There is no shortage of accommodation to chose from in Dubai, with some of the most over the top, superlative hotels in the world on offer. Increasingly, there are also a number of smaller, more low key options opening. Al Seef Heritage Hotel, part of the Hilton Group, is one such hotel. Close to the Al Seef pedestrianised area, a stay here is like travelling back in time to 1950s Dubai – with a bit of added comfort.
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Need To Know
The Headline Travel back in time to the 1950s and a more laid back side of Dubai.
Best For History lovers unwilling to forsake the comfort Dubai is famous for.
Amenities Restaurant serving traditional Emirati breakfast and dinner. Access to swimming pools of Hilton’s nearby hotels.
Getting There Dubai International Airport is a 15-minute drive, and Downtown Dubai and the beaches are about 20 minutes. Free valet parking .
Getting Around On the edge of a small pedestrianised area, the metro station is a ten minute walk. Bur Dubai abra boat stop is a short walk.
Price Doubles from £80 per night.
THE LOCATION
Set in the rejuvenated area of Old Dubai, along the southern bank of Dubai Creek. The hotel is named after the pedestrianised quarter at its centre – Al Seef. Next door is the lovely Al Fahidi historic district, and the Bur Dubai abra boat stop is only a short walk away.
THE ROOMS
Rather beautiful minimalist bedrooms are spread out across the first floor, with over 200 to choose from, in a series of connected houses built to replicate the style of old Emirati bayt (houses). Traditional courtyards joining the buildings, and are scattered with baskets, wooden chests and floor cushions to recreate the effect of majilis-style communal seating areas.
Beautifully embroidered floor cushions, intricately carved wooden chests and walls adorned with photographs showing Dubai in the 1900s make it feel as though you have stepped into a photo shoot when you enter the rooms in the Al Seef Heritage Hotel. Thankfully the faux-historic setting doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on modern amenities – Nespresso machines are hidden behind the beautifully carved wooden boxes! The plush beds are very comfortable, with super high quality thick, cotton sheets.
Whilst the general vibe is heritage, the Al Seef Heritage Hotel does feel a little more like a (beautiful) film set, rather than a real slice of Emirati history. As this is Dubai, all of the reproductions – down to the antique style brass luggage trolleys – have been done immaculately, giving an ever so slightly more Disney-fied feel than genuinely historic. If you are looking for something more low key than Dubai’s usual glitzy offering, but perhaps a little more authentic, I recommend checking out the XVA Art Hotel instead.
THE EXTRAS
There is one on site restaurant – Saba’a. They serve delicious, traditional Emirati breakfasts (think creamy labneh, endless mezze and chebab (saffron-flavoured Emirati pancakes)) and dinner. There are also a few western options if you fancy something more familiar.
Guests have access to the pools and gyms at modern sister hotels, Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef and Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, a five-minute shuttle ride away.
THE LESS LOVEABLE
Service was friendly, but a bit patchy, given the more luxurious market Al Seef Heritage Hotel wants to pitch for. Some rooms can be noisy, as the hotel is spread out amongst the shops of the faux-souq below. This was not an issue for all of our stay, but one night it felt as though the piped music of the souq was being streamed directly into our room for hours on end. Unfortunately, the hotel night staff seemed a bit baffled – and increasingly disinterested – in how to do anything to resolve this.
Check out my other guides to the United Arab Emirates to plan your Middle Eastern adventures. Have a look at my sleep series for more inspiration for some of the world’s best hotels and guesthouses.
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