Concierge.com's insider take:

This 217-room hotel is located bang in the center of near-complete Dubai Marina and pulls in the crowds thanks to its position on the main waterfront promenade. The moment you step into the raised foyer, the hubbub of construction outside ceases to exist. Very much a chic city hotel rather than a resort, the room decor is minimalist—in chocolate browns, dark woods, and gleaming marble—with huge plasma-screen TVs. Popular with business travelers, it has an exclusively male grooming spa, 1847, in addition to its unisex Retreat spa. There's only a small outdoor pool, but guests have access to the nearby Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa (note that's not the Méridien Mina-Siyahi next door), which has numerous water sports facilities. Its restaurants include Mezzanine (which has been taken over by British celebrity chef Gary Rhodes), the Indian Indego, and the Turkish Ottoman's, as well as expat favorite the Buddha Bar. Looking to stay longer? The hotel also has apartments.