Behind the Good Food, Great People and a Business Bay View: Experiencing Radisson Blu Dubai

By Srijith K.N

As I stepped into Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront in Business Bay this August, the weather outside was anything but pleasant. We checked in at around 1:30pm, and my parents and I were warmly greeted by Tejal at reception. She had a great smile, which may sound like a small detail, but it is something hospitality simply cannot do without. It immediately made me feel that we were in for a pleasant stay.

We headed straight to our room, relaxed for a while, and since Mom and Dad weren’t exactly looking to rush outside in the August heat, we soon made our way down to The Larder for lunch. It turned out to be an easy introduction to the hotel’s dining experience.

At the restaurant, we were greeted by Caroline, who took particularly good care of my parents, talking them through what they wanted and making sure they were comfortable. The space itself felt bright and relaxed, with plenty of natural light, warm wooden interiors and enough distance between tables to make a leisurely family lunch comfortable.

Lunch was simple but satisfying. We had fresh salads, crisp accompaniments and comforting mains, followed by a strawberry-topped dessert that provided a light finish to the meal.

Back in the room, there was a large bed and a separate seating area by the window, but the balcony was where the room really came into its own. From there, we could take in the Business Bay skyline and Dubai Water Canal. I have driven through Business Bay countless times, but seeing it from this perspective was different. The only problem, of course, was August — the view made you want to stay outside considerably longer than the weather would allow.

By early evening, the temperature had become a little kinder, so I took my parents for a walk along the Dubai Water Canal, just a short distance from the hotel. They particularly enjoyed watching the boats pass by. That’s perhaps one of the advantages of this particular location in Business Bay: you’re surrounded by high-rises and close to the heart of the city, yet the immediate surroundings don’t feel overwhelmingly busy.

Dinner at FireLake

Dinner brought us to FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, where Christian looked after our table. He deserves a mention because he did considerably more than simply take our order. He gave us a sense of what FireLake was about, patiently walked us through the menu and explained the dishes rather than simply naming them.

I particularly liked the wood-fired bread, and we kicked things off with the charred zucchini. The zucchini carried that smoky edge from the grill without losing its freshness. We also tried the white sausage ragu, which was richer and comforting, while the lamb chops were beautifully grilled — my dad practically claimed the whole plate for himself.

And then there were the drinks. I had Dad try the Espresso Martini, which quickly became part of the evening’s entertainment.

What made dinner work, though, was the combination of food and service. Christian kept checking on us without ever making it feel intrusive. He was also the one who told me about the following day’s Deep South Social Brunch, something I hadn’t really planned for before arriving.

The brunch has several beverage package options alongside its special Deep South menu, and after Christian’s explanation, changing our plans for the following afternoon wasn’t a particularly difficult decision.

The Deep South Social Brunch

After a good night’s sleep, we skipped breakfast the next morning and went directly to FireLake for brunch. The restaurant felt completely different in daylight. The music brought more energy into the space, the atmosphere was livelier, and the menu was built around sharing and trying different things rather than simply ordering one individual dish.

This time, Asim looked after our table. He struck me as someone probably still early in his hospitality career, but he brought plenty of enthusiasm to the table. I also had the opportunity to meet Chef Ronak and speak to him about some of the dishes.

The brunch menu is extensive. Small plates range from summer mezze and steak tartare to charred zucchini and smoked lamb ribs, alongside seafood, pizzas, pasta and dishes from the wood oven and grill.

Chef Ronak was particularly keen for us to try the lamb. What arrived looked deceptively simple, but he explained the lengthy preparation behind it and how the process extends beyond 24 hours to achieve the final flavour and texture. Hearing what actually went into getting that plate onto our table made me appreciate it considerably more.

Before bringing lunch to a close, I tried the FireLake Signature Piña Colada, made with white rum, Malibu, coconut cream, pineapple, lemon juice, simple syrup and bitters. Creamy, tropical and refreshing, it was pretty much made for an afternoon like this.

And then, unfortunately, it was time to leave.

There had probably been too much food over those two days, but very few reasons to actually want to leave. The office was calling the following morning, so our little Business Bay escape had to end.

What stayed with me, however, wasn’t simply the room, the canal view or even the lamb. It was the people.

Christian, Caroline, Pratheesh, Chef Ronak, Jeffrey, Khin, Aliza and Tejal all contributed in different ways, whether through a conversation, a recommendation, helping my parents or simply greeting us with a smile.

A hotel review isn’t complete without acknowledging the people who stood out. Hotels can invest in rooms, restaurants, views and facilities, but hospitality ultimately becomes personal when somebody makes the people you care about feel comfortable.

For me, travelling with my parents, that warmth mattered.

And that is probably the strongest compliment I can give Radisson Blu: we checked in for a hotel stay, but what I remember most is how well the people with me were looked after.