The Lana, Dubai: Suite Life at Marasi Bay Marina
Masterpiece or total work of art?
The 30-storey, striking building of ' The Lana Hotel ' is bursting with captivating design elements, art and plenty of indulgence.
An eye-catcher from the outside: The Lana, the latest crown jewel of the Dorchester Collection and its very first hotel in the Middle East , seems to float above the Marasi Bay marina. In the Gulf state of Dubai, which is not exactly lacking in architectural landmarks, the architecture firm Foster + Partners has built a small, stylish jewel by local standards with 225 rooms and suites in the middle of the Business Bay district. The walk through the meter-high lobby, with a four-storey chandelier hanging from the ceiling, is downright beguiling. In addition to a gigantic flower arrangement, your gaze is inevitably drawn to an ingenious, gold-colored wall installation by British artist Sophie Coryndon in this light-flooded room dominated by pastel, sand and white tones. The stunning lobby, adorned with works of art, is likely to prolong the stay of many guests, especially as a perfectly formed high tea with a view of the chic marina is also celebrated here in the afternoon.
The visual moments of indulgence created by the designer duo Gilles & Boissier also unfold in the Dior Spa and in the rooms and suites with views of the Burj Al Arab opposite and the Dubai skyline. Custom-made furniture of the finest quality, royal V-Spring beds, a free-standing bathtub "with a view" and floor-to-ceiling window fronts make the inside seem to flow seamlessly into the outside. It goes without saying that the world's best cuisine is also celebrated here in eight F&B outlets. Martín Berasategui, the exceptional chef from the Basque Country, who has been awarded 12 Michelin stars, opened the Jara Restaurant, named after his granddaughter, on the 8th floor. It is not only a completely new concept, but also Berasategui's very first project in the Middle East. Another famous name, Chef Jean Imbert, head of the culinary team at the Plaza Athénée in Paris, invented the concept of the "Riviera" restaurant for The Lana, which offers modern Mediterranean cuisine. He is also responsible for the food on offer at "High Society", The Lana's trendy rooftop bar.
Incidentally, a better name could not have been invented for this rooftop with 360° panoramic views -- , on which a spectacular infinity pool seems to project directly into the Dubai skyline. For Dubai's new "place to be", many out-of-town guests shell out the 250 USD minimum consumption day pass, a sum that makes "trifles" such as oysters, caviar and various types of champagne on the menu seem almost ridiculous. The "trillion-dollar" view from the "high society" rooftop of The Lana is certainly not worth the money.
www.dorchestercollection.com
