www.sifrew.com underwater in the 'Glassware' pool at the DIFC Four Seasons. Having adored my stays in the Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, one before it was open to the public, after my coffee at Mr Sharp's Toronto home, I decided I must stay at Four Seasons' second Dubai hotel.
Friends in Qatar had said this boutique-style 106 room/suite hotel was "too small". However, I agree with their GM Carlo that it is a jewel. It reminds me of Four Seasons' Berlin hotel (now a Regent). The DIFC hotel has some of the same smaller Four Seasons magic that this Berlin hotel had.
Friends in Qatar had said this boutique-style 106 room/suite hotel was "too small". However, I agree with their GM Carlo that it is a jewel. It reminds me of Four Seasons' Berlin hotel (now a Regent). The DIFC hotel has some of the same smaller Four Seasons magic that this Berlin hotel had.
| An Incredible Welcome Having been driven in the Dubai Jumeirah Beach & Bahrain Four Seasons Bentleys, I decided to drive to the hotel in the DIFC Four Seasons' one. Carlo, the hotel General Manager, came bounding out of the hotel to greet me and some of the senior management of the hotel were also in the lobby to welcome me. As I was checking in my favourite fellow Four Seasons regular guest arrived. I last saw this important surgeon when I was checking out of the Doha Four Seasons earlier in the week & I was thrilled to see him again. My 5th Floor Corner Studio Suite Carlo personally took me up to my suite and I was blown away by the thoughtful welcome gifts. Veuve Clicquot on ice; stunning desserts; a UAE thobe (robe) & ghutra (headdress) for Issy; and Sheikha teddy bear in an abaya who spoke a personalised welcome message when you squeezed her paw. The suite had a glass wall separating it from the limestone bathroom, which had Bvlgari blue bath products, and stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and the DIFC. I was in heaven in that perfect suite. The 'Glassware' Pool & 7th Floor Roof Terrace Next it was the hotel pool. It is so small only one person can comfortably swim in it at a time but there were so few guests this did not present a problem. I swam and then worked on www.sifrew.com, while Four Seasons staff came to chat with me. Then I got a late lunch of Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The dressing was divine but the chicken a bit dry. Luna Sky Bar After a quick shower, in the vast shower in my suite, it was off to Luna Sky Bar on the 8th floor of the hotel smelling of gorgeous Bvlgari tea collection products. In the bar three friends I know from Qatar, one of who was also at Shrewsbury School, drank perfect very dry Grey Goose martinis and had a laugh, Firebird Diner by Michael Mina Next the four of us headed to the podium level of the hotel to 'Firebird Diner'. This is an American diner that serves foie gras, truffles etc. The Four Seasons idea of American fast food by an Egyptian born American chef. The appetisers are to share and the 4 canapé size Angus beef tartares on crispy potato with capers & truffle vinaigrette were the highlight for me. What flavours & texture. We all had steaks as main course but I had eaten too many starters by then and was not keen on the sauce the steaks were served on. Issy's UAE National Dress & Grey Goose Martinis That afternoon Issy's UAE National Dress was being altered and I got back to the suite to be ecstatic over how good it looked. A self-service Grey Goose martini set had also been left but meetings the next day meant I passed on this that night. In any case, there was no vermouth. Day Two Breakfast & Horrid Coffee I started the day ordering breakfast using the hotel iPad and pushing the buttons for the curtains to open. Technology has really hit this hotel. Breakfast arrived & the Eggs Benedict were some the best I have eaten but the coffee was weak dishwater & dreadful. A Business Hotel Next it was off to a business meeting outside the hotel, where there was perfect coffee. I loved the meeting and returned feeling great. Back to the Pool I then spent a few hours at the pool. Because it is a business hotel, I was the only customer. Feeling sorry for the under employed staff I ordered a gin & fresh raspberry cocktail that was delicious. Then I ordered Caesar salad with grilled prawns. The dressing was not as good as the day before but the huge prawns were excellent. More Business in the Hotel's Penrose Lounge Next I had another business meeting in the hotel's Penrose Lounge. Once again it went well and it was a great place to conduct a business meeting, even if we did just drink water. Back at the 'Glassware' Pool I returned to the pool where I got a glass of Veuve Clicquot and relaxed thinking my 'business' was over. However, I had to return to me suite to take a business call and staff kept my champagne cold while I was away. When I got back to the pool I got chatting to a very well travelled lawyer, who was a fellow Four Seasons customer. He ended up telling me there was one Four Seasons that is a mess, Four Seasons, New York. I was so reassured to learn I was not alone in this view. Churchill Lounge That evening the Luna Sky Bar was closed for a private function at the start of the evening and so I met a friend from the DFSA in the Churchill Lounge. We were given a table with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and drank perfect very dry Grey Goose martinis talking about the UAE & Qatar. Veuve Clicquot in my Suite When Angel arrived, who I know from when she worked at Four Seasons Doha & Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, we went down to my suite to drink the Veuve Clicquot. It was such fun swapping stories with this cheerful lady and she, generously, had a Four Seasons gift for me. Ending the Evening on the Outside Terrace at Luna Sky Bar We ended the evening on the outside terrace at Luna Sky Bar taking photos and then Angel bought us a last martini. What an evening. Back at the suite I ordered room service. The truffle mac & cheese was too watery and I was surprised the duck fat fries were string fires but the meatballs & spaghetti was good. Day Two Breakfast by the Pool I went down to the pool to order breakfast. I had not realised they do not usually serve this here but it was Four Seasons and so there was no problem with this request. While we were waiting for the food Nenad, from the Four Seasons staff, took the stunning underwater photo of me. The Eggs Benedict were perfect again but the coffee too weak for me and not pleasant a second time. A Chat with GM Carlo in the Penrose Lounge I then had an interesting chat with GM Carlo in the Penrose Lounge. I have stayed at so many Four Seasons where he has worked (eg Four Seasons George V; Four Seasons Sultanahmet etc). Packing & Checking Out While packing I decided to leave the Sheikha teddy bear behind (too much to carry) but take her abaya. I then emailed Paul, my Elite Guest Contact in Toronto, that my Four Seasons group profile should be amended to say I only want to receive smaller soft toys going forward. Downstairs the Four Seasons DIFC Maserati was waiting to take me to Four Seasons Abu Dhabi and Carlo was there to say goodbye. 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 (6 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - it is an incredible achievement that a hotel that has only been open for a few months gets a 6 'teddies' score. This is a beautiful hotel with first class staff and I know it will be a 7 'teddy' Four Seasons once it sorts out its F&B issues. A hotel in the Middle East must produce good coffee, duck fat fries should be chunky etc. My tips:- have breakfast by the pool, get Nenad to take some photos of you in the pool & stay at this small stunning hotel even if you are not on business. |  The Four Seasons Bentley that brought me to the hotel. This photos was taken as we visited Palazzo Versace - Dubai, a hotel which I was unimpressed by.  The Veuve Clicquot, Sheikha teddy bear, Issy's thobe and the mouthwatering desserts.  The sitting area of my modern & elegant suite, which had incredible views.  The bedroom area of the suite with the stunning new bright white Four Seasons linen. Four Seasons DIFC was the first hotel to use this.  I love Four Seasons hotels that provide Bvlgari bath products.  This photo really demonstrates the 'aquarium nature' of the 'Glassware' pool at the hotel.  www.sifrew.com @fsdubaidifc!  Angus beef tartare on crispy potato with capers & truffle vinaigrette. Heaven on a plate with the flavours & textures.  The self-service martini kit with no vermouth or twists.  Issy in his Emirati National Dress, I was blown away by how good he looked. 'Issy of Arabia'.  Breakfast in the suite with a stunning view of Burj Khalifa.  Another view of the pool all the guests loved.  My lunch by the pool. I was not sure about the 'picnic style' presentation.  celebrating the end of my business meetings the only way www.sifrew.com knows how.  The view from the Churchill Lounge. A fun change from the night before.  Angel & me on the outdoor terrace at Luna Sky Bar.  The fuller martini kit on the last night.  My Eggs Benedict breakfast by the pool.  GM Carlo & me after our chat in the Penrose Lounge.  At the pool the staff kept bringing me gummy bears. Only at Four Seasons does www.sifreww.com get treated this well.  Goodbyes are difficult but made easier when you are off to the Abu Dhabi Four Seasons in a Maserati. |
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