The last time I visited Gourmandises I was 14, about 10 kilos overweight and had a blond tufts of hair, very TinTinesque (if TinTin enjoyed fried chicken way too much) and it was for yet another round of their spectacular chocolate filled donuts. Fast forward to now, all these years later and here's what I learned.
There are no more chocolate stuffed donuts, in fact Gournamdises, along with the entire hotel has undergone a major facelift. Gone are the warm mahogany hallways of the central lobby and the elegant black and golden outlines of this little patisserie shop and in its place sits a renewed exuberance, a sense of contemporary refinement in the form of soft metal columns, an expansive floor plan and natural light shining through from just the right angles. Gourmandises, still located in its former position, now appears in a spectacularly new style compromised of grey stone contrasted with a ceiling bursting with luscious pink peonies. Still, as cosy as ever, still as elegant as ever. The cafe which is open all 6:00 pm, serves delicious chocolate desserts, cakes and offers a menu of unique bites for tea-time. The hotel, is Le Meridien, Dubai located by Dubai Airport and it is to me always a reminder of my childhood, but beyond that it has lost none of its charm. For those of you that keep up with The Life of Dmitri Ruwan on Youtube, and follow me on Instagram, you would know that in between moving houses and finalising my new apartment, we were hotel hunting for a place to stay. It is only fitting then that ultimately, Le Meridien would be our decided go-to, after all, my mother worked with the hotel for over fifteen years and many of our parties and after school treats were packed with the deliciousness of Gourmandises, or memories of walking through the hotels cheerful halls to use the pool, or dine at one of the restaurants. But, beyond the nostalgia, what was clear was that Le Meridien, Dubai has a sense of warmth, that not many Dubai-based hotels can boast.
The magic of Le Meridien, Dubai is its familial bonds. Staff who have remained with the hotel for over 20 years, and continue to breeze through its halls with cheerful smiles. Staff that wish you good morning with genuine care as opposed to simply 'hotel etiquette' and staff that are a valued part of this establishment. Le Meridien, Dubai may have had a revamp that puts it stylistically in step with current trends, but in doing so it has also sidestepped what so many local establishments have not, and that is the value that its people bring to the organization. People; from the bell boys, to the service staff, to the ladies at check-in and even the restroom attendants. A sense of long forgotten kindness wafts through the air of the hotel like the aroma of crisp waffles glazed in maple. Le Meridien, is still a gem, and Gourmadises is still the perfect hideaway for anyone looking to bask in some refined alone time.
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