Review: Extravagance awaits at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Location: About a 30-minute drive from Dubai airport, newly opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is among a cluster of the brand’s properties that includes six other hotels and Madinat Jumeirah, a modern-day indoor souk. Luxury golf buggies whizz guests around the complex. Farther afield, the emirate’s most famous attractions are a 10 to 20-minute drive away.
First impressions: Fragranced with a custom blend of black pepper, patchouli and cedar, this divine-smelling hotel is shaped like a luxury cruise liner, poised as though docked next to its aesthetically pleasing sibling, the iconic sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. Inside Marsa’s curvaceous lobby, right angles are scarce. The design, by architect Shaun Killa, is fluid, with undulating walls and a gleaming wooden spiral staircase. No expense has been spared on decorative objets d’art and the staff present a veritable fashion show in their charming uniforms, from theatrical Wes Anderson-style bellboy attire complete with caps and polished buttons to nostalgic Audrey Hepburn dresses cinched at the waist.
The facts: With calming interiors inspired by classic Italian Riva boats, the 300 rooms and 86 suites are equipped with all the latest luxury mod cons, from Dyson hairdryers to garment steamers. Minibars include the world-famous Dubai chocolate bar, made by Fix Dessert Chocolatier, while toiletries are by celebrity hair stylist Rossano Ferretti and Votary, a brand that uses natural plant oils. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow Dubai’s year-round sunshine to pour in. All rooms come with spacious balconies; be sure to book one with Burj views. The other side of the hotel overlooks the current construction of a future MGM resort and, beyond that, miles of low-rise shoreline neighbourhoods. For the ultimate extravagance, the five‑bedroom Royal Suite has a wraparound terrace, private plunge pool, in-suite gym and treatment room, and a fully equipped kitchen and dining room that seats 12. All suites come with butler service. Resort facilities include a private beach, stylish pools surrounded by lush landscaping and an impressive fitness centre and spa spanning three floors, where treatments include cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen chamber sessions. The portfolio of 15 bars and restaurants ranges from chef Pierre Hermé’s lobby Viennoiserie to The Fore, a transformative dining space that converges by day to offer a sprawling breakfast maze and divides by night into four distinctive venues: Umi Kei (Japanese), Madame Li (pan-Asian), Mirabelle (Mediterranean) and The Bombay Club (Indian). Elsewhere, there’s The Cullinan steakhouse, Italian Rialto, Greek Iliana, Arabic Orizonta, more Japanese options and The Commodore Club, a sophisticated all-day dining lounge and terrace. Guests can stay up late at Litt, an intimate speakeasy drenched in golden hues, with an ornate DJ booth at the centre and a mirrored bar that fans out like peacock feathers.
Ideal for: The Family Club (for kids aged three to 10) and access to Jumeirah’s Wild Wadi Waterpark make this hotel a good fit for those with children, as well as discerning travellers seeking luxury leisure and wellness experiences. The 82-berth marina also accommodates guests arriving by sea.
Explore: All four pools offer a different experience. Bathers socialise on giant floating bean bags at the adult-only Kinugawa Pool; families are accommodated at the enormous Resort Pool; reserved for suite guests, Iliana Pool Club offers refined sun‑worshipping in photogenic cabanas; and the 20-metre indoor pool is perfect for swimming laps, followed by some aqua therapy in the whirlpool bath. WOW: Breakfast at The Fore is decadence on a plate. Soft-boiled eggs with caviar and brioche soldiers and lobster Benedict are among the à la carte delights, while unlimited oysters are a highlight of the buffet. In rooms, the monogrammed slippers make thoughtful personalised souvenirs.
Book it: Nightly rates for a standard Marina Deluxe Room start from £896, including breakfast. jumeirah.com
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