Inside the new Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown: pet-friendly and full of art

The boutique hotel is set to open in October

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown opened in October. All photos Reem Mohammed / The National unless otherwise mentioned

This is Hotel Indigo's first branch in the UAE.

The hotel's design pays tribute to the UAE and Dubai's untold stories.

A seating area in the lobby.

Woodwork at the reception of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.

The hotel boasts more than 200 pieces of art, mostly by local artists.

The hotel's 269 rooms are inspired by the story of Dubai Creek.

A Burj Khalifa artwork within the property.

A mother-of-pearl table at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.

Woodwork in the bathroom at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown's main restaurant Open Sesame.

The entrance to Open Sesame is adorned with fabrics by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

Open Sesame at Hotel Indigo Dubai Business Bay.

'Journey to the Desert' by Baseem Rayyes in the hotel's Off The Wall bar.

A mural by Daniel Wegera, a French artist living in Dubai, at Hotel Indigo.

The facilities include a 24-hour gym, yoga studio and 25-metre infinity pool with amazing city views.

Dubai's very first Hotel Indigo is all set to open next month.

A stone’s throw away from Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown will be the brand’s first hotel in the country, and its flagship property in the region.

Hotel Indigo properties are part of InterContinental Hotels Group, and each one pays tribute to its surroundings – meaning there are plenty of regional influences in the design. The National has been given a sneak peek of the property and its many artworks inspired by the UAE.

Scroll through the photos above to check out the interiors of the soon-to-open Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.

The hotel has yet to announce an official opening date, but confirmed it will be in mid-October.

Each of its 269 rooms is inspired by the story of Dubai Creek, whether through surrealist wallpaper created by local artists or the wardrobes with carved wooden doors, handcrafted in mashrabiya style.

Bathrooms with mother-of-pearl elements pay homage to the country’s heritage of pearl diving, while floor-to-ceiling windows will give guests views of the Dubai Canal or the city’s skyline. Even the lobby’s seating area pays tribute to Arab hospitality.

An art lover’s paradise

The hotel has supported local creatives with close associations with the Alserkal Cultural Foundation, Tashkeel and XVA Gallery; it boasts more than 200 pieces of art and local design, as well as an intricately designed carpet in the lobby, created through a partnership with the Fatima bint Mohammed Bin Zayed Initiative.

Guests can admire murals such Social Scene by French artist Daniel Wegera, and Journey to the Desert by Syrian Baseem Rayyes.

Feeling peckish?

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown will be home to casual restaurant Open Sesame, offering healthy dishes and locally roasted coffee in association with Cafe Rider Custom Roastery. The entrance of the restaurant is adorned with fabrics by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. Guests can also grab a healthy smoothie from the juice bar and concept store Bakala Joos.

The hotel is also home to Off The Wall, a relaxed space for a night out that features Satwa-inspired graffiti art.

Finally, Orange Feels, located on the second floor and overlooking Downtown Dubai, is a pool deck for those who want to lounge in the sun. The social spot will have a DJ at night and features hanging woven pods that brush the surface of the water, creating an Instagram-worthy effect.

Other facilities

The wellness deck at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown features a gym, yoga studio and a 25-metre infinity pool.

Finally, the hotel is pet-friendly, so guests can bring their four-legged friends on staycations for extra fun.

Rates start from Dh349 per night including breakfast; www.hotelindigo.com/dubai