Dubai has no shortage of glossy and exciting hotel openings: the tallest, the longest, the shiniest. But what it has a lot fewer of, are hotel openings with soul and history – hotel openings that bring back nostalgic memories of a time and place and add a heavy dose of storytelling to the city’s crowded hospitality scene. This is the case with Delano Dubai, which has opened its doors on Bluewaters Island.

The brand will be familiar and unfamiliar in equal parts – but to those in the know, you’ll know a heavy dose of Nineties Miami fabulousness has landed in Dubai. The original Delano, located on Miami Beach, was founded by Studio 54-founder-turned hotelier Ian Schrager in 1995, kickstarting the revitalisation of the South Beach neighbourhood and turning the Delano into a cult favourite and celebrity haunt that helped define Nineties Miami. Delano Dubai has been collectively conceived by leading designers Elastic Architects, SA Consultants, La Bottega Interiors and YDesign in collaboration with Ennismore’s in-house design team, and evokes the distinctive look and feel of the Miami original.

A discreet entrance framed by manicured greenery pays homage to South Beach’s whimsical hedge, and guests are swept into the resort through a veil of white curtains – a signature of the Delano Miami. The space that awaits is bright, light-filled, and imbued with soft minimalism and dark, wide-board timber flooring – with artwork by Hussain Jamil.

Delano Dubai rooms

Delano Dubai marks a new chapter for the storied brand, thousands of miles away on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, but bringing the same dynamic spirit and effortless chic experience. Delano Dubai features 25 guest rooms and 84 suites, designed in the brand’s signature understated style, with a light and dark motif creating a soothing feel. Each room has a tonal palette with soft, curved silhouettes and rich textures; think custom wool rugs, luxurious king-size beds framed by fluted, oversized headboards and clusters of textured boucle sofas. Each room looks over the resort’s gardens or Arabian Gulf from its private balcony or terrace. Luxury Luxury amenities include Byredo bath products and Dyson hair dryers.

A stand-out addition os the Delano Penthouse, a five-bedroom retreat with a personal elevator, a stately corridor lined with polished stone columns, a kitchen, living spaces, a shaded private terrace with a fully-stocked bar and formal dining area and a spectacular second terrace and an infinity pool accessible via an intimately-lit corridor. Marble bathrooms are complete with free-standing soaking tubs carved from a single block of stone. 

Drinking and dining

Six dining and drinking concepts include reimagining the iconic Rose Bar, Delano’s famed late-night haunt and an ode to Schrager’s maximalism – a rose-tinted world with quartz bars and interiors. Elsewhere, there’s the Blue Door restaurant (opening November) – also from the original, and the Delnao Pool with its sunken furniture – this time with a Dubai twist. Tutto Passa will bring the beauty and glamour of Ital’y Alamfi Coast to Bluewates, with pasta and pizza dishes, a raw bar and a focus on seafood.

From Paris Society, Maison Revka will also open in November, a marriage of Slavic soul and French elegance, while beloved homegrown La Cantine Beach by Rokas Group is set to be another hit – building on the legacy of La Cantine Du Faubourg at Emirates Towers. A new La Cnatine Sports Club concept will offer pickleball, beach volleyball, callisthenics, and premium, custom-designed sports equipment on the dedicated gym deck, emulating the fitness-mad South Beach vibe. Other concepts include Gohan by Rikas Group, the big sister to Gohan at Emirates Towers on the beach.

Delano wellness and spa

Wellness is a huge focus, and the wellness studio collaborates with Adrienne Everett, renowned yoga instructor and founder of HWH Studio. A one-time resident of the original Delano, Adrienne is the architect behind the wellness programme in Dubai, blending health innovations with healing practices to offer guests a bespoke experience that incorporates high-calibre fitness classes, personal training, and immersive, holistic experiences. Two treatment suites are also available for customised beauty and massage treatments, and of course, there’s a state-of-the-art gym.

The Delano Dubai is open now at Bluewaters Island. delanodubai.com, @delanodubai

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