Bliss in this case is found on the sixth floor of the Conrad Dubai in the hotel’s pool bar where, despite being surrounded by a skyline of the city’s towers, you may well feel that you’ve happened upon an urban paradise.
Bright white loungers are set around the clear waters of a deep-blue pool, complete with whimsical touches like a waterfall cascading over an Arabic arch standing in the middle of the pool. Cocoon beds surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens, meanwhile, offer the opportunity for a mid-afternoon snooze.
If you can tear yourself away from the relaxation, there’s a something-for-everyone menu that allows you to eat healthily or indulgently. If you’re being virtuous, there’s baby spinach with feta cheese, a crispy pastry sheet, sesame and honey-balsamic dressing, a Taste of Mykonos (basically a Greek salad with red and black cherry tomatoes, Anthotyros cheese, capers, oregano and Greek olive oil) or a Caesar salad that comes with the options of adding blackened chicken or blackened shrimp.
If you’re not so concerned with keeping your poolside body, there’s a club sandwich wrap, a Philly steak sandwich, sourdough veggie sandwich, a fish burger, Black Angus burger (slathered with Emmental cheese and caramelised onion), Korean fried chicken, lobster hot dog and, to top it all, a dish called fries sensation which involves curly fries with bolognaise sauce, chillies, cheddar cheese and sour cream.
And if you fall somewhere between the two, an Asian platter brings a steamed barbecue chicken bun and prawn parcels alongside vegetable spring rolls, seafood wonton and duck spring roll.
To drink, there are cocktails made from big-name gins and vodkas, whiskies and rums, as well as half a dozen lagers and Strongbow cider.
Note that entrance fees upwards of 150 AED apply, depending on which day of the week it is.