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

Set in the heart of Dubai’s bustling downtown district, Marriott’s latest opening in the emirate presents understated luxury and internationally-renowned cuisine for a one-stop experiential stay. An all-glass front welcomes guests to Renaissance Downtown Dubai, offering a peak into interiors that create a prominent sense of place. Dominating the lobby – and setting the tone for the rest of the hotel – Lasvit’s hand-blown glass chandelier emulates the shape of sand dunes in the desert, while raw materials define the overall concept. Designed by WA International, interiors reference Dubai’s evolution at every turn, nodding to a city initially built from sand and now home to many of the world’s architectural wonders. An emphasis is placed on materials in their natural state, with wood used alongside concrete and metal. Claire Craig, Design Director at WA International comments: “The colours of the chandelier represent the black oil and gold souqs in Dubai, while the lobby artwork depicts the city’s skyline that has grown from the desert dunes.”

Following a path through the public spaces, metal chain curtains delineate social seating areas, creating privacy without block divisions. Visible through the chains is Basta – one of two food outlets by David Meyers – offering an urban interpretation of a traditional Roman trattoria. Décor is industrial; black metal and brushed bronze chairs with plush leather seats rest atop wooden floors, while Edisoninspired bulbs hang from the exposed ceiling above. The restaurant’s focal point is a brick wall adorned with a Sophia Loren portrait. Craig continues: “David Meyers opened his first restaurant in Los Angeles, and it was this connection with Hollywood and the concept of painting film posters directly on the city’s walls that inspired us to paint Italy’s most famous actress on the end wall of this doubleheight space.” Meyers’ second offering is Bleu Blanc, a vision inspired by southern French farmhouses. Due to structural challenges – the restaurant is located on a mezzanine level – Craig created a new entrance for the fine-dining venue. A statement in itself, the arrival features a sapphire door, herb garden and antique workbench acting as maître d’ counter.

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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