The fading sun over Dubai is a spectacular scene. Like the dying embers of a fire, the orange-hued glow that is cast over the sky is hypnotic. It’s a time where the city’s great feats of architectural brilliance are truly showcased in all their glory; just before the lights are switched on for night’s darkness and just after the day’s all-consuming brightness. This evening, I have a front row seat to this daily phenomenon conjuring its visual magic on Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s iconic arcuated exterior from my expansive terrace at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
These are tranquil moments upon my fourth-floor perch. No noise to disturb the serenity, save for the waves of the Arabian Gulf rolling in over the golden sands of Jumeirah beach below and the low hum of the melodic beats being emitted from the suite’s Bang & Olufsen speaker. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, luxuriating in my fluffy, rust-coloured Jumeirah bathrobe. “It’s time to get ready for dinner!” shouts my plus-one to pierce the peacefulness. I abandon my seat and head indoors to my Ocean Deluxe Suite.
Spread out over 67 square metres, the suite is split into four parts. With designs reflecting superyacht chic—the property is the third and final instalment of Jumeirah’s nautical trilogy alongside Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Burj Al Arab—it’s a soothing collection of royal blue-patterned rugs, fawn-coloured floors and neutral walls lined with gold. The cosy living room greets guests on entry with a grey L-shaped sofa facing a HD TV and a mini-bar stacked with a generous assortment of treats including the much sought-after Dubai Chocolate from Fix and mini-Champagne bottles from Billecart Salmon. A sliding door leads me to the suite’s centrepiece, the bedroom. The bed, which fully envelopes me whenever I hop inside, is angled towards the floor-to-ceiling windows, which means every morning here begins with that show-stopping view. Initialled slippers offer a delightful personal touch. Behind the bedroom, a ginormous walk-in wardrobe contains plush bathrobes, silky kimonos, yoga mats, beach bags and ample space for those travelling heavy. The bathroom is fashioned out of marble and enjoys double vanity sinks, a freestanding bathtub with gold taps and large rainfall shower with Rossano Ferretti amenities.
Suite privileges are bountiful. There’s luxury chauffeur pick-up and drop-off in a Bentley, 24-hour personal butler service at guests’ beck and call at the click of a WhatsApp message and access to Wild Wadi Waterpark. However, the most enticing of add-ons to bedding down in one of the property’s 86 suites is exclusive access to the dapper Iliana Pool Club. This poolside sanctuary within the vast grounds of the hotel oozes luxury. Place yourself at the water’s edge or for an extra price, hide away in an exquisite cabana that is home to two loungers, a sofa, swing and never-ending supply of cool towels, ice-pops, coconut water and attentive service. There are three other pools onsite including an adults-only section, but with a guaranteed space underneath the sun, there is no reason to stray from this palm-fringed paradise.
There’s 11 restaurants and bars to be explored and savoured. Iliana Restaurant spotlights Greek delicacies with a side of sunshine and sea, best enjoyed during lunch. There are a plethora of light salads and scrumptious hot bites to tide you over during these hot summer days. For dinner, the options seem endless, with a smorgasbord of tastes just waiting to be experienced. Alas, we are only here for two nights so Umi Kei, a dainty Japanese restaurant with outstanding service and Omakase experience is a resounding success for our first sumptuous soirée followed by an elegant, alfresco evening at Rialto.
It’s glamorous inside with a spectrum of burnt ochres, royal blues, golds and creams, but the weather is glorious, so we grab a table outside and enjoy the house recommended yellowtail crudo drizzled in calamansi and lemon, tomato carpaccio and fried burrata, and the fried zucchini flowers that explode with ricotta and smoked scamorza cheese.
Of course, a night out at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab would be incomplete without a fragrant cocktail. The Rialto Bar oozes 1950’s Italian charm with a lime-green marble bar complemented by pink flowers and dark turquoise stools. We sip on a signature beverages—the Rialto Negroni and Rialto Spritz—and relax in sophisticated ease. Or should you wish for a night in the company of the city’s cool crowd, make like us and head for the eccentric ground floor LITT Bar, which offers the paradoxical experience of an enlivened speakeasy.
As the sun rises in the morning and we tear ourselves away from our suite ocean views, we enjoy breakfast at one of the coolest and most unique culinary concepts in Dubai. The Fore is a collection of four venues—Umi Kei, Mirabelle (French-Mediterranean), Madame Li (Chinese) and The Bombay Club (Indian)—that join forces for an epic breakfast dine-around. Guests are welcome to sit wherever they please and for us, that is on the outside deck with an uninterrupted view of the Burj Al Arab.
As one can imagine, four venues combined makes for massive space to cover, but menus display a helpful map allowing guests to navigate to their favourite cuisines. For a more leisurely and quieter start to the day, The Commodore Club in the hotel’s residences is ideal, with its candy-coloured furniture and made-to-order dishes.
While there are no sporting facilities such as tennis courts, there is plenty to do at the Marsa Al Arab Marina, where one can park their yacht and delve into myriad shops and restaurants. However, I prefer to stay onsite and to indulge in an experience at Tailse Spa—Jumeirah’s own branded wellness centre. It stretches over three floors with a women-only floor, indoor pool, sauna, fitness suite and steam room. I treat myself to a sleep-inducing 90-minute massage before kicking back in the post-treatment room, with herbal tea and ocean panoramas for company.
I spend the rest of my time flitting between my terrace and Iliana pool club, attempting to absorb as much enjoyment out of this incredible property as I can. But alas check-out time arrives and before I know it, I am being chauffeured home in my Bentley. “We hope to see you again, soon Mr. Matt,” enthuses Nikola, my driver. I certainly hope he is right!
