Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai

WA International takes inspiration from the locale for Marriott’s first Renaissance in the emirate.  Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai. Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: © Hakan Akdemir

A momentous addition to the dining portfolio is the much-anticipated Morimoto Dubai, Masaharu Morimoto’s first outpost in the Middle East. The statement interiors are inspired by modern Japanese flavours, while the lights are based on popular firework displays and festivals. Rounding off the hotel’s comprehensive F&B offering are Grounded, Poppy and Bhar, a coffee shop, opium-den inspired bar and Middle Eastern restaurant respectively. Craig comments: “Bhar – the Arabic word for spice – was fun to work on. It is one of the only areas where we could inject colour and vibrancy.” The restaurant features statement Nub chairs from Andreu World and coloured-glass chandeliers, affirming Craig’s vibrant injection. Moving up through the hotel’s 25 storeys, gold waves cover elevator entrances, again referencing the surrounding desert sand. Floor number signage features a split, emulating the dry cracks that appear on the desert floor as it becomes baked beneath the unrelenting sun.

Concrete is the prominent finish throughout guestrooms, softened by plush oversized rugs and polished tiles. Craig continues: “Polished concrete walls, concrete tiled floors and glass mosaics are the main ingredients of our guestroom finishes.” An open-plan space, the vast sanctuaries average 60m2 in size and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views including the winding Dubai Water Canal. The colour palette remains neutral, with blue tones representing the water below and sky above. Desks made from one complete piece of wood undulate beneath a recessed TV, while opposite lays a plush, oversized bed. All lighting is controlled via panels, with one conveniently resting beside the bed. Adding a touch of whimsy, canvas images by local photographer Nicholas Dumont depict close-up portraits of either a camel or flamingo, while 3D line artworks hang above the bed, taking Picasso as inspiration.

Bathrooms epitomise luxury: a freestanding bath, often with views of the city, takes centrestage while a rainshower caters to those with less time to spare. Sanipex Group fixtures feature alongside polished marble and brushed metal, reiterating the importance of natural materials. Completing the hotel’s offer, a Six Senses Spa is located on the fifth floor. Each of the six suites is dedicated to a different sense – sight, taste, sound, touch, smell and intuition – presenting a balance of calm and sensory experiences. With a palette of beige, sand and light tones, the décor is enhanced by the hotel’s statement floor-to-ceiling windows, providing skyline vistas. Uncommon for a spa, this abundance of daylight adds to the experience. Alongside holistic therapies, the spa also features a hammam, sauna, yoga platform and floatation pool. The first Renaissance in Dubai, the hotel is set to act as a staple in establishing the brand as a coveted lifestyle destination in the region.

sources: Sleeper, 01-02, 2018

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