The streets just outside the hotel are busy and get noise from both pedestrians and traffic, but inside the hotel, the chaos makes way for a quiet, peaceful environment. The overall atmosphere is dictated by the grand open lobby area, which has a high ceiling, beautiful marble-tiled floors with floral accents, and a refreshing mix of contemporary and antique decor. Despite the openness of the hotel’s public areas, they still evoke a sense of intimacy and warmth thanks to the gold and brown color scheme. The hotel attracts both tourists and business travelers.

The hotel is located in Old Dubai, a busy part of town with lots of inexpensive shops and eateries that contrasts sharply with the luxurious New Dubai. For business travelers, the hotel is conveniently located between the finance hubs of Dubai Creek, Deira, and Bur Dubai, all of which are reachable via car or metro. The Union (Red Line) and Salah Al Din (Green Line) metro stations are each a 10-minute walk away from the hotel. The Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 is four stops away and the World Trade Centre is three stops away.

New Dubai can also be accessed by crossing Dubai Creek via water taxi. The creek is a 15-minute walk from the hotel and offers a picturesque scene -- local businesses load and unload goods at the start and end of each day, restaurants offer local cuisine with a view, and festive activities take place throughout the year here. The beaches are better accessed by car than by public transportation, and the shores of Jumeirah Public Beach and Kite Beach are approximately a 30-minute drive south of the hotel.

The 428 rooms and suites at the Swissotel Al Ghurair are clean and elegant, with contemporary decor and modern amenities including large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi (for a fee). All rooms have leather-quilted headboards and bathrooms with half-glass bathtubs and rainfall showers, and all but the Classic Rooms have work desks. Suites have separate living rooms and huge bathrooms with separate bathtubs and walk-in showers. The Premium and Deluxe Suites also come with dining tables that seat up to eight people. Expect to pay for Wi-Fi in all of the rooms. Views of Dubai are on the bleak side.