With an intriguing shape that has earned it plenty of interest from passers-by, the newly opened Address Beach Resort in Dubai towers over the surrounding buildings from its prime Jumeirah Beach Residence location.
The 77-storey hotel, which opened to the public in December 2020, is housed in twin towers and will soon be home to a rooftop infinity pool that is a candidate for the world’s tallest.
The National booked a review stay to find out what visitors can expect from a trip to the first beachfront property from Emaar's Address Hotels & Resorts.
The welcome
There's something about stepping into the serene lobby that is instantly calming. This might be down to the perfectly curated neutral colour scheme, the abundance of natural light, the life-sized imitation trees or perhaps the host decked out in a traditional kandura, handing out gahwa and dates. Whatever it is, the result is immediately soothing.
Checking in on January 11 – just two weeks after the hotel’s opening – meant that there were a few operational hiccups. The check-in system wasn't operating correctly and the process took an additional 20 minutes, but it's likely this was teething problems.
The neighbourhood
Located at the very end of JBR, the location may very well be the Address Beach Resort’s biggest selling point. Not only is it in walking distance to The Beach at JBR, it's also just across the bridge from Bluewaters – another Dubai neighbourhood ripe for exploring.
The prime location gives guests access to the beach, a wealth of food and beverage options, water sports right on the doorstep and even a jogging track. There’s no real reason to need a car here, everything is just a short walk away.
The safety measures
The hotel, which is owned by the Emaar Hospitality Group, has partnered with Boecker Pesticides to implement a sanitisation process.
At the entrance of the hotel is a tunnel that guests step through and are lightly misted with a gentle sanitising spray. There are also thermal scanners at the entrance where every guest is temperature checked.
The door to our room is sealed shut, and we have to break the seal to enter it, adding to the sense of reassurance. Servers and hotel staff wear face masks all times, tables are suitably distanced and there are plenty of hand sanitiser stations to be found in public or high-touch areas.
The room
Checking in to a deluxe sea view room, the first thing you notice is the view. From this 11th floor vantage point, there's blue waters as far as the eye can see, with Ain Dubai directly ahead, Atlantis, The Palm further on and even the seven-star Burj Al Arab in the distance. The balcony has two comfortable wicker chairs, so you can settle down and make the most of the views.
The design is in keeping with the contemporary, elegant interiors that the Address Hotel brand has become known for. A comfortable king-sized bed is set under huge abstract artwork. There's also a dressing table, television and side tables, as well as a sliding wooden door that seamlessly separates the bathroom and its separate shower and bathtub.
The room also has some high-tech features. An iPad by the bed can be used to control almost anything – from the lights, air-conditioning and television to contacting room service or housekeeping – ensuring you don’t really have to step out of bed if you don’t want to.
The service
The service is friendly and helpful. When we ask for two more bottles of water for our room, for example, we return later to see 10 bottles sitting neatly on the table.
The scene
The facilities include two temperature-controlled pools on the ground floor (one family-friendly and another for adults only). One of the hotel's claims to fame – an infinity pool competing for the Guinness World Record title of world's tallest – has not opened yet. The tentative date of opening is March 2021. The hotel also has its own private beach.
The Spa at Address is also not open yet, but will offer therapies with spectacular views from its location on the 75th floor. Until opening day, guests can have spa treatments at the pool cabanas.
The food
The hotel is home to several food and drink concepts, including The Restaurant, Address Beach Resort's signature homely concept and all-day dining facility, The Beach Grill and li brasil. Zeta Seventy Seven, with views of the infinity pool and sea, is yet to open.
We dine at li brasil and try the feijoada (Dh68), a homely Brazilian-style black bean beef stew served with a side of Basmati rice. On recommendation from our server, we order the cumin-spiced lamb chops (Dh78), which are tender and well-marinated.
We then split the li brasil signature – grilled meat and seafood skewers, served with spicy fries. Consisting of chicken, lamb, beef and seafood, it's a delicious mix, but six skewers aren't a lot for the Dh168 price tag.
Highs and Lows
The subtle luxury of the interiors, the prime location and the view from the room are all highlights of our stay. We also appreciate the hotel's attempt to consider the environment via touches such as wooden key cards instead of the usual plastic ones, and compostable Nespresso pods.
The only low is our check-in experience, which took a little bit more time than it should have. Given that the property is brand new, we're sure future guests won't have to worry about a similar experience.
The insider tip
Even if you have no plans to visit Bluewaters Island, a stroll along the Bluewaters pedestrian bridge is highly recommended. There are water views stretching out, and plenty of photo opportunities with the Ain Dubai on one side and JBR The Walk (with the Address Beach Resort) on the other. There are also some seating areas dotted along the bridge, making it a nice evening-time activity for hotel guests.
The verdict
The hotel's launch may have come at a difficult time given that it opened during the coronavirus pandemic, but its premium location and brand reputation stand it in good stead. With the UAE seeing something of a staycation boom, the Address Beach Resort is set to be a welcome addition to Dubai's hospitality scene.
The bottom line
Rooms at the Address Beach Resort start from Dh910. Check-in is at 3pm and checkout at noon. www.addresshotels.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future.
