Five-star rooms in dazzling Dubai

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First Class surveys the plethora of luxury rooms in Dubai - a city where, if you can dream it, it's probably already happening.

Gold dusted cappuccino, anyone?

If the Taj Mahal represents India, Big Ben symbolises London and the Opera House denotes Sydney, then the Burj Al Arab most emphatically says Dubai.

This sail-shaped hotel, built on a man-made island out at sea, has the highest atrium in the world at 180 metres, a butler dedicated to each of the 27 floors of the hotel, and a fleet of Rolls-Royces for its affluent guests.

At night, it offers an unforgettable sight with a dazzling choreographed display of light against colour sculptures of water and fire.

If you fancy some gold dust on your cappuccino (and who wouldn't?), then the Burj Al Arab is clearly your cup of coffee.

Simply place your order at Sahn Eddar, and this casual restaurant at the base of the atrium will be happy to accommodate your request.

You don't have to be a huge fan of flowers to stay at the Burj Al Arab, but it helps! Prior to a guest's arrival, the floral team - one head florist, 14 florists and three assistant florists - will arrange the guest's favorite flowers in their rooms.

Open 24 hours, seven days a week, if there's a request in the middle of the night for a specific flower arrangement the team at the flower shop will oblige and a gorgeous bouquet of fragrant roses will be at your bedside.

There are those who scoff and suggest the Burj Al Arab epitomises the gaudy excesses of Dubai, but the hotel's motto seems to be, "If you've got it, flaunt it". And this iconic hotel has certainly got it all!

At Al Mahara, the award-winning seafood restaurant, diners can order branded Burj Al Arab caviar and sumptuous cuisine, while a helicopter service allows guests to arrive and depart discreetly.

And should you need to feel as relaxed as you do pampered, the world-renowned and luxurious Assawan Spa boasts extravagant and exclusive treatments, including La Prairie Pure Gold Radiance Facial, Aromatherapy Associates Qahwa Treatment, ESPA Intensive and Restorative Facials.

Sofitel's contemporary palace

For those who clamour for a respite from Dubai's glitz and glass, The Palace - The Old Town, managed by Sofitel, indulges its passion for classical themes and Arabian tradition. Cue vaulted ceilings and oriental sculptures, shaded courtyards and terraces.

The lakeside, 242-room hotel is the centrepiece of 26-hectare The Old Town Island at Downtown Burj Dubai.

Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and building a 21st century masterpiece, Sofitel's owners opted to construct a palace portraying the ambience from the mythical ‘1001 Nights'. The entire project is designed to impart and Arabesque feel and allude to rhythms of an Arabian souk.

The ancient is juxtaposed against the modern as the property has unobstructed views of Burj Dubai, the world's tallest man-made structure.

A labyrinth of alleys and walkways take visitors to the adjacent Souq Al Bahar's shops and restaurants, and beyond to the Dubai Mall, the biggest shopping centre in the world, a new gold souk and an Olympic-size ice rink.

Any property modelled on an Arabian palace needs special attention to its food and Sofitel does not disappoint. Thiptara offers seafood with a distinctive Thai flavour; The Asado is an Argentinean restaurant where the meat is cooked "asador criollo" on an open grill, while Ewaan specialises in Mediterranean cuisine.

The 10,000 sq ft of LeSpa has an extensive menu of treatments that include hammams, jacuzzis, and massages under a Vichy shower, monsoon showers, four spa rooms, a gym, a relaxation area, a beauty salon and a hairdresser.

Meydan under starters orders

When you host the world's richest horse race - the US$6 million Dubai World Cup - it's only appropriate that it is matched with a world-class racing facility.

Welcome to Meydan City, Dubai's new home of horse racing targeted to launch in 2010 with the Dubai World Cup.

The new racecourse - a stone's throw from the current Nad Al Sheba track - will be complemented by a grandstand hotel and resort, over 10 restaurants and the relocation of Godolphin Gallery, home to the trophies captured by the Godolphin racing stable in its global campaign to race the finest thoroughbreds in the world.

A 4km canal will run from Dubai Creek to Meydan, allowing racegoers to leave the Hummer at home and take a boat to the races.

Meydan, an Arabic word meaning a place where people congregate and race, will salute local heritage by its falcon-shaped design.

Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts chose the Meydan development to create the first all-pool villa resort in the heart of Dubai. The golf and equestrian resort will comprise of about 60 pool villas surrounded by Banyan Tree's signature F&B facilities and a Banyan Tree Spa.

Banyan Tree Meydan will be adjacent to the Meydan Golf Course, and within a chip shot of the Meydan Racecourse.

Banyan Tree will also develop The Meydan, the world's first five-star racecourse grandstand hotel where guests will be able to relax on their hotel balcony while watching the best thoroughbred horses in the world racing for US$10 million - the prize money for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan in 2010.

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