The UAE has a new landmark hotel opening 14 March – and it’s shaped like a superyacht
Dubai’s homegrown hospitality hero Jumeirah welcomes a new member of the five-star luxury family with the opening of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
Nestled between big siblings Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s newest icon – designed to look like a futuristic superyacht pulling into shore – opens its doors to guests on 14 March 2025.
That nautical motif complements the sail design of the famous 'seven-star' Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and breaking wave aesthetic of Jumeirah Beach Hotel, so this stand-out hotel blends into its surroundings.
Designed by the architect behind Dubai’s slick Museum of the Future, Shaun Killa, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is one of the most hotly anticipated hotel openings of the year.
Entry is via a sweeping driveway that twists through lush greenery, opening up to the hotel’s four-story archway entrance.
View towards sister hotel Burj Al Arab
Kiila also rethinks the hotel lobby, embracing a layout that should feel like being welcomed into a high-end personal residence or luxury superyacht as that’s the feel Killa and his team of five interior designers have gone for.
Here’s what else guests can expect once they step inside Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Accommodations
There are 300 rooms and 86 elegant suites with a light, contemporary colour palette, designed as private retreats with balconies and inspired by classic Italian Riva boats from the stylish 1960s. Those balconies naturally offer sweeping views, with the best perspective of Burj Al Arab or down the coast to Burj Khalifa.
Accommodations with large balconies and sweeping views
The pinnacle is the Royal Suite, with a sprawling wrap-around terrace and private plunge pool, plus 180-degree views from Burj to Burj. Covering an expansive 664 square metres (including 310 for the terrace), guests will have butler service, private gym and spa treatment room, a kitchen and dining area for 12 people.
The marble bathroom has a rain shower and a jacuzzi bathtub with Burj Al Arab view. There’s even a vinyl record player or "scientifically curated therapeutic playlists".
Rooms and suites can also be interconnected for families and groups, including the Royal Suite which can be transformed into a five-bedroom palace.
The resort also has 82 serviced residences (from one to three bedrooms) and an 82-berth superyacht marina.
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Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab F&B
The hotel brings11 restaurants and four bars, plus another six waterfront dining experiences at the adjoining Marsa Al Arab marina, including Ilana, a casual beachfront Greek restaurant open for lunch and dinner where chef Andreas Gkipalis delivers elevated Mediterranean cuisine drawing on his Greek heritage. Ilana also has a pool club, private beach and rooftop bar.
At Rialto, chef Roberto Rispoli showcases 20 years of Mediterranean cuisine mastery and Michelin-starred success with a menu that delivers northern Italy’s classic flavours. Visit the Rialto Bar with its 1950s vibe for a refined aperitif or nightcap.
The Fore Bar is a central focal point for four restaurants with signature cocktails and fine wines.
Open for dinner, Umi Kei is a sophisticated Japanese restaurant inspired by izakaya culture, where broken objects are repaired with gold. Chef Yukou Nishimura reimagines classic dishes using his experience from top kitchens in culinary capitals Japan and Hong Kong.
Designed by award-winning architect Tristan du Plessis, premier gourmet steakhouse The Cullinan serves as a grand space – think warm woods, marble and oversized plants – for a focus on the finest meats, seafood and seasonal produce, with the restaurant’s two sommeliers, meat and wine, ensuring all dishes are professionally paired.
The Cullinan, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
The rich decor of The Bombay Club is matched by dishes produced in collaboration with Michelin Star Chef Manav Tuli.
Step from the marina to the Med’s Cote d’Azur at brasserie Mirabelle, which serves classic flavours from the south of France for lunch and dinner, and includes an attractive terrace for alfresco dining.
Popular pan-asian cuisine can be enjoyed at Madame Li, which offers a more relaxed dinner option, while Orizonta celebrates Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with Arabic influences and views of Burj Al Arab.
Pierre Hermé Paris in the lobby lounge serves signature pastries and handcrafted chocolates, while Kira blends Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines and the poolside Kinugawa blends Japanese tradition with French elegance. Expect sushi and champagne sundowners in this chic setting.
The Commodore Club offers all-day dining while LITT Bar Club is open until 2am.
Outdoor spaces at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Facilities
There are four swimming pools to lounge around at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, plus an indoor pool at the spa. Guests also enjoy complimentary access to Dubai’s signature waterpark, Wild Wadi.
Perennially popular with parents, the dedicated Family Club offers an enriching space for young guests aged three to 10, and is open daily from 10am to 7pm.
Kids' pool at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Wellness is taken seriously here, with the brand’s signature Talise Spa providing 3,500 square metres of facilities over three floors, including one exclusively for women. There are treatment suites with private terraces and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, as well as the 20-metre indoor pool.
The Mindfulness Lounge is equipped with wellness technologies to promote inner calm. Experiences include the Satori Lounger, providing vibrational frequencies and sound therapy, LED Cellular Recovery Masks and wearable devices to enhance mood and energy levels.
The Thermal Sanctuary embraces heat experiences from sauna and steam to ice fountain and private hammams, while The Remedy Suite provides curated programmes grounded in clinical evidence and designed to optimise the body’s natural ability to heal and restore itself. Guests can experience Far Infrared Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Cryotherapy and the Chromo Space Bed, the first of its kind in the region.
Talise Spa at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
The year ahead is shaping up to be a celebratory year for Jumeirah, having marked the 25th anniversary of the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in December 2024.
Also set to open this year is Jumeirah The Red Sea in Saudi, located on The Red Sea Project’s Shaura island, while in Switzerland, the rebranded Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva is slated to launch after refurbishment.
Newly appointed CEO Thomas B Meier is tasked with overseeing the next stage of growth as Jumeirah aims to double its portfolio from 30 to 60 properties by 2030.
“As we gear up for the opening of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and continue to expand into new markets, I'm honoured to lead Jumeirah’s next chapter,” said Meier. “With bold ambitions, Jumeirah will continue to innovate, staying ahead of industry trends and exceeding the ever-evolving expectations of the most discerning guests.
“Our vision is to establish Jumeirah as one of the foremost influential hospitality brands worldwide.”
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab will open on 14 March 2025, and reservations for the hotel including the restaurants open now.
For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-marsa-al-arab
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