"How did it strike you on arrival?Manzil has all the trapping of a boutique hotel with contemporary influences and touches that make it distinctly Dubai. It’s a smaller property, but the lobby is comfortable and adjacent to a relaxing terrace. Think neutral stucco, olive trees, and furniture awash in cream and gray. You’ll notice Arabian touches throughout. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Given the hotel’s proximity to Burj Khalifa and other Dubai must-sees, it attracts everyone from families and couples to solo travelers. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Deluxe Rooms are on the smaller side, but airy and bright with crisp white linens, grey carpeting, big windows, and Arabian-inspired murals above the headboards. If you want a view, upgrade to a Deluxe Burj View room. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Beds and linens are comfy and plush, but pillows are on the flatter side. Ideal for some sleepers, but not for others. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Rooms are rife with outlets and come with everything you'd need in a hotel room: ironing board, hair dryer, in-room safe, robes, slippers, and a well-stocked minibar. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Doorless bathrooms open directly into the room, so take note if you like your privacy. Toiletries are by Lorenso Villoresi. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wifi is fast and free throughout. Room service: Worth it?Room service food don’t quite match up to the quality of what's served elsewhere in the hotel, but breakfast is served until 11am (a rarity in early-rising Dubai!) so hopefully you can rouse yourself before then. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?Upon your arrival, the staff greets you with a hot cup of Arabian coffee and a fresh date—a perfect pick-me-up for a road-weary traveler. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.There’s a free shuttle to Dubai Mall and nearby beaches. The on-site pool is small and regularly too cold to swim in, but uncrowded. Bottom line: worth it, and why?There are certainly more glamorous properties in Dubai, but Manzil Downtown wins out for its Arabian authenticity. Get a room with a view and enjoy the proximity to the mall and other favorite sites." - Laura Ratliff
