Occupying 23 floors of a glass-skinned high-rise, the comparatively affordable Media One Hotel is both a smart choice for trendy business travelers and a popular hangout for young media mavens who have offices in this area. Whereas accommodations in Dubai often aim for a serenely elegant ambiance, this one does the opposite -- whether that means adding eccentric elements like funky monkey lights and sculptural armchairs to the spacious lobby or importing guest DJs to crank up the music in the Euro-inspired pool area. Western hipsters may feel the hotel tries a little too hard (room categories, for instance, have names like Cool or Hip Biz). But, overall, the vibrant vibe is a welcome change of pace for guests who want to mix work with some fun-in-the-sun time.

The hotel sits off busy Sheikh Zayed Road, and its location -- four minutes on foot from Media City Park -- makes it a savvy choice for anyone doing business in nearby offices. Public transit is easily accessed by those who want to maximize their off-time: three tram stations are within a 10-minute walk, and the Nakheel Metro Station is only another minute away. But since the area is prone to traffic and not particularly pedestrian-friendly, most folks will simply grab a cab. Leisure opportunities (especially retail therapy or a round of golf) are a short drive away; sightseers, however, will find themselves more than 25 minutes by taxi from major attractions. Note that rental bikes and rental cars are both available on-site. 

• Four-minute walk to Dubai Media City Park
• Six-minute drive to Mall of the Emirates 
• Six-minute drive to Montgomerie Golf Club
• Seven-minute drive to Ibn Battuta Mall
• Seven-minute drive to Emirates Golf Club
• Seven-minute drive to Internet City 
• 10-minute drive to Dubai Marina
• 25-minute drive to Dubai International Airport

Thanks to a neutral color scheme and built-in furnishings with a Scandinavian look, rooms here provide a soothing counterpoint to the hotel as a whole. All include floor-to ceiling windows overlooking the city or Palm Jumeirah archipelago, plus air-conditioning, tea/coffee-making equipment, minibars, docking stations and 43-inch smart TVs with international channels -- but no free Wi-Fi. Across the board you’ll also find sleek marble bathrooms that are outfitted with welcome extras like robes, magnifying mirrors and toilet cubicles. Better yet they have deep tubs that seem tailor-made for soaking (most have attached power showers, though suites have separate shower stalls in addition to extra square footage and, in some cases, dedicated living areas). The downside is that the glass wall between the bathroom and bedroom may not provide enough privacy for some.

This hotel caters to corporate types by offering a staffed business center and seven meeting rooms with all the requisite tech toys, plus a multipurpose event space with panoramic views. There’s an appealing selection of on-site eateries, too: namely the casual caféM (a lobby-level spot for light bites), QWERTY (a glam gastropub that opened in early 2017), The MED (a stylish Mediterranean restaurant), and Garden on Eight (a funky alfresco option complete with faux grass and garden gnomes). Adjacent to the last of these is the hotel’s signature attraction – an Ibiza-esque pool area known as The DEK on 8. During the week, sunbathers chill in its comfy armchairs and decadent cabana beds, but the place overheats on weekends when a high-energy crowd comes to play. Other amenities include a round-the-clock reception desk with multilingual staff; a salon; a bright fitness area with steam and sauna rooms; concierge, dry cleaning/laundry and currency exchange services; 24-hour room service; and free parking and free Wi-Fi in public areas.