Palazzo Versace is unabashedly luxurious and might be out of budget for weekly business trips, but if you can swing it, do it. It might not seem like a business hotel at first, but don’t be put off.
Upon entering the lobby on my most recent visit, I was greeted by the sight of eight businessmen, huddled together, talking shop in the most beautiful setting. I’ll be honest – if I were given a choice of holding a business meeting in Palazzo Versace or a standard business hotel, I’d choose this place in a heartbeat, where I could cling onto my cappuccino served in the finest Versace china, surrounded by a 1.5 million piece Versace floor mosaic.
Palazzo Versace has recently started offering 24/7 check-in, drawing in a number of business travellers attracted by the level of convenience and service. There has also been an increase in business dinners, and Q’s Bar and Lounge (which features live jazz, rotating emerging talent) draws the social crowd and makes for a great place to entertain. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also a cigar bar, conjuring up memories of my good old days of entertaining in London. On top of that, with the airport 15 minutes away and Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and the business district just eight minutes away, you can see why the hotel’s business clientele has been expanding rapidly.
Business here is done in style; gone are the hours spent in staid boardrooms and bland business centres. The Versace business centre has chairs with the designer’s signature prints, parquet floors, and a gigantic terrace where executives can stretch their legs. In the three executive meeting rooms (which seat up to 16), you’ll find electric blue upholstered chairs and slick, black tables. Outside are three additional meetings rooms plus the gala ballroom that fits up to 900 people. Everything is chic, opulent and exactly what you would expect from a hotel designed by Versace.
The executive suites, specifically created for business travellers, are a very generous 95 square metres in size. There’s a spacious living and dining area, walk-in wardrobe, and a separate study area equipped with everything you need to stay charged and connected. At the very top end is the imperial suite – a 1,200sqm duplex that will impress even the most well-travelled high level executive.
Whichever suite you choose to stay in, you’ll be given access to the executive lounge and benefit from its special privileges. You can take advantage of perks such as the dedicated check-in/check-out service, 24-hour butler service, complimentary pressing, and snacks and beverages throughout the day. The Executive Lounge is quiet and exclusive, giving you a bit of privacy in which to conduct your business.
At the end of a hard day of work, book a treatment at the spa. After my experience here, it has definitely earned a spot at the top of my list of favourites. I tried out the jet lag curing ‘bio rhythms’ treatment, which is the perfect pick for bleary-eyed business travellers. The spa itself is stylish and serene and includes seven treatment rooms plus spa pools and hammams.
My experience tells me that high-end business executives are beginning to turn away from corporate hotels, opting instead for lifestyle hotels such as Palazzo Versace. You know that not only will your business needs be met, but it’ll be within a beautiful environment with high-quality service. Since you have to work, why not look and feel good while doing so?