Dubai

Checking in: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

by Leandi Schoonraad / Dec 18, 2020

In a city where luxury lives on every corner, understated elegance goes a long way, and attention to detail is what sets Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai apart from the rest. Here are the details to check out when checking in

Canopy of light

This is not your everyday hotel lobby. Guests at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai are met with a forest of light complete with 14 mesmerising trees, each glittering with 900 lights, while white marble floors with their cool and calm appearance draw you in from the desert heat. Pass by the lobby come sundown to join locals and visitors taking in the spectacle in what is fast becoming Dubai’s living room. The reflecting pools down the centre of the lobby capture and reflect the tree lights – mimicking the sea beyond. This ‘canopy of light’ was created by Preciosa and DesignWilkes, drawing inspiration from the Flame of the Forest trees in full bloom.

The fan

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai’s signature fan was designed by renowned Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah. Her creation combines traditional craftmanship with contemporary design. As you peer at it in the surrounds of the lobby, look out for the subtle details in the fan such as woven palm leaf prints that embrace the heritage of the Emirati people, and the jade colour that is reflected in details throughout the hotel.

The spa

The hotel Spa’s layered and curved ceilings pay homage to the desert’s rolling sand dunes, while the shades of blue in the floor bring in the soothing sense of the Arabian Gulf, which laps gently onto the pristine white-sand beach outside. Indulge and enjoy some quiet reflection in one of the cocoon-like relaxation pods before or after your treatment – the pods come complete with mandala colouring books. The Nomadic Sensory journey experience is specially designed to indulge every sense – listen out for the beating of traditional Emirati drums.

Netsu

The open kitchen at Netsu showcases the traditional Japanese cooking technique known as straw-fire cooking. Don’t miss expert advice from the Sake Sommelier, who can recommend an artisanal sake from the restaurants 30-plus collection. If that’s not your thing, the extensive wine list has around 70 labels, and there’s also a selection of Japanese-inspired signature cocktails. Netsu’s bold, edgy interiors blend concrete and wood with Kabuki-art-inspired decorative flourishes mimicking traditional Japanese theatre but shown here with a contemporary edge.

Tasca

Tasca by José Avillez is the two-Michelin-starred chef’s first venture outside of his native Portugal, and no detail has been overlooked in the design, food or vibe; from modern twists on traditional dishes, to the largest Portuguese wine selection in the UAE. Don’t forget to leave room for something sweet: try the Pastéis de Nata or the Mandarin orange dessert, both perfected by the master chef himself. Stop for a photo opportunity next to the hotel’s soon-to-be iconic rooftop infinity pool.

The Club Lounge

Exclusively for suite guests, the spacious Club Lounge still manages to feel intimate with separate seating corners and meeting areas. Breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails can be enjoyed here, as can sweeping views of the Dubai skyline. Notice the colour green featuring in subtle details to complement the living wall. Patterned moss and the hanging garden breathe life into the contemporary space.

Mandarin Seafront Suite

Whether it’s the sweeping ocean views from the wraparound balcony, or the streams of light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, walking into the Seafront Suite immediately soothes the soul. Finish the day by sinking into the king bed, unwinding in the comfort of the Ploh bedding and the divine linen by Spanish company, Vayiol.

The Lattice Work  

Throughout Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai you’ll see examples of lattice work and similar intricate patterns, from ceiling lights in the corridor, to the patterns on the carpet, hung in frames on the room walls, to the design of the side tables. This architectural element is characteristic of wealthy Arabic residences, and a design that dates back centuries, classic and beautiful but with modern interpretations. There are blue and orange hues throughout the hotel, which echo the Dubai sea and sunset, characterising the hotel’s incredible beachfront setting.