One thing Dubai is not lacking in, is luxury hotels.
But One&Only One Za’abeel, the hotel brand’s third opening here, takes it to another level. It is the company's first ‘urban’ resort, situated near Dubai’s financial district, and is unlike anything else that the region has to offer. It opened with huge fanfare earlier this year, celebrated with a huge no-expense-spared bash that included a performance by Jennifer Lopez, DJ sets by Mark Ronson and Idris Elba, and guests including Naomi Campbell.
For starters, architecturally, it’s impressive. The hotel is made up of two towers, which are connected by ‘The Link’, which is the world’s longest cantilever (a bridge construction). Inside The Link you'll find multiple restaurants, and perched on top is its famous infinity pool, which is the longest in the UAE. Despite being a destination hotel with a real buzz – especially when you’re sitting poolside at its restaurant Tapasake – it’s also incredibly relaxing. I barely felt the need to leave all weekend…
Food & drink
As you might expect, there is a lot of choice; the hotel is home to 11 restaurants within The Link. Don't miss Arazuna, which is described as Turkish-Middle Eastern. It’s been designed to feel like a high-end food hall, with several open kitchens. Special mention to the herb and cheese flatbreads, sumac sardines and jewelled rice – plus the pistachio baklava.
Aelia, one of the French restaurants and where I ate breakfast every day was also worth a look. I had a delicious organic sea bream here one lunchtime with pomme purée and a fennel salad. If it’s a more casual vibe you’re after then grab a table at StreetXO, which is covered in graffiti and serves Madrid street food from Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz
For late night cocktails after dinner, head to Sphere, which has a 360-degree bar with panoramic views of the city, where you can drink to the soundtrack of various DJs.
The pools
There are two impressive (and very different) swimming pools to choose from. The hotel’s showstopper is its 120-metre-long infinity pool, which is part of the Tapasake pool club, and is the biggest in the UAE. It is, in short, a vibe – an upbeat affair with DJs and a mouthwatering menu of sushi, ceviche and sashimi. There are cabanas and loungers to relax on – some even situated in the middle of the pool. The best bit though? The views of Dubai’s skyline, especially at dusk. Lying on a sunlounger, 100-metres high, looking across at the Burj Khalifa, as the sky turns pink, is something truly special.
A few floors down is The Garden, which is family-friendly with a dedicated kids pool, plus a swim-up bar for the adults. It’s a relaxed atmosphere here where you can lie on sunbeds under palm trees, and enjoy lunch either in situ, or in adjoining restaurant.
You’ll never need to leave with sun cream on hand should you need it, and even waiting staff who offer to clean your sunglasses while you wait for your order.
The rooms
After a long flight, the room was a very welcome sight. With mesmerising views of the sea, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, our Grand Za’Abeel room – which is minimalist in style – featured two queen-size beds, a cavernous bathroom, walk-in-wardrobe, and very comfortable daybed, which I spent many an hour on while gazing at the views. It also had a well-stocked bar and excellent blackout blinds that were much appreciated on the first night.
Amenities
There is so much available on site that I barely left the hotel during my stay. There is an impressive gym you can access at SIRO, a sister hotel focusing on recovery and wellness, located within One Za'abeel. It has all the machines and weights you could ever need, plus personal trainers on hand to help with your workout. There are also daily classes; I tried out their new hiit class, using brand new state-of-the-art gym equipment (I have never seen a treadmill quite like it). It was a perfect start to the day before heading down to the breakfast banquet. There is also a steam and sauna room on the 28th floor, which guests can use at any time. I highly recommend trying it out after a day at the pool.
The hotel’s spa, Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie, which is situated over three storeys, is spectacular too, with an extensive treatment menu offering everything from a Cellular Perfect Hydration facial to microneedling.
Location
One&Only One Za’abeel is only a 20-minute drive from Dubai airport, which is a relief after a seven-hour flight from the UK. Unlike the brand’s sister hotel, it is not situated on the beach, but in Za’abeel which sits next to Dubai’s International Financial Centre. It’s just a 40-minute taxi ride to the famous Palm – which is definitely worth a visit as it has a great selection of restaurants – and 15-minutes from Jumeirah Beach, if you fancy a day by the sea. You’re also very close to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
