Brand new Dubai hotels for Middle East Design & Hospitality Week 2019

Bringing together six of the region’s most influential design and hospitality-focused exhibitions – The Hotel Show, FIM, INDEX, The Leisure Show, Surface Design and Workspace – Middle East Design & Hospitality Week returns to Dubai this September, and where better for it to take place than one of the world's most prestigious hotel destinations.

Renowned for setting a precedent in luxury living, Dubai recently laid claim to the world’s tallest hotel and in 2019 it’s set to welcome a hotel that will feature 269 swimming pools within a soaring 800ft skyscraper. Read on to discover more about these spectacular properties along with all of Dubai’s best new hotels.

by Steven Potter & Vicki Forde

The forthcoming Five Jumeirah Village Dubai will feature 271 swimming pools within an 800ft skyscraper

Mandarin Oriental made its entrance into the UAE at the beginning of this year with the opening of the spectacular Mandarin Oriental Jumeira. Located in an area that’s renowned for its pristine beaches, the hotel boasts its very own private stretch of sand along with five outdoor swimming pools, a high-end spa offering treatments unique to the property, and Dubai’s first Outrace-equipped fitness centre. Michelin-starred Portuguese chef José Avillez runs the headline restaurant, Tasca – the chef’s first international opening – while Japanese steakhouse Netsu and beachside restaurant The Bay are two more of the hotel’s seven destination dining spots.

Also making its first foray in Dubai, W Hotels Worldwide opened W Dubai - The Palm in February. Sticking to the brand’s signature club-like aesthetics, the outre property has bold, playful interiors featuring a number of eye-catching art installations – most notably a 640-piece glass installation in the lobby, created to represent a sound wave. Walls mimicking shimmering disco balls and space-age furnishings are just two of the outlandish features in the bedrooms while the restaurants and bars each have their own distinct personality. At the heart of it all is the expansive Wet Deck, where enclosed white-wicker cabanas and sunbeds sit within several pools overlooking the hotel’s private beach, and there’s also an Away Spa offering an array of full body treatments and grooming services. 

The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira has its own private beach, five outdoor swimming pools and a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef José Avillez

Another brand that’s renowned for its party vibes, Five Hotels and Resorts follows on from the glitzy Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai with the opening of Five Jumeirah Village Dubai. Due to launch on 2nd September, the ambitious project will be an architectural feat with 269 swimming pools placed high in the sky within an 800ft skyscraper. All of the 221 one and two-bedroom apartments and 33 four-bedroom apartments will boast a private swimming pool placed within its very own landscaped garden, each of which will offer unrivalled views of Dubai’s skyline. The hotel will also feature over half a million sq. ft. of flora, which will help to naturally maintain the building’s temperate. 

Two more hotels slated for a September launch are Paramount Hotel Dubai and JA Lake View. The former will introduce the Paramount Picture brand into the world of hospitality with a classy cinematic property. Video walls will decorate the lobby while a Paramount Screening Room along with Studio, Scene and Stage guest rooms continue the film theme. One for golf lovers, JA Lake View will overlook a nine-hole championship standard golf course and lake. The property will join JA Beach Hotel and JA Palm Tree Court to complete the JA Resort, which brings together tennis courts, water sports and a shooting range. 

W Dubai - The Palm sticks to the brand’s signature club-like aesthetics with eye-catching interiors and art installations

Following on from the recent opening of Address Boulevard, Address Hotels is about to launch two new properties in Dubai. First up, Address Fountain Views will open its doors on 1st September, offering five-star accommodation across three towers overlooking the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. An outdoor swimming pool will be flanked by private cabanas while the luxury spa and fitness centre will offer panoramic city views. Opening later in the year, Address Sky View will house 169 bedrooms and seven restaurants within two towers joined by a sky bridge. The rooftop sky deck will feature a breathtaking infinity pool overlooking Downtown, and a luxury spa and fitness centre will sit on the 54th floor. 

After opening its solid gold doors last year, the 356-metre-tall Gevora Hotel claimed the title of the world's tallest hotel, overtaking the previous record holder, the JW Marriott Marquis, by one metre. Once through the hotel's opulent revolving front doors, guests are greeted by an equally grand lobby with marble floors and further gold touches. A 12th-floor health club features an outdoor pool deck and hot tub while the 71st-floor spa provides the chance to enjoy a massage with a view. The hotel is also home to five restaurants but replaces a bar – it doesn't hold an alcohol licence – with a coffee and cake shop. Not just for hotel guests, Gevora is also home to a rooftop viewing deck, so you can see the world’s tallest building from the world’s tallest hotel.

Branding itself as ‘a palace by the sea’, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai takes inspiration from European palaces

November saw the arrival of Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, the first-ever Caesars Palace hotel outside of Las Vegas. Located on the brand new Bluewaters Island, which is home to the world’s largest observation wheel, the hotel is one of three new Caesars Entertainment properties opening on the island. The Residences at Caesars opened on the same date as Caesars Palace and Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai followed in December. The first non-gaming resort from the company, Caesars Palace houses 194 guest rooms, its very own private beach club and a luxury spa. The second Hell’s Kitchen from Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay is also located within the hotel.

Located on Palm Jumeirah, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai also opened in November. Branding itself as ‘a palace by the sea’, the five-star hotel takes inspiration from the palaces of Continental Europe with a stately interior that features handcrafted Italian touches, soaring marble columns and glistening crystal chandeliers. Further highlights include a ballroom decorated with hand-painted gold leaf, a vast luxury spa, a 500-metre private beach and an 80-seat private cinema. Eight different dining options can be found in the hotel including The Mix, the first UAE restaurant by three-Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.

After opening its solid gold doors last year, the 356-metre-tall Gevora Hotel claimed the title of the world's tallest hotel

In December, Zabeel House by Jumeirah added a new hotel to its collection with the opening of The Greens, the third hotel to open as part of the upscale casual brand that launched earlier in the year. Located in Tower 3 of the Onyx Towers, the hotel takes inspiration from New York loft living with contemporary and quirky interiors featuring art curated by local businesses. Aimed at social travellers, the property features several co-working spaces, two outdoor cinema screens, an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants and a business centre with its own kitchen. The newly-opened Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre also brings a piece of New York to Dubai with restaurants Bull and Bear and Peacock Alley – two NYC institutions – opening within the hotel. The guest rooms take inspiration from early 1960s New York with neutral colours, brass elements and walnut accents creating an elegant backdrop reminiscent of the jet-set era. 

Stella Di Mare offers a taste of the Mediterranean with its authentic Italian restaurant and elegant furnishings imported from Italy

Another hotel bringing an international flavour to Dubai, the brand new Stella Di Mare offers a taste of the Mediterranean with its authentic Italian restaurant and elegant furnishings imported from Italy. The first international opening from the Egyptian brand, the five-star property premiered in January this year and houses 369 rooms and suites, a fully-equipped spa, a 1920s-inspired ballroom, and six bars and restaurants, including the rooftop Skyland bar.

Adding yet another addition to the rapidly growing Rove Hotels portfolio, Rove the Park opened in June this year. Having proved popular among millennials and families thanks to its affordable, Insta-friendly accommodation, the brand now has six properties in Dubai with two more in the pipeline. Located within Dubai Parks and Resorts, this latest opening counts three theme parks and a water park among its neighbours, making it particularly suited to families. For business travellers, Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City is a new five-star hotel in the heart of major business hub, Dubai Media and Internet City. Guests can make use of the state-of-the-art convention centre featuring a ballroom with a capacity of 800 guests and nine flexible meeting rooms. 

Dubai’s best forthcoming hotels

Dubai's first Andaz-branded property is due to open before the end of the year

Before the year is out, Dubai is also expected to welcome the first Andaz-branded property in Dubai, Andaz Dubai The Palm. The property will bring Arabian-inspired accommodation, four restaurants, a fitness centre and a spa to the exclusive man-made island. St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, meanwhile, will sit within The Palm Tower, which will also house The View at The Palm, a 52nd-floor observation deck with its own VIP lounge. The hotel itself will have two swimming pools, one of which will be one of the world’s highest infinity pools, and a signature all-day restaurant on the 51st floor. 

Looking further ahead, to 2020, the much-anticipated ME Dubai will finally open its doors. The property will be the only building in the world to feature both an exterior and interior designed by late architect Dame Zaha Hadid. It will be housed within the 95-metre high Opus building in Downtown and will offer 15 restaurants, including a new outlet of high-end Japanese restaurant, Roka. Another highly anticipated property, The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences is slated to open in late 2020, joining the brand’s flagship, Atlantis The Palm, with a magnificent new cantilevered structure that will house a sky pool and several aquariums as well as restaurants headed up Heston Blumenthal, Jose Andres and Ariana Bundy.

HOTEL DEALS FOR MIDDLE EAST DESIGN & HOSPITALITY WEEK 2019

A number of special hotel deals have been arranged for registered visitors and exhibitors of Middle East Design & Hospitality Week 2019. As well as a range of nearby hotels, all of which are located a short walk from the Dubai World Trade Centre, there is a fantastic variety of properties to choose from. Whether you want to stay in one of Dubai's most luxurious hotel or book into one of the best new openings, this selection has something for you.

If you are attending Middle East Design & Hospitality Week 2019, you can access the official hotel deals from HotelMap? here:

The Hotel Show | FIM | INDEX | The Leisure Show | Surface Design | Workspace

Alternatively, email [email protected] or telephone +44 20 7292 2320