Drawing inspiration from the sleek lines of a superyacht, this new hotel is a welcome addition to Dubai’s stunning skyline.
Tucked away at the far end of Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline, the newly opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab emerges with quiet confidence, gliding onto the city’s glittering skyline like the very superyacht it’s designed to emulate. It completes the nautical trilogy of Jumeirah’s flagship properties, following the cresting wave of Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sail-like silhouette of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.
Unlike the fanfare that accompanied its seven-star sibling’s debut some decades ago, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab takes a different tack, offering a resort experience reimagined for a new generation of luxury travellers.
Setting Sail
Designed by Shaun Killa, the same architectural mind behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future and Saudi Arabia’s Shebara Resort, the property makes an immediate impression. Like a sleek yacht, it’s all understated glamour and architectural finesse. There’s a specific privacy in its layout, a sense of exclusivity that begins from the moment you glide past the security gate. No booking, no entry. The valet area offers a subtle yet dramatic welcome, perfectly framing the curvature of the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab on one side and the distant glint of the Burj Khalifa on the other.
Inside, a sense of calm pervades. The lobby is an elegant, laptop-free zone, intentionally free of the digital din that usually plagues such spaces. Instead, there’s soft ambient lighting, a palette of sandy nudes, terracotta tones, and oceanic blues pulled from the golden hour, and the scent of ‘Marsa Breeze’ – a house fragrance of cedarwood, clove and oud that anchors the property with a sense of place.
Rooms & Suites
Jumeriah Marsa Al Arab boasts 386 elegantly designed rooms and suites, 82 serviced residences, and an 82-berth superyacht marina. The accommodations have been designed to represent luxury without feeling loud. Drawing inspiration from Italy’s Riva boats and the timeless glamour of the 1960s, the interiors are wrapped in cream leather, warm woods, and plush textures. Parquet flooring and wave-patterned carpets suggest the rhythm of the sea, while burnt orange robes and monogrammed slippers add personality without pretension.
Our Ocean Deluxe Suite on the tenth floor continues the design of a luxury liner and boasts a terrific terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf, best enjoyed at dawn or dusk when the hotel’s silhouette is mirrored in the calm waters. Inside, bathrooms are expansive, with experience showers, double marble vanities, and amenities from Votary and Rossano Ferretti. Beds are deep and yielding, with touchscreen panels to control everything from drapes to dimmers.
There’s a touch of luxe to every touch point, from the private butler service to the Iliana Pool Club, which is only accessible to suite guests. The sun-drenched sanctuary is flanked by palms and cabanas, where copper-coloured sunbeds contrast sharply with the cobalt pool, which appears to spill directly into the Gulf. Look closely, and you might spot stingrays flickering in the surf below.
Fantastic Facilities
Beyond the rooms, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab continues to impress. There are four outdoor pools to choose from, including a family-friendly option with graduated depths and Kinugawa, an adults-only escape with a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere. Elsewhere, the private beach boasts a swathe of sweeping golden sand that leads the way to the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and is particularly appealing during sunset.
The Talise Spa, located on the fourth floor, spans three levels and includes 13 VIP treatment suites, a thermal sanctuary, and an indoor pool that deserves its own spotlight. Framed by floor-to-ceiling windows with uninterrupted ocean views, the pool area feels more like a members-only club than a hotel facility. The spa treatments draw on global techniques and luxury brands (Swissline, EviDenS de Beauté, GROUND Wellbeing), while a mindfulness lounge encourages guests to linger long after their treatment is over.
The fifth-floor gym is stocked with Technogym’s Biostrength line, promising AI-tailored workouts, overlooking the marina with views stretching towards Downtown Dubai. In true Dubai fashion, a buggy service zips between neighbouring Jumeirah properties, granting easy access to Madinat Jumeirah or Wild Wadi Waterpark should you fancy a change of pace.
Restaurants & Bars
It’s the dining that truly anchors Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. In a city where big-name chef signings and imported concepts often dominate, this property bucks the trend with a proudly homegrown approach.
Start at The Fore, the all-day dining venue that offers four restaurants in one. Breakfast feels like a food festival: sushi and wagyu beef balls from Umi Kei, mille-feuille and mini quiches from Mirabelle, South Indian dosas from The Bombay Club, and a roster of à la carte options that includes lobster eggs Benedict and hard-boiled eggs crowned with caviar. Best paired with tiramisu lattes or butterscotch flat whites, it sets a luxurious tone for the rest of the day.
Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi – repairing cracks with gold – Umi Kei mirrors this philosophy with pleated menus and golden veining through dark stone surfaces. Chef Yukuo Nishimura delivers Japanese dishes that are both technically precise and full of heart: Otoro Carpaccio with a whisper of heat; the Wagyu Katsu Sando, rich and tender, encased in fluffy milk bread; and a Ramen that might be one of the city’s best – creamy, umami-laden, and topped with panko-crusted chicken.
Iliana offers something softer. A Greek restaurant situated beside the suite-only pool, it provides a serene setting with tented cabanas and soft lighting. Napkin rings fashioned from Kombolo beads hint at the attention to detail. Scallop Sashimi arrives amidst plumes of smoke, lifted with preserved lemon. Feta-stuffed Filo with thyme honey, Orzo in spiced broth, and a twist on Caesar Salad using fresh crab show a playful approach to classics.
Then there’s Rialto, named after the Venetian bridge. This is old-world elegance done right. The front-of-house team is crisply suited, the silverware gleams and the menu leans into Northern Italian comfort. Fried Zucchini Flowers stuffed with cheese, delicate Tuna Crudo in a citrusy dressing, and a standout Burrata wrapped in roasted tomatoes and pistachio dust. Save room for dessert: the meringue-encased cherry is as visually striking as it is delicious.
If you’re seeking comfort with flair, The Commodore Club delivers reimagined favourites in a smart-casual setting, while The Cullinan Steakhouse serves premium cuts with confidence, pairing them with serious sommelier selections and stunning marina views. Mirabelle brings French-Italian finesse, Kira channels a well-travelled take on Asian Mediterranean fusion, and Orizonta offers Eastern Med flavours ideal for watching the sunset.
The Verdict
It’s rare to find a property that strikes a balance between bold ambition and restraint, especially in Dubai. Yet, for all its polish, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab doesn’t feel overdesigned. There’s a genuine sense of hospitality here, one that’s grounded in attentive service, thoughtful touches, and a culinary programme that puts substance before spectacle.
There’s no doubt that Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is the city’s latest hotel hotspot, but within days of opening, the homegrown hospitality brand announced Jumeirah Asora Bay, a luxury resort in La Mer expected to open in 2029. Still, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s superyacht-inspired stunner is the pinnacle of Dubai luxury. A resort that feeds the senses – and rewards the curious diner at every turn.
GO: Visit www.jumeirah.com for more information.