25hours. The name immediately gets the brain whirring: why the extra hour? Well, with 24, there aren’t enough hours to enjoy all that’s on offer at Dubai’s coolest hotel, the now iconic destination that is 25hours Hotel One Central. The property is a unique experience in the city, offering the relaxed, yet vibrant, hedonistic, yet relaxed Euro-cool energy of its sister properties, but with a luxurious Dubai edge.

There’s a feeling of comfort when stepping into the cavernous lobby. There’s no overzealous staff watching your every move, and visitors can simply pop by to soak up the energy. Around the ‘Fountain of Tales’ – a towering globe fountain with hundreds of books – is a space where fashion pop-ups and art installations jostle by Schindelhauer bikes: propped up, ready for guests to wheel around the neighbourhood. Head to Nomad Day Bar for the best coffee in the city, and admire its artist-in-residence installation. For this season, it’s Where to Next? by Alex Lanier – more than just a painting; but a narrative that resonates with the essence of life’s journey.

25hours Dubai hides many treasures. On the first floor, a cool new co-working space that’s a hive of creativity, and the Analogue Circus, delivering a heavy dose of nostalgia with 500 vinyls and 300 Walkman cassettes. It’s true that at 25hours, the only thing non-hotel guests can’t enjoy are the rooms – making it feel like a buzzing community hub. Whizz up to the sixth floor for a treatment in the Wassim Steve Salon or Akin Barber, book training in the state-of-the-art gym, or visit the Extra Hour Spa (more on that later), all before grabbing a drink at rooftop Monkey Bar – a pulsating, panoramic space with twinkling Museum Of The Future views.

As for the rooms themselves, they’re unlike any in the city – celebrating the UAE’s stratospheric evolution from Bedouins to Arabs on Mars. Gone is traditional Dubai minimalism, favouring quirky maximalism and curated clutter. Pillows don cheeky slogans like ‘let’s spend the night together’ and shelves are stacked with Polaroid cameras and typewriters. Of course, this is Dubai, so expect roll- top baths, dual showers, luxury amenities and a free minibar featuring beverages and local treats like Oman Chips.

Nomadic wellness

The possibilities are endless when spending 24 hours at the property – breakfast, lunches, drinks, pop-ups, treatments, dinners and parties. But for that ‘extra hour’, there’s the aptly named Extra Hour Spa, designed for city hustle escapism: the antidote to high-octane energy and hedonism. The spa invites you to dedicate that one hour to yourself, turning fleeting moments into something truly valuable. Treatments are snappy but deeply transformative. ‘We remind our guests: make that extra hour counts,’ says spa manager, Thembekile Hlatshwayo. As for the deeply transformative treatments? Expect all the classics, but in 25hours Dubai’s pioneering style.

‘The soulful spaces of the 25hours Hotel One Central are designed for our guests to embrace themselves and feel comfortable being who they are,’ says the spa manager. ‘In line with this, our wellness offerings at the Extra Hour Spa cater to those seeking a good, yet quick and effective escape – solidified in the core values of 25hours. Our unique approach sets us apart from other brands.’ Guests can enjoy new treatment rooms, a steam room and sauna. Everything is designed with the modern nomad guest’s lifestyle in mind: from highly effective, targeted facials to head-to-toe body cleanses. ‘It’s a holistic wellness experiences that promote both physical and mental wellbeing,’ explains Thembekile.

Collaborations are also key, and new invigorating ice bath sessions are led by Energy Camp Dubai. Launches, too, like a new Sunset Ready experience for couples. Guests can enjoy a massage in the herb garden, a private outdoor sauna session and two refreshing drinks at rooftop lounge Juña. ‘Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, along with our modern nomad guests’ lifestyle, constantly on the go, the Extra Hour Spa is fully equipped and ready to provide the ultimate escape,’ adds Thembekile.

This extra hour can’t just be grabbed in the spa but also out in the spa jungle, where, in true German style, you’ll find the first mixed- gender sauna in the UAE, a rooftop pool with those same dazzling skyline views and an indoor-outdoor gym. At 25hours, there really aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all – so give yourself plenty of time…

Trade Centre 2, Dubai; 25hours-hotels.com, @25hourshoteldubai

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