Gran Meliá is bringing its flagship luxury brand to the UAE for the very first time. How do you plan to introduce A Dedicación al Buen Vivir, or dedication to the good life, to Dubai’s highly competitive luxury hospitality landscape?
This will be the first Gran Meliá hotel in the Middle East, and we are very excited about it. Gran Meliá is a brand centered on personalized service and service from the heart. We want to bring that to the Middle East and Dubai through a very distinctive style of service. The hotel will also be a culinary destination, with incredible F&B partners. Through this, we want to introduce guests to this form of Spanish hospitality. For us, that Spanish phrase refers to the special moments people experience when they are on vacation with their families and friends, particularly those moments they were not expecting or had not planned. Our service style is about trying to create those moments genuinely through our people. We will have beautiful surroundings and an exceptional building, but what really makes the difference is the people and the service we are able to provide. We are excited to bring that to the Middle East.
Positioned on the tip of Port de La Mer in Jumeirah 1, with direct marina views and 140 meters of private beach, what makes this peninsula location the perfect home for the flagship resort?
First of all, the hotel is located in Jumeirah 1, which is one of the most important and desirable areas in Dubai. It is where people want to live and where many of the city’s best restaurants are located. We are very fortunate to have this location because it is extremely exclusive and includes a private beach. From the rooms and throughout the hotel, guests will have incredible views of the sea, the marina, and the Dubai skyline. The view of the Dubai skyline and DIFC is spectacular. The location is exceptional, particularly because of the privacy and exclusivity it offers.
With architectural lines by MOMA and interior design by Lagranja Studio, how does the property balance sleek Mediterranean aesthetic codes with local Emirati influences?
Design is one of the central pillars of Gran Meliá hotels. Our approach is always to incorporate the local culture and reflect what is important about the destination in which each hotel is located. We are fortunate to be in a part of the world with so many stories and cultural references to draw upon. The hotel is also positioned directly in front of the sea, and this will form part of the property’s storytelling as guests walk through and experience it. There will also be a strong connection to art. Guests will see exceptional artworks throughout the hotel, including pieces and concepts they may not have encountered before. We also want to introduce emerging artists, new ideas, and new concepts to the property.
The resort features an impressive suite portfolio, including exclusive suites with private pools. How did you approach crafting these private sanctuaries for high-net-worth leisure travelers?
It goes back to the exclusivity of the property. When you consider the luxury hotel market in Dubai, there are very few hotels with such a large number of suites featuring private pools. We believe this will be a strong differentiating factor within the luxury segment and will attract guests seeking a particularly exclusive experience. Guests will be able to stay in a beautiful suite overlooking the sea, with their own private pool. They will not need to go down to the main pool and can instead enjoy a completely private experience within their suite.
Gran Meliá Dubai Jumeirah is making a major statement with its dining ecosystem, hosting high-profile beach club and restaurant partnerships such as Zuma Beach House and Novikov. How will these concepts shape the resort’s identity as a key social hub in Jumeirah?
These are very important and highly recognized names in the restaurant industry. We are talking about Zuma, Novikov, Park Chinois, and other major concepts. We want all of us to come together as a culinary destination. Rather than presenting ourselves as a hotel that contains several restaurants, we want to establish the property as a complete destination within Dubai. Guests should be able to stay for five, six, or seven days and enjoy a variety of dining and lifestyle experiences without needing to leave the property. We also want to attract people who are already in Dubai and may not initially be staying with us but want to experience the restaurants. This will benefit both sides. Hotel guests will be able to experience the full restaurant portfolio, while Dubai residents and visitors can discover the restaurants and the atmosphere within the hotel. After experiencing the property, they may choose to return for a future stay.
Featuring one of the UAE’s longest infinity pools, along with a full-service spa and wellness center, what can guests expect from the lifestyle and relaxation offerings on-site?
F&B and dining will be one important component of the experience, while wellness will be another major component. Rather than simply operating a spa, we selected a partner that believes in providing a complete wellness experience throughout the hotel. For example, we will have several suites located next to the spa that will be designed as dedicated wellness rooms. Our wellness partner will curate the entire in-room experience, including the water, air quality, and amenities. Everything will be designed so that guests can experience wellness continuously, from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed.
Leading a pre-opening project of this scale involves aligning international partners, design teams, and talent. What is your primary operational focus as you guide the team toward the resort’s upcoming grand opening?
The focus is 100 percent on people. We are very fortunate to be working on a project where the owner and Meliá are collaborating closely to ensure that the building and infrastructure are spectacular. However, the building itself will provide only the initial novelty. What will ultimately make the difference is our people, how they interpret service, and how they make guests feel special. Our main focus, without any doubt, is to create an exceptional team with the right attitude and behaviors. They must be able to welcome guests properly and make every guest feel special.
Once the doors open to global travelers and local residents, what key experience or feeling do you want every guest to take away from their stay at Gran Meliá Dubai Jumeirah?
Ultimately, that will be for the guests to say. However, if I had to choose the ideal comment, it would be that the experiences in the restaurants, spa, and guestrooms were exceptional and met the guest’s expectations. I would also hope that guests tell their friends and family about the experience and say that they cannot wait to return. That would be the perfect comment for us to receive.
