Stay or stay away? Stay. The Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk gets the fundamentals right in a way a lot of newer, flashier Dubai properties do not. The room is close to perfect, the reception is genuinely grand, and there is a proper pool deck on a building that had no business having one. The location is the only real mark against it, and even that comes with decent road access. 4.5 out of 5.
Quick facts
| Location | Wafi City, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, UAE |
| Star rating | 5 star |
| Brand | Sofitel (Accor) |
| All-inclusive | No |
| Best for | Business travellers, couples, families wanting a city base |
| Pools | Main pool deck with swim-up bar, dedicated children’s pool, splash pad |
| Kids’ club | Astro Kids Club (closed during this visit) |
| Spa | Sofitel Spa with L’Occitane, treatment-led, male and female hammam |
| Gym | Technogym equipment, sixth floor |
| Beach distance | Not a beach property, inland city location |
| Mall access | Direct connection to Wafi |
| Room reviewed | Luxury Room |
| Visit date | 2 to 3 May 2026, one night, solo business trip |
First impressions and that reception
I want to start with the reception, because it is the standout feature of this property and I do not say that lightly. You drop the car with the valet, come in through a large doorway flanked by two guardian dogs, and are met by an enormous stylised falcon that I read as Horus. The Egyptian theme is not subtle, but it is done with restraint rather than as a gimmick.
Two things elevate it beyond the visuals. The first is the chandeliers, which must weigh a ton apiece and give the whole space a sense of gravity. The second is the music. There was classical music playing while I was there, and combined with a soft scent in the air and the sheer grandness of the room, it does something to how you feel walking in. I am a fan of classical music generally, and I went to see an orchestra while I was in Dubai on this trip, so I am predisposed to like it. But it works. Ambiance is one of those things that costs a hotel very little and pays back enormously, and this property has got it right.
Check-in was quick and the team welcomed me again the following morning, which is a small thing that a surprising number of large hotels get wrong. On the way round towards the pools there are more small sculptures and pieces of artwork, and an access route through to the Wafi mall.
The pools
The pool deck surprised me. When a hotel is essentially a skyscraper, a decent pool is difficult to deliver, and I had low expectations. What you actually get is Soleil Pool and Lounge, a proper pool deck with a swim-up bar and a second bar alongside it.
The loungers deserve a mention on their own. So many hotels and resorts skimp here, buying the cheapest plastic thing that will survive a season. These are well designed, comfortable and look the part. It is a small detail that tells you where the property’s priorities sit.
There are also raised semi-private cabanas, each with a private hot tub, a TV seating area with a fan, and its own toilet and shower. Genuinely cool if that is your thing. My one reservation is the access, which is via steps with a gap I would describe as borderline dangerous. My kids would love them and I would spend the entire time watching them like a hawk. The same goes for the bridge over the pool, which looks gentle on camera and is in fact hilariously steep. Nice to have a bridge over a pool. Just know that small children will go over on it.
For families there is a dedicated shallow pool and a splash pad, with toilets immediately behind the wall and a bit of shade to keep children out of the Dubai sun, which was very warm on the day I filmed. Your kids will be fine here.
The Luxury Room
I stayed in a Luxury Room and I will put my cards on the table early. This is close to the perfect hotel bedroom.
Coming in, there is a large mirror complemented by more mirroring opposite, and the entrance area holds a robe, an iron and ironing board, two pairs of slippers, and a rather nice bag that my wife would absolutely have taken home. There is a safe, the usual high-class gubbins including a sewing kit, and tea and coffee facilities presented beautifully in drawers, with Nespresso pods and the crockery laid out properly rather than dumped on a tray. There is a fridge, empty of anything free on my visit, and complimentary water.
The room itself opens on a large bed with a low bench at the foot of it, another mirror, and a long desk with a chair that is actually suitable for working, which matters if you are here on business. There is a good TV, a lot of well-judged lighting, plenty of storage, a table and chairs suitable for in-room dining, and a couch. I did check underneath the couch for a fold-out bed and there is not one, so families should plan room configurations accordingly.
What makes the room work is the combination of wood panelling, the use of mirrors, the artwork and the lighting. It feels considered rather than assembled. The one gap is power: there are sockets either side of the bed, but neither has a USB port, so bring your plugs.
My view was decent without being spectacular. A colleague on the other side of the building was looking out over downtown and the Burj Khalifa. From my window you could just about pick out the Grand Hyatt, which I reviewed a few years ago, along with the water park they have since completed. If the view matters to you, ask which way you are facing when you book.
The bathroom
Dual vanity units, which are badly underrated in hotels. The rule I apply is that you want to stay somewhere that has more than you have at home, and not many people have dual vanities at home. There is a huge mirror behind, plus the zoom-in mirror that a lot of people specifically look for, and weighing scales, which are more useful for weighing your luggage before the flight home than for anything else.
The bath is massive, with a waterfall filler and a handheld shower attachment. The toilet is a standard wall-hung unit, and there are two options for washing, a bidet and a handheld. The separate shower has a seat, a handheld and a rainfall head. Toiletries are L’Occitane, which is a genuinely higher-end choice rather than an own-brand bottle with a fancy label.
Breakfast at La Veranda
Breakfast for guests is in La Veranda, which uses an open kitchen concept so you can watch food coming out of the pass. I was welcomed by Sanita, who was excellent.
The spread starts with juices, orange being topped up continually and pineapple alongside, then fruit which was properly chilled despite not looking refrigerated. There are mousses, oat milk and full fat milk, a wide range of nuts and cereals, and a genuinely interesting selection of different honeys, which is the sort of small flourish that shows someone is thinking. No sugar puffs, which I am contractually obliged to complain about.
The pastry section is where it gets good. The croissants come in pistachio and date, apricot, plain butter, salmon and cream cheese, and hummus with mixed candied tomato. The butter looked superb and there are strong breads with a self-serve toaster.
On the hot section there are mixed vegetables, chicken sausages and veal bacon, because pork is not widely served in the Middle East. There were baked beans, although mainly sauce with a shortage of actual beans, plus refried beans, a make-your-own salsa station, tomatoes, hash browns, and hard-boiled eggs. Crepes and pancakes are cooked to order by a very patient team, and there is an Arabic cheese and butter dish that the staff kindly explained to me when I had no idea what I was looking at. That willingness to explain rather than just point is worth noting.
Beyond that there are cold meats, again no pork, fish, sauces, oils, nuts, cheeses, condiments, a substantial hummus offering, tomatoes and salad, plus a made-to-order menu. The dining room has high ceilings and the staff are attentive. It is a strong breakfast.
Club Millésime and La Vue on 51st
The standout food and drink element of this property sits on the 51st floor. The lounge itself is Club Millésime, and it is the reason my friend insisted we stay here. It is the executive lounge for Club Rooms and suites, and the dining experience run up there is called La Vue on 51st.
I was up there in the morning after the night before and could not get proper access to film it, which was frustrating, but even from the doorway you can see why it works. Floor to ceiling glass, fifty-one floors up, and a cocktail hour that people plan their stay around.
Here is the useful part, and it is the single most practical thing in this review. Club access has changed and may well change again. On my friend’s previous visit, club access included breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks all up on the 51st. On this visit the price was the same and it is not cheap, but only the evening drinks were up there. Afternoon tea had moved to the lobby and breakfast to the second floor. That is a meaningfully worse deal for the same money.
What I would do instead is book the La Vue on 51st dinner deal. You get dinner up on the 51st floor, which is the bit you actually came for, and it worked out far better value than paying for club room access. Check what club access currently includes before you upgrade, and compare it against the dinner offer.
The Nine
The Nine is on the ground floor and is branded as a British gastro pub, complete with a beautiful cat motif and a dartboard. There are pub elements, but describing it as a pub undersells it. The cooking setup is visible, and the tables, chairs and decor are distinctly upmarket. I filmed it while closed so I cannot speak to the atmosphere with a full room and proper lighting, but the bones of it are very solid.
Gym and spa
The gym is full service, on the sixth floor, kitted out with Technogym equipment including a Smith machine, treadmills, cycling and free weights. Being up on six gives you a view out, which is more than most hotel gyms manage.
The spa was not open when I visited. It is Sofitel Spa with L’Occitane, treatment-led rather than facility-led, using the L’Occitane product range. There is a hammam split into male and female sections, so there is a thermal element alongside the treatments. Hopefully it is open when you get there.
Mall access and location
There is a small amount of luxury retail inside the property, but the real story is the direct connection to Wafi. There is a large supermarket immediately on entry, then the mall expands out into a range of shopping and dining options. It also connects through to Raffles, which is technically a neighbouring property but in practice is one door down through the mall.
On location, I will be straight with you. Wafi City is a tertiary location in modern Dubai. You are some distance from downtown and a good way from JBR and the Marina. Road access is decent and you are close to DXB, though that advantage may soften over time as Emirates shifts operations to Al Maktoum. If your trip is built around downtown or the beach, factor in the transfers.
Who is this hotel for?
Business travellers. This is the strongest case. Proper desk, good chair, excellent bed, close to the airport, a serious gym, and a lobby that makes the right impression if you are meeting anyone.
Couples. The room quality, the bathroom, the reception ambiance and dinner on the 51st floor make a strong short-break package, particularly if you are not fixated on being beachside.
Families using Dubai as a city base. Workable. There is a children’s pool, a splash pad and the Astro Kids Club, and the mall connection removes a lot of hassle. Two things to plan around: the couch does not fold out, so check your room configuration, and keep an eye on children around the cabana steps and the pool bridge.
Not for you if you want a beach on your doorstep or a party resort. If that is the trip, look at the FIVE Palm Jumeirah instead.
The verdict: stay or stay away?
Stay. I had a genuinely fantastic time here and struggled to find much to criticise. The corridors are beautifully designed, and I know you all think I am odd for caring about corridors, but they are an underappreciated part of any hotel and the team here have clearly thought about them. The room is wonderful. The space, the decor, the artwork, the bathroom. For me it is the perfect hotel bedroom, short of adding a kitchen or a bigger lounge, and at that point you are asking for a different room category entirely.
The pool deck impressed me for a property of this design. The loungers are excellent, the cabanas are a nice touch, and the mall access is quietly useful even if I did not need it. The reception, the falcon, the artefacts, the classical music and the scent all combine into something that gives the property real gravitas.
Negatives are thin on the ground. The age of the property is one on paper, since this is one of the original Dubai names, but it does not show at all. The location is the honest one. Wafi City is a tertiary spot now, away from downtown and away from the Marina, though the road access is fine. And the name, which requires you to say “the” twice for no discernible reason, though I accept that is my problem rather than theirs.
The staff were fantastic throughout. The bedroom is wonderful. It is a comfortable stay rating from The Resort Report, and 4.5 out of 5.
I filmed this in the first few days of May 2026, when business across Dubai was still relatively quiet, so a number of outlets including the spa were closed during my visit. I paid for this stay myself.
Full video transcript
So, welcome to Dubai and to the Sofitel The Obelisk, which is this beautiful building here. This is The Resort Report. I’m going to give you a full review of this property. I’m going to show you the pools, the bedrooms, the food and drink, and so much more. Before we go to the pools, I want to show you the amazing reception they have here because it is a standout feature. Let’s go.
So, having dropped your car off with the valet, you’re going to come in through this large doorway with these doggies guarding the way and be greeted by this amazing falcon, I think stylised as Horus. Beautiful. You can hear the amazing music. There’s quite the ambiance in here. Got these huge chandeliers. I mean, they must be a ton, at least. Don’t let Del Boy put them up. But, yeah, it really does give a sense of gravity and beauty in here. We had a great check-in, and the team here welcomed me again this morning. Okay, let’s move on to the pools. Just while we’re coming around this corner, though, you can see some more pieces of artwork with these small sculptures here. Really, really nice. And then we have access through to a mall just that way. Okay, let’s get to the pools.
The pools here at the Sofitel Dubai Obelisk have surprised me. I didn’t think there would be much here given the design of the building. I mean, when you’ve got a hotel that’s essentially a skyscraper, having a decent pool is not easy. But here we have a wonderful pool deck. Really, really nice. These loungers are fantastic. I mean, we see so many hotels and resorts skimp on the loungers, and these are really nice. They look fantastic and are a great design. You can see the swim-up bar just behind me there. So, there’s a swim-up bar and another bar just there as well.
Another cool feature of this pool area are these private higher cabanas. Let me just quickly show you this one here. There’s a man in that one. They’re accessed via these borderline dangerous steps. Let me show you. The gap is, yeah, I wouldn’t like to do that with my kids, although they’d enjoy it. We’ve got private hot tubs and then a TV seating area with a fan. And then each one has a private area for a toilet and shower. Yeah, cool feature if you would like it here on the pool deck of the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk.
One small point that’s worth mentioning, this bridge, it doesn’t look like it on the camera, but this is hilariously steep. I mean, it’s for the kids. I mean, my kids would definitely fall over going up or down this bridge. Always nice to have a bridge over a pool. But yeah, just worth mentioning to you. I would out enjoying this pool deck here in Dubai.
I was too excited by the bridge and missed out the kids area here. So, dedicated shallow pool here and a splash pad just there as well with the easy access to loos just behind that wall. So, yeah, your kids are going to be fine in this pool and that splash pad. And we’ve got that shade, a little bit of shade here to keep them out of the very, very warm sun today here in Dubai. Speaking of kids, there is a kids club here. Astro Kids, closed right now, but good to know that they do have one and operate it.
So, welcome to a luxury room here at the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. As you come into the room, you have this wonderful mirror just here complemented by more mirroring just there. Now, before we get into the main of the room, I just want to point out in here we have a robe, an iron, and ironing board. We have two pairs of slippers, this wonderful bag here, which I know my wife would steal if she were with me. Maybe I could take that home for her gift. Then we’ve got a safe. And then, you know, your high-class gubbins like sewing kits there. We have tea and coffee making facilities presented beautifully in these drawers. You’ve got those Nespresso pods. And look how they’ve presented your crockery there, fantastic. We do have a fridge in here, but no goodies for me today and then some complimentary water.
So, coming into the room, the first thing that strikes you is this lovely large bed. I’m going to be jumping up and down on that Home Alone style. I love the end of bed kind of low bench. I’m sure there’s a technical name for that, but I don’t know what it is. Another great mirror. Big long desk with a chair suitable for working, lovely TV, more mirroring, more fantastic lighting there. Lots and lots of storage. We’ve got a table and chairs here suitable for in-room dining. This couch you can see I’ve been looking underneath to see if there is a fold-out bed within that, but there is not. Love the mirrored wall out there. The view for me is pretty decent. Although, yeah, I wish I was facing the other way. My colleague is looking out towards the downtown and can see the Burj Khalifa. You can just about see. So, there’s the Grand Hyatt. You should check out my video on the Grand Hyatt that I did a few years ago and the newly completed water park that they have there.
But, back to our room here at the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. We’re going to head now towards the bathroom. Before we get there, just to point out either side of the bed, there are power sockets. This one’s being used, I think, by that radio. That one’s free. Neither has a USB socket.
So, into the bathroom now. Dual vanity units, underrated in hotels. You want to stay in hotels that have more than you have at home, and not many people are blessed with dual vanities at home. You’ve got this huge mirror back there as well with the zoom-in mirror there that so many people want. You’ve got weighing scales, very helpful for weighing your luggage if you got a flight back. Huge bath. Massive, massive bath. I love these waterfall elements for baths. And you’ve got a handheld shower as well. Here we have a standard toilet, although it is floating. And then we have two versions of butt washers. We have the bidet and the handheld. And then a wonderful shower with a seat in. We’ve got the handheld, as well as the rainfall element, and the toiletries here are L’Occitane, which is a higher-end version of toiletries for a hotel. So, that is a luxury room here at the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, and yeah, I’m suitably impressed. I like the room. I love the size of the room. I love the wood panelling. I love the use of mirrors, the lighting. It’s just, yeah, a fantastic room, and yeah, I’m looking forward to staying in it.
So, breakfast for guests here at the Sofitel Obelisk Dubai is in La Veranda. It is an open kitchen concept. I’ll be welcomed by the beautiful Sanita. And then we have this, as I say, an open kitchen concept. You can see some of the food coming out of the pass just there. First up, we have some juices. You can see the orange juice just being topped up here by this gentleman. Also got some pineapple juice, and we’ll move on to some fruits now. Whilst these don’t look like they’re refrigerated, they’re nice and chilly here. And then we do have some wonderful mousses. We do have oat milk, or oat juice, depending on your view on that debate, and some full-fat milk there, as well. Lots of nuts and cereals. Unfortunately, no sugar puffs. A good selection of honeys, different styles of honey, really cool to see. There are some pastries here. I want to show you some more croissants in a minute. That butter looks fantastic. Great breads and a self-serve toaster just there.
So, moving now to the other side. I’m going to take you to those croissants. Let me just look at these amazing croissants here. Starting off with a pistachio and date and then an apricot, a butter croissant, salmon and cream cheese, and then hummus and mixed candied tomato. Really, really cool. So, onto the cooked section and we have some mixed vegetables just there, chicken sausages. Now, this is veal bacon. As you know, in the Middle East, pork not exactly welcomed everywhere. The baked beans, I’m a big fan of baked beans, although there doesn’t look to be too many baked beans in there. Mainly sauce. And then some refried beans there. Make your own salsa just here. Some tomatoes just in there. Hash browns. I’m going to go hard on these hash browns when I start dining in a minute. Got some hard-boiled eggs just being looked after in here. Now, here we have the crepes and the pancakes. And this gentleman and the team are looking after people just there.
Have this kind of, I don’t know what these are. Some kind of cheesy dish. Okay, an Arabic dish. “This is the cheese and this is the butter.” Okay, sounds very good to me. Helpful staff here showing the ignorant what is on offer. There’s some meats here. Again, no pork. Looks like fish just there. Some wonderful sauces, oils, nuts, cheese. You can see just there. Moving through some more condiments. Hummus obviously big. Those tomatoes look delicious and some salad. Our made-to-order menu items as well. You saw that coming out of the pass earlier. And the dining room is beautiful. Yeah, really nice high ceilings and yeah, attentive staff looking after everyone. And so that is breakfast here at the Sofitel The Obelisk in Dubai.
A standout element of this property is a restaurant come bar called La Vue on 51st, which is just behind me. Now, I’m here in the morning after the night before and unfortunately I can’t get access in, frustratingly, to show you properly, but let me do what I can. This is literally the reason that my friend made us come and stay here. Literally the reason. This club style element where they do food and drink. Complimentary if you’re in a club style room. And yeah, the cocktail hour is in here. As I say, a standout feature of this property. You can just about see some of the view because we’re way, way up on the 51st floor. Really cool. Yeah, if you’re staying here, you’re definitely going to want to enjoy this experience up here on the 51st floor of the Obelisk.
One of the other food and drink outlets is The Nine, stylised with that beautiful cat there. And yeah, they kind of brand this as a gastro pub. And there’s some kind of pub elements. You’ve got a dartboard just there. But it is so much more from what I can see. You know, you’ve got cooking experience right here. The tables and chairs and the decor are upmarket. And so yeah, very solid food outlet here at the Sofitel The Obelisk. Obviously, I’m filming this while it’s closed. Sorry I can’t show you it with a little bit more lighting and atmosphere, but I think you get the vibes. The Nine at the Sofitel The Obelisk here in Dubai.
So, there is a full-service gym here at the Sofitel The Obelisk. Technogym equipment including this Smith machine just here. We’ve got treadmills, cycling, and in the corner you can just see in the reflection there some free weights as well. We’re up on the sixth floor, so you get a really nice view out, or as good as it can be. I mean, there’s not many gyms with a view like this. Very nice indeed if you do need a gym while you’re here in Dubai, staying at the Sofitel The Obelisk.
The spa here, unfortunately, not open when I’ve come to visit. It is a treatment-led spa using the L’Occitane treatment product range. But there is a hammam, and it’s split into female and male versions as well. So, there is a thermal experience element as well as your treatments. Hopefully, it’s open when you come and visit here.
There is a small amount of luxury retail within the property, but if shopping is your thing, the hotel connects directly to this mall. Got a large supermarket here. And then it expands out and round to a number of shopping and dining experiences. This mall actually connects also to Raffles, another property. I’d say next door, but it’s literally connected by a mall. So, one door down. Let’s call it that. So, yeah, mall access here at the Sofitel The Obelisk, Dubai.
So, it’s time for The Resort Report stay or stay away rating for the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. I’ve had a fantastic time staying here, and I want to tell you some things that I really liked and maybe some things that I wasn’t too keen on.
Starting with the great things. I mean, I loved the corridors, and I know you guys think I’m weird for focusing on corridors, but it’s just an underappreciated area of hotels and resorts, and the team here have done a great job of designing really beautiful corridors. And the room is wonderful. I love the space. I love the decor. Love the artwork. The bathroom’s great. In fact, I would say this is, you know, the perfect bedroom, the perfect hotel bedroom. You know, can you add another set of rooms with a kitchen or a bigger lounge, maybe, but for me this has everything that I need in a hotel bedroom.
There is fantastic dinner deals available. Now, I mentioned this specifically because you saw I couldn’t get in on the 51st and I’d really hoped to when coming to stay here. And we inquired about club access and club access has changed a little bit and it may well change again by the time you get here. With my friend on his last visit club access they had breakfast, they had afternoon tea and then they had the evening drinks up on the 51st. For this visit we were offered, it was the same price and it’s quite pricey to get club room access, but only the drinks, the evening drinks were up there. Afternoon tea was in the lobby and breakfast was on the second floor. So, it just didn’t seem like good value, but there is a dinner deal and you get dinner up on the 51st. So, and that was a much better deal than just general club access.
The pool, I was really impressed with the pool deck. You know, for a property like this, design like this, that pool was decent. Liked the beds there, the sunbeds as you may remember, really cool. And for some, those private cabanas, semi-private cabanas with those hot tubs, may well be good as well. The direct access to the mall is kind of cool. I don’t really need it, but yeah, fairly decent. The music in reception, in fact, just the whole ambiance of reception is really cool. I mean, it’s really grand. Love the falcon. Love the artefacts. And the music adds so much. I mean, I’m a big fan of classical music. So, yeah, went to see an orchestra while I was here in Dubai. And it just feels good. It adds gravitas to the property when you have classical music playing with grandness all around you and a soft scent on the nose.
Now, trying to think of some negative things. I mean, there’s very little negative things I can think of. I mean, the age of the property, but it doesn’t show. It’s one of the OGs in Dubai, and it doesn’t show. It doesn’t show at all. So, it’s barely a negative. I mean, the location, maybe. I mean, you’re a bit away from downtown. You’re a bit away from JBR Marina. I mean, this is now a tertiary location in Dubai, but you have decent road access. So, it’s close to DXB, although, you know, in a few years time, maybe when you’re watching this, Emirates have moved to Al Maktoum Airport. So, maybe the location’s the only negative.
But, yeah, I’ve loved the stay. The staff have been fantastic throughout. The bedroom’s wonderful. And so, ladies and gentlemen, the Sofitel. Here’s a negative. The name. Having to say the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. And I’ve added in the extra “the” because I think maybe I should just say Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. But having a “the” in the middle just doesn’t make sense to me. But anyway, so there’s a negative, there you go. But ladies and gentlemen, for the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, it is definitely a stay rating from The Resort Report. Hope you’ve enjoyed this video reviewing this property. Sorry I couldn’t get into everywhere and show you what it’s like while it’s fully operational. This being filmed in the first few days of May 2026 when, yeah, business is still pretty low. But yeah, a beautiful property here. And yeah, let me know your thoughts down in the comments below. Thank you very much. See you next time on The Resort Report.