The United Arab Emirate of Dubai is without end making headlines for its hyperbolic endeavors: the world’s tallest skyscraper, the primary indoor ski slope within the Middle East, the region’s largest mall. On this desert city — one in all the fastest-growing on this planet, where 88% of the population is foreign-born — the standard wisdom has long held that the more gilded, the more encrusted, the more bedazzled, the more luxurious. But all that’s about to vary with the opening of the Dorchester’s Lana hotel.
In 2012, Mahdi Amjad had a contemporary vision for his adopted country. (He was born in Iraq.) As Dubai matured into a global hub of business and leisure, the developer believed that so, too, would the tastes of its residents. After the worldwide financial crisis had passed, the federal government dredged a canal from Dubai Creek east, to the downtown location of a planned (and scrapped) military base. The extension enabled the event of a recent neighborhood, the Marasi Bay Marina in Business Bay, anchored by a lagoon directly across from Burj Khalifa (the aforementioned world’s tallest skyscraper) and the “cultural” hub often called the Dubai Mall (which proclaimed itself the world’s most visited place in 2023). Cranes went up — and with them, Amjad’s first step toward constructing an upscale hotel that might defy the bling that dominates every other retreat on the town, from the Palm Jumeirah to the Burj Al Arab.
Amjad scoured the planet for a partner who shared his vision, eventually joining forces with London’s eminently elegant Dorchester Collection hotel group. “I come from a residential background, so I’m all the time fascinated by the living spaces first, even in a hotel,” says Amjad, who’s the founder and executive chairman of the UAE development company Omniyat. “It doesn’t matter how exceptional a constructing you create. In the event you don’t have an exceptional level of service, you don’t have an exceptional living experience.” And boy did the Dorchester deliver.
Guests on the Lana — the Dorchester Collection’s tenth hotel and its first within the Middle East — enter through a porte cochere, where morning suit-adorned doormen in top hats offer a gloved hand to assist them alight from the property’s custom Rolls-Royces. Contained in the 104-room, 121-suite stay, they’re greeted within the Gallery (aka the Lobby) by sandy hues that reflect the Arabian Desert — and 0 garish gold.
The posh here lies not within the gilding but within the textures, the artwork, the craftsmanship and the amenities. Foster + Partners designed the stunning constructing, and though it swoops and teeters and frames every enviable view of town, it stays understated and graceful. French hotshot designers Gilles & Boissier layered in a four-story curtain chandelier, coffered ceilings, trolley-only bar service, intricate tile work and pink banquettes for afternoon tea.
A reflective undulating ceiling makes everyone look gorgeous at Jara, the hotel’s Basque restaurant (one other first for Dubai), masterminded by 12-Michelin-star chef Martín Berasategui, using wood-fire techniques. He’s in good company: France’s rock star chef Jean Imbert helms the hotel’s Côte d’Azur-inspired restaurant, Riviera, on the fourth floor, and High Society, an infinity pool with an adjoining cocktail bar on the Thirtieth-floor roof, influenced by ancient kingdoms who worshipped the sun. On the bottom floor, World Pastry Champion Angelo Musa bakes mind-blowing tarte tatin that may best those on the menu on the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, where he’s executive pastry chef. There’s even a speakeasy where the bar manager can infuse whiskey into your favorite cigar on your next visit.
But where the Lana truly departs from the pack is in its expansive guest rooms. No detail has been ignored: the freestanding tubs with views, the Vispring beds (similar to the British royals sleep in), the custom-color Dyson hair dryers within the suites, the floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies (even in entry-level rooms) and an amenity we’ve never seen in any hotel anywhere: an electrical double watch-winder. (We see you, Hublot lovers!) You’d be tempted to never leave the spacious rooms that start at 600 square feet, however the Twenty ninth-floor Dior Spa and gym await.
The Lana officially opened in February, and despite steep prices, the brand says it’s doing brisk business. (As are the adjoining full-service Residences.) It’s a definite departure from the Atlantis and the Taj and Dubai’s other over-the-top beachfront resorts, but when this urban oasis can’t influence the design preferences of Emiratis and expats, we’re undecided what can. European snobs are already sold. “It’s so beautiful, it’s like a dream,” French pastry chef Musa tells Alexa. “I desired to cry when it opened.”
You almost certainly won’t cry, but chances are you’ll recalibrate your feelings about this rapidly growing Emirate and its recent approach to luxury. Don’t be surprised for those who end up booking a return trip to the desert oasis even before you try. Dubai, it seems, has come a good distance, baby. And the Lana is leading the best way. Rooms from $925; Dorchester Collection
The United Arab Emirate of Dubai is without end making headlines for its hyperbolic endeavors: the world’s tallest skyscraper, the primary indoor ski slope within the Middle East, the region’s largest mall. On this desert city — one in all the fastest-growing on this planet, where 88% of the population is foreign-born — the standard wisdom has long held that the more gilded, the more encrusted, the more bedazzled, the more luxurious. But all that’s about to vary with the opening of the Dorchester’s Lana hotel.
In 2012, Mahdi Amjad had a contemporary vision for his adopted country. (He was born in Iraq.) As Dubai matured into a global hub of business and leisure, the developer believed that so, too, would the tastes of its residents. After the worldwide financial crisis had passed, the federal government dredged a canal from Dubai Creek east, to the downtown location of a planned (and scrapped) military base. The extension enabled the event of a recent neighborhood, the Marasi Bay Marina in Business Bay, anchored by a lagoon directly across from Burj Khalifa (the aforementioned world’s tallest skyscraper) and the “cultural” hub often called the Dubai Mall (which proclaimed itself the world’s most visited place in 2023). Cranes went up — and with them, Amjad’s first step toward constructing an upscale hotel that might defy the bling that dominates every other retreat on the town, from the Palm Jumeirah to the Burj Al Arab.
Amjad scoured the planet for a partner who shared his vision, eventually joining forces with London’s eminently elegant Dorchester Collection hotel group. “I come from a residential background, so I’m all the time fascinated by the living spaces first, even in a hotel,” says Amjad, who’s the founder and executive chairman of the UAE development company Omniyat. “It doesn’t matter how exceptional a constructing you create. In the event you don’t have an exceptional level of service, you don’t have an exceptional living experience.” And boy did the Dorchester deliver.
Guests on the Lana — the Dorchester Collection’s tenth hotel and its first within the Middle East — enter through a porte cochere, where morning suit-adorned doormen in top hats offer a gloved hand to assist them alight from the property’s custom Rolls-Royces. Contained in the 104-room, 121-suite stay, they’re greeted within the Gallery (aka the Lobby) by sandy hues that reflect the Arabian Desert — and 0 garish gold.
The posh here lies not within the gilding but within the textures, the artwork, the craftsmanship and the amenities. Foster + Partners designed the stunning constructing, and though it swoops and teeters and frames every enviable view of town, it stays understated and graceful. French hotshot designers Gilles & Boissier layered in a four-story curtain chandelier, coffered ceilings, trolley-only bar service, intricate tile work and pink banquettes for afternoon tea.
A reflective undulating ceiling makes everyone look gorgeous at Jara, the hotel’s Basque restaurant (one other first for Dubai), masterminded by 12-Michelin-star chef Martín Berasategui, using wood-fire techniques. He’s in good company: France’s rock star chef Jean Imbert helms the hotel’s Côte d’Azur-inspired restaurant, Riviera, on the fourth floor, and High Society, an infinity pool with an adjoining cocktail bar on the Thirtieth-floor roof, influenced by ancient kingdoms who worshipped the sun. On the bottom floor, World Pastry Champion Angelo Musa bakes mind-blowing tarte tatin that may best those on the menu on the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, where he’s executive pastry chef. There’s even a speakeasy where the bar manager can infuse whiskey into your favorite cigar on your next visit.
But where the Lana truly departs from the pack is in its expansive guest rooms. No detail has been ignored: the freestanding tubs with views, the Vispring beds (similar to the British royals sleep in), the custom-color Dyson hair dryers within the suites, the floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies (even in entry-level rooms) and an amenity we’ve never seen in any hotel anywhere: an electrical double watch-winder. (We see you, Hublot lovers!) You’d be tempted to never leave the spacious rooms that start at 600 square feet, however the Twenty ninth-floor Dior Spa and gym await.
The Lana officially opened in February, and despite steep prices, the brand says it’s doing brisk business. (As are the adjoining full-service Residences.) It’s a definite departure from the Atlantis and the Taj and Dubai’s other over-the-top beachfront resorts, but when this urban oasis can’t influence the design preferences of Emiratis and expats, we’re undecided what can. European snobs are already sold. “It’s so beautiful, it’s like a dream,” French pastry chef Musa tells Alexa. “I desired to cry when it opened.”
You almost certainly won’t cry, but chances are you’ll recalibrate your feelings about this rapidly growing Emirate and its recent approach to luxury. Don’t be surprised for those who end up booking a return trip to the desert oasis even before you try. Dubai, it seems, has come a good distance, baby. And the Lana is leading the best way. Rooms from $925; Dorchester Collection
