Overlooking the Downtown area, the Taj Dubai puts guests in prime position to enjoy the city. And for business travellers blurry from hours of journeying (the airport is only a handful of miles away), the sight of the famous Burj Khalifa from the hotel’s windows will leave you in no doubt as to which city you’re in. But it’s not just business people who get drawn to the environs of the Taj Dubai. With jewel-toned velvet upholstery and gleaming gold accents throughout, not to mention luxurious flourishes like Molton Brown bath amenities and private butlers, the Taj Dubai is a popular choice for splendour-seeking leisure travellers, too.

The 296 rooms here start at “Luxury” and rocket up through several lavish levels until resting at the zenith, the Maharaja and Presidential Suites. Life is good at these dizzying heights. Here, the Indian-inspired aesthetic, which is manifest throughout the hotel, comes into its own through embroidered fabrics, carved four-poster beds, and richly coloured artworks. And the media, reception and dining areas only serve to tempt guests never to leave their rooms, even with the bustle of Dubai’s shopping and business centres only a few minutes’ walk away.

For those who do stray from their rooms, the Taj Dubai has an on-site spa and a gourmet selection of international restaurants, from the European gastro-pub-style Eloquent Elephant to the Indian cuisine served at the Bombay Brasserie.