For travellers who want modern Dubai without paying extra for a five-star name

This is one of the most versatile “all-rounders” on my list of hotels I recommend to travellers. The hotel occupies part of a huge skyscraper in Barsha Heights (TECOM) and offers both classic hotel rooms and fully equipped apartments.

It’s an ideal option for those who want to stay in modern Dubai without overpaying for a 5-star brand. The hotel’s biggest strengths are its location and space. Room sizes here are among the largest in this segment. If a client says, “I want the metro on my doorstep and enough room to actually spread out,” Mercure is an easy recommendation.

Best suited for:

— families with children who want to cook in their own kitchen and have more space;

— guests staying for two weeks or longer (the apartments offer better value than standard rooms);

— business trips — thanks to its proximity to the metro and Internet City, you can get almost anywhere in Dubai quickly without spending unnecessarily on taxis.