Bulgari Hotels & Resorts could not have picked a better spot for its newly opened Dubai iteration. Set on Jumeira Bay, a man-made seahorse-shaped island, with a scenic tableau of the yacht-speckled Arabian Gulf as well as the city’s dramatic skyline, the hotel is a quiet bolt-hole that seems far from the madding crowd, but is just on the other side of a 300m bridge that is connected to the mainland.
More precisely situated on the south of the island, the 13-hectare property is anchored by the 101-room hotel, a low-slung building that separates two bays: one, a sweeping stretch of white sandy beach lined with 20 villas, and the other, a chichi marina, complete with a string of private residences and the Bulgari Yacht Club – a first for the hotel brand and for Dubai – that is fast becoming the city’s place to see and be seen.
In contrast to Dubai’s ubiquitous skyscraper hotels, the property’s understated low-rise architecture is the work of Milan-based firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, whose white Carrara marble façade is defined by three floors of coral-inspired horizontal layers that filter through the sunlight while subtly nodding to the ornate, latticed details found in traditional Middle Eastern architecture.
Inside – in addition to the almost all Italian catalogue of furnishings from B&B Italia to Felxform, Flos and Maxalto – the luxury quotient is amplified by Iranian green onyx, Shanxi black granite from Mongolia and heavy wild-wool rugs handcrafted in Morocco.
The guest rooms are spacious cocoons that pull in evocative beach or ocean vistas, best enjoyed from your private balcony, the deep-soaking bath tub or perhaps from the spa’s 25m lap pool, which also comprises a Vitality Pool lined with shimmering green and real gold mosaic tiles. But it’s the in-house restaurants that draw the attention – not least Il Ristorante which serves elevated takes on Italian classics from pasta al pesto to veal Milanese, courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito.
Up next for Bulgari Hotels & Resorts are Shanghai and Moscow openings, which will round its small portfolio up to just seven properties in 16 years. But as Silvio Ursini, the group’s executive vice president says, location is key. And judging by the Dubai property’s flawless positioning, it does seem good things come to those who wait.
The property’s understated low-rise architecture is the work of Milan-based firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel
The furnishings are almost exclusively Italian brands, from B&B Italia to Felxform, Flos and Maxalto
The guest rooms are spacious cocoons that pull in evocative beach or ocean vistas
The white Carrara marble façade is defined by coral-inspired layers that filter through the sunlight while subtly nodding to the ornate, latticed details found in traditional Middle Eastern architecture
The spa features a 25m lap pool, which also comprises a ‘vitality’ pool lined with shimmering green and real gold mosaic tile
Evocative views of the ocean are offered throughout the property
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the website
ADDRESS
Jumeira Bay Island
Jumeirah 2
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spotHeritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
Bulgari Hotel Roma has arrived, wrapped in luxuryBulgari Hotel Roma sets a new standard in luxury hospitality in the Eternal City
-
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo showcases the Italian art of living in JapanThe new Bulgari Hotel Tokyo unites the consummate craftsmanship of Italy and Japan
-
Bulgari marks new Rome hotel opening with historically rich necklaceBulgari has created a one-of-a-kind necklace to celebrate the anticipated 2022 opening of the hotel, set to be located in Rome's Piazza Augusto Imperatore
-
China chic: Bulgari brings classic Italian style to Shanghai’s soaring skyline -
East meets west: Bulgari launches an urban resort in Beijing -
Mandarin Oriental Speciality Suites — Milan, Italy -
Mandarin Oriental — Milan, Italy
