Exuding the lifestyle of those who enjoy the finer things, Mandarin Oriental Dubai is more than a luxurious escape – it is an embodiment effortless elegance and class. Hadag checks in for a weekend filled with sophistication, exclusivity and exceptional hospitality.
Overlooking both the pristine waters of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s glittering skyline, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is the height of class in the hospitality sector. Set on a gorgeous beachfront with stunning interiors and unmatched levels of service, the resort brings unmatched levels of luxury to the shores of Dubai.
Conveying signature Mandarin touches, the Dubai property boasts distinctive design and a strong sense of place, with both Arabic and Oriental charm meeting to create a unique hotel that is as contemporary as it is compelling. Walk into the lobby and admire the most majestic bronze metal trees that look like illuminated bows as if the leaves are made of jewels. The trees are made from hundreds of hand-blown Bohemian crystal leaves with a champagne matte brass finish – there is nothing else quite like this in the Emirates.
The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira makes a strong impression at every turn. In fact, its breath-taking interior is all thanks to designer Jeffrey Wilkes who envisaged everything from the linen textures to the patterns on the furniture, resulting in a hotel with the theme of the Silk Road. Modern layering, desert tones, and a warm yet luxurious colour palette put the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in a category that no other hotel has managed to perfect with such grace. It is flawless minimalism meets relaxed elegance – and we can truly appreciate the details.
With 178 spacious rooms and 78 elegant suites making up the expansive resort, you really are spoiled for choice. Our Junior Sea View Suite has us in awe. It is the size of a luxury apartment, designed with a meticulous approach where space has been used practically and stylishly. Thoughtful touches with iconic interior like the flagship Mandarin logo, are used to remind guests of the oriental influence throughout.
These beautiful suites feature a large open-plan bedroom, spacious living area and bathroom with rain shower and bath. A private balcony offers remarkable views of the sea. You will indeed spend a considerable amount of time relaxing on the sunbed here. The living area features a plush sofa, while the comfortable sleeping area is furnished with a kingsize bed.
The en-suite bathroom is one of those that you would dream of having in your own home; elegantly finished with Persian Travertine, the bathtub is one you can sink into whilst the shower is like a mini-hammam, and the walk-in closet is thoughtfully built with light coming on via a sensor.
There are two vanity areas, ideal for a group of friends or even a couple who need their own space and mirror for makeup or grooming. This is definitely in our top five suites to experience in Dubai – everything flows naturally. Suite guests enjoy access to the exclusive Club Lounge, which might just be the best perk of all. Views of the Burj Khalifa are only made that much more incredible by the delicious food (you do not want to miss the eggs benedict for breakfast), and the most attentive service.
Staff make it their mission to learn your name, to make conversation and answer any questions – whether it is about the food or where to find the best places to shop in Dubai – they are true walking concierges. It is a beautiful breezy day when we reach the beach, and the team equips us with our very own beach bags filled with cold towels and water. They also give you a round buzzer which is handy for getting a waiter’s attention if you want to order food and drinks.
The beach is one of the best stretches of sand in Dubai and we are pleasantly surprised with numerous little treats like fruit punch shots (non-alcoholic) and watermelon bites, served as complimentary snacks for hotel guests. The pool area is also one of the nicest we have been to in Dubai with plenty of loungers and cabanas – the vibe is very summertime fine with everyone in a relaxed mood, enjoying a good book, chatting with friends or taking casual swims.
At the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, there is a clear passion for wellness, placing your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing at the centre of everything they do. Guided by the oriental heritage and influenced by the local cultural diversity of the UAE, the Spa offers a host of treatments and therapies unique to this property.
There is everything from signature treatments, to the Nomadic Sensory Journey, which features Emirati drumming as part of the healing process, incorporating Asian beauty knowledge with cutting edge technology. An indulgent VIP suite, Sea Jewel, offers sea views, an interconnecting Hammam-style treatment area and the option of connecting to a further space suitable for couples or wedding parties.
The signature massage sends us into a deep slumber and all we remember is feeling the most relaxed we have in a long time. After the treatment, you are encouraged to wake up naturally and have a good stretch to bring your senses back to the real world. Hot tea with a selection of nuts and dates is served in the relaxation lounge as we take deep breaths and come back to centre.
The hotel is also home to a state-of-the-art Fitness & Wellness Centre and Movement Studio featuring the first Outrace equipment in a Dubai hotel. They offer high-energy strength and functional training, as well as more holistic forms of exercise and beach-based classes. They’re happy to arrange in-depth personal training consultations focusing on developing programmes to improve fitness and health that suit the individual needs of the guest.
If food is your forte, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira has it all to make your stay exciting for every palate. Tasca is located on the sixth floor, a restaurant from culinary genius José Avillez. Named after the Portuguese word for tavern, Tasca is José Avillez’s first international opening, following on behind the Michelin-starred Belcanto as well as his other celebrated ventures in Portugal.
Serving genuine Portuguese flavours with a contemporary twist, Tasca’s menu bursts with character and flavour. Complementing the menu is a grape list with the largest selection of Portuguese vino in Dubai as well as a tempting array of craft cocktails. Boasting spectacular views over Dubai’s glittering skyline on one side and the Arabian Gulf on the other, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining on a terrace with an infinity pool. Served tapas style, the portions at Tasca are brilliant for sharing, meaning you can actually try everything you like the sound of.
We would highly recommend the Braised and Marinated Tuna, the Garlic Prawns and the PanFried Wagyu. Service is at the level of what is to be expected at a venue that belongs to a MichelinStarred chef – everyone is clued up on the food and eager to make recommendations too. To top that off, the hotel also houses Japanese Steakhouse, Netsu; international eatery, The Bay; the very elegant Noor Lounge where afternoon tea seems to be a hit with Dubai’s elite; pool bar Sun Vibe, The Mandarin Cake Shop and the very bespoke Beluga caviar bar. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is what five-star looks and feels like. It is the highest standard for luxury resorts in the city with astounding attention to detail in every aspect – the result is beyond anything we could have imagined.