Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai [In-depth Review]

As a first-time traveler to Dubai, I decided to poll all of my friends who had traveled extensively for their input on the best neighborhood in Dubai to use as a home base from which to explore the city, as well as for suggestions on hotels.

Although responses varied, the consensus was that the renowned Dubai Marina, with its lively atmosphere and central location, was the ideal neighborhood for us to explore the city, while the Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai — part of the Marriott Bonvoy family — was mentioned by numerous individuals.

I still had unused Marriott free night certificates from my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card and I wanted to stay in a bustling area, so the well-known Grosvenor House in the lovely Dubai Marina area was our best option.

Find out what it’s like to stay at the Grosvenor House, a 750-room hotel that overlooks the blue waters of Dubai Marina.

Hotel Location

The Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai is well-situated for those who like to experience the stylish side of Dubai since it’s located just off Dubai Marina.

There are luxury boutiques, critically-acclaimed restaurants, and popular clubs and bars all around the hotel.

The Dubai International Airport (DXB) is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel and I paid $30 for the taxi ride (including tip) from the airport to the Grosvenor House. Visitors can also reach the Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai’s top beaches in less than 30 minutes by taxi or Uber.

Hot Tip: Want to travel to Dubai using points and miles? Check out our guide on the best ways to fly to Dubai with points and miles!

Booking

Upon deciding on Dubai as a vacation destination, I started an exploratory hotel search and, after checking with friends who were intimately familiar with Dubai, I concluded that I would try to stay at the Grosvenor House using points or free night certificates.

With around 11 months to go before our vacation, my wife applied for the Marriott Boundless card, which was offering a welcome offer of 3 Free Night Certificates valued at up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each at the time. She was approved, and I redeemed the certificates she earned for a stay at the Grosvenor House almost immediately since the award cost exactly 50,000 points per night.

I used 2 of the 3 available free night certificates to book the Grosvenor House and opted to spend the third and final night at the Park Hyatt Dubai since I’m a World of Hyatt Globalist and wanted to check out the resort.

Marriott Bonvoy now enables members to book award stays throughout its worldwide portfolio by combining free-night certificates with up to 15,000 points, but I didn’t need to add any points to my booking since the cost was precisely 50,000 points, the maximum amount for each free night award.

My 2-night stay at the Grosvenor House would have cost $815 if I had paid cash, including the service charge, taxes, and fees. Since I elected to redeem 2 free night certificates, each of which was worth up to 50,000 points, my redemption generated a value of 0.8 cents per point, which is slightly better than our 0.7-cent-per-point valuation of Marriott Bonvoy points.

Hot Tip: You can book the Grosvenor House starting at 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. If you need more Marriott Bonvoy points for your redemption, you can transfer them from Chase or American Express or open a new Marriott Bonvoy credit card.

Check-in and Elite Benefits

We landed at 10 p.m. local time in Dubai from our Qatar Airways Qsuites flight and hailed a taxi from the airport immediately after clearing customs.

We arrived at the hotel 30 minutes later and made our way up the escalator to the check-in desk in Tower 1.

The lobby was beautifully adorned with flowers and crystal vases.

Across from the lobby was the Lobby Lounge, a large space with abundant seating where guests can gather while waiting for friends to come down and meet.

Since we arrived late in the night, no other guests were waiting to be attended to, so we walked right up to the check-in desk.

Our check-in process was quick and efficient. The friendly agent acknowledged my wife’s Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and we were elated when he notified us that we had been upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite with a king bed in Tower 2.

Our stay was practically free since we utilized free night certificates and the hotel doesn’t levy a resort fee. Nevertheless, I was curious about the cost of our suite, so when I got up to the room, I priced out the night and it came to 2,648 AED, or about $721, for our 1-bedroom suite.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members (and those with higher status) are eligible for complimentary upgrades to what Marriott calls an “enhanced room,” subject to availability at check-in.

Amenities

The hotel’s prime location and high-quality on-site eateries are its primary attraction, but there are a few amenities worth highlighting.

Pool

The Retreat Pool is the only pool at the hotel. It’s located on the fourth floor of Tower 1, next to the fitness center and spa. The pool has a view of the beautiful Dubai Marina and is heated to match the weather. At the Pool Bar, tasty snacks and cool drinks add to the relaxing and reviving atmosphere.

Beach Access

Even though the Grosvenor House doesn’t have its own beach, guests can use the private beach at the Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, which is just 5 minutes away via the hotel’s shuttle service.

I wanted to check out the private beach at the Le Royal Méridien, but we were too busy having tea with friends at the Burj Al Arab and shopping at the Dubai Mall, so we never got the chance to soak up the sun at Jumeirah Beach.

Spa

The award-winning B/Attitude Spa offers massages, facials, and body scrubs. The 17,000-square-foot spa has 12 treatment rooms, 2 Hammam rooms, aqua suites, mixed amenities, and 5 Hammam pools.

Guests can check out the spa menu and book treatments by emailing or calling the spa ahead of time or onsite.

Fitness Center

The B/Attitude Gym at the Grosvenor House overlooks the fourth-floor pool in Tower 1 and provides guests who want to work up a sweat with an abundance of exercise equipment, including free weights, cardio machines, and aerobic equipment.

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day.

Executive Lounge

Only guests staying in the hotel’s Premier rooms or suites in Tower 2, as well as Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members in Tower 1, have access to the Executive Lounge at the Grosvenor House.

While I didn’t upgrade to any of these room types to gain access, guests who do can savor a variety of foods in the Executive Lounge, which is located on the fifth floor of Tower 1.

Executive Lounge guests can enjoy breakfast from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m., light snacks, and tea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and evening bites and alcoholic beverages from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Market

On the ground level of the hotel is a convenience shop where you can purchase drinks and snacks. This little store is great if you need a quick breakfast on the run or want to stock up on snacks for the kids since some of the rooms feature full kitchens.

The night before we toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in nearby Abu Dhabi, we went there for Gatorade and protein bars so we could nourish ourselves the next morning.

The all-day mini-mart is open from 8 a.m. until 3 a.m. every day of the week.

Wi-Fi

No matter whether you have elite status with Marriott Bonvoy or not, all guests enjoy free high-speed Wi-Fi in the hotel and public spaces.

I tested the connection during my stay and it was effective for what I needed. I was able to perform internet searches on my phone and FaceTime with my girls back at home with no disruptions in service.

Parking

Parking is complimentary for guests of the Grosvenor House. There is also valet parking available. For a city hotel located in an area short of parking spaces, this is a nice amenity if you plan on doing your own driving in or around the U.A.E.

The Room

The Grosvenor House has 6 different types of suites, and most of them have beautiful views, an extra bathroom, a living room, a dining table, and a fully-equipped kitchen. We had more than enough space for just the 2 of us in our 1-bedroom suite, which felt more like an apartment than a hotel room.

Bedroom

When I first walked into the room, I saw the mahogany wood floors, a cozy king bed, and elegant crown molding all over the ceiling, which made the room feel warm and inviting.

The closet had a robe, an ironing board, and a safe for your prized possessions.

Just outside the bedroom was a small ottoman and makeup vanity.

A nightstand with a lamp and 2 water bottles stood on either side of the bed.

There were 2 outlets on the wall for charging electrical devices — one was a type G outlet and the other was a type A through L universal outlet that worked to charge my iPhone with no adapter needed.

Our room, and every room at the hotel, featured a 42-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels. We used the counter of the media console below the TV to organize our clothes each morning.

A touchscreen thermostat lets you adjust the room temperature but for some odd reason, it wouldn’t let me go lower than 20 degrees Celsius (equivalent to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). Yes, I like sleeping in arctic temperatures.

Bathrooms

Master Bathroom

The master bathroom, like the room itself, featured marble on the counters and in the surrounding bathtub, along with soft, creamy hues.

I always love a good rainfall shower and this one did not disappoint.

The toilet area also featured a bidet, but no door for privacy.

New York City-based MALIN+GOETZ dispensers were stocked in the shower and on the wall beside the bathtub, while individual bars of soap and body lotion were set up around the sink.

Half Bathroom

In the second bathroom, there was a single sink set in a large vanity countertop. However, there was no shower in this second bathroom.

Living Room

Our suite had a full living room set with a coffee table, 2 small love seats, a TV for entertainment, and plenty of space to welcome a few guests.

This space could also serve as a second sleeping area if you’re traveling with kids, as the love seats could turn into small sofabeds.

In the same living room space, there was a 6-person glass dining table, which could be perfect for dining in instead of a night out.

Kitchen

As I mentioned earlier, our suite seemed more like an apartment than a normal hotel room, and nowhere was this more evident than in the full kitchen.

I’m used to some hotels offering kitchenettes with a small cooking area, microwave, and small fridge, but this kitchen had it all, including 4 stovetop burners.

I used the refrigerator and freezer (located in the cabinet below the fridge) to cool the complimentary water bottles provided and the beverages I purchased at the market downstairs.

A stainless steel Siemens microwave looked brand new — it would be perfect for reheating leftovers. Or, you could use the stovetop and included saucepan if that’s your preferred method.

If you’re not eligible for free breakfast because you don’t have Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, or Ambassador Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, or simply don’t want to spend a whole lot on what I consider to be the least exciting meal of the day (controversial take, I know), you could prepare something quick on your own in the room, as the kitchen was equipped with a toaster oven, coffee machine, and kettle to fuel your morning.

And best of all, there was a dishwasher in the kitchen — no hand washing required after preparing a meal!

During our stay, I kept repeating to myself that had we brought all 3 of our daughters, including the baby, it’d have been easy to heat her bottle and prepare meals for her in the fully-equipped kitchen.

Food and Beverage

If there was ever a hotel that housed an impressive lineup of world-class restaurants inside it, it would be the Grosvenor House. This hotel has more than a dozen places to eat and drink, and most of them have won prestigious awards, either from the restaurant itself or from the chef who runs the kitchen.

As a traveler who’s especially passionate about food, I was excited to try a few of these well-known restaurants and lounges during my brief stay.

Hot Tip: Many of the dining establishments at Grosvenor House participate in More Cravings by Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 10x points per every eligible $1 (3.7 AED) spent at participating venues.

Toro Toro

I only looked at the exterior of Toro Toro, but the inside of the Tower 2 ground-floor restaurant had unique tribal Latin patterns, palm leaves, dark walls, and ultra-chic leather furniture. Popular dishes on the Latin American-inspired menu include grilled Chilean sea bass, lomo saltado, and fine cuts of beef cooked to your taste.

Toro Toro offers dinner service Monday through Friday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and on Saturdays, it is open for lunch from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and for dinner from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Rhodes W1

Late British chef Gary Rhodes launched Rhodes W1, a series of Michelin-starred London restaurants. The menu at Rhodes W1 offers European cuisine with a focus on British and French recipes.

The restaurant’s art deco décor, terrace seating, and panoramic views provide a relaxed, refined dining experience. Rhodes W1 maintains Gary Rhodes’ Michelin-starred reputation of serving traditional British food and unique dishes.

Rhodes W1 is open daily for lunch and dinner from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Buddha-Bar Dubai

Buddha-Bar Dubai blends cuisine, mixology, music, and design. As we had visited other locations worldwide before, we decided to check out the Dubai location within the hotel and enjoy a cocktail after dinner.

At the Sodo dining area, guests can enjoy an inventive meal with influences from China, Japan, and Thailand, or dance upstairs to the resident DJ’s varied tracks. Grosvenor House’s Buddha-Bar Dubai is a fantastic spot for a nightcap.

Buddha-Bar Dbuai is open on Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar

The Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar has a lively terrace with views of the Dubai Marina and great cocktails. The patio is wonderful for cocktails and shisha, however, it might get windy. This lounge offers a nice alternative menu to formal dining, with delicious small bites and drinks with a view.

Nightgoers can visit Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Bushra by Buddha-Bar

You’ll notice a theme here, another Buddha-Bar creation at the Grosvenor House. Bushra by Buddha-Bar serves a unique sharing menu of classic and modern Middle Eastern dishes overlooking Dubai Marina. We didn’t dine here as time was limited, but I would not hesitate to visit next time I’m staying at the hotel.

Bushra by Buddha-Bar service is open for dinner and drinks from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays. It’s open for lunch and dinner only on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Indego by Vineet

I’m a big fan of Indian cuisine, and there may not be a finer restaurant in Dubai providing it than Indego by Vineet. Vineet Bhatia, the restaurant’s chef-patron, is the first and only Indian-born chef to win 2 Michelin stars.

The macadamia nut-crusted seabass served with curd rice and lentil sambhar, as well as the Madras coffee-rub lamb chops on a bed of mushroom barley, drizzled with rogani sauce, are highlights of the menu.

Leaves

Leaves is on the second level of Tower 1. This casual restaurant is ideal for a quick bite and has a pleasant outdoor terrace. Sample the restaurant’s delicious tea menu, where light bites like pastries, cakes, and finger sandwiches await.

Leaves is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Sloane’s

Unfortunately, my Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status doesn’t qualify me for complimentary breakfast, plus, we left early each morning to explore Dubai and the surrounding area.

If breakfast isn’t included in the room rate, or if you don’t have a high level of elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, it will cost you an additional 190 AED (~$51). Sloane serves an array of breakfast foods — like waffles and omelets — every morning from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. The restaurant also has a casual setup at lunch and dinner time.

Sloane’s also offers a scrumptious Seafood Night every Friday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for 395 AED (~$107) per person, which includes soft drinks, and The Grosvenor House Family Brunch every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for 395 AED per person (soft drinks) or 495 AED (~$135) per person with alcoholic drinks.

Sloane’s is open daily from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Bellavista

Bellavista, Italian for “beautiful view,” is the hotel’s signature Italian restaurant. It looks out over the Dubai Marina. Imagine pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, fresh pasta, and tiramisu for dessert. If my kids, who love carbs, had been with us on this trip, we would have eaten here without a doubt.

Bellavista is open every day from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m.

City Social

When we got to the hotel at 10:30 p.m., we were ravenous. After putting our bags in the room, we went straight to City Social on the 43rd floor for a late-night meal. City Social is the newest restaurant at Grosvenor House. Chef Jason Atherton, who has won a Michelin Star, designed the menu. The restaurant serves modern European food and has beautiful views of Palm Jumeirah.

We started our meal with Fried Spiced Chicken, which was tasty and helped us calm our hunger pangs.

My wife and I shared the Balfego Akami Tuna Tartare, which came with Wasabi ponzu, crispy daikon, and langoustine jelly.

We also shared the Ribeye, which was already sliced into strips and cooked to perfection, for our main course.

We each had a glass of wine, and our dinner bill came to $175, which was expensive but to be anticipated considering the caliber of the hotel we were staying in.

City Social offers a dinner-only service Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., while the restaurant serves lunch and dinner on Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Bar 44

As we got off the elevator on the 43rd floor for our dinner at City Social, we got a glance at Bar 44. The bar had a cool vibe and was packed with couples enjoying their favorite libation while socializing with breathtaking views of Dubai and the marina.

We saved our drink calories for a visit to the 7 Tales bar, but Bar 44 looked like a nice spot to relax before or after dinner at City Social.

Bar 44 stays open late at night from Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

7 Tales

7 Tales is a new Japanese-inspired speakeasy bar by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, who also created City Social just a floor below. On the 44th floor, right above his restaurant, the bar offers breathtaking views of Dubai Marina’s skyline.

We mentioned to our server after dinner at City Social that we were going to 7 Tales for a post-dinner drink, and he insisted on escorting us to the entrance. When we approached what appeared to be a dead-end colorful wall, we realized the wall was concealed door and it flung open to a vibrant scene of booming hip-hop music played by a resident DJ and a strikingly beautiful bar staffed by a crew of mixologists crafting concoctions.

It was such a pleasant surprise to discover this hidden treasure since we would never have guessed there was a buzzing bar behind the wall. There were several groups of friends and couples on dates just hanging out and enjoying the wonderful vibes.

7 Tales is open all week except on Sundays, from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Bottom Line: The Grosvenor House is a foodie’s paradise. The amount of quality on-site dining and drinking establishments is very impressive. Since there are so many choices, you should try them all. But if you’re pressed for time, make reservations at 1 or 2 restaurants and then visit one of the many bars or lounges after dinner.

Service

While we didn’t have that much interaction with the hotel staff, I was able to analyze the service levels in a few instances. The agent at check-in greeted us by name and helped explain the property’s layout and restaurant options. The service was very good at each restaurant we visited. Lastly, every time we returned to the hotel from exploring the city and stepped through the turnstiles, we were greeted and welcomed back by personnel. Overall, the service at the Grosvenor House was great.

Final Thoughts

The Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai is a remarkable hotel that offers a high level of service in addition to numerous well-regarded restaurants, bars, and lounges — all within the confines of the hotel. It’s also situated in the visually stunning and convenient Dubai Marina area, a perfect base for exploring Dubai. I’m inclined to think that your time spent at this hotel would be enjoyable regardless of whether you visit solo, are accompanied by a travel partner, or bring the whole family with you to Dubai.