This New Luxury Hotel Demonstrates Dubai's Ability to Be Subtle

The Dinogo perspective

At first sight, the Lana—the latest addition from the Dorchester Collection in Dubai and its inaugural hotel in the Middle East—boasts all the glitzy features typical of this dazzling city. The stunning 30-story facade, crafted by Foster + Partners, includes a rooftop infinity pool and an exquisite Dior spa on the 29th floor, set to open in April 2024. However, despite its February 2024 opening, the hotel embodies a serene and assured approach to hospitality.

The interiors of the hotel are crafted by Gilles & Boissier, the renowned Parisian team behind notable establishments like the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid, the Baccarat Hotel in New York, and Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf in St. Bart’s. The lobby, filled with natural light, features impressive arches, elegant cornices, flowing curves, and mosaic-clad columns, all harmonized by soft colors and textures, combining grays, pinks, and sandy hues with materials such as raw and polished marble, alabaster, and stone. More than 50 unique artworks by local and international artists adorn the hotel, including striking gilded honeycomb casts in the lobby by British artist Sophie Coryndon and glass and sand installations by Emirati artist Latifa Saeed, reflecting Dubai’s transformation from desert to vibrant city.

Who’s it for?

This hotel caters to guests who appreciate the Dorchester Collection’s commitment to quality and sophisticated service—mature, informed, and self-assured—while preferring to forgo the ostentation found in many other Dubai hotels.

The Lana’s prime urban location is perfect for those wishing to immerse themselves in the bustling heart of the city. For beach enthusiasts, the hotel offers access to the sea at One at Palm Jumeirah, the Dorchester Collection’s exclusive residences, just a 25-minute complimentary car ride away. Starting in April, boat transfers will also link the two properties.

The location

Business Bay may not have the same allure as the addresses of other Dorchester Collection hotels, such as Mayfair in London, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, or the first arrondissement in Paris. There isn’t much to explore right around the hotel (though that’s about to change—more details on that later). While the Burj Khalifa appears deceptively nearby, reaching it involves a lengthy, winding walk through streets not particularly suited for pedestrians. However, if you’re willing to drive, the hotel is conveniently situated for accessing many attractions. Dubai Mall is just a 10-minute drive away, some of the city’s finest dining and nightlife options are a mere 15 minutes by car, and Dubai International Airport is 20 minutes away.

The views of the Burj Khalifa and the surrounding skyscrapers across Marasi Bay Marina are breathtaking, especially at sunset when the sky radiates a golden hue over the landscape. As a long-term resident of Dubai, I couldn’t help but add it to my list of “top sunset spots in the city.” The rooftop pool offers a lovely vantage point for watching the sunset, though I found the views from my 11th-floor balcony even more impressive.

The rooms

The Lana boasts 225 guest rooms and suites that reflect the hotel’s design ethos, featuring light, airy colors and calming textures. The smallest rooms begin at 603 square feet and include additional balcony space, while the expansive 3,822-square-foot Lana Royal Suite offers its own grand terrace. Guests who choose one of the larger suite categories (the Lana Suite and above) enjoy complimentary airport transfers in one of the hotel’s two luxurious Rolls-Royces, included in the room rate.

My corner Marina Suite, a generous 1,184 square feet with an extra 140 square feet of balcony space, was a beautiful blend of whites and soft pinks, exuding a gentle, feminine charm while offering stunning views of the marina and Burj Khalifa. The inviting bed was perfect for afternoon slumbers—it’s the kind of space that beckons you to curl up on a gloomy day, snuggled in the fluffy duvet, with your head cradled by plush yet supportive pillows. With the curtains drawn back, the views are still accessible from the comfort of your bed.

These picturesque views extended into the walk-in closet—a wardrobe with its own scenic backdrop—and into the chic white and gray marble bathroom, where a large bathtub is positioned by the window, allowing you to gaze at the shifting light over the water while you unwind. Refillable amenities from British cruelty-free brand WildSmith Skin feature a custom scent infused with magnolia, jasmine, and cedarwood.

The food and drink

Breakfast is served at Riviera, led by Jean Imbert, the chef behind the culinary team at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris, another esteemed Dorchester Collection property. The venue exudes a refreshing ambiance, featuring greenery and angled dividers that create cozy dining nooks indoors, alongside a spacious sunny terrace adorned with cheerful blue-and-white striped cushions and planters brimming with rosemary.

Breakfast options include delightful breads and pastries, Middle Eastern specialties like shakshouka and falafel, luxurious soft-boiled eggs with caviar, and a remarkable spinach and goat cheese puffed omelette—a large, soufflé-like creation perfect for sharing.

Lunch showcases flavors inspired by the French and Italian rivieras, featuring a tuna tartare prepared table-side—a favorite among diners, though I found it a bit light on seasoning. I also tried the intriguingly named PW’s corn / corn / corn, which my server explained is a tribute to Pharrell Williams, a close friend of the chef. The repeated “corn” references the three-beat intro of many of Williams's songs, and the dish itself was a generous copper pan filled with polenta, topped with grilled sweet corn and popcorn. It likely serves better as a side dish than a main course, but it was still comforting on an unusually chilly day.

Perched on the hotel's top floor next to the pool, High Society is the ideal place to indulge in champagne (the Lana boasts the largest selection in the United Arab Emirates) while savoring refined bites such as Tarbouriech oysters, fish crudo, creamy tarama served with buckwheat wafers, and truffle and caviar Croque Monsieurs.

Adjacent to the lobby is Bitter Honey, a cozy bar featuring a cocktail trolley where bartender Lionel creates drinks inspired by bees; several cocktails incorporate local honey. "The bar is the hive, the guests are the bees, and the drinks are the nectar," he explained as he prepared a delicate margarita with mezcal, hibiscus, cherry, and Mexican tajín spice for me.

However, it was the afternoon tea at the Gallery that truly impressed me ($163 per person, or $190 if you opt for a glass of NV Pol Roger Brut Réserve). The quality of the food, the thoughtful tea pairings, and the expertise of our server Miles—who had come to Dubai after notable positions at the Dorchester and 45 Park Lane—were all outstanding.

The savory bites are exquisite masterpieces, featuring delicate spirals of cucumber and zesty yuzu pearls that pair beautifully with crab and avocado, alongside an ethereal egg sandwich enhanced with Alba truffle, so light it seemed ready to lift off the plate. The sweet offerings, crafted by award-winning pastry chef Angelo Musa, include a standout ruby grapefruit and strawberry cheesecake, a beautifully sculpted pink delight atop a crunchy sablé base.

During my early February visit, not all restaurants were operational. However, Jara, led by Basque chef Martín Berasategui—who has garnered 12 Michelin stars—has since opened, along with the speakeasy cigar lounge Txakolina. The Parisian-inspired Bonbon Café, helmed by Meilleur Ouvrier de France pastry chef Angelo Musa, has also debuted on the ground floor adjacent to the marina promenade.

Staff and Service

The atmosphere exudes a refined professionalism characteristic of other Dorchester Collection hotels. Yet it remains welcoming rather than stuffy. A friendly confidence permeates the establishment, evident even just days after opening, from the doormen in their elegant burgundy suits to the restaurant staff, who demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of their menus and products.

Accessibility

The Lana features four Horizon category rooms designed for accessibility.

Upcoming Additions

The bustling Business Bay area presents a mix of skyscrapers, hotels, waterfront promenades, and ongoing construction, meaning you won't find trendy cafés or stylish boutiques within walking distance from the hotel—at least not just yet. Future developments include shops and more dining options along the promenade situated below the Lana’s private residences in the adjacent building.