The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

Even by the overblown standards of Dubai, the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort is grand -- and in both senses of the word. A tiered fountain lined with palm trees and precisely sculpted shrubbery set the tone. Arrivals are dwarfed by the entrance's tall porte-cochere supported by lofty pairs of gleaming white columns. Reception is no less striking with swathes of polished stone and gold tiling combined with freshly-cut flowers and smart contemporary furnishings. A vast lobby lounge features Neo-Classical mosaic flooring and soars up past eight balconies to a glowing dome that fills the atrium with sunlight. The property's interiors are polished, opulent, and elegant throughout, and the hotel's extensive grounds are also impressive (and shared with the neighboring Le Meridien) encompassing numerous pools surrounded by manicured lawns and sun terraces that tier down to one of the longest stretches of private beach in Dubai. The resort is large enough to accommodate and provide enough privacy for the mix of romancing couples, large families with multiple kids, and business travelers that make up the diverse clientele. The hotel's famed Friday brunch also pulls in a number of non-residents each week. 

The hotel is situated on the southern end of Dubai’s largest private sand beach just off the busy Al Sufouh Road that services the bustling Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Districts. While its location means easy access to Dubai Media City and Jumeirah Beach Residence -- both just minutes away by car -- it's a bit of a distance away from some of Dubai's tourists attractions, including the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building) which is at least a 20-minute drive away. Neither is the hotel well-placed for those interested in shopping, as the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall are between 15 and 25 minutes' drive away. Dubai International Airport is around a 30-minute drive in light traffic.

The hotel has almost 300 guest rooms and suites. Even the entry-level Deluxe Rooms provide a roomy 550 square feet (52 square meters) and up to a vast 420 square feet (390) in the largest suite. Decor is upscale and traditional with comfy armchairs, patterned carpets, and antique-style furnishings in earth tones with gold accents. Most rooms, but not all, extend to balconies with rattan seating and superb views over the grounds and sea; land-view rooms get views of busy roads and skyscrapers. Executive Rooms are on higher floors for better views and Deluxe Suites have corner positions.Standard amenities are all suitably high-end, with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, iPod docks, and minibars stocked with Champagne. In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge though it can be slow (a paid upgrade is available). Spacious bathrooms have mahogany framed mirrors, separate tubs, and walk-in showers (with rainfall and handheld heads), waffle-comb bathrobes, and hotel-brand toiletries. 

This luxury property provides some of the best features in Dubai. With an impressive eight eateries on-site ranging from Thai and Italian to tapas and steak, there's little reason to leave the hotel to dine. Breakfast is not included (and it's pricey) though it's composed of a particularly comprehensive buffet plus fresh smoothies and live stations providing cooked-to-order eggs. The Friday Bubbalicious brunch is reputedly one of the best in Dubai and attracts plenty of non-guests with -- of course -- plenty of bubbly and even acrobats. There's also a wine bar and pool bars. The main pool stretches almost the length of the hotel, and is home to a swim-up bar, waterfalls, kids' pools, waterslides, and whirlpool sections, plus a separate section for those wanting to swim laps. Children are well cared for with an excellent free kids' club seven days a week (under-fours must be supervised). The hotel also has one of the better beaches in Dubai, with lots of space, wide parasols, and comfy sun loungers. The Westin Spa is full-service with 11 spa treatment rooms. Separate male and female relaxation areas each include steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpool tubs. The modern fitness center includes Technogym equipment and there are tennis courts outdoors.Free Wi-Fi covers all the areas of the hotel, both indoors and outdoors, though service can be slow without the premium upgrade. The resort features an Italian-designed conference center with eight meeting and conference venues, in addition to an 8,838-square-foot ballroom for up to 1,200 guests.Guests also have the use of the facilities of the neighboring Le Meridien Hotel, which includes a water-sports kiosk.