HOTEL VISIT - A STAY AT THE LANA, DUBAI'S NEW HAVEN OF PEACE (United Arab Emirates)
On Dubai's Business Bay, The Lana, the latest addition to The Dorchester Collection, has forged its own place, both in the landscape and in the hearts of the most discerning travellers. |
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HOTEL VISIT - A STAY AT THE LANA, DUBAI'S NEW HAVEN OF PEACE (United Arab Emirates)
On Dubai's Business Bay, The Lana, the latest addition to The Dorchester Collection, has forged its own place, both in the landscape and in the hearts of the most discerning travellers. |
Category: Middle East - United Arab Emirates - Industry economy
- Tourism
Article written by Sonia Taourghi on 2024-08-06
 Rooftop Pool of the High Society at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
The Dorchester Collection has long since established itself as one of the most renowned hotel groups, with iconic establishments such as the Plaza Athénée in Paris, the Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. With The Lana, the group has made a high-profile entry into the Middle East. Far from the gilding and grandiose luxury for which the Dubai hotel scene is renowned, The Lana represents the discreet elegance characteristic of the group.
The hotel was built along the Dubai Canal, with uninterrupted views of the Marasi Marina, downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. Imposing from the outside, the 30-storey establishment offers a peaceful atmosphere, with just 225 rooms, eight restaurants and bars, a rooftop pool, and the much-loved Dior Spa. Welcome to a journey of the senses.The DNA of eleganceOn arrival, a discreet environment awaits me. The area is still under development and there's nothing to suggest the imposing property on Marasi Drive.
And yet, two Rolls-Royces are right where they should be, the valets are busy and the doorman in his typical magpie uniform and top hat is ready to open the door. The British touch almost makes you forget we're in Dubai, except for the temperature.
The burgundy uniforms announce the colour of the hotel: shades of burgundy and pink can be found in the lobby, rooms and other floral arrangements by Philip Hammond, the group's florist. As a reminder of the Dorchester in London, a three-metre composition, including the Dorchester rose, welcomes visitors. The floral urn is as grand as the vast marbled space, which is laid out in a discreet style. Another tribute to London's Dorchester is a gilded mural installation by artist Sophie Coryndon that adorns the last wall of the hall. Following the example of other establishments such as the Plaza Athénée, the entrance lounge merges into the tea room, The Gallery, before leading to Véranda, the open-air restaurant and bar on the ground floor. For connoisseurs in search of intimacy, the Bitter Honey, with its ten or so seats and its mixologist, is hidden away in a corner of the hall.
Gilles & Boissier, with their signature chic and contemporary minimalist interior, have created a light atmosphere that also lets the volumes breathe.
During the guided tour, I discovered an impressive, modular event space, with a capacity of 400 people, for hosting conferences, weddings and other gatherings. The hotel's location and the possibilities offered, on a dedicated floor, also make the Lana a destination for business tourism.A staying with a viewFrom space to space, from floor to floor, one thing remains constant: the view. The marina is there, calm, at the foot of the hotel and Downtown Dubai stretches out over a 180° view with the majestic Burj Khalifa in the centre. I'm already looking forward to nightfall and the view turning into an iconic "Dubai by Night" postcard. I won't be disappointed...
The Lana offers four room categories: classic rooms, junior suites, suites and signature suites. All with evocative names such as Marina, Horizon or Sunrise. At the top of the chain are two suites: the Marina Royal, a 333m² two-bedroom flat, with a 40 m² terrace, and the Lana Royal, a 355 m² two-bedroom flat,with a 138 m² terrace. A private concierge and private room service complete the offer.
Before discovering my suite, we visit the Marina Duplex Suite: 220 m² of warm, contrasting colours, with a floor-to-ceiling bay window adding to the effect. Once again, we recognise the aesthetic commitment to luxury made up of small touches. Here is a chandelier over two metres long, there is a marble and glass staircase, further on a record player with a selection of records, including the Lana del Rey album in the foreground. A nice touch.
In my Marina Junior suite, comprising a bedroom with a lounge, a dressing room and a bathroom, I find the same harmonious shades as in the entrance hall. The brightness adds to the gentle ambience, and the view, as always, beckons you to take advantage of the wide balcony that stretches the length of the room. The fresh fruit placed daily on the coffee table invites you to relax on the adjoining sofa. Concealed in a cupboard, the minibar provides everything you need for a tea or cocktail break. As you enter the bathroom, it's once again the sheer volume that catches the eye. With its white marble and grey veining, the shower, dressing table and double washbasin make you feel like cocooning. But the highlight, as in most suites, is the baie-window-facing bath, for a relaxing session with a view of the Burj.
The king bed with its Vispring mattress, enhanced by a goose-down duvet, Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, Wildsmith Skin bath products, lighting and curtain controls... everything invites you to take advantage of this bubble space in the heart of a city that moves at a hundred miles an hour.
That will have to wait, because lunchtime is approaching, and The Lana has attracted three renowned chefs to offer a varied and gourmet menu.A festival of flavoursIf the interior, designed by a French firm, left any doubt, the dining areas confirm the French touch that pervades the property. A strategic choice that satisfies visitors' palates and contributes to the hotel's reputation, as Richard Alexander, the British hotel's general manager, confirms.
The Lana has eight dining areas offering different specialities, cuisines and atmospheres for every moment of the day.
As soon as the opening was announced, one name caught the eye of the media. Jean Imbert, the celebrity chef who is delighting guests at the Plaza Athénée, is playing with flavours and atmospheres. At the Riviera, I'm greeted by a coastal atmosphere. Lovers of the French Riviera will recognise the sometimes soft, sometimes vivid yellows and blues, the prints typical of Saint-Tropez, and even the crockery created for the hotel by porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud. Jean Imbert is used to transforming the simplest recipes into gourmet dishes, served as an experience: the delicious tuna tartare is all the more so because it is prepared at the table in just a few minutes. An unexpected happening. The Carabineros spaghetti and bisque is irresistibly simple and tasty, while the strawberry tropézienne is a must. This is the Riviera, after all! At the back of the restaurant, a room offers a private area that is popular for special occasions.
Open for all three courses, we recommend that you take advantage of the restaurant during the day to enjoy the light and its terrace. It is particularly pleasant at breakfast when the air is still fresh. In addition to pastries from pastry chef Angelo Musa, including a fluffy mini kouglof, continental options and fresh juices, the menu offers a tribute to the Middle East with falafel, grilled halloumi and shakshuka, as well as a nod to English Breakfast in a revisited version without pork. For longer stays, the 'Chef Jean's Favourite' is worth a try, again with revisited classics such as avocado with vinaigrette topped with grapefruit and quail eggs, or soft-boiled eggs with caviar.
As night falls, other adventures await guests, notably on the 18th floor, where Spanish chef Martin Berasategui offers Basque cuisine with a breathtaking view of Downtown Dubai at JARA and its adjoining bar. It is therefore first in an intimate room lit by the fire of the fireplace, that cocktails inspired by the land, sea and fire will open the taste buds. The non-alcoholic cocktails on offer include Lyre non-alcoholic gin, imported straight from London. The menu also includes mouth-watering small plates such as mushroom croquettes and mussels in vinegar. But don't let yourself be tempted, as mature meats and fresh fish cooked over open wood-fire await you at JARA, whose dining room also extends onto a terrace. The chef has 12 Michelin stars to his name, and for his only restaurant outside Spain, the dinner is no exception to the expected excellence: from the magnificent focaccia with its three butters, to the caramelised brioche, not forgetting the meat and asparagus, everything is a delight.
To round off the evening, insiders will be surprised by the Txakolina cigar bar, offering a unique experience with an extensive menu of spirits and cocktails and cigars aged in alcohol, a selection of which decorates one of the walls. For the rest of us, a nightcap around the pool awaits at High Society on the 30th floor. This other space by Jean Imbert transforms the roof of the Lana. By day, the pool and its raised pontoon, popular for wedding proposals, are an open-air space for relaxation. There are no public displays here, and photos are kept to a minimum so that everyone can enjoy the serenity. At night, the space is no exception to this implicit rule. The chef's menu offers small plates combining the flavours of Asia and the Middle East, facing the illuminated city centre.
Other discoveries honour the Franco-British alliance, like those of French Pastry Chef Angelo Musa; starting with his Afternoon Tea served in The Gallery to the sound of pianists playing throughout the day. You have to take your time to enjoy it. The afternoon offers a selection of 40 teas that are delicately paired with the dishes: six small sandwiches, including a surprising wagyu beef and Alaskan crab sandwich. Among the five pastries, the cheesecake or ruby grapefruit and strawberry stand out, and scones with Devon cream.
The chef's other gourmet break is by the promenade, with a direct view of the Marina. Bonbon Café offers all the charm of English-style tearooms and French-style café terraces. Here, the chef has come up with creations based on his favourite flavours: chocolate, vanilla and seasonal fruits. During my visit, the forest strawberry tartlet got my favors, although it would be hard to resist one of the chef's chocolate recipes and a scoop of homemade mango sorbet.
After one of these ports of call, it seems only right to let yourself be pampered in the most eagerly awaited area since the opening of the hotel.Everyone loves DiorOn the 29th floor, the Dior spa has finally opened its doors since April. As soon as you arrive, you recognise the French label's touch made of deep beige, touches of toile de jouy and illuminated shelves and display units where all the products that have made Dior a success are on show: perfumes, skincare and make-up follow visitors as they explore.
The five spacious treatment rooms and the suite for two offer impressive views, which are almost expected, but are nonetheless breathtaking and add to the relaxing ambience. Every room is an ode to beauty and well-being, from candles and perfumes to books and delicate flowers. Despite innovative treatments such as the Dior micro-abrasion and the Dior Skin Ligh LED mask, the Icoone therapy and the Hydrafacial, I opt for a massage. The room, designed for two, includes a shower and a preparation area.
Visitors can also enjoy manicure and pedicure services, or take advantage of the adjacent gym or the Iyashi Dôme Japanese sauna.
After the treatments, a relaxation room awaits with tea, an aloe vera bite and an almond cookie. It's all in the detail. It's a gentle interlude back to reality.
I'm told that the booking book is still full. An obvious choice for the first Dior spa in a hotel in the Middle East.
When the time comes to leave, it's hard to say goodbye to the fine cuisine, beautiful and comfortable surroundings, and an exceptional service. A variety of nationalities rub shoulders to offer this haven of peace to visitors from all over the world. Thanks to a smiling, intuitive team that moves like a melody orchestrated by a maestro's hand, The Lana proves once again that The Dorchester Collection cultivates its heritage with precision, and at every level of execution. Whatever the city, the group is keen to make its establishments destinations in their own right. Ten years after the last opening, The Lana is rising to the challenge.
 Rob, one of the doorman at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Entry hall at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Véranda, al fresco bar & restaurant at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 The Marina Duplex Suite at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Detailed design in the Marina Duplex Suite at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Marina Junior Suite at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Bathroom in the Marina Junior at The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Riviera being prepared for the next shift
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Jean Imbert's Tropézienne at Riviera, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Plaza avocado served during breakfast at Riviera, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 JARA Bar, located on the 18th floor of The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Some of the small plates at the JARA Bar, The Lana, Dubaï
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 JARA offers a Basque dining experience with a view, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Txakolina, cigar bar at The Lana, Dubaï
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 A couple enjoying the view from the High Society , The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 A personalised and sweet welcome with a view on Burj Khalifa
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Sandwiches served during Angelo Musa's Afternoon Tea at The Gallery, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Bonbon Café is right on the Marina promenade, The Lana, Dubaï
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Forest strawberry tartlet served at Bonbon Café, The Lana Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 The Dior Spa is located on the 29th floor of The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Double treatment room at the Dior Spa, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 The after treatment relaxation room at the Dior Spa, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 Treat served in the relaxation room at the Dior Spa, The Lana, Dubaï
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 The hallway leading to the treatment rooms at the Dior Spa, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
 View of Downtown Dubai by Night from the Marina Junior Suite, The Lana, Dubai
Photo credit © Sonia Taourghi / Journal des Palaces
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