Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab: Between horizon and vision

Anyone who knows Dubai knows that this city sets standards.

The new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a refuge where the sea, design and exclusivity merge into a fascinating work of art. Connoisseur Circle author Nina Winkler was captured by the magic of this extraordinary resort.

As if it had never been any different. The new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab blends so naturally into one of Dubai's most sought-after stretches of coastline. And yet it has only been open since March 2025. The Jumeirah Group's latest stroke of genius completes a nautical trilogy: the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the sail-shaped landmark Jumeirah Burj Al Arab - and now the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, whose design was inspired by a futuristic superyacht. Flowing lines, wide, open spaces, a play of colors, shapes and contrasts: the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab eludes the quick glance. It wants to be discovered, wants to surprise, provoke, seduce. Not as an ordinary hotel, but as a walk-in work of art.

This first impression is confirmed as soon as you arrive: "The Arch", a 3,000-ton steel structure, spans the reception area with aesthetic lightness like a floating horizon. Monumental yet elegant, it frames the view of the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab opposite. The design statement continues in the lobby: "Breeze", an installation by CRSTL Studio made from 1,646 handmade crystal tubes, seems to gently draw guests into the heart of the resort. Inspired by the ocean, the artwork merges with the striking blue wall of the lobby to create an impressive prelude. This is where the journey begins - ideally with a glass of champagne in the elegant Brasserie Mirabelle. The first restaurant visit takes you directly to the Côte d'Azur, with a view of the resort's own yacht harbor. Fresh seafood, citrusy notes, a salty breeze - chef Sacha Enjalbert's signature style celebrates the finer things in life at Mirabelle. Breakfast was served here just a few hours earlier. Together with the restaurants Madame Li, The Bombay Club and Umi Kei, the result is "The Fore" - a dynamic, versatile dining concept. In the morning, the two restaurants come together to create an opulent breakfast experience that is unparalleled in Dubai. Over the course of the day, this location transforms into four individual restaurants - each with its own story - with the help of cleverly staged, movable walls. The skillful play with change also reveals the philosophy of the hotel: fascinating, aesthetic, yet never quite tangible - always with a touch of mystery. "We see the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab as the feminine counterpart to the masculine identity of the Burj Al Arab. It carries a softer, enchanting yet strong, magnetic energy," reveals Marketing Director Milo Radonjic.

Boutique feeling on 155,000 m2

Designed by renowned architect Shaun Killa, the latest Jumeirah project combines maritime glamor with a futuristic design language. Inside and out, you can feel the signature of the major design houses HBA, AVROKO and LTW Designworks. Despite the impressive area of 155,000 square meters, the hotel manages to create a boutique hotel feeling. This feeling is continued in the 300 rooms and 86 suites. Inspired by the iconic Riva boats of the 1960s, curved lines, warm gold, fine woods, marble and hand-blown crystal lights set the tone. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the horizon into the room. And when you step out onto the spacious terrace and look out over the glittering sea and the hustle and bustle on the beach, you almost feel like you're on the deck of a superyacht gliding past Dubai's skyline. The Greek-Mediterranean restaurant Iliana also pays homage to life by the sea. A tranquil retreat right on the coast, with fresh Aegean flavors and a rooftop terrace overlooking the water. Those looking for relaxation under the sun will find it at the pool club of the same name - with a private beach, lush palm trees and an infinity pool that seems to run directly towards the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. With every stroke in the water, you swim towards the silhouette of the hotel icon - impressive! The view from the Kinugawa Adults Pool is no less captivating. Couples in particular retreat here to the round daybeds surrounded by lush greenery, without having to completely disconnect from the lively atmosphere of the resort. Once you've spread out your beach towel and opened your beach book, it's hard to get up - unless a visit to the Talise Spa awaits.

Spa with a view of the sunset

Spread over three floors is a wellness retreat that is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive spa addresses in the city. A 20-meter indoor pool, an authentic hammam, steam baths, a gym with panoramic views, an exclusive women-only area and 13 treatment rooms - all designed to bring body, mind and soul into harmony. After a 90-minute massage, you feel almost weightless. The best place to enjoy this feeling is in the spa lounge - with a view of the garden, the pool area and Dubai's skyline. Especially recommended: book a treatment in the late afternoon and end the day relaxing on the spa terrace while the sun slowly sinks into the Arabian Gulf. When night falls over the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the resort takes on a very special, almost magical atmosphere. One place where this magic can be experienced in a particularly impressive way is the Rialto Restaurant. Inspired by the glitz and glamor of the Italian Golden Age, it invites you to enjoy its own Rialto Spritz and a truffle pasta under the open sky, which would even cause a sensation in northern Italy. The crowning glory? A classic tiramisu - served straight from a large bowl, just the way dolce vita should be. Those who prefer to add a French touch to the grand finale will find temptation in sugar-sweet form in the lobby lounge: The macarons by Pierre Hermé, the "Picasso of patisserie", are small works of art from the hotel's own boutique.





If you prefer a drink to round off the evening, the Rialto Bar awaits. Signature cocktails are artfully mixed between pink and green marble and corks are popped in style. If you don't want to leave the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, you can move into the neighboring Jumeirah Residences Marsa Al Arab permanently. The 82 exclusive apartments are located directly on the waterfront and offer access to everything that makes life in this resort so special, and together with the hotel as the centerpiece, a microcosm of its own has been created on Dubai's golden coast - a hideaway that not only impresses, but will be remembered. The Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a place to be experienced, not just visited. Because when you enter here, you embark on a journey of discovery that gradually reveals the soul of the hotel. And even then, there is still a touch of mystery. This is precisely what makes this new Dubai landmark so appealing.





www.jumeirah.com