ebookers’ Hotel inspector Farrah enjoys an Arabian oasis at the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai

My next stop in Dubai sits in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers – or JLT as they call it here – an unfinished concrete masterpiece consisting of 79 planned towers, around the edges of four artificial lakes.It’s a hub of business establishments and hotels, overlooking the islands as the towers stretch into Arabian skies for better views of the city.

Due to the recent credit crunch (even rich Dubai didn’t escape that one) work on some buildings has stopped until further notice, making the area look a little like a construction site minus the workers – derelict and dusty. But you can see with the buildings that are finished that, when this army of towers is complete, it will be in the leagues of giants in the Far East. Hong Kong and Tokyo will be peeking to catch a glimpse of the young and modern rival. They certainly do take building design seriously here. It’s like watching models on a catwalk, showing off their swagger and desperately craving our attention.

Well, my next hotel, the Bonnington, has mine. My apartment is huge and fantastically designed with plenty of light from the giant windows in the lounge, bedroom and second bedroom. I also have a reasonably sized balcony, so I can top up the tan I lost from the one week of summer the UK had back in June. Unfortunately, my view is distorted in parts, with the construction that’s going on, but I can get a partial view of the Jumeirah Islands, a residential area with houses, schools and shops. The lakes are deep blue, straight off an artist’s pallet, and the houses have been placed strategically around green, giving emphasis to the natural environment it’s trying to create.

In terms of facilities in my gorgeous apartment, I have a luggage room – yes, a whole room for my suitcase. The lucky thing is getting spoilt on this trip. First a luggage tag from the Waldorf, now its own room.

There are three WCs altogether, a bath and shower in the master bedroom, a shower in the second bedroom and a toilet and sink for my ‘guests’. All I have to do now is find some guests. Tea anyone? I can make it for you with my very own kettle. Alongside which I have a cooker, washing machine, a generous stock of plates, glasses and cutlery. It’s got everything you need, what with Wi-Fi, a safe and an ironing board. Oh, and a fridge full of free goodies, such as cans of pop, a large water bottle, Kellogg’s Cornflakes, milk and orange juice.

Although I’m in an apartment, Bonnington also does hotel rooms and suites at cheaper rates. Decor is modern and chic, like the apartments, but they’re just a bit smaller, naturally, and do not have a kitchen or lounge.

I met the Guest Relations Officer, Ilene, who was extremely helpful and lovely to talk to. When I asked her what the rooms were like, she offered to show me rather than just tell me. She even took the time to come to my apartment and explain my view to me and show me the facilities available. What excellent customer service.

There are three restaurants to choose from, and at AED165 (£29), you can join the locals as they breakfast at the special Iftar (breaking of the fast) buffet!

If it’s too hot and you want to hit a pool, or if you have been indulging too much on the delights of Arabian cuisine and want to check out the gym, just explore the hotel’s 11^th floor. But I know where I’ll be going later…the Jacuzzi and salon. Where’s my bathing suit? I am going to make the most of ‘ladies only’ at this lush hotel.

Despite all of this, it’s still fairly quiet and when you look around at all the dust, you can kind of see why. But to be honest, with cars being the main source of transport here (public transport is almost non-existent), you are easily connected to Sheikh Zayed Road and it takes just 10 minutes to get to the famous ‘Emirates Mall’, so the location is great.

So does this artificial world create something real when you stay? It’s a little surreal to say the least, but what else can you expect from Dubai? The land of tomorrow…I love it.

As they say here in the Arab world, ‘ashofak baadeen’ – See you next time. I am off to South Africa.