Emirates to Launch a New Service from Miami & Dubai New Tourism Developments
Emirates will launch a four times weekly service between Florida’s second largest city, Miami, and Dubai, from 22 July, 2021, expanding its US network to 12 destinations. The new service will provide Emirates’ global travelers with another access point into Florida after Orlando (effective July), serving the Southern Florida area while offering convenient connections for travelers headed towards the Middle East, West Asia, and Indian Ocean via Dubai.
Flights to/from Miami will operate four times weekly on Emirates’ three-class Boeing 777-300ER, offering eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class. Emirates flight EK213 will depart Dubai (DXB) at 03:10hrs, arriving in Miami (MIA) at 11:00hrs while the return flight EK214 will depart Miami at 21:10 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 19:35 hrs the next day.
Dubai, which was one of the first to reopen its borders for international visitors with strict protocols through the Dubai Assured program, has been in the forefront of reactivating tourism efforts and has some exciting new tourism developments. Below is a roundup of hotels, attractions and restaurants recently opened or opening soon:
Dubai has been granted the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp by the WTTC. The specially designed stamp will allow travelers to recognize governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols –so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. You can view Dubai’s entry requirements and COVID-19 protocols, here: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/coronavirus-advisory.
HOTELS AND RESORTS
OPENING SOON/RECENTLY OPENED
SLS
Located in Downtown Dubai, SLS Dubai Hotel and Residences overlooks the stunning Downtown district with 360-degree views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Creek. Boasting 254 uniquely designed hotel rooms; as well as 321 hotel apartments and 371 residences all spread over 75 floors, SLS Dubai is one of the tallest hotels and residences in the region. It also features two sky-high infinity pools, making the pools amongst the highest not just in the city, but in the world.
Hatta Dome Park
The newest addition to Hatta’s glamping experience is perfect for couples, families and groups looking to escape to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Situated in the Hajar mountain range, the domes are surrounded by stunning panoramic views and are just a short walk to the Wadi Hub. The 15 luxury domes offer a private BBQ and fire pit on the spacious terrace, perfect for evenings under the stars, whilst each well-appointed room is fully equipped with a double bed and luxurious amenities.
Revier Dubai hotel (Business Bay)
The Swiss hotel group has opened its first hotel in the region in the heart of Business Bay, just minutes from The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. The hotel features 230 tech-driven rooms and suites, each with alpine touches and panoramic views of the city. The hotel also features a number of food outlets serving international cuisine, making it ideal for both business and leisure travellers.
St. Regis Dubai, The Palm
Opening in May 2021, The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm occupies the first 19 floors of The Palm Tower - Nakheel’s 52-storey, 240-metre landmark hotel and residential development on Palm Jumeirah. The hotel features 290 rooms and suites with a beautifully designed daylight ballroom, Iridium Spa and Athletic Club, as well as two infinity pools overlooking Palm Jumeirah. In addition to the St. Regis Hotel, The Palm Tower comprises 432 luxury residences, a SUSHISAMBA restaurant on the 51st floor and The View, a public observatory on level 52. Offering sweeping, uninterrupted views, The Palm Tower has its own Palm Monorail station and is directly connected to Nakheel Mall and Al Ittihad Park.
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk debuted in November 2020 within the Ancient Egypt inspired WAFI development, located just 15 minutes’ drive from Dubai International Airport. As the largest Sofitel in the Middle East, the property features 498 luxury guestrooms and suites as well as 97 serviced apartments - perfect for short city breaks as well as long stays. Inspired by the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, the design of the hotel merges modern French art-de-vivre architecture and ancient Egyptian heritage, with the essence and culture of the UAE. The property features a Sofitel Spa offering L’OCCITANE treatments, combing authentic essences from Provence and traditional massage therapies from all around the world. Guests can indulge in five F&B concepts, including the contemporary French Brasserie Boulud and the world-renowned Taiko, which is the first international outpost of the award-winning restaurant based in Amsterdam. Families also have access to the Le Petit Prince kid’s programme and the Astrokids Club, and are minutes from the cinema, shops and restaurants within the WAFI complex.
25hours Hotels
The boutique lifestyle hotel brand 25hours Hotels will launch in Dubai World Trade Centre in September 2021. Drawing inspiration from the region’s famed Hakawati storytellers, the hotel is a blend of tradition and modernity. The hotel offers 434 rooms which each pay homage to the region’s heritage including Bedouin, Glamping, Farmstay, and Artist Village themed rooms. With four restaurants, an urban rooftop and terrace boasting views of DIFC and Downtown Dubai, the hotel also features a dedicated co-working space, signature cafe, as well as unique touches such as a vintage vinyl player and a retro Walkman area.
Th8
Th8 Dubai will open on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent in late 2021 as part of Accor’s global lifestyle offering. Set in expansive curated landscaped gardens, against a sandy stretch of palm fringed beach, The8 features 162 rooms and suites as well as resort-style facilities including an infinity pool, signature beachfront restaurant, and alfresco dining and entertainment spaces as well as an airstream food truck.
OPENING LATER IN 2021
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Hilton Palm Jumeirah will debut in September 2021, offering an exciting new beachfront resort on Palm Jumeirah's West Beach. As well as a collection of ocean-facing rooms and suites with private balconies, the resort will feature a Dubai outpost of stylish Barfly by Buddha Bar, legendary Souk Al Bahar favourite Claw BBQ, as well as Aussie favourite Jones the Grocer and a new concept by McGettigans.
St. Regis Downtown Dubai
Expected to open later this year, The St. Regis is opening its second resort in the Emirate in Downtown Dubai. Situated in the heart of Business Bay the hotel will sit alongside the canal waterfront, with close proximity to Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall. The hotel will offer bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations.
Portofino Hotel
Part of the Heart of Europe development, an archipelago of islands located 4km from the shores of Jumeirah, lies Portofino Hotel. Due to open in 2021, Portofino Hotel is synonymous with contemporary Italian architecture and features interior design touches reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. With 451 rooms and suites all offering sea views, Portofino Hotel also boasts a portfolio of Princess, Queen and Royal suites, each boasting private rooftop plunge pools. The selection of outstanding restaurants and cafés located across the island community will bring a taste of European summer evenings to Arabia.
The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences
The highly anticipated Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences will open its doors adjacent to sister-property Atlantis The Palm in the fourth quarter of 2021. The magnificent architectural structure seen all over Dubai surges 43 meters high and includes 795 hotel suites, as well as 231 residential rooms, with each personalized with interior design themes and exclusively commissioned handmade artwork. Other standout aspects include 17 restaurants by celebrity chefs including La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Jaleo by José Andrés, Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spilliadis, and Ariana’s Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy.
The resort also includes a lobby centered around a huge jellyfish tank and a 90 meter-long infinity sky pool overlooking the Marina skyline and Arabian Gulf.
Dubai EDITION
EDITION, the stylish boutique-style property by Marriott, will debut its second hotel in the region this year and the first EDITION property in Dubai. Located in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai EDITION will be situated in one of the city’s most popular locations opposite the globally renowned Dubai Mall, and will feature 275 rooms and suites, alongside multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, a spa and fitness centre and a collection of dynamic event spaces and a spacious ballroom.
Rixos Jewel of the Creek
Set to open in Q4 2021, the new urban resort Rixos Jewel of the Creek will form part of the new Jewel of the Creek mixed-use development in the Port Saeed area of Deira, which will comprise hotels, residential apartments, an 80-berth marina and entertainment facilities. Featuring 770 rooms and suites, as well as a variety of restaurants that celebrate cuisines from around the world, Rixos Jewel of the Creek will offer indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a fitness centre, wellness centre, infinity pool, entertainment arena and a kids’ club for children and teens.
Legoland Hotel
The LEGOLAND® Hotel is located at Dubai Parks & Resorts and will become the first LEGOLAND Hotel in the region and an ideal base for families visiting the world-class theme parks and attractions. With direct access to the LEGOLAND theme park and LEGOLAND Waterpark, which are designed specifically for children aged 2-12, LEGOLAND Hotel offers an engaging family adventure with interactive LEGO® experiences and fully themed LEGO® bedrooms. Families staying at the hotel can book exclusive theme park packages for LEGOLAND Dubai, LEGOLAND Waterpark, as well as other Dubai Parks & Resorts attractions including Motiongate Dubai™ and BollywoodParks™.
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah
The first Marriott Resort in Dubai located on iconic Palm Jumeirah is due to open in September 2021. The hotel will feature 608 guestrooms, eight restaurants and lounges, plus a world-class spa and fitness facility, kids club and a private sandy beach. Guests can enjoy a swim in the hotel’s beachside pool, work-out in the fitness centre or relax at the Saray Spa. Ideal for culinary enthusiasts, the restaurants offer Korean, Italian, Japanese and Mexican cuisine, as well as internationally inspired menus. The hotel is steps from the recently opened West Beach promenade, where guests can relax on the hotel’s private beach, swim or enjoy water sports in the warm waters of the Dubai coastline or simply explore the restaurants along the promenade.
ATTRACTIONS
The Boat by Address
Address Hotels + Resorts recently launched The Boat by Address, an 85-foot floating experience which takes guests on a private minimum three-hour sail around some of the city’s most iconic locations, including the Dubai Creek Harbour, and Burj Khalifa. Featuring three luxurious bedrooms, a fully serviced kitchen, dining and living area as well as an upper deck with a fully equipped barbecue, guests aboard The Boat by Address will enjoy a bespoke menu and an itinerary of tailor-made experiences.
The Palm - The View
This 52-storey high observation deck with a 360-degree view of Palm Jumeirah officially opened its doors to the public in April. The View at The Palm towers at 240 metres over Palm Jumeirah, with Level 52 holding the observatory deck and offering spectacular views of the city, the island and the Arabian Gulf. With direct access from the Nakheel Mall, visitors can also experience an immersive theatre where they can discover how the world-famous island was conceptualised and developed.
RollDXB
Step back in time at Dubai’s hottest indoor roller-skating venue. The unique space is the first of its kind in the UAE and will host a number of disco nights for both adults and children, with private individual and group lessons also available.
Ain Dubai
Set to be the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, the 210-meter Ain Dubai located on Bluewaters Island will offer 360-degree views of the Dubai’s impressive skyline including famous landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa. Featuring 49 pods that can be hired for private events and celebrations, the mammoth Ain Dubai is set to launch with a bang.
Museum of the Future
Ready to showcase a new era of Dubai, the architecturally stunning Museum of the Future will be the place to explore, learn and create for our forthcoming world. The four-floor attraction will focus on different elements including the ecosystem, bioengineering, outer space and transportation, wowing visitors with exhibitions and offering an insight into the future.
Infinity Des Lumieres
Due to open in The Dubai Mall shortly, Infinity Des Lumieres will take guests on a one of a kind immersive journey combining digital arts and image mapping. The innovative concept will create fluidity between inside and outside spaces in a magnificent digital facade. The digital installation spans an impressive 2,700 square meters and hosts digital exhibitions from artists such as Vincent Van Gogh to contemporary directors and filmmakers such as Thomas Vanz.
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
La Fabbrica Italiana
Situated in the foodie district of Wasl 51, the newly opened La Fabbrica is the UAE’s first focacceria, which features just three main items; artisan focaccia, burrata, and tiramisu. The homegrown family-run restaurant features simple yet hearty Italian food from executive chef and co-founder Davide Galbiati who has a wealth of Michelin star experience.
Myrra by Opa
Located in the bustling Club Vista Mare beachside venue on the Palm Jumeirah, the popular Greek restaurant Opa has opened its second venue, Myrra by Opa. The highly-instagrammable concept is a combination of both Greek and Spanish flair with an outdoor terrace and indoor seating. Guests can expect to receive Opa’s high quality hospitality, with delicious dishes combining both cuisines, including traditional paella with a Greek twist, fresh seafood, meats and traditional desserts.
The Perfect Evening - Arabian Adventures
Arabian Adventures offers a new and exclusive dining experience located in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Guests are driven to the reserve as the sun starts to set over the pristine desert dunes, then welcomed with canapés as they take in the majestic view. Once the sun sets, guests are whisked away to the ultimate private dining experience where a personal waiter and chef prepare a sublime selection of meat and seafood dishes all grilled to perfection. Before finishing the evening, guests are treated to a selection of traditional desserts and some unique surprises synonymous with Arabian hospitality.
Hunter & Barrel
Australian steakhouse Hunter & Barrel, with restaurants in Melbourne and Perth, has launched its first international outpost of its culinary experience in Dubai at Vida Emirates Hills. The restaurant combines traditional and contemporary culinary techniques with quality prime cuts. The menu features dishes inspired by ancient hunting techniques with meats prepared on the signature coal grill and spit rotisserie.
Time Out Market Dubai
Time Out Market Dubai is the first food and entertainment market based on editorial curation and the sixth installment in Dubai has quickly become one of the city’s most popular culinary attractions. Showcasing the city's home-grown culinary and cultural scene in one place, Time Out Market Dubai is located in Downtown Dubai’s popular Souk Al Bahar with sweeping views of the Dubai Fountains. Spanning over 430,000 sq ft, the market features a carefully curated mix of 17 eateries alongside art and cultural spaces, including MASTI, Folly workshop and Al Fanar.
SUSHISAMBA
One of London’s most famous restaurants is officially debuting in Dubai. Set to be located in the newly opened The Palm Tower, the Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian fusion restaurants will occupy the 51st floor, with stunning panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Marina skyline and the Arabian Gulf.
Sake Rok
Set to open at the highly anticipated Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Sake Rok, coming all the way from Las Vegas, presents an immersive culinary and performance experience. The Japanese vibrant pop culture restaurant entertains diners with impromptu performances and lip sync battles for the whole restaurant to get involved in.
O Beach Dubai
One of Ibiza’s world famous beach clubs known for its pool parties, DJ line-ups, food and celeb spotting, is officially opening its door in Dubai in autumn 2021. With this being its first global expansion, O Beach Dubai, located on Palm West Beach, is sure to become one of the newest hotspots on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. The 6,000 square metre venue will consist of a 600 square metre swimming pool, four lounges and a restaurant with a Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal will launch his internationally renowned two-Michelin star restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal to The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences on the Palm Jumeirah. The world-renowned chef will offer guests his signature modern take on dishes inspired by historic British gastronomy, including Blumenthal’s legendary ‘Meat Fruit’ and ‘Savoury Porridge’.