Hotels in Dubai don’t have a reputation for doing things by halves, and Jumeirah’s new property, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, is no exception. Opening in early 2025, it’s clear why this property has been the talk of Dubai this year.
Standing on its own private peninsula extending 1,540 feet out to sea, views include the sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the wave-like Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Designed by Shaun Killa, the architect behind the Museum of the Future, this striking, superyacht-inspired addition to Jumeirah’s collection draws on the language of luxury yachts with sweeping curves, movement and fluidity that create a softer, more feminine counterpoint to its angular neighbours.
Across Marsa Al Arab’s 300 rooms, 86 suites, and 82 serviced residences, which guests can call home for up to a year, the hotel embodies the rhythm of the sea – and you’ll leave as relaxed as if you’d spent a week being lulled by the waves themselves.
The Vibe
If you’re looking for over-the-top opulence, you won’t find it here. Yes, the design is immaculate, but it feels contemporary and refreshingly understated. Despite the size, design details remain considered. Finishing touches feel thoughtful, and smaller makers and indie publishers take centre stage. We even spotted Henry Holland Studio ceramics a long way from their London home. Marsa Al Arab is about as close as you’ll get to quiet luxury in a city as opulent as Dubai.
For a property of this scale, Marsa Al Arab is surprisingly serene. Mashrabiya screens carve the lobby into quiet pockets scented with cedar, clove, and sea salt, while pathways lined with palms, lemongrass, and ficus lend an island-like calm. Across the resort’s four pools – including an adults-only option for true peace and quiet – space is never an issue. Each is designed to feel private, with cabanas and loungers carefully positioned to create a sense of seclusion.
The Rooms
You’ll feel a sense of calm as soon as you enter your room at Marsa Al Arab. Continuing the nautical theme, rooms are inspired by Italy’s vintage Riva boats and are decked out in shades of cream, blue, and terracotta. Every terrace (and bath) has a view of the water – you’ll watch the iconic Burj Al Arab (Dubai’s “seven-star hotel”) change colour each evening, or catch a glimpse of the hotel’s marina and the superyachts below. Like everything in Dubai, convenience and ease are paramount, and everything in the room is controlled by smart panels, meaning you can customise the whole space without leaving your bed. In terms of amenities, the minibar is well stocked with classics, along with the especially hard-to-find viral Fix Dubai chocolate for a post-dinner snack (if you can make room).
The Food + Drink
The food and drink offering at Marsa Al Arab is arguably the shiniest jewel in its crown. With 11 restaurants and four bars, guests never need to venture far from the hotel in search of world-class food and drink.
Let’s start with breakfast. The Fore’s “transformative dining space” is a concept we haven’t seen done before and serves up possibly the most extensive breakfast buffet we’ve come across. Each morning, you’ll enter a sprawling spread that unfolds over several rooms – each with a distinct feel. There’s fresh sushi, a juice and yoghurt bar, a pastry selection that wouldn’t look out of place in one of Paris’s best patisseries, oysters, and even a dosa station. You can also order à la carte.
So what makes this space so special? After breakfast service, using a series of smart panel walls, the open-plan space transforms into four distinct restaurants for the rest of the day: Umi Kei, inspired by the art of kintsugi; the Asian fusion Madame Li (pictured above); Mirabelle, the charming French brasserie; and The Bombay Club, an atmospheric Indian restaurant headed up by chef Manav Tuli. It’s truly unrecognisable – and a smart move to maximise the usability of Marsa Al Arab’s dining spaces.
While we weren’t able to try every restaurant during our stay, highlights included a sprawling selection of curries at The Bombay Club, created by Michelin-acclaimed chef Manav Tuli. Diners start with a plate of chutneys and chai before moving into courses of curries that include Western favourites like butter chicken alongside more inventive takes like fish kalwan and Bohri lamb biryani. If you’re after something more Mediterranean, the light and breezy Iliana whips up Greek coastal cuisine better than many Cycladic tavernas. Think: salt-baked fish, shrimp saganaki, and a glass of Agiorgitiko rosé.
Our most memorable meal probably came from Umi Kei, Marsa’s izakaya-inspired restaurant, which felt – thanks to those clever moving walls – like stepping into a true Tokyo hole-in-the-wall. The sushi was world-class, and we’ll be thinking about chef Yukou Nishimura’s potato cheese mochi for a very long time.
The Wellness
The wellness offering at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is forward-thinking and highly personalised. The Talise Spa elegantly unfolds over three floors (including one for women-only) and has sweeping views of the Burj Al Arab and the beach below. The spa goes far beyond the usual hotel wellness offerings, focusing on performance as well as relaxation with every ritual. Alongside more traditional treatments like massages and facials, many combine high-tech innovation with more soothing practices. Guests can also try state-of-the-art therapies – there’s cryotherapy, an infrared sauna dome, and the region’s only Chromo Space Bed, which utilises chromotherapy (colour therapy) and light therapy to address each guest’s personalised needs.
If you’re looking to maintain your fitness routine while you’re away, the gym is well stocked with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, as well as a series of group classes each day, which are included for guests. After your sets, it’s time to discover your “Wellness Age” with an AI-based Technogym check-up. Work through a series of exercises and questions to assess your mobility, body composition, and balance. Mine matched my exact age (33), and the team are on hand to share exercises and tips for improving your score back at home, so I’m hoping for some reverse ageing in the coming months – a promise not many hotels can offer.
The Little Extras
From the moment you touch down in Dubai, the Jumeirah experience begins. You’ll be guided to their airport welcome lounge, handed a cold towel and ice-cold water before you’re whisked away to the hotel – a quick twenty-minute drive away. It’s these moments that really help you understand Jumeirah’s standard for impeccable service.
For those staying in the hotel’s suites, you’ll be assigned a personal butler service and have the same team (or individual for the top-tier suites) for the duration of your stay. They’ll be available to customise itineraries, make restaurant reservations, or handle incidental requests – like peppermint tea bags delivered to your room. As a suite guest, you’ll also get exclusive access to Iliana Beach, which is a really nice touch.
Turn-down is always a much-anticipated ritual – and the team at Jumeirah don’t disappoint. Each evening we returned to a perfectly cool room and a variety of thoughtful touches – from pillow sprays to beautifully candied treats. One evening, we were even gifted a scarf created in collaboration with British fashion designer Roksanda Ilinčić – the hotel’s first designer in residence. Over the coming months, Marsa Al Arab will partner with various names from the art, fashion and design world to host trunk shows, events, and workshops – continuing the property’s commitment to creativity offline.
The To-Do List
Once you’ve settled into Marsa Al Arab, you’ll struggle to find a reason to leave. Guests have buggy access to all neighbouring Jumeirah properties and their beachside facilities, from the Souk Madinat Jumeirah for souvenir shopping to Wild Wadi Waterpark for a dose of adrenaline. Those craving adventure can arrange watersports or a private yacht charter directly through the hotel. And if you do venture further afield, Dubai’s major landmarks – The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Museum of the Future – are only a short drive away.
All image credit: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
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