Background
Six years in the making, The Lana marks the Middle Eastern debut of Dorchester Collection, the legendary operators behind Paris’ storied Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Although the brand already operates residences – with several more in the pipeline – in Dubai, this is its first hotel in the region, marking the hospitality brand’s 10th global address.
Where is it?
Business Bay might not feel like the most obvious place for The Lana, but this 30-storey lesson in modern architectural mastery fits right into its modern surroundings on the edge of Downtown. It gazes over the Marasi Marina, perfectly framing the Burj Khalifa and the skyscraper-filled skyline beyond, providing views guests could simply never tire of.
What’s it like?
How does a heritage hotel brand like Dorchester Collection bring its brand identity to life in such a strikingly modern building? Cheery doormen smartly dressed in crimson and top hats set the stage for a grand entrance. Once inside the lobby, muted hues of dusk pink and cream create a space that oozes old-world glamour, while a super-sized floral arrangement is a standout showpiece to greet guests. Throughout, there’s a deliberately soft elegance to the space. The Lana forgoes a bold and brash approach to luxury for an altogether more subtle iteration.
Rooms
The Duplex suite we checked in to was spacious and grand, with a marble staircase, mirrored ceiling, and almost cinema-like Bang & Olufsen TV. But it still felt homely and inviting. Fresh blooms in the living room and bedroom, rare white strawberries, and a collection of bespoke Avancha Teas made exclusively for The Lana welcome guests. All the traditional five-star luxuries are given a chic Lana touch too, like ultra-fluffy dressing gowns, the latest Dyson hairdryers, and it’s almost impossible to pull yourself out of the crisp cotton sheets in the morning after a blissful night’s sleep. That Dorchester Collection history also laces its way into the guest rooms through beautiful mother-of-pearl vanity cases stocked with own-brand bathroom amenities and a vinyl record player with a collection of records from the ages.
Food and drink
Much of the culinary action currently happens around a duo of dining options from acclaimed chef Jean Imbert. At the rooftop pool, High Society presents refined grazing plates that alongside light salads and sandwiches, come with a caviar and oyster offering. Riviera, chef Jean Imbert’s love letter to the French and Italian Riviera, is adorned in creams and canary yellows that make it feel like the restaurant version of a ray of sunshine. Serving as a much elevated all-day dining experience, it offers à la carte breakfasts of avo toast topped with quail’s egg, a deliciously indulgent French toast drizzled with caramel sauce, and boiled eggs topped with caviar.
For dinner, modern Mediterranean flavours are brought to life through dishes such as Jacky’s gazpacho – a flavourful soup that encases a fresh piece of mozzarella; a citrus-spiked seabass carpaccio; and the melt-in-the-mouth Côte de bœuf.
Although not open when we visited, Martín Berasategui was set to make his Middle Eastern debut here with his restaurant Jara. Later this year, some five further restaurants will add to the culinary offering, including a Dubai outpost of The Dorchester London’s famed China Tang restaurant.
Meetings
The elegantly designed events and meetings spaces include a duo of light-filled, Marina-facing meeting rooms. Flooded with natural light, they are ideal for both workshops and events, as well as team meetings. The hotel’s grand ballroom, with soaring ceiling and an alfresco pre-function area, can host up to 300 for dinner or 600 standing.
Leisure
On the rooftop, High Society is the hotel’s crowning jewel, the lengthy swimming pool – exclusive to in-house guests by day – which boasts breathtaking city vistas. Simply dressed in grey and blue, it’s dotted with sun beds and loungers, plus a trio of cabanas, which are the most sought-after spots for guests. Soon, guests will also benefit from beach access at LAVITA, the beach club set to open at One Palm, the Dorchester Collection’s Palm Jumeirah residences. From April, visitors will also get to enjoy pampering at Dubai’s first Dior Spa, which will open on the hotel’s 29th floor.
Verdict
With second-to-none service and a new approach to luxury, it’s a standout new stay.
FACT BOX
- Best for Those who appreciate modern, quiet luxury
- Don’t miss Afternoon tea at The Gallery, with some 36 teas to choose from
- Price Internet rates for a midweek stay in March start from Dhs20,000 for a Marina Duplex suite
- Contact Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai; +971 4 541 7777; dorchestercollection.com
Words by Alice Holtham
