Pictures: Dubai’s newly opened La Ville Hotel & Suites

The first guests will check in to La Ville Hotel & Suites at CityWalk Dubai this weekend.

It becomes the second hotel in Dubai to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection (alongside Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa) although it’s the multinational operator’s first truly boutique offering in the country with just 77 rooms, 11 suites and 68 apartments.

It is also a world away from the third addition to the collection, the 503-room Lapita at Dubai Parks & Resorts.

Given its proximity to Citywalk and central Dubai attractions – Burj Khalifa is clearly visible from the fifth floor poolside – the hotel will primarily target shop–loving GCC nationals and Millennial travellers with its contemporary furnishings.

Rooms contain black-and-white headboard etchings – but command a premium price point with Deluxe accommodation starting from Dhs1,700 a night during the current peak season into Q1 2017.

Dubai hotels witnessed a 7.1 per cent average daily rate decrease to Dhs889.13 in November and revenue per available room fell by 9.8 per cent to Dhs737.71, according to preliminary data from research firm STR Global.

Apartments are located to the right and hotel rooms to the left as guests exit the lifts.

One of the key attractions is a central courtyard which adjoins the airey Chival all-day-dining restaurant. The breakfast menu is wholesome with Select Your Favourite Porridge (Dhs38) and smoothie bowls (Dhs44) and a range of egg dishes.

I tried the Eggs and Gravlax (Dhs65) with home-cured salmon and toasted rye bread.

Other F&B venues, due to open a little later, include the wooden Grapeskin bar and kitchen, in which drinks can be stocked in the wooden tables, and Graze gastro grill boasting striking bull artworks on the ceiling.

The poolside’s LookUp serves crafted beverages while the Lobby Café is open around the clock.

There will also be an executive lounge and there is another meeting space off the lobby. WiFi is free and a small gym is also available.