The new Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is set to welcome guests with the ultimate luxuries of personalized service, uncompromising quality and the utmost attention to every detail.
Simon Casson, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Dubai, agrees: “For those already familiar with Dubai’s sky-piercing architecture and over-the-top opulence, prepare to be surprised. Our Resort is an intimately scaled, luxurious enclave of comfort and style, in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.”
Every guest room and suite opens to large terraces that take in panoramic views of the open sea and Dubai’s glittering skyline, and numerous sun-or-stars outdoor dining and event spaces take full advantage of the Resort’s incredible location. Mere minutes from all the pleasures and key business hubs of the city, Four Seasons Resort Dubai is an inviting oasis nestled in the highly desirable Jumeirah residential neighbourhood.
Balconies off each of the 237 guests rooms and suites – some so large as to accommodate both a daybed and a dining table – offer sweeping views of the sea or the city’s famous skyline. Inside, extra high three metre (9.8 foot) ceilings are accentuated by full height leather headboards above the new fully customizable Four Seasons Beds in the almost loft-like environment. Luxurious details include convivial L-shaped sofas, shopping-ready walk-in closets and executive-sized desks for business travellers. Silver-leafed bathroom ceilings and Murano glass fixtures cast a flattering glow as guests indulge in complimentary toiletries by Etro.
Many families and business travellers are choosing one of eleven Imperial Suites, each with large living and dining space, two furnished terraces, and easy addition of a second bedroom. Three sumptuous suites on the Resort’s uppermost fifth floor include the Presidential Suite and Penthouse Suite, each boasting its own media room, private gym and panoramic sea views from the wrap-around terrace; and the Royal Suite – accessed by its own private elevator – with spa, gym, show kitchen and, at the heart of the space, a grand salon with its own piano, perfect for entertaining.
And, while both of these incredible suites are surely destined to take their place among Dubai’s most coveted accommodations, there is still one more surprise to come: “We will soon unveil a very special freestanding villa hidden in the gardens of the Resort that will rival the very best accommodations in the Middle East, if not the world,” says Casson.
Design
Envisioned by world-renowned architects WATG, the Resort’s sophisticated seaside style is by San Francisco-based interior designers BAMO, with several of the hotel’s restaurants by New York-based Tihany Design. Arabic design accents highlight Spanish-Mediterranean architecture in this 14 acre (5.6 hectare) Resort, and luxuriant touches are everywhere, such as the incredible Seguso glass ballastraded grand staircase. Throughout, Toronto and London-based James Robertson Art Consultants have curated a harmonious collection of contemporary Arabic and international artists. Taking cues from the Resort’s shimmering textures and Arabic design accents, the paintings, prints and sculptures as well as unique mixed media installations express Dubai’s traditional past, and its inspiring future.
Dining
Executive Chef Gilles Arzur, most recently of the famed Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, shares his thoughts on the new Dubai: “The appetite for rare ingredients and show-stopping presentations is still very much alive, but we’re also seeing a return to the simple joys of fresh, genuine flavours, perfectly prepared and served in a welcoming environment, especially among global travellers.”
A self-described “health nut,” Arzur has been sourcing local produce that stars in lighter dishes that delight and satisfy, while leaving guests energized for the day in Dubai. But not to worry he says, “Executive Pastry Chef David Peduzzi is a master of indulgence, whether for special occasions celebrated at Four Seasons, or a sweet ending to a wonderful meal.”
On the menus at Four Seasons, Arzur and his team are appealing to all palates at Suq, which means “market” in Arabic, where the open kitchens showcase his modern style. At Sea Fu, fresh seafood with Mediterranean and Asian influences is served both indoors and out. Beneath the soaring ceilings of the airy Shai Salon, guests are invited to partake in coffee and cocktails, light fare and traditional afternoon tea; while the cozy Hendricks Bar is the choice for business meetings over whiskey and cigars.
With the night sky its “ceiling” and breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa and city skyline its “walls,” the focal point of the ultra-hip rooftop Mercury Lounge is the giant glass sphere surrounded by intimate seating pods and private lounges and towers with alcove seating, where guests can enjoy prime vodka and Champagne selections and shisha cocktails to the beat of DJs and live music.
More dining and lounge options to come: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach will also be home to five independent venues in a stand-alone building on the Resort grounds that complete and complement the Resort’s restaurants and lounges. Hotel guests and locals will find two different concepts by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten including Market Kitchen; Nusret, a grill restaurant that already has a devoted celebrity following in Istanbul and the Peruvian concept Coya – including a private members’ club – both by Zuma; and the New York-based Provocateur Night Club, a small and exclusive lounge featuring top international DJs.
The Pearl Spa
As the world’s largest operator of luxury hotel spas, there was never any question that The Pearl Spa at Four Seasons Resort Dubai would be splendid realization of modern spa design and wellness offerings. But with the Chairman of Four Seasons Global Spa Task Force sitting in the General Manager’s office, guests can also expect a spa experience at the very forefront of cutting-edge therapies and indulgent pampering.
The Pearl Spa’s menu reads like a list of the world’s most coveted ingredients – from gold leaf and pearl extract to caviar and chocolate – and spa aficionados will also find contemporary therapies using Sodashi’s all-natural products, Natura Bisse facials and, for the first time in Dubai, treatments by Dr Burgener Switzerland. The Resort will also offer an updated interpretation of traditional Moroccan hammam rituals.
Facilities encompass ten treatment rooms including the Royal Spa Suite – all boasting natural light and discreet outdoor space – a deluxe aqua-thermal experience, full men’s and women’s changing and relaxation areas, juice bar, Ever En Vogue Coiffure, men’s grooming lounge, and more.
For the active traveller
A beautiful gold-leaf mosaic tiled indoor pool is at the heart of the complex, framed by classically-inspired columns beneath a glass atrium. The 24/7 fitness centre harnesses the natural energy of the sun with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across the gardens and pools. A full-service tennis club includes two hard courts and pro shop, and at the watersports centre on the 270 metre (886 foot) natural beach, active travellers and families can plan leisurely hours spent on the calm waters in kayaks, dinghies and catamarans, or atop a paddleboard.
Two outdoor pools – the family-friendly Active Pool and the Quiet Pool – are set amid lush gardens by the sea and surrounded by Day Villas, including four “supercabanas” complete with private sun terrace, mini bar, air conditioned interior and private bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. Both the pools and beach are fully serviced by a team of attentive Four Seasons staff, at the ready with complimentary refreshments and sunscreen.
For its younger guests, Four Seasons Resort Dubai offers the complimentary, fully supervised Kids for All Seasons program, including outdoor fun around the pool and on the beach.
Business and social functions
Already the choice of top meeting planners, galas hosts and wedding couples internationally, the impeccable service and attention to detail for which Four Seasons has now arrived in Dubai. A total of 1,199 square metres (12,900 square feet) of event space is designed to smoothly shift from high tech meetings to society galas at the whim of each host and planner. Specializing in outdoor events on the ballroom terrace and beachfront lawns, Four Seasons Resort Dubai features the Dana Ballroom for up to 360 seated guests, as well as four smaller rooms accommodating 12 to 100. A separate arrival area takes guests directly to the function rooms without having to go through the main lobby, and all rooms open to the Resort’s gardens and pools.
From lavish fantasy receptions with dancing under the stars to more intimate barefoot beach weddings, Four Seasons Resort Dubai offers couples creative planning assistance, attention to every detail on their big day, and honeymoon options to start life together in style.
