Review: Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi is one of several Marriott properties nestled along the sandy white Jumeirah beachfront. I popped over to the Le Méridien after a stay at the neighbouring W Dubai Mina Seyahi.

This was a rather spontaneous stay, as I simply needed a place to stay for the night before moving to other parts of city the following day.

My encounters with the Le Méridien brand have been few and far between over the years, but I was curious as to how this property would stack up compared to other Marriott properties in the area.

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Booking

You can expect to pay between 46,000–63,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi for a one-night stay.

On the other hand, cash rates hover around 980–1,500 AED ($360–550 CAD) per night between November and April, which is peak season in Dubai. In the summer, rates are much lower, and range between 500–800 AED ($185–295 CAD) per night.

In my case, I booked this property for a reasonable Cash & Points rate of 30,700 Bonvoy points + 460 AED ($168 CAD). The cash component was a much better value than the equivalent amount if I were to have redeemed points in full.

Whenever you make a points redemption, be sure to compare the payment various options available to you, as it may make more sense to do a hybrid payment than to simply pay fully with cash or points.

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Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Location

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi sits in the eastern region of the man-made Dubai Marina, sandwiched between two other Marriott hotels: the W (where I had stayed the previous night) and the Westin (where I’d be staying later on this trip). 

The Mina Seyahi district is home to towering residential buildings and commercial skyscrapers. There’s a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafés, markets, and hotels in the immediate vicinity; however, some of Dubai’s most sought-after attractions may be a bit of a trek away, and those who are keen on sightseeing will want to plan accordingly.

It’s approximately a 20-minute drive from the hotel to two of Dubai’s most popular attractions, the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. If you’re looking for retail therapy, the Mall of Emirates and the Marina Mall are in closer proximity to the hotel – a 15- and seven-minute drive, respectively.

You can reach the Marina’s promenade and The Palm Jumeirah in just 10 minutes by car from the hotel.

From Dubai International Airport, it’s around a 25-minute drive to Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi. Dubai’s secondary Al Maktoum International Airport is 30 minutes away, and Abu Dhabi International Airport is just under an hour away.

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Check-in

Upon arrival, I remarked that the hotel has a reasonably modern façade made of glass and stone. It features a large, curved marquee extending out from the entrance.

The check-in desks are to the left, and the lobby seating is comprised of a small circular bench and a few armchairs dotted around. The overall design and décor were quite dark and lacked vibrancy, perhaps since the last renovation this hotel saw was in 2012.

The front desk associate acknowledged my Marriott Titanium status and informed me of a complimentary upgrade to a room with an ocean-facing view.

I wasn’t feeling too fussy in terms of getting a suite upgrade at this particular property, as this was mainly a rest stop before moving to another area of town.

I was then briefly walked through all the hotel’s facilities and was handed my room key. From there, I headed to Room 806, located on the eighth floor.

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Deluxe Room with Sea View

The Deluxe Room with Sea View is a fairly basic room with a delicate design, soft sheer curtains, white walls, and modern décor.

The bedroom features a king bed facing a flat-screen TV, as well as a desk and an armchair at the far end.

For some reason, there was elaborate towel art and rose petals prepared for me in the room, even though there was no special occasion of any kind. Either the hotel simply wanted to make me feel special, or there was a mix-up on housekeeping’s end (the latter feels more likely). 

You’ll find a door to a small patio at the far end of the room, where you can sit and enjoy the view of the area.

Back at the entrance is a pantry with a Nespresso coffee maker, a tea kettle, and a minibar stocked with snacks and a selection of liquor.

The bathroom is similarly simple, with a single vanity, soaker tub, toilet, and shower. I thought the bathroom looked a little less modern than room itself, as if it didn’t get quite as much attention during the last round of renovations. 

I thought the room was nice and spacious with a no-nonsense setup. The interior was much more modern than the hotel‘s public areas, which created a pleasant space for lounging around and working at the desk, which were my primary needs during this short stay.

It’s worth noting that the ocean-facing rooms face the Barasti Beach Club immediately downstairs, so tends to be quite loud until late. If you’re a light sleeper, you may want to take this into consideration and weigh up the ocean views against the potential noise factor. 

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Club Lounge

Complimentary access to the Club Lounge is enjoyed by Marriott Platinum members and above, as well as guests who book Club-level rooms. The lounge is located on the 10th floor of the hotel, and is open daily from 11am–10pm.

Immediately upon entering, there’s a concierge desk with a staff member who can assist with any queries.

The main area of the lounge is an open-concept room with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that afford a pleasant amount of natural light into the room.

Four-person dining tables are placed around the room, while a long dark wood bar takes centre stage. There’s also a secluded business centre available, where you can get some work done or have a quick business chat.

I was very pleased to find that this Club Lounge has its own dedicated outdoor terrace.

I visited the lounge to enjoy breakfast during my stay. The spread was quite decent, and featured both hot and cold buffet options.

The hot breakfast options consisted of poultry bacon, sausages, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried mushrooms, hash browns, and fried tomatoes.

The cold buffet selection was more substantial, and featured fresh fruits, yogurts, a salad bar, cheeses, cold cuts, smoked salmon, and a variety of pastries.

During the day, the spread consisted mostly of small items such as sandwiches, fresh fruit, and desserts.

In the evening, there was more on offer in terms of hors d’oeuvres, with a modest-sized spread with hot and cold plates. The hot dishes included pasta, chicken, and samosas, while cold plates included a salad bar and pasta salad.

Complimentary drinks are available from 6–8pm; however, alcoholic drinks can be purchased throughout the day at the bar, subject to a charge.

I thought that the lounge was a pleasant spot with decent food and drink spreads throughout the day. The evenings hors d’oeuvres in particular could indeed serve as a dinner replacement if you went back for multiple helpings.

In my case, I opted to stop by in the evening and have a glass of sparkling wine to unwind before heading to bed.

The Club Lounge might not be as extensive as other hotels in the Middle East, but it’s a great perk to enjoy as an elite member or guest in a Club-level room.

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Dining

There are several dining venues at the hotel, and you’ll find options for international, Middle Eastern, and French cuisine, as well as a seafood restaurant.

Latitude 25 is located on the ground floor terrace of the hotel. It’s a small yet sophisticated bar and lounge with international cuisine.

Fish offers a beautiful sea view, comfortable seating areas, and Mediterranean-inspired seafood. Inside the restaurant, the design consists of white plastered walls and deep-blue hues.

Bounty Beets has a café-style vibe with a vibrant and colourful dining space. The venue focuses on well-being and sustainability, with both indoor and outdoor dining available for guests.

Lastly, Latest Recipe is a stylish spot for lunch and dinner with French and European dishes. You can also enjoy cocktails and shareable plates out on the terrace with views of the gardens.

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Pools & Beach

There are five outdoor pools at the Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi. There’s an infinity pool, a lap pool, two whirlpools, and a shaded children’s pool.

The infinity pool is directly next to Horizon, with a swim-up bar that allows guests to enjoy a drink while they cool off.

Dotted around the pools are lounge areas for spending time poolside or on the surrounding lawn.

If the beach is more to your liking, the hotel sits on one of the longest stretches of private beach in Dubai, and there’s direct access from the hotel grounds.

The hotel’s pool and beach facilities are connected with the adjacent W Dubai Mina Seyahi and Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. You also have access to the facilities at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi and vice versa; however, the adults-only W’s facilities are off-limits to Le Méridien guests.

The hotel’s Water Sports Centre provides a variety of activities, such as stand-up paddle boarding, single/duo kayaking, and paddle boats.

Lastly, Jungle Bay Waterpark is located on the bay of Mina Seyahi, offering a series of waterslides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. Indeed, this waterpark complex seems like the primary motivation for staying at the Le Méridien and Westin Mina Seyahi, and it was always teeming with young children enjoying the facilities throughout the day. 

Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi – Other Facilities

Club Mina Gym, the hotel’s fitness centre which is shared with nearby hotels, offers a good range of cardio equipment and hydraulic resistance circuit training. You’ll also have access to personal trainers, tennis courts, and swimming lessons.

For those visiting with young children, take note of The Kids Club, which offers complimentary games and activities, special food menus, and daily beach games.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my brief time at the Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi, even if it wasn’t as impressive as some of Dubai’s higher-end properties.

The Deluxe Room with Sea View was comfortable and well-appointed enough for my one-night stay. On the contrary, the hotel’s public areas are quite dated in their appearance, and this property could certainly benefit from a refurbishment in the coming years.

For those with Marriott elite status or who stay in a Club-level room, the Club Lounge has a modern aesthetic and serves as a great spot to relax and grab a quick bite or drink. The lounge’s ample offerings throughout the day made it the highlight of my stay. 

Ultimately, the hotel’s access to the on-site Jungle Bay Waterpark is probably one of its main attractions, making this a great choice for families who are looking to give the kids something fun to do during their Dubai visit.