Palazzo Versace | Wallpaper*

Exterior view of the Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, UAE

Dubai’s newly launched Palazzo Versace took 12 years to complete and forms a grand, neoclassical masterpiece surrounded by perfectly landscaped gardens

(Image credit: TBC)

The unveiling of Versace’s newest hotel in Dubai is proof abundant that good things do come to those who wait. Since launching its first property on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2000, it has taken the Italian fashion house 12 years to reveal the fruits of its labour in the UAE city – and there is no doubt that this is its most ambitious project to date.

Taking centre stage in Culture Village, a multi-purpose development that – when complete – will offer various retail, residential and commercial developments, as well as the world’s tallest building and a traditional souk, Palazzo Versace is an extravagant neoclassical masterpiece with 215 guest rooms and 169 residences.

Perched on the shoreline of the Dubai Creek, with clear views of the water and the city’s skyline beyond, the grandeur continues inside, where the lobby’s floor alone (a reproduction of a Versace scarf) took Italian mosaic masters Fantini, a painstaking two years to complete- just one example of the hotel’s level of craftsmanship as well as its distinct approach to branding, where everything, right down to the apples in the gym, bears the company’s hallmark.

Signature palatial hues blanket furnishings that are embellished with intricate Versace motifs and specially designed prints that pay tribute to the area with falcons, Arabian horses and peacocks. Meanwhile, a choice of three mosaic-tiled pools, eight restaurants – including a jazz bar headed by legendary musician Quincy Jones – and even a kid’s club colourfully decked out in the brand’s prints, ensure guests will never have to leave.

Lobby area at the Palazzo Versace Hotel — It is the only hotel in town that has clear views of the water from the lobby

Interior of a room inside the Palazzo Versace Hotel — Everything from the furniture to the fabrics has been tailor-made by the House of Versace

Bedroom inside the Palazzo Versace Hotel — Signature palatial hues blanket furnishings that are embellished with intricate Versace motifs and specially designed prints

Dining area at the Palazzo Versace Hotel — There is a choice of eight restaurants, including a jazz bar headed by legendary musician Quincy Jones

Colourful kid&rsquo;s club at the Palazzo Versace Hotel — A colourful kid’s club – decked out in signature Versace prints – is just one of the thoughtful facilities ensuring guests will never have to leave

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.