Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai opens its doors

The oceanside resort is the luxury brand's first hotel in the Middle East

The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira makes the most of its Arabian Gulf location. Courtesy Mandarin Oriental

The emirate of Dubai welcomed a new addition to one of its oldest neighborhoods as the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai opened opposite Mercato Mall on the shores of Jumeirah beach on Sunday.

The 256-roomed hotel is the first from the Hong Kong hotel operator in the Middle East and offers contemporary guest rooms and suites with private terraces that have amazing views of the Arabian Gulf. Despite its waterfront setting, the hotel is the closest beachfront resort to Dubai’s financial district, making it well-placed for business or pleasure.

Stepping inside, guests are welcomed by a huge forest-inspired lobby, where hundreds of lights have been crafted from hand-blown crystal attached to bronze metal trees. Across the rooms and suites, the vibe is contemporary, but relaxed.

Interiors by Jeffrey Wilkes – the same name behind the funky W Goa hotel and the paradisiacal Four Seasons Resort Langkawi – bring a Silk Road theme to fruition, with desert tones paired with design elements of the Far East. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the ocean views.

With the opening of the hotel, six new restaurants and bars have been added to Jumeirah’s dining scene, including Tasca, which serves contemporary Portuguese food from celebrity chef Jose Avillez, and Netsu, a Warayaki-style Japanese steakhouse that’s the brainchild of Nobu-trained chef Ross Shonhan.

Known for its wellness offerings, Mandarin Oriental has prioritised The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah where experiences in the 2,000-square-metre space are inspired by local culture. For example, the Nomadic Sensory Journey features Emirati drumming as a sound-healing technique and there are also hammam-style treatments.