Originally built as a large family mansion, the XVA Art hotel is hidden amongst built-up maze-like alleyways. Thick stone walls were built in the 19th century and renovated over time, but still embrace the stylish architecture used by the Persians who originally constructed the mansion. As its name implies, art is the star of the show here, and the boutique accents throughout this hotel put it way above many of the soulless mega-hotels that line Dubai's streets when it comes to charm. The small, colorful, lobby is crammed with bright chairs and art objects that are also for sale in the hotel's boutique. The overgrowth of greenery in the main courtyard provides a calming vibe that contrasts with the pops of color from the art-filled walls. Upstairs, there's a rooftop sun deck furnished with beige sun loungers and sofas -- it's a fine place to kick back after a day touring the city. Wooden sculptures provide a touch of sophisticated whimsy. Overall, the vibe is stylish yet informal, and the hotel primarily draws couples with it's quaint, romantic style.

The XVA hotel is located in the center of the Al Fahidi neighborhood, one of Dubai's oldest and most character-filled, so it's surrounded by museums, calligraphy houses, and heritage sites. Amid the rush of bikes and street sellers is the Dubai Museum, which is located within a four-minute walk from the property, as is the nearby mosque. The proximity means the call to prayer is loud, but most find this only adds to the experience and atmosphere of the area. Visitors can practice their bartering skills at the textiles market or one of the souks on either side of Dubai Creek -- the heart and soul of the older part of the city. For those seeking Dubai's more modern pleasures, the hotel is about 15 minutes by taxi from The Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, and roughly 25 minutes to the Palm Jumeirah. It's 30 minutes to the trendy The Walk, a strip lined with shops, cafes, and dining. On the other side of the creek is the Dubai International Airport, which is a 10-minute drive away; a shuttle can be requested from the hotel for pick-up and drop-off. Expect to pay for parking at the hotel if you bring a car. 

There are 13 unique and individually designed rooms in the XVA. Each has a theme that comes from a local sources, with names like the Dishdash Room, Henna Room, and the Gutra Suite. All rooms have air-conditioning (essential in summer months), minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles for coffee and tea, but there are no TVs. The hotel's in-house tailor made the cozy robes that hang in the wardrobes. The lovely decor, which consists of statement art pieces, reflects the hotel’s nod to art gallery-inspired living. Handmade carpets, wood carved furniture, and drapes also decorate the interiors, although color and detail varies by room. For instance, the Henna Room's white walls are decorated with large henna hand stencils. The Dishdash Room has a large and handsome terrace that's furnished and shaded from the punishing sun. While the rooms are all quite compact, they are original and complement the neighborhood in which they're hidden. Clean en-suite bathrooms have large rainfall showers. To get a good look of the surrounding area, it's best to venture outside the rooms because views from the windows are hindered by adjacent buildings.

The list of services and facilities at XVA is short. Room service and three meals a day are provided at the on-site vegetarian cafe, which is also open to the public and gets stellar reviews. The art gallery, dedicated to pieces by contemporary Arab artists, is worth a perusal as some of the pieces are truly breathtaking. There is also a design shop that sells XVA’s own fashion items and other gifts sourced from all over the Middle East. A small list of beauty treatments is available too. For entertainment, table tennis paddles can be borrowed from the reception desk to play in the courtyard and a movie is played each evening in the main courtyard. The front desk can help with bookings for bus tours and trips around old and new Dubai. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.