“The social scene is happening; it’s a cool place with stylish rooms plus a great mix of modern outlets, perfect for everything from a quick coffee to networking drinks, lively brunches to delicious dinners.” Media One Hotel
Media One Hotel in Dubai is a trendy place to lay your head in a great location in the heart of Media City, ideal for visiting the Marina, Mina Seyahi’s beaches and within walking distance of the Dubai Media Amphitheatre. This ultra cool four star hotel is popular with business folk during the week and attracts the brunch and party crowds at weekends with regular events and guest DJs.
This contemporary hotel has a choice of four accommodation categories to choose from across its two hundred and sixty rooms, Hip and Cool rooms and the Calm and Chill-Out suites. Our ‘Hip’ room had a great view of the Arabian Gulf, the decor and furnishings are simple yet stylish complete with the latest technology including a large flat screen LCD television. If you value your privacy you may be out of your comfort zone as the spacious rooms have glass walled bathrooms (don’t worry the toilet is separated with a door).
Although we didn’t eat at the hotel on this occasion we did end up in Q43 on mass for a few nightcaps. Located on the 43rd floor, the bar offers panaromic views across the city from its floor to ceiling windows, on Friday afternoon/evenings it’s packed with the disorderly post-brunch crowd, it was definitely a good place to finish our bar crawl on a high (excuse the pun). The upbeat vibe and urban decor attracts a mixed crowd of all ages, there are pool tables to keep those not dancing entertained. A pub grub style menu is available for bar bites which is good for those after brunch cravings.
Garden on 8 is an alfresco (air-conditioned) venue designed in the style of a pub garden complete with artificial grass, gnomes, a wishing-well and recycled furniture, there’s even a walled garden where the chefs grow vegetables and herbs, like all good pubs they serve a range of beers and ciders alongside classic drinks. Cafe M is the lobby restaurant and bar that offers light bites with a good salad selection and drinks, during the current construction phase it has temporarily relocated to level 8 with a mini version still open on the ground floor. Rooftop bar, The DEK on 8 (opening again in October)is a poolside retreat adjacent to Garden on 8 offering guests commanding views of the Dubai skyline and lively entertainment. It claims to be Dubai’s ultimate outdoor chill-out zone, when I went there for a post concert party it was certainly busy attracting a high energy crowd. During the pool renovation guests have complimentary access to the nearby Zero Gravity Beach Club.
Media One is known for its lively brunches with free-flowing beverage and DJs. Several options are available at the weekend including a Thursday evening F.R.I.E.N.D.S on 8 feast and Night Owl Brunch on Friday evenings from 7:30pm until 11pm at The MED, the hotel’s signature restaurant. Those with extra stamina (and loose clothing) can partake in the normal lunchtime brunch with cuisine from The MED and Garden on 8 followed by the Night Owl evening brunch with the added bonus of a room thrown in for free (subject to availability).
I have stayed at this hotel before and under normal circumstances I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend staying here due to its excellent location but at the moment with the lobby area under construction it’s not at its best. The loud piercing drilling noise was unbearable during the prolonged check-in process and even carried up to our eleventh floor room the next morning, not good for my post-brunch head. My advice would be telephone and check before making your reservation, I used booking.com which made no mention of the current disruption. The good news is an exciting new look Media One Hotel will be unveiled in the coming months … ‘the pool area and public spaces will have a sparkling new look’… watch this space.
The Nitty Gritty
Media One Hotel, Al Falak Street, Dubai Media City, Dubai
Telephone: 04 427 1000
Website: www.mediaonehotel.com
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Check in: 2:00pm
Check out: 12:00 noon
Media One Hotel offers free Wi-Fi access, an outdoor pool, fully-equipped gym and sauna.
The Good….
Excellent location to explore Dubai Marina, the beach and Palm Jumeirah.
Walking distance to Dubai Media amphitheatre which is good when events are held there.
Stylish, modern comfortable rooms
Good bars and nightlife
The Not so Good….
Construction noise was disruptive
We were disturbed in the middle of night with someone banging on our door
All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2016. All rights reserved. Additional information and first four photos used courtesy of www.mediaonehotel.com