrity Greek chef Yiannis Baxevanis) as well as poolside international, Middle Eastern and continental classics at Tirquaz, providing a delicious end to days which all begin with an equally delectable breakfast spread.

To keep you hydrated, you can enjoy cocktails on the roof, coffee and cake at the Lavazza café, or whiskey and jazz at the Breathers Cigar Lounge, while I also took the chance to follow my favourite team from afar at the Barrels sports bar. Carrying on the party long into the night, The Music Room has been voted as Dubai’s best live music bar, with lively performances to accompany the cool atmosphere and excellent menu. International acts who have played here include The Proclaimers, and they are by no means the only ones to have walked 500 miles to appear at the prestigious venue.

Even after all this, there was still one more area in which the Majestic Hotel Tower excelled itself. For a first time Dubai traveller like myself, the hotel’s organised excursions were exactly what I needed to get to know every side of this remarkable city. They cater for every preference, whether you prefer the idea of camel riding or deep sea fishing. I immediately made sure to take their half-day tour of modern Dubai, which took me past all the most famous skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road, premier sights such as the Burj Al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah archipelago, some shopping opportunities at the Souk du Madinat Jumeirah and the Mall of the Emirates, and ended up at the Burj Khalifa. On another day, I had a more traditional Arabian experience as I headed out into the desert, riding a camel over the sand dunes before enjoying a barbecue dinner accompanied by belly dancing, shisha and a gorgeous sunset.

This is without even mentioning the cruises, visits to Abu Dhabi and other sights and beaches to see in the city itself. I quickly realised that all my preconceptions about Dubai were completely wrong; in fact it made such an impression that, thanks to VeryChic, I’ve already booked to return to the Majestic Hotel Tower for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve!