Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah: The new luxury address in Dubai

With a forest, where the trees are made of bronze and the soil of marble, the lobby of Dubai's new Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah invites luxury lovers to experience the Hong Kong’s group vision of its first hotel complex in the Middle East. The ambience of the space, full of sophistication, is living proof that there is still room to make a difference in five-star hospitality in the Emirate, even when it neighbors big names in the sector. Located between the pristine beaches lapped by the Persian Gulf and the city of Dubai, the hotel completely throws away the idea that combining business with pleasure is just a mirage, even because it is close to the local financial centre. At the end of a working day or time at the beach, there is nothing better than watching the sunset through one of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the rooms, which invite you to travel with a lot of imagination.

Famous designer Jeffrey Wilkes - also responsible for Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur - thought of this when he designed the common spaces, 178 rooms and 78 elegant suites with private terraces and balconies, but also took into account the city's multiculturalism. He described his inspiration as the Silk Road trip the group would have to make to reach the Middle East, rich in thoughts and ideas gathered along the way. This richness materialized in a colour palette of desert, blue and gold tones, harmoniously combined with design elements and furniture from around the world.

The technology also occupies a prominent place and has been carefully incorporated into all installations along with contemporary notes. The moments of relaxation were also thought out in detail, in line with the tradition that the group used present to its most exclusive customers. For this reason, there is a 2,000 square-meter fitness center and spa where visitors can enjoy experiences associated with the region’s local culture. Those who prefer to exchange the sun on the beach for the freshness of the interior can always enjoy traditional hammam baths, where the cleaning is done through steam and skin exfoliation.

Those feeling rejuvenated can regain even more strength in one of the six restaurants and lounges, where you can even feel the influence of Portuguese cuisine. Portuguese chef José Avillez opened “Tasca” here, the first of his restaurants outside Portugal, located on the top floor of the hotel. But this “Tasca” (tavern) is a Dubai-style one, which means very luxurious ingredients, combined with an unforgettable view of the iconic Burj Khalifa on one side and a terrace area with a stunning infinity pool on the other. The flavours are very Portuguese. You can enjoy, among other things, cured and marinated seabass with prawn olive oil and avocado, tempura cod cake, “Pica-pau” pan-fried waygu or piri piri chicken. The menu also features very Portuguese flavours such as “Bulhão Pato” clams, “Lagareiro” roasted octopus or “Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá”. And there's no shortage of custard pastries, which Chef Allivez has reinvented in perfect communion with the spirit of Dubai.

mandarinoriental.com