Hotel review: DIFC Ritz-Carlton’s excellent 1st anniversary package

The Ritz-Carlton in the Dubai International Financial Centre is a year old and celebrating by offering a special dine and stay package for just AED1,300 for a couple until the end of this month. This property can take pride in its achievements of the past year, setting a new standard for a Dubai business hotel and getting the ultimate accolade in the shape of a full house this month.

A year ago it looked as though the DIFC Ritz might struggle with global financial markets in turmoil and the protests of the Arab Spring just starting. But remarkably the Arab Spring proved a big bonus to Dubai hotels and brought tourists, business, new residents and investment to the city. Business in the DIFC remains depressed but many of the staff have found solace in the facilities of the Ritz-Carlton with its easy access to the financial centre.

Anniversary waltz

Still it is worth going just for the first anniversary package alone. The dine-around concept gives you a fixed menu in four venues. You start with a perfectly-mixed Martini cocktail in the No5 Lounge and Bar with mouthwatering canapes, including fois gras, smoked salmon and goat’s cheese courtesy of Chef Philippe.

At each venue you will have one of the best tables reserved ready for your arrival. The first course is in the Blue Rain Thai Restaurant, a long, dimly lit salon with a waterfall and stream flowing under the floor. Chef Sawai offered glass noodles with prawns and pomodoro because of an alergy to the seafood in the yum ruammit taley. Lightly-spiced it tasted very fresh with a hint of coconut milk.

Then to the main event in the Center Cut Steak House, a fine cut of Australian wagyu beef with a choice of french fries or baked potato, green beans and asparagus with a pepper or mushroom cream sauce. This beef is as tender and tasty as you can find in a steak. Chef Heath Gordon appeared to check everything was fine. It could not have been better.

Al fresco dining

We sat out on the terrace as the evening temperature recommended it and moved on to the shisha terrace at the side of the hotel for our medley of four desserts from the Can Can French Brasserie, the domain of Chef Guillaume. The creme brulee was outstanding.

Well that was an extremely satisfying culinary experience only amplified by the care and attention from the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton. We were even lucky enough to be upgraded to a Club Suite and so could have taken our digestif in the club lounge, though really after tisane on the terrace that was quite sufficient.

It would have been great value even without the room – combining the two really resulted in a very good deal on an outstanding package.