Renowned for its weird and wonderful architecture, Dubai is home to some of the world’s most ‘Insta-worthy’ hotels.
From the majestic Atlantis, The Palm to the sail-like Burj Al Arab, it takes a lot for a newcomer to stand out among such a remarkable skyline. With Expo 2020 arriving in Dubai this October, you can expect to see a slew of impressive new luxury hotel openings in the area.
Here are the best of the best:
ME Dubai
With interiors and exteriors personally designed by the late architect Dame Zaha Hadid, ME Dubai will take up residence within the Opus building in Downtown Dubai. There will be 93 rooms and suites as well as 96 serviced apartments – but the crown jewel will be the ultra-luxe 200-square-metre Suite ME.
Communal areas are scattered with dramatic furniture either designed or hand-picked by Hadid herself. The first ME by Meliá property in the Middle East, the hotel will offer three of its own restaurants, including all-day dining concept Central, the Refuel & Relax pool bar and The Opus Studio.
There’s also 15 food and beverage outlets within the Opus building will offer 15 F&B outlets including the third branch of the award-winning The Maine, as well as Japanese robatayaki restaurant, Roka. There’s also a spacious pool and wet deck overlooking the Dubai skyline, a 7,000-square-metre gym, and a luxurious spa.
The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences
Set to redefine the Palm Jumeirah skyline, this 43-storey cantilevered development is made up of a mix of 231 luxury apartments, 693 hotel rooms and 102 suites. Interior design expert Sybille de Margerie has commissioned a host of talented modern artists to handcraft unique works to personalise each residence.
Boasting uninterrupted sights of the Dubai skyline and the surrounding ocean, the hotel will feature a whopping 90 swimming pools, including a stunning rooftop infinity pool suspended 96 metres above ground on level 22. There will also be a range of exclusive restaurants run by celebrity chefs from around the world, including Gastón Acurio, Costas Spiliadis, Ariana Bundy, Heston Blumenthal and José Andrés.
Legoland Hotel Dubai
The first of its kind in the Middle East, this colourful hotel will be home to 250 Lego-themed rooms – perfect for your next family getaway. There will also be a castle play area, precisely manicured lawns and a disco elevator. Located within Dubai Parks and Resorts, the hotel is right next to Motiongate theme park, Bollywood Parks, and of course Legoland and Legoland Water Park.
St Regis The Palm
Rising from the trunk of the world-famous Palm Jumeriah, this St. Regis property will take up residence across 18 floors of The Palm Tower, which connects to the Nakheel Mall – due to open late this year with 350 shops and restaurants.
St. Regis The Palm will house one of the world’s highest infinity pools, located 210 metres above ground on the 50th floor. In total, there will be 289 guest rooms and suites and 504 luxury apartments, as well as a host of incredible restaurants with views over the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.
Mandarin Oriental Wasl Tower
The second Mandarin Oriental hotel to arrive in Dubai, the 63-storey twisting Wasl Tower will feature a total of 257 rooms, suites and serviced apartments with views over downtown Dubai and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the longest road in the UAE, the property has been designed to “reflect local culture, with features inspired by Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage”, according to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. This includes a 300-metre-high ceramic-tile facade that, when illumined at night, will make it look as though the building is breathing.
There will be a rooftop bar with citywide views, a signature dining experience, an all-day dining venue, a poolside bar and restaurant, a cigar room and a Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop.
But wait, there’s more! Keep an eye out for these other hotels opening in 2020:
- Sofitel Dubai Wafi
- SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences
- Waldorf Astoria DIFC
- Vida Emirates Hills
- Address Jumeriah Resort & Spa
Read next: Check out the best new hotels opening around the globe in 2020
