Design
Despite being firmly targeted towards European business travellers, there’s nothing soulless about the hotel’s chic interiors, which fuse an urbanite boutique aesthetic with refined Four Seasons essence. It all pairs perfectly with the DIFC neighbourhood, home to many art galleries and restaurants, with hospitality design denizen Adam D. Tihany weaving style wizardry across all the hotel’s spaces, from the wood-clad walls right through to custom Cassina furnishings and bespoke Floss lighting – the showpiece is a geometric metal chandelier in the podium-level tea lounge. With wide windows and terraces offering views over DIFC and the iconic Burj Khalifa, the design also pays homage to the iconic skyline and local architecture with a specially commissioned 16-piece collection of bespoke photographic murals.

Rooms & suites
The hotel’s 106 premier, deluxe and superior rooms range between 34-50 square metres and include 28 suites that range from generous 60-65 square metre studios to light-filled deluxe, executive and one-bedroom suites, many with large terraces and views over the Burj Khalifa. On the sixth floor, there is a Presidential Suite totalling 255 square metres, which can be configured as a one-bedroom or a connecting two-bedroom; by closing another door it’s possible to have a four-room suite or, as it is often requested in the region, guests can opt to take over the entire floor.

Throughout all room categories, the design is sympathetic to business traveller needs without compromising on style, Tihany carefully employing curved edges on furnishings and fittings to create a smooth, welcoming and decidedly un-businessy environment. Four Seasons is renowned for taking guests’ beauty sleep seriously, and the new hotel is the first to unveil the brand’s all-new bedding with sumptuous white sheets and mattresses. Guests can also personalise their ideal configuration with three different mattress toppers and numerous pillow choices. “We remember your choices and provide those to you wherever you are in the world,” promises Stragiotto. The intelligent design of the limestone bathrooms also tailor to the business traveller, with easy access to the wardrobe, though any traveller will appreciate the generous monsoon showers and in some suites, bathtubs, along with Roja Dove amenities.

Tech treats
Guests won’t have to endure any frustrating fumbling for a master light switch, with both sides of the bed fitted with main switches, charging stations and universal power ports, along with an iPad to interact with all hotel services from room service to ordering a limousine or concierge services at your fingertips. A touch of a button opens the motorised drapes, which in some suites will unveil a view of the Burj Khalifa from your bed. The hotel has also taken pains to remove check-in hassles, with guests able to check-in at various locations, from the lower level, in the lobby lounge at DIFC retail level, or even from the car.

That pool
Known by staff as “Glasswater”, the rooftop pool terrace is certain to be the preferred “in-between-meetings” haunt for business travellers thanks to the show-stopping above-ground, glass-walled tank style swimming pool that resembles an immense aquarium (cue the selfies). There’s plenty of space to lounge on the terrace, with private cabanas on the deck and a large heated jacuzzi set on a raised platform overlooking Zabeel. The pool might close at 6pm, but the area transforms into an ideal setting for a drink in the evening after a day of meetings and work, according to Stragiotto. “In the evening, you can imagine the beauty. Everywhere you turn, you will see a landmark of Dubai.”

The spa
Just past the gymnasium on level seven, the spa uses the Carol Joy skincare range from London and Terres d’Afrique, an ethically produced line from Africa that has been personalised for the property, the founder handpicking a series of ingredients – many of them using spicy or woody aromas – for the hotel’s bespoke treatments. The spa’s signature treatment is a hot-stone style body massage using heated blue Tiger’s Eye crystals. There are five treatment rooms – including a facial room overlooking the Burj Khalifa – along with three rooms cleverly designed for early arrival business travellers, who can take the opportunity to shower, refresh with a 30-minute massage or wind down at the pool before their morning meeting.

Drink & dine
Likely to become a post-work tipple favourite in DIFC, there’s no shortage of outdoor spaces at the hotel including the terrace at the very glamorous Churchill Bar – a cigar lounge serving fine spirits with framed photographs of cigar-chomping celebrities adorning the walls, and the eighth-floor Bar Luna with cocktails, plenty of outdoor cabanas and Burj views. The hotel has collaborated with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina with Firebird Diner by Michael Mina – sure to lure hipster gastronomes and business folk alike, it pays tribute to the classic American dining institution with counters, booths and a luxe-diner repertoire such as burgers, milkshakes, duck fat fries and Maine lobster corn dogs.