Interview: Harun Dursun on launching...

MD charts journey to opening of UAE’s most talked about hotel in 2025

In a bold move, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab launched during Ramadan in 2025. Connecting Travel spoke with Managing Director Harun Dursun about his opening strategy and how the superyacht-shaped hotel aims to redefine luxury with a team of more than 70 “modern butlers”, a cutting-edge three-storey spa and a glut of glamorous dining options.

Connecting Travel: Launching during Ramadan could present challenges. How do you think this will impact the hotel’s opening?
Harun Dursun: Ramadan is a time of reflection and togetherness, and we see this as an opportunity rather than a challenge to introduce Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab as a sanctuary of refined luxury, catering to guests seeking an elevated and tranquil escape. While the Holy Month brings a natural shift in dining and social habits, it also fosters an environment where guests prioritise wellness, relaxation and intimate gatherings, elements that are integrated into our resort experience.

With this in mind, our focus during Ramadan will be on highlighting Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s exceptional accommodation, wellness and leisure offerings. Talise Spa will play a key role, offering an immersive wellness journey through advanced treatments and mindfulness experiences designed to align with the holistic lifestyle that many guests embrace during Ramadan.

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab family pool

CT: Now the resort has opened, what are your priorities?
HD: As we transition into the post-Ramadan period, our strategy will be to shift towards positioning Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab as the ultimate destination for those who seek finer things in life. We believe that Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab will redefine ultra-luxury hospitality in Dubai, and our primary goal is to establish it as the city’s most coveted lifestyle destination.

Sustainability also remains a priority, ensuring that our operations align with Jumeirah’s commitment to responsible luxury

Poolside cabanas

CT: The Jumeirah brand is known for its elevated wellness facilities. What can guests experience at the spa?
HD: Spanning three floors, Talise Spa at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab features a dedicated female-only floor, 13 treatment suites with private terraces, a 20-metre indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness studio. However, what I think truly sets us apart is the integration of cutting-edge technology with timeless wellness traditions. Our Remedy Suite, for instance, features four technology-driven therapies: Cryotherapy, ChromoSpace light treatments, the iDome Infra-Red Triple Detox Treatment and a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber.

The Hub

CT: What are the hotel’s culinary highlights?
HD: A standout concept is The Fore, an innovative multi-restaurant venue that transforms throughout the day, featuring four distinct dining experiences: Umi Kei, Madame Li, Mirabelle and The Bombay Club, as well as a sophisticated central bar.

Other highlights include Rialto, a Venetian-inspired restaurant celebrating the glamour of Italy’s Golden Age; Iliana, a Myconian-inspired beachside retreat; contemporary Japanese Kinugawa; Commodore Club; Orizonta; The Cullinan, and Kira, in addition to the Marsa Al Arab Marina Promenade, which features six casual dining restaurants and bars.

We have also partnered with renowned names such as Pierre Hermé, bringing his world-famous pâtisserie to our Lobby Lounge

Bombay Club

CT: What was the inspiration for the hotel’s design?
HD: The striking superyacht-inspired exterior represents the final chapter in Jumeirah’s nautical trilogy, sitting alongside the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sail-inspired Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

Jumeirah’s "nautical trilogy"

Inside, every detail, from the marble-clad surfaces to the handcrafted silk carpets and crystal chandeliers, has been meticulously curated to evoke the glamour of the world’s finest yachts.

Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces reinforce the connection to the sea, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

Sustainability is embedded in the design, with self-shading terraces reducing energy consumption and grey water recycling systems optimising water use.

Room with a view

CT: How has local culture influenced the interiors?
HD: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region, blending contemporary luxury with a reverence for Arabian heritage. The design reflects elements of traditional craftsmanship, such as the Mashrabiya influences seen in geometric patterns throughout the interiors, and our partnerships with UAE-based artists – including Feryal Al Bastaki, Alreem Al Mansoori and Nadine Kanso – bring local artistry to life within the resort, creating an ever-evolving dialogue between tradition and modernity.

For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-marsa-al-arab