Gold on 27 — Dubai, UAE

Never ones to shy away from grandiose design, the self-titled ‘seven-star’ Burj Al Arab by Jumeirah Group has gone and decked out an entire bar on its 27th floor in gold leaf.
The ‘hotel that taste forgot’, as our City Guides team labelled it in 2014, had already assumed ownership of the world’s first – and totally bonkers – floor-to-ceiling aquarium wrapped around its ground floor restaurant Al Mahara, which come October will be helmed by British chef Nathan Outlaw.
The fit out of Gold on 27 is by Keane Brands, who have gone to great lengths to ensure that every inch of the space glistens, installing a molten sculpture overhead and upholstering sunken lounge chairs in gold velour. Cocktails are festooned with ingredients that evoke life in the UAE – Light Sweet Crude contains Islay whisky, foie gras, and charcoal infused truffle oil and marks the discovery of oil in Dubai, while Scent Of The Souk uses Cardamom spiced Gin, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Mastiha, Barrel-aged Maple Syrup, Raspberry, Lime and the murky promise of three wishes. Only in Dubai, as they say.
ADDRESS
27th floor, 3 Jumeira Road
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Glenn Sestig brings his fashion-infused design to a French Riviera flagship
The Belgian architect is the creative force behind the modern-meets-Mediterranean design of shoe label Morobé’s new store in Saint-Tropez
-
Stay in a pastel-hued Puglian palazzo as it starts a new chapter
A haven for the design-minded, Palazzo Daniele reopens following a thoughtful restoration by Milan-based Studio Palomba Serafini
-
‘As an artist, I’ve never felt more useful than now’: Steve McQueen on his monumental film screening in Amsterdam
The film director on why now felt like the right time to screen a previously unseen 34-hour version of his 2023 documentary ‘Occupied City’, on the façade of the Rijksmuseum
-
The world’s best new hotels to love without reservation
Explore the best new openings in the world, from Rosewood’s all-suite grandeur in London to a laid-back Catalan countryside retreat
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Delano Dubai, a fresh chapter for a design icon
Delano Dubai lands on Bluewaters Island, bringing Miami cool, Mediterranean flair, and a dose of design-forward glamour to the city’s shoreline
-
One&Only’s portfolio of ultra-luxury escapes reaches out to new horizons
From the Maldives to Mexico, One&Only’s resorts and private homes around the world offer exceptional stays in idyllic locations, soon to include a first USA property, designed by Olson Kundig
-
The Dorchester Collection boosts Dubai’s hospitality scene with The Lana hotel
The Lana is the latest opening from The Dorchester Collection with interior design by Gilles & Boissier
-
The Serai Wing launches its minimalist architecture in Sharjah
The Serai Wing opens in Sharjah to a design by Dubai-based studio Anarchitect
-
Abu Dhabi travel guide: 8 cultural must-sees in the UAE capital
As the Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates its fifth anniversary, we spotlight the UAE capital city’s cultural highlights, from contemporary art in historical sites to an architectural Apple Store, and a waterside wellness ecosystem
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
-
Sixties sci-fi meets Dali at ‘Secret Room’ speakeasy in Dubai