The opening of the luxury hotel next to sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and wave-inspired Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the final chapter in the brand’s nautical trilogy
By Waheed Abbas | March 2025
Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is popularly known as the only 7-star hotel in the world. Its recently opened neighbour, the yacht-inspired Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, however, “goes beyond conventional classification”, its managing director told Khaleej Times.
In an interview, Harun Dursun, said: “Rather than focusing on star ratings, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a luxury lifestyle destination that goes beyond conventional classifications. The hotel embodies the pinnacle of service, design, and curated experiences, offering an unmatched level of hospitality, personalisation, wellness, and culinary innovation.”
Dubai is witnessing a good supply of uber luxury hotels. In 2024, according to Cavendish Maxwell, almost 70 per cent of room supply fell in the high-end category. Of the upcoming supply for 2025, nearly 70 per cent will be in the luxury and upper upscale segment.
The opening of this new hotel next to sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and wave-inspired Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the final chapter in the brand’s nautical trilogy, adding a new mark to Dubai’s hospitality market.
“Jumeirah is building on its strong legacy in luxury hospitality, which began with Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 1997, followed by Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in 1999 — the iconic symbol of Dubai. Completing this nautical trilogy on Dubai’s most exclusive beachfront, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab further enhances our portfolio,” he added.
The hotel, he said, plays “a key role in our strategy to create vibrant communities by seamlessly integrating residences, hospitality, and retail spaces”.
The property features 386 rooms and suites, including the Royal Suite, each with a private terrace.
Since opening on March 14, he added, it has been met with incredible enthusiasm.
Designed by Shaun Killa, the architect behind the Museum of the Future and the Dubai Opera, the hotel’s design maximises light, space, and indoor-outdoor living.
The hotel has partnered with UAE-based artists — Feryal Al Bastaki, Alreem Al Mansoori, and Nadine Kanso — to bring local artistry to life within the resort.
In terms of sustainability, the property has been designed with self-shading terraces to reduce energy consumption, grey-water recycling for irrigation, and energy-efficient lighting.
Spanning an exclusive private peninsula, the resort has a dedicated marina, a collection of luxurious residences and retail.
F&B options
Guests have access to 11 curated dining experiences and four destination bars.
“A standout concept is The Fore, a multi-restaurant venue that transforms throughout the day, featuring four distinct dining experiences — Umi Kei, Madame Li, Mirabelle and Michelin star chef-led, The Bombay Club — as well as a sophisticated central bar,” said Dursun.
Other highlights include Rialto, an Italian restaurant celebrating the glamour of Italy’s Golden Age in the 1950s, Iliana, a Myconian-inspired beachside retreat, contemporary Japanese Kinugawa, Commodore Club, Orizonta, The Cullinan, Kira, in addition to the Marsa Al Arab Marina Promenade, which features six casual dining restaurants and bars.
Spanning three floors, The Talise Spa features a female-only floor, 13 treatment suites with private terraces, a 20-metre indoor pool, and a fitness studio.
“What I think truly sets us apart is the integration of cutting-edge technology with wellness. Our Remedy Suite, for instance, features four technology-driven therapies such as Cryotherapy, ChromoSpace light treatments, the iDome Infra-Red Triple Detox Treatment, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber,” he said.
Dursun added that each guest’s stay is made memorable through personalised experiences. “Our dedicated butler service allows guests to customise their stay in Dubai based on their interests, reflecting our deep commitment to Arabian hospitality.”
“Dubai is a city that thrives on reinvention, and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is perfectly positioned to lead that charge in the hospitality scene. The journey has only just begun, and I am excited to see how we continue to shape and challenge extraordinary guest experiences that set new benchmarks in luxury for those seeking the finer things in life,” he concluded.
