Leading British architecture and design magazine Dezeen has chosen its top 10 hotels for 2019 and two UAE properties have made the cut.
Al Faya Lodge, which is based in Sharjah, by Dubai firm Anarchitect, made the list, as did the yet-to-open The Opus by Zaha Hadid Architects, a 20-storey development by Omniyat located in Downtown Dubai that will be home to the first ME by Melia hotel in the Middle East.
The former is a stark yet stunning five-room boutique hotel and saltwater spa located in the Sharjah desert. The latter is an eye-catching mixed-use building of two conjoined towers featuring an irregular void in the middle. The designs for The Opus were first revealed in 2007 by architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016, and the building was originally due to be completed in 2018, however due to construction delays the opening date has been pushed back. The hotel is currently set to open in February 2020.
These are the only two properties on this new list from the UAE and wider region. Other selected hotels are based in parts of Europe, China, Mexico and Africa's Cape Verde.
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See inside Anarchitect's Al Faya Lodge:
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The Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, designed by Dubai architecture firm, Anarchitect. Satish Kumar / The National -
The isolated location of Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah adds to its impact from the moment you arrive. Satish Kumar / The National -
Al Faya Lodge consists of five bedrooms, a spa and a saltwater pool, with restaurants across the road. Satish Kumar / The National -
As you arrive at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Californian desert. Satish Kumar / The National -
Terrace sitting area at the Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
A look at the rooms at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Al Faya Lodge has been designed to enhance, rather than compete with, the natural world. Satish Kumar / The National -
The pool was designed to 'connect with the landscape'. Satish Kumar / The National -
The design ensured it was not a 'closed off' area. Satish Kumar / The National -
General sitting area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Massage room at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Inside the restaurant at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
'Al Faya Lodge has an urbanity to it, which is cinematic,' says Jonathan Ashmore, the founder and director of Anarchitect. Satish Kumar / The National -
.'You embrace it, rather than deny it. You do feel like you’ve entered the desert,' Ashmore adds. Satish Kumar / The National -
Terrace sitting area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah, where you can take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Satish Kumar / The National -
The buildings at Al Faya Lodge date back to the 1960s and originally housed a grocery store and medical clinic. Satish Kumar / The National -
Private dining area at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Himalaya salt room in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Tropical rain shower area in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National -
Herbal sauna area in the spa at Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah. Satish Kumar / The National
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This is Dezeen's full list of top hotels for 2019:
Jungle Keva Hotel, Mexico, by Jaque Studio
Al Faya Lodge, UAE, by Anarchitect
Dream and Maze, China, by Studio 10
Monteverdi Hotel, Italy, by Ilaria Miani
Barefoot Luxury, Cape Verde, by Polo Architects and Going East
Shimao Wonderland Intercontinental, China, by Jade + QA
The Opus, UAE, Zaha Hadid Architects
Heckfield Place, UK, by Ben Thompson
Casa Popeea, Romania, by Manea Kella
Wuyuan Skywells, China, by Anyscale Architecture Design
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Read more:
16 mega-projects and attractions set to open in the UAE in 2020
The UAE is officially the best travel destination in the world
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