Le Meridien is one of the city’s oldest luxury hotels. It is located amid lush tropical gardens, and features wonderful amenities on par with Dubai’s many five-pearl hotels. In May 2014 the hotel added the Royal Club, a beautiful section offering a stunning lobby, stylish rooms, and wonderful amenities. However, the original (main) building is underwhelming for a property that advertises itself as one of Dubai’s top hotels. It features a dimly lit lobby, older rooms with poor soundproofing, and somewhat dated decor throughout. This part of the hotel houses only standard rooms -- known here as Deluxe -- which offer less value for money than units in the newer section. Still, the hotel is a popular pick among business and leisure travelers alike.

The hotel is located in a quiet residential area right across the road from the airport. There are a couple of other hotels and a local supermarket within walking distance, but little else. This location is convenient for business travelers and for those with a short layover in Dubai -- but guests looking to explore the beachfront area and the city’s attractions may find the hotel to be a little out of the way. The tourist and business areas of Dubai are a 20-minute drive away through busy roads. The nearest metro stops are a long walk away through a nondescript area, but cabs are affordable and readily available.

The hotel has two distinct sections: the main building, and the newer Royal Club area. The older part houses Deluxe Rooms, which are spacious yet somewhat dated units featuring decent amenities. They are definitely underwhelming for a hotel in this price range. The Royal Club section, however, was opened in May 2014, and features upscale rooms with stylish contemporary decor and solid amenities such as separate walk-in showers and jetted tubs, DVD players, and LCD TVs. Free Wi-Fi, free fruit baskets, and espresso machines with free coffee and tea are all standard amenities. All rooms have garden or pool views, and most feature floor-to-ceiling windows. Royal and Executive rooms offer free access to a private lounge with free evening drinks, hors d’oeuvres, breakfast, and Internet access. Many Royal Club rooms are equipped with a massage chair. Despite proximity to the airport, noise does not seem to be an issue.

The hotel offers a whopping 18 restaurants -- including Thai, Japanese, Italian, and French options -- most featuring outdoor seating and attractive contemporary decor. There are five heated pools on-site, including one located on the rooftop, and a couple with swim-up bars. The fitness center features up-to-date equipment, floor-to-ceiling windows, personal trainers, and spinning, yoga and aerobics classes weekly. The spa is luxurious and relaxing, and offers facials, body treatments, salon services, a sauna, and a hydrotherapy area complete with a snow cave. Wi-Fi and self- and valet parking are available free of charge. The 12 meeting rooms available on-site feature upscale contemporary decor and solid amenities, such as free Internet access and catering services. One of the hotel’s most unique features is its cookery school, run by Paul Bocuse Institute-trained Chef Jeremy Coste.