Review: staycation at Swissotel Al Ghurair

Looking for a fabulous staycation for the whole family with fun activities, a variety of dinning concepts and an award-winning spa? Then pack your bags and head to Swissotel Al Ghurair

Swissotel Al Ghurair is a renowned five-star hotel situated in Deira, the centre of Dubai. The hotel’s “Live it Well” theme prioritizes the wellbeing of your mind, body and soul and infuses vibrancy throughout the guest experience.

In addition to being in close proximity to popular tourist destinations and cultural hubs such as Al Fahidi Fort, Abra, Dubai Museum, etc., Swissotel Al Ghurair is also only 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport and it is connected to the renowned Al Ghurair Centre shopping mall. A free shuttle is also available from the hotel to La Mer Beach.

From the architecture to the natural materials utilized, the hotel has been designed to encourage sustainability in ways that improve the well-being of the visitors. The hotel offers a vitality zone where organic ingredients are used to prepare culinary meals and an internal water filtration system to provide guests with clean, fresh drinking water.

A bright, spacious lobby adorned with sleek furnishings, vibrant paintings and neutral tones greeted us, as we arrived. Swissotel Al Ghurair provides large rooms and suites with connecting family rooms for the kids along with additional amenities, a kids club, a swimming pool, opulent wedding venues, and vast indoor/outdoor spaces for gatherings and corporate meetings.

After a quick check-in, we were directed to our executive room that was very bright, spacious and boasted a stunning view of the Dubai skyline.

Swissotel Al Ghurair offers a range of dining options where you can experience a world of flavours and fresh ingredients such as Liwan restaurant that features an international buffet or a la carte choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and Yasmine Lounge for a more relaxed dining experience.

On our first evening, we went to the seafood night at Liwan restaurant that offered an impressive selection of the freshest seafood, including lobster, oysters, crab legs, mussels and prawns. As I am an absolute seafood lover, I truly enjoyed the buffet, especially the crab legs and oysters. My dining partner opted to have a variety of salads and grilled cod cooked to perfection.

We managed to make space for dessert and tried citrus cheesecake and vanilla pearl, which were both rich, velvety and lush.

The next morning, we made our way again to Liwan to have breakfast and explore the numerous options at the buffet. You can find everything from freshly-cut fruit and a selection of cold cuts, cheese, salads and smoked salmon; to porridge, baked beans, chicken sausages and turkey bacon and even a kid’s section with pancakes and waffles with appetizing toppings.

After breakfast, we headed to the award-winning spa where we had a vital detox massage. Using advanced lymphatic procedures, the sublime synergy of lemongrass and peppermint is injected into the body to efficiently eliminate toxins and stimulate circulation. The massage made feel lighter, invigorated and full of energy as a result of the improved drainage and blood circulation.

Swissotel Al Ghurair also provides engaging and varied experiences for kids, including Zumba classes, painting & cooking workshops, gardening programs and treasure hunts.

Before we got ready to experience the ‘travel around the world brunch’, we decided to take a quick dip in the pool and it was just pure bliss and relaxation.

The renowned travel around the world brunch features a distinctive international buffet and themed children’s workshops, such as “Little Chefs”, where they can learn a themed cuisine guided by expert chefs and “Little Picasso” that encourages kids to fill their canvas with paint and colours.

Expect delightful worldwide dishes such as French cheese fondue, English Shepherd’s pie, South East Asia’s nasi goreng, America’s black beans enchilada, chicken peri-peri, Africa’s tajine, Syrian lamb ouzi, vegetable thareed, Thai green curry, Kung-Pao chicken and beef kare kare.

I specially enjoyed the honey glazed turkey with bread stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry jam, Tandoori fish, poached lobster and chicken & mushroom galantine.

Don’t miss the opportunity to reserve your staycation at the ultimate family-friendly destination. The “Family Playcation” package, starting from AED699, includes spacious family rooms, a breakfast buffet and tickets for Laguna Waterpark for two adults and two children, with complimentary shuttle service to La Mer beach.

Book a Stay

For more information or bookings, call +9714 293 3270, email dining.alghurair@swissotel.com, and visit the website or Instagram

“Around the World” Brunch. Every Sunday at Liwan restaurant from 12:30-4pm. AED159 per adult and AED59 per child. Children below 6 years dine complimentarily.