Best New Hotels 2008:The Palace, The Old Town, Dubai

Everything new is old again in this rapidly rising Dubai development. The Old Town is a mini-city of imposing Arabian follies including this grand new Sofitel property, simply called The Palace. Aptly named – after gliding down the entrance colonnade of majestic palms to be greeted by a retinue of impeccably liveried staff, it’s hard not to feel like royalty. Even standard rooms are pleasantly plush, with private butlers and balconies overlooking the Old Town Island or the ultramarine artificial lake: to the left sits the excellent Thiptara restaurant serving Royal Thai cuisine; to the right, Burj Dubai, soon to be the world’s tallest building.

We love The balcony view of the ever-changing Dubai skyline (pity about the noisy construction, though).

Rooms from about $445, www.sofitel.com.