Dubai's Latest Sky-High Resort: An Architectural Marvel in Cantilever Design

The Dinogo Perspective

The luxury hotel scene in Dubai has been thriving, with each new addition setting a higher standard. Amidst this bustling landscape, the One&Only One Za’abeel stands out as more than just another entry. Nestled in the gleaming One Za’abeel towers in the Za’abeel district, a quieter area of parks and palaces, this hotel showcases remarkable architectural innovation. Crafted by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei, its two towers are linked by the world's longest cantilever, the Link, which stretches 750 feet and hovers over 300 feet above ground, crowned by a stunning infinity pool that promises to be a popular destination.

The bright and airy rooms and suites offer a unique perspective on Dubai's evolution, revealing the historical landscape of Dubai Creek and the traditional Bur Dubai neighborhoods to the northeast, while showcasing the futuristic skyline—including the Museum of the Future and the iconic Burj Khalifa—in the opposite direction. With no nearby buildings to block the vistas, guests can enjoy a liberating sense of space. Additionally, One&Only One Za’abeel boasts an impressive array of world-class restaurants led by renowned chefs and expansive wellness facilities in collaboration with Clinique La Prairie.

Who is it for?

Marketed as One&Only's "first urban vertical resort," this hotel strikes a balance between resort-like leisure and urban sophistication. However, walking through some of the more metropolitan areas in flip-flops, a caftan, and a sunhat felt a bit out of place amidst the tailored suits and traditional Emirati attire. This venue sits at the intersection of business and relaxation, making it intriguing to see how it navigates between these two worlds.

Business travelers will appreciate the prime location, swift service, and impressive dining options that will delight even the most discerning clients. Meanwhile, vacationers—including staycationers like myself—will also find plenty to love. The Garden Pool on the fourth floor, inspired by Balinese rice terraces, really embodies the resort feel, complete with lush palms, frangipani trees, and macramé parasols. Look up, and the striking architecture of One Za’abeel towers over you, creating an exhilarating contrast.

The 393-foot, adults-only Tapasake infinity pool atop the Link also adds to the vacation ambiance. This pool is adjacent to the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant of the same name and is set to become one of the most sought-after daytime spots in the city. Day passes will be available for $270 per person, with $109 redeemable for food and drinks, but hotel guests will receive priority access. Arriving early is advisable to secure a front-row seat and enjoy the spectacular views, which even as a long-time Dubai resident, I found truly remarkable. The perspective from up here offers a unique look at the city, revealing unexpected sights like horse stables, training tracks, and a surprising herd of cows in a walled paddock.

The location

Dubai is an elongated city that stretches between the sea and the desert, with One Za’abeel strategically located at the intersection of history and modernity. Dubai International Airport is a mere 20-minute drive away, the Al Fahidi Heritage District is 15 minutes by car, and both Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall are just five minutes away. The World Trade Centre is easily reachable with a short stroll across the street.

As an urban hotel, it lacks a beach; however, one would have to be quite the beach enthusiast to leave the enticing Tapasake and Garden pools. The hotel can facilitate beach access at its sister property, One&Only Royal Mirage, which is about a half-hour drive away. For many guests, especially those who frequently visit Dubai or opt for staycations, a visit to One&Only One Za’abeel is often a destination in itself, with its restaurants, pools, wellness amenities, and breathtaking views providing ample reasons to stay put.

The rooms

The 229 rooms and suites, crafted by Denniston’s Jean-Michel Gathy, exude contemporary elegance—sleek and minimalist yet inviting, with textured carpets that provide a cozy touch underfoot and luxuriously soft bedding. The smallest Za’abeel rooms are impressively spacious, ranging from 538 to 645 square feet. If your budget allows, upgrading to a Grand Za’abeel room feels like stepping into a suite without the accompanying price. My Grand Za’abeel room measured 807 square feet (some even reach 904 square feet), providing ample space for both work and relaxation, complemented by a light-filled bathroom featuring a deep-soaking tub next to a window. The custom-blended amenities by Dubai-based brand Montroi are infused with notes of rose, saffron, and musk, inspired by the beauty of Arabian rooftop gardens.

The rooms are oriented in two different directions, each offering stunning views. For the ultimate Dubai experience, request a room with a view of the Burj Khalifa to catch glimpses of the world's tallest building and breathtaking sunsets beyond.

The food and drink

Most of the hotel’s 11 dining venues and bars are perched over 300 feet in the air within the Link, and the selection is exceptional. Featuring restaurants helmed by renowned international chefs, many of whom hold Michelin stars, highlights include La Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic, Qabu by Paco Morales, and Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda. At DuangDy, created by Bangkok's culinary duo Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones (better known as Bo.lan), signature dishes feature the nahm prik gapi shrimp paste paired with knotted green beans, alongside a robust mushroom and galangal soup—flavors as bold as those I encountered during my five years in Thailand.

The hotel’s primary bar, Sphere, is located at the far end of the Link, right above the hotel’s main entrance. The central part of the Link is home to Arrazuna, a contemporary concept that merges a bazaar with a luxury food hall, envisioned by Finnish Turkish chef Mehmet Gürs, known for his Michelin-starred restaurant Mikla in Istanbul. Individual open kitchens offer an array of dishes from mezze to seafood, Persian dizi, shawarma, and freshly baked baklava. Retail areas feature Turkish kitchenware, Syrian olive oil, custom-blended teas, wine, and cheese. Additionally, there’s a coffee roastery and impressive copper stills for distilling rose and orange blossom water on-site.

Beyond the restaurants in the Link, two others can be found on the fourth floor. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch at Andaliman, the hotel’s Indonesian eatery, where a largely Indonesia-born team passionately showcases their often-overlooked culinary heritage. My Jimbaran-style grilled red snapper was accompanied by sambal prepared tableside, while fried potato cakes were topped with tuna tartare and crab salad. The Indonesian asinan pindang ceviche offered a delightful mix of sweet and sour flavors with crunchy textures.

Also located on the fourth floor is StreetXO, an art-filled venue adorned with graffiti, created by Dabiz Muñoz, who has been named the world's best chef by the Best Chef Awards. Here, global street food meets the bold flair that has earned him three Michelin stars for his DiverXO restaurant in Madrid.

Spa and wellness

The Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie is currently accessible only to hotel guests, with plans to welcome external visitors starting March 1. This three-story facility specializes in personalized wellness therapies that delve into Clinique La Prairie’s innovative, science-driven wellness offerings, beginning with a pretreatment Longevity Index test to assess the body’s needs. Guests can choose from a variety of treatments, massages, and facials, with future offerings including cryotherapy, neuro wave stimulation, nutrient-rich IV drips, and advanced aesthetic treatments such as light and laser therapy for skin rejuvenation, as well as injectable cosmetic treatments like fillers and neuro-relaxants.

Staff and service

During my stay in late January 2024, the hotel had just opened a few weeks prior, yet the service was impressively smooth. The staff exuded warmth without being overly familiar, offering a welcoming atmosphere infused with a calm, confident enthusiasm. This level of service is what One&Only enthusiasts may recognize from the brand’s resorts, now beautifully adapted to an urban environment, delivered by a dedicated team of 1,400 employees hailing from 81 different countries.

Each guest room is paired with dedicated hosts available 24/7 via WhatsApp to assist with any requests. My hosts, Elisaveta and Valeria, were quick to respond to all my inquiries, from sending me the spa menu to providing a power bank for my phone at lunch and even running a bath for me when I almost checked out without enjoying a dip in my spacious Burj Khalifa-view tub.

Accessibility

The hotel features four accessible Za’abeel and Grand Za’abeel King guest rooms, and all dining venues are fully accessible. The property’s expansive layout—complete with wide corridors and roomy public areas—facilitates navigation for guests with limited mobility and wheelchair users.

Getting around (without losing your way)

This is an expansive property, and navigating it can sometimes be a bit tricky. Elevators may not always take you where you anticipate, requiring several transitions from one to another. Fortunately, there are plenty of staff members available to assist with directions—I’ve rarely encountered such a high number of staff in public areas, making it unlikely that you’ll wander too far off course. If you leave something in your room, you might face a lengthy walk to retrieve it, or you can simply reach out to your hosts, who will happily bring it to you wherever you are in the hotel.