Dubai has come to be represented by its towering line of skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls, but long-term residents will tell you the real heart of Dubai is actually Deira Creek.

And when you think Deira Creek, there is only one place to stay – the Radisson Blu Deira Creek.

This hotel proudly holds the title of the first five-star hotel in the history of Dubai!

Here are three shots at different times of day from our hotel balcony, highlighting the creek-side colors.

In fact, the Radisson Blu Deira Creek, as discerning as any five star modern property, holds a history that is uniquely connected with the Creek, and the nearby souks and heritage sites.

When Dubai looked like this:

The Radisson Blu was already the beating heart of Dubai:

Nowadays, you can still nip across the Creek to Bur Dubai side for a few dirham, in exactly the same way it used to be:

The neighborhood has changed, but the Creek spirit lives on.

And inside the Radisson Blu Deira Creek Dubai, the same sense of hospitality and impeccable service lives on today.

The Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel is easy to find and access, here is an interactive map:

View Radisson Blu Deira Creek in a larger map and download the GPS track coordinates here.

Radisson Blu, formerly Radisson SAS, is an upper upscale brand for Radisson Hotels operating 158 hotels, with 42 projects in development. These are operated by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.