One of the world's most luxurious hotel brands has opened another outlet in the heart of Dubai.
St Regis Downtown, Dubai is now welcoming guests for a five-star stay in one of the city's most popular neighbourhoods.
Towering above Dubai, the hotel, which was previously the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, offers guests sweeping views of Dubai Canal and Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
An infinity pool overlooking the canal, a fitness centre and a St Regis Spa with six treatment rooms await guests checking into the property. Guests taking a dip in the pool can enjoy a bite to eat or a drink at the poolside bar with views of Downtown Dubai.
“Dubai’s Downtown district is a sought-after destination for global travellers and showcases the emirate’s innovative vision, making it an ideal location for the St Regis brand’s avant-garde style and highly personalised service,” said Candice D’Cruz, vice president of luxury brands at Marriott International.
The newest St Regis hotel has 298 guests rooms and suites, all of which offer city skyline views. Floor-to-ceiling windows, large open bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes make the most of the space and every guest gets St Regis Butler Service for the duration of their stay.
There's a wide choice of room categories from the 60-square-metre Deluxe guest rooms to the Royal Suite, which spans 304 square metres and has a separate living room, kitchenette, two bathrooms and offers the best canal views.
Details across the hotel have been inspired by the city, with glass chandeliers and gold chains in the lobby influenced by the jewellery found in Dubai’s Gold Souk, and striking lobby artwork inspired by the city's silhouette as it reflects on to the water of the canal. There is also a thoughtfully curated collection of contemporary art found throughout the property.
Dining options include lively Italian restaurant Basta! and Bleu Blanc Oysters & Grill, which offers Mediterranean fine dining. St Regis Afternoon tea will be served in The Library and the intimate St Regis Bar has a lit mirrored mural stretching across the ceiling, inspired by the stars at night as seen as from the Arabian desert.
The Astor Ballroom will open in the hotel in March next year, with 564 square metres of event space including an outdoor bar, lounge seating and an open fireplace. The hotel opens less than five months since the debut sister hotel, St Regis Dubai, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah.
Stays at the St Regis Downtown, Dubai start from Dh1,078 per night, excluding taxes; www.marriott.com
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
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