I love boutique hotels. They’re cute, fun and quirky, and VIDA is all of that and more. It’s luxurious and also in the perfect location– the heart of Downtown Dubai!

My husband, baby and I went there for a quick weekend staycation, and it was a wonderful getaway (without having to really make the effort to get away).

We pulled up to the valet, were helped with our bags, and then went over to the check-in desk. I expected the lobby to be quite small because thats usually the case with many boutique hotels, especially ones that are in the center of the city, but it was actually very spacious and really functional as well. There were Macs available for guest to use, plenty of seating areas and everything was beautifully decorated. Its a little bit lux, a little bit hipster, and a whole lot of personality!

At the check-in desk, we were presented with a welcome drink and a warm towel. The staff were really quick in handling all of our check-in procedures and within a few minutes I had the room key in my hand.

We headed upstairs to our room, which was on the third floor. Even the elevator space on our floor was decorated in true VIDA fashion.

Our Deluxe Room was very well-laid out and they really designed it in a way that makes the most of the room’s space. Its an open layout, and the color-scheme and design is very modern, homely and calming.

The main area of the room is taken up by a king-size bed with two side tables on each side. Across from it is a large comfortable chair and ottoman, and next to it is a work desk and another comfortable chair.

Above the desk is a smart TV, where you can not only watch a plethora of channels, but also receive personalized messages from the hotel and even check your social media.

Next to the work desk is decently-sized closet, with two sides. One side has the mini bar, while the other side has space for all of your clothes and belongings. The fridge is stocked with cold water and above the fridge there is a tray of coffees and TWG teas, along with a kettle.

The bathroom is actually split into three areas. The toilet has its own separate room, while the bathtub and sinks are semi-private, and the shower is also separated. The bath products provided smell amazing and are generous in size.

Our room was on the third floor and we had a view facing the main entrance of the hotel. From the large floor to ceiling windows, we could also see the beautiful architecture of the Old Town buildings.

We settled in, connected to the wifi and then got ready to go to a late lunch/early dinner at VIDA’s in-house restaurant, 3in1. The restaurant has such a great ambiance and a delicious menu full of great food.

We really loved our meal there and its even family-friendly (so long as you go before it gets dark and shisha starts being served– which is exactly what we did). Check out our experience here: 3 in 1, VIDA Downtown [Restaurant Review].

After 3in1, we decided to make the most of the amazing location that we were in, and take a walk down to The Dubai Mall. It took us less than 15 minutes to get there, and it was a beautiful walk too! VIDA is located next to so many of Dubai’s best restaurants and cafes, and the fact that its so close to the largest mall in the world means that you won’t have to venture too far for anything that you might need or want during your stay at the hotel.

By the time we got back to the hotel it was already night time and the vibe had completely changed.

It was beautifully lit-up and the entire outside area of 3in1 was packed! We decided to sit indoors and have a couple of drinks before heading back upstairs to our room.

Housekeeping had done turn-down service and the staff left a scrumptious array of sweets by our bedside. There were fresh berries, marshmallows, meringues, brownies, candies and even a pot of chocolate sauce for dipping! Yum! 

We were quite tired, so we went to bed soon after. All of us slept like babies, even the actual baby.

Day 2

We got up quite late and headed downstairs to breakfast at 3in1.

The breakfast spread was delicious and there were many organic and even gluten-free choices. Along with the buffet, there is also a menu placed on the table with several different egg options. I decided to go for a light breakfast of coffee and cereal.

After breakfast, we hung out by the pool for a bit before going back upstairs to take a quick nap. We requested a late checkout and they were happy to oblige.

While Baby Khalifa and I were still taking advantage of the incredibly comfy bed, my husband headed downstairs for Friday prayer. There was a mosque, just a few minutes walk away from the hotel– again, anything you could possibly want is no more than a 15 minute walking radius away!

When he came back, we packed all of our things and headed downstairs. The checkout procedure only took a quick minute. Our car was brought up by valet, and we were on our way home in no time.

VIDA is such a beautiful hotel and its got a lot of personality. I think its an amazing hotel for staycations because you can still handle any and all of your business while still feeling like your a world away from home. Its also great for visitors to Dubai because the location is impeccable!

The price for one night in the room we stayed in (the Deluxe Room with breakfast) is around 1,400 Dhs (March 2016). 

Ratings (0-5): 

• Location: 5
• Hotel Ambience: 5
• Staff (Friendliness and Helpfulness): 4 
• Rooms: 4
• Room/Bath Products Provided: 5
• In-Room WiFi: 4 (Not chargeable) 
• Amenities: 4
• Housekeeping: 4
• Value for money: 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.4 

To book at VIDA Hotel Downtown call +971 (0) 4 428 6888.