Close your eyes and picture ‘Shangri-La’. You may be soaring above the fictional earthly paradise from Lost Horizon, or you could be harking back to memories of a luxurious resort. Perhaps there’s some overlapping imagery in your mind’s eye. When James Hilton penned his 1933 novel, he masterfully conjured a mystical, harmonious valley, nestled in China’s Kunlun Mountains.
Shangri-La Dubai, Dubai’s namesake property, is sadly devoid of Eden-esque flora, as well as the legendary near-immortal residents. Yet the sense of serenity is uncanny. The all-familiar superlative of an ‘urban oasis’ has worn thin over the years (particularly in the arid metropolises of the UAE) but cultivating a peaceful haven on the fringe of the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road superhighway is no mean feat.
Flooded with natural light, the soaring lobby is an ultra-functional space, housing the Lobby Lounge on one end, replete with mall-weary wanderers, iced latte sippers and laptop Zoom callers, complete with AirPods and flappy hand gestures. At the other end, sits Dunes Café, the all-day, buffet style dining venue. Tastefully sheathed away, the international eatery played host to the hotel’s nightly Iftar celebrations in recent weeks. A functional space with massive footfall, yet no sense of hustle or bustle.
Not even James Hilton could be so fanciful. Yet the chatter and collateral decibels are somehow lost in the ether, while guests breezily attend the check-in-and-out desks and consult the concierge on all manner of excursions and nearby attractions in Dubai’s high-rise Downtown neighbourhood. Our check-in, however, begins in the Horizon Club, with a dedicated desk on Level 41.
Heightening the hotel’s personalised service, suite guests are personally escorted to the private club lounge area, with a choice of welcome drinks and a friendly overview of what’s on offer from the loftiest levels of the hotel. From complimentary happy hour to discreet dining and exclusive leisure facilities, suite-level guests are invited to make full use of the dedicated facilities, if they want to (pun intended) rise above it all.
For this stay, the 83sqm One Bedroom Suite was tucked in the north and west facing corner of Level 39, offering sweeping sea views, alongside an Insta-worthy angle of the Burj Khalifa area – from the free-standing bathtub, no less. Entering the oversized wooden doorway and inserting the club-level access card, the automated curtains draw themselves back at the far end of the suite, lighting up the space and revealing the shoreline vista beyond.
The room perfectly balances a pristine elegance, with the cosiness of the inviting sofa set up and plump, white bedding. From Nespresso machine to Bang & Olufsen TV and contactless phone charger, utmost convenience meets a timeless aesthetic, with muted tones, greys, beiges, and wooden furnishings applied in perfect harmony. There’s a thoughtful practicality to the space, extending to the copious volume of L’Occitane amenities in the capacious bathroom, and even the desk (often the afterthought of a suite) is filled with bundles of useful stationery – ideal for the colour-in postcards if in need of a mindfulness moment.
While the self-described ‘indulgent’ in-room dining options will coax many to stay in the suite, Shangri-La Dubai is one of the city’s iconic Asian dining destinations. Home to both Hoi An and Shang Palace, guests and residents alike have been flocking for Vietnamese and Chinese fine dining experience since the hotel arrived on the scene in the early noughties.
To simplify the experience Hoi An offers a range of Vietnamese favourites, but is perhaps the one for seafood lovers, with the seabass being a favourite for the regulars, steamed within lotus leaves and served alongside accoutrements of your choosing.
Shang Palace, on the other hand, is Shangri-La’s ever-iconic signature restaurant, with outposts all over the globe. You can encounter dim sum heaven each weekend, with a Saturday and Sunday brunch option that will see waves of steaming morsels delivered to your table. Sister outlets in Hong Kong and Paris boast well-earned Michelin stars and the level of cuisine in Dubai is on par. Perhaps the upcoming arrival of the Michelin Guide in Dubai will recognise Shang Palace with an accolade, but it would be worth securing a table before the inevitable influx of bookings later in the year.
Opposite the cigar lounge-cum-elegant sports lounge, Balcony Bar, Shang Palace is perched above the aforementioned lobby space, enhancing the interconnected feel of the primary hotel spaces. Set apart, for obvious reasons, is CHI, The Spa, as well as Ikandy Ultralounge, the hotel’s inviting pool and lounge space, which features the Burj Khalifa looming overhead, from across the way. Ikandy provides a family-friendly space for sun-soaked relaxation and poolside play, but the space transforms into a more upbeat shisha-and-drinks venue after dark.
Across the bridge, CHI, The Spa brings us closer to our initial vision from Lost Horizon, with pampering massage treatments and seemingly vast his-and-her areas, complete with plunge pools and rain showers, along with sauna and steam room facilities to help you unwind before or after your treatment of choice. You might be far, far away from the mystical mountain paradise, but a vigorous spa experience will undoubtedly transport your senses away from Downtown Dubai, albeit for the duration of your stay.
Stay:
WHAT: One Bedroom Suite
WHERE: Shangri-La Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
TEL: +971 4 343 8888