Dubai's Hidden Gem: Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments, and let me tell you, it's less a "hidden gem" and more a diamond encrusted… well, you get the idea. This place is GOOD. Now, before I launch into a full-blown gush fest, let’s get the boring bits outta the way, because trust me, there’s a LOT to gush about.
Accessibility, or "Can Everyone Get In?"
Okay, so I'm not a wheelchair user, but I did do a thorough sweep. The elevator is a godsend, and the rooms (more on those later) are designed with accessibility in mind. From what I saw, it's a definite thumbs up on the accessibility front. They also have a Facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus, because you know, inclusivity is awesome, even if you're not personally impacted. The real bonus in Dubai is that the city in general is built for wheelchairs and buggies.
Internet – The Lifeblood of Modern Existence (and My Job)
Wi-Fi? Yeah, it's everywhere. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank goodness. And it actually works. My laptop and phone were happily connected, streaming, and generally behaving themselves. No dreaded buffering screens, just pure, unadulterated internet bliss. Internet [LAN] is also available in the rooms… which is a throwback, but hey, good for those who want it!
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, Well, You Know…
Okay, this is the part that really made me feel safe and sound. They're serious about cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays and Hand sanitizer everywhere. They have a Hygiene certification, they're definitely being professional, and I'm talking professional sanitation. They have Staff trained in safety protocol and Sterilizing equipment. It felt… spotless. Seriously, I’m a bit of a germophobe, and I had zero qualms. Daily housekeeping kept everything pristine. Also, they have Doctor/nurse on call which is reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Personal Utopia
Let's get to the good stuff. The food – Oh, the food! First of all, the restaurants are fantastic. They do Asian cuisine in restaurant, and Asian breakfast, the Western cuisine in restaurant, and Western breakfast. The A la carte in restaurant and also Buffet in restaurant. I love great food! The Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious explosion of options. The Asian breakfast, oh wow! The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a winner. There's a Poolside bar, which is a dream. They have a Snack bar where you can load up on treats. They even have a Vegetarian restaurant, and plenty of Vegetarian options if you're into the leafy green life. And, for my indulgent moments, the Desserts in restaurant game was strong.
I spent one morning just… grazing at the buffet. It was glorious. Seriously, I sampled a bit of everything, from the fresh-baked breads to the exotic fruits. The coffee was piping hot and strong, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and I may or may not have gone back for seconds (and thirds…) on the pastries. They also have Breakfast in room and Breakfast takeaway service. So, no judgement if you just want to laze around in the morning.
- Anecdote Alert: I even had room service one night. 24-hour service – pure genius! The burger arrived, hot, juicy, and perfectly cooked, like a burger sent from the heavens. I ate it in my bathrobe while watching a terrible action movie. Pure. Bliss.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – My Brain Has Officially Melted with Excitement
Okay, where do I even start?
- The Pool with a View: Breathtaking. Seriously. I’m not a huge pool person, but this one… the view is something else. It’s a real showstopper, and I loved watching the sun set, cocktail in hand.
- The Spa: Okay, this is where I truly lost myself. They have Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, and the works.
- The Sauna and Steamroom: Okay, now we're talking. They have a Spa, Spa/sauna. I spent a solid hour in the sauna, sweating out all the stress I’d been holding onto. The steam room? Heavenly. Actually, it was so good, then I went back the next day.
- Fitness Center: Gym/fitness , let’s be honest, I looked at it. (But I was too busy with the pool and spa, ahem.)
Rooms - The Real Deal Breaker
Here's where the Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments really shines.
Space: HUGE. Seriously, I could've hosted a small party in that apartment.
Comfort: The bed was like sinking into a cloud. I actually slept through the alarm one morning, which is a testament to the utter deliciousness of the bedding.
Features, glorious features: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains (essential for those late-night jet lag naps), Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar. And the seating area! Made for lounging. Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Everything.
Amenities: They have Additional toilet, which is great. Interconnecting room(s) available, perfect if you are getting away with your family. Non-smoking rooms, so no bad smells. Smoke detector, helpful.
Quirky Observation: The bathroom mirror actually somehow made me look vaguely photogenic. Consider that a win.
Services and Conveniences – Making Life Easier
They have practically everything, some of the major highlights include:
- Concierge – super helpful with everything from booking tours to answering random questions.
- Air conditioning in public area if you're one of those people that is always burning up.
- Cash withdrawal so you can find anything to spend.
- Elevator or those of us that don't like stairs.
- Food delivery, in case you don't want to go to the restaurant.
- Laundry service, because who wants to do laundry on vacation?
- Luggage storage, which is so convenient.
- Safety deposit boxes, for putting your valuables away.
- 24-hour front desk because emergencies happen.
- Doorman.
For the Kids … and the Kid in Me
I don't have kids, but I saw a few families there, and it seemed like they were well catered for. They have Babysitting service, they give Family/child friendly, and they have Kids meal.
Getting Around – Easy Peasy
- Airport transfer – convenient.
- Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]: so you can just park and not worry.
- Taxi service – readily available.
The Fine Print – The Little Things That Matter
- Cashless payment service is available, which is becoming almost essential in this day and age.
- Couples rooms are available.
- There are Facilities for disabled guests which is great to see.
- Front desk [24-hour], useful for any issues.
- Non-smoking rooms - a must have.
- Pets allowed unavailable - bad luck for pet owners.
- Room sanitization opt-out available so you don't have to worry.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Safe dining setup.
- Security [24-hour] - very important.
- Smoking area is available.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], so you're not waiting long.
- Contactless check-in/out which is a bonus these days.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Doorman, makes you feel important.
- Essential condiments, if you want to make some toast.
- Fire extinguisher, just in case.
- First aid kit, in case you hurt yourself.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! My Dubai diary from the Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments? It's gonna be… well, let's just say it's gonna be real. Prepare for a glorious, slightly manic, and definitely opinionated wander through the world of opulent air conditioning and questionable camel rides!
Dubai Diary: Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments - A Saga of Sand, Shopping, and Seriously Questionable Decisions
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh My God, It's Shiny!" Syndrome
- Time: 10:00 AM - Landed! Dubai International Airport. Honestly, the airport is practically a fashion show. Everyone's impeccably dressed, even the baggage handlers. I, on the other hand, was sweating like a pig after navigating the passport control line (why is everyone so good at those kiosks but me??).
- Location: Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments, Al Barsha. Finally get to the hotel. The lobby? Sparkling. The check-in? Smooth (thank god, I was about to spontaneously combust). The room? Dear Lord, it's enormous. Like, I could probably host a small wedding in the living room. My first thought wasn't, "Wow, luxury!" It was, "Where am I going to find my charger?" And then, of course, "Oh my god, it's shiny!" The view from the balcony, though? Stunning. The city sprawled out like a futuristic desert dream.
- Activity: Unpack, locate charger, collapse on the surprisingly comfortable bed for a solid hour of "I can't believe I'm here!" contemplation. A quick panic (where's my phone?!), a joyful reunion with the charger, and finally, a shower that felt like a religious experience after that airport humidity.
- Dinner: Hit up a local eatery, "Spice Route" which was very very close to my hotel in Al Barsha. I was STARVING. Order the butter chicken. Oh. My. Goodness. Best I've ever had! I swear, I think I moaned a little. Then walked off my full belly, and walked into the mall.
Day 2: The Mall of the Insane (and the Burnt Tongue Incident)
- Time: 10:00 AM - Wake up with a start. Realize I’d left my window blinds open. Dubai sun is intense!
- Location: Mall of the Emirates. Okay, so I’m a relatively experienced shopper, but the sheer scale of this place… it's like a city built inside a shopping mall. I got immediately overwhelmed. Lost. Found a Prada store (yes, I went in, yes, I wanted everything, no, I didn't buy anything. Budget, remember?). Ice rink inside and, apparently, Ski Dubai (yes, on the inside, in the desert! Madness!). It's a sensory overload.
- Activity: Wandering, window shopping, feeling incredibly inadequate next to the perfectly coiffed women carrying multiple shopping bags the size of small cars.
- Lunch: Food court. This is where things took a turn. I, in my hunger-induced frenzy, ordered a spicy chicken something-or-other. Did. Not. Read. The. Fine. Print. Or, you know, ask. One bite in, the heat hit me like a rogue sandstorm. My tongue felt like it was on fire! I practically inhaled a bottle of water and spent the next half-hour looking like I was auditioning for a silent movie villain. Lesson learned: Always ask about the spice level! (And maybe carry around a small fire extinguisher.)
- Evening: Back to the hotel. Bed. Netflix. (And a soothing aloe vera mask on my poor, abused tongue).
Day 3: Desert Dreams (and Questionable Camel Choices)
- Time: 3:00 PM - Desert Safari Time! This was what I was most excited about, and it was more than I could ever imagine
- Location: Picked up in a Jeep that was so nice. That ride was awesome.
- Activity: Dune bashing! Our driver, bless his heart, was a total pro. He navigated those sand dunes like a caffeinated spider monkey. I screamed. A lot. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. The sunset over the desert? Beyond words. (Okay, okay, I'll try: breathtaking, magical, Instagram-worthy. There, I said it.)
- Dinner and Show: After the dune bashing, we arrived at a Bedouin camp. Food was plentiful, with a BBQ meal. Belly dancing. Henna tattoos (which, by the way, hurt far more than I expected).
- The Camel Ride of Embarrassment: I, in a moment of sheer foolishness, decided to ride a camel. It was… an experience. Getting on was graceful as a newborn giraffe. The camel was not impressed with me. He grunted, wobbled, and basically made it clear he'd rather be anywhere else. I felt ridiculous, like I was auditioning for a bad western movie. Coming off? Even worse. I practically face-planted into the sand. My dignity took a serious hit. But hey, the photos are hilarious!
Day 4: A Blast Towards the Clouds
- Time: 9:00 AM - Rise, sun, and ready for a little bit more adventure.
- Location: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa)
- Activity: BURJ KHALIFA. I got myself to take a trip up to the top of the Burj Khalifa. I got all the way up there! The view was incredible. You can see anything. I enjoyed that journey and would recommend it.
- Lunch: Another food court (again! because I'm weak).
- Evening: Tried to be fancy. Dinner at a swanky restaurant. My attempt to order something sophisticated resulted in an embarrassing mispronunciation and a waiter looking at me pityingly. I retreated to the safety of the hotel room and a bag of Chips.
Day 5: Goodbye Dubai (and My Sanity?)
- Time: 10:00 AM - Check out. I am exhausted, broke, and slightly sunburnt, but my god, It was so much fun. Dubai, you are a ridiculous, over-the-top, utterly captivating place.
- Location: Dubai International Airport (again).
- Activity: Tried to buy a last-minute souvenir (of course). Found a shop selling diamond-encrusted… everything. Walked away. Bought some dates.
- Final Thoughts: Dubai is a whirlwind of excess, a sensory kaleidoscope, and a place where you'll find yourself simultaneously awestruck and a little bit overwhelmed. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Would I make better choices next time? Possibly not. And that's the beauty of it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a very long nap and a strong cup of tea.
Okay, first things first: Is Auris Boutique Hotel Apartments REALLY a "hidden gem" or just another PR stunt? 'Cause I'm skeptical.
What's the *vibe* like? Is it all business suits and hushed tones, or...?
Let's talk ROOMS. Are they actually decent sized, or just shoe boxes with a fancy rug?
Tell me about the location! Is it a nightmare to get around?
Food, glorious FOOD! What about breakfast? Dinner? Any good eats nearby? Spill.
What about the pool and other amenities? Are they worth it, or just a bunch of fancy fluff?
Any major downsides? Be brutally honest!
Would you go back? And more importantly, would *you* recommend it to a friend?
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