BACKGROUND
Part of the Madinat Jumeirah luxury complex, the hotel opened its doors in December last year. The opening marks the completion of the Madinat development, which opened in 2004 and comprises two boutique hotels, summerhouses, an extended stay property and now the Jumeirah Al Naseem. Guests at the hotel can use facilities across the Madinat complex, which uses buggies to transport them across the sprawling six-hectare complex.
WHAT’S IT LIKE
With 430 rooms and suites, this is the largest hotel within the Madinat, located directly opposite the iconic Burj Al Arab, which the hotel overlooks. The lobby is a lavish T-shaped space featuring wide, arched corridors on either side of reception that lead to rooms and guest lifts, with the Al Mandhar lobby lounge situated on a lower level behind the entrance hall. Here, lounge chairs and sofas in muted desert hues group around a striking display of white arum lilies, while ceiling fans rotate the filtered air slowly overhead.
The hotel’s design is billed as “modern Arabic luxury”, with bold evidence of this in the gold embellished marble floors, an enormous sand filled globe recessed into the corridor walls and a wall-length canvas of royal blue galloping horses. It is tastefully designed, and staff are in abundance – I counted six stationed at intervals, greeting guests along the main corridor one morning. The service I received at check-in and throughout my stay was outstanding.
WHERE IS IT?
Off Jumeirah Street, a few kilometres from the Palm Jumeirah – a 25-minute drive from Dubai International airport.
ROOM FACILITIES
Set across seven floors, there are eight room categories including four types of suite, ranging from the 51 sqm Resort Deluxe room to the 437 sqm Royal Suite. Rooms are decorated in an earthy palette, using walnut wood fittings and textiles in grey and desert shades, with a desk, a 32-inch LG TV, coffee and tea making facilities and a large open-plan bathroom, with ample wardrobe space, and a mosaic-tiled rain shower and bath. The toilet is in a separate cubicle next to the shower.
I stayed in a spacious 51 sqm Ocean Deluxe room, with a balcony overlooking the adults-only pool. Lights and air-con are controlled by a touchscreen tablet at the bedside, with a spotlight and mood lighting panel next to the bathroom. The bed was comfortable, and there were plug sockets at the bedside and desk, alongside homey accents such as glowing lanterns and a loveseat at the foot of the bed.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Al Naseem has seven dining outlets. The Palmery is the all-day dining restaurant where breakfast is served each morning, with the option to eat indoors by the buffet or on the veranda overlooking the family-friendly pool. Kalsa is the pool bar, which serves cocktails and flatbreads, salads, grilled skewers and sandwiches, while next door you’ll find Rockfish, a smart Mediterranean restaurant specialising in seafood with Arabic, European and North African influences. Sugarmash is the adults-only pool bar, which offers a menu of Polynesian snacks and light dishes, such as Hawaiian grilled chicken salad, crab meat sliders and seared ahi tuna.
There are also four external restaurants operated by international names including artisan burgers from New York’s Black Tap, the Tuscan Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo, the Philippe Starck-designed Japanese Katsuya, and Dubai-grown brand Flamingo’s.
Ambar serves cocktails and modern Arabian mezze on the hotel’s rooftop and boasts several inviting outdoor lounge areas overlooking the central pool. Al Mandhar Lounge serves French-Moroccan patisseries and tea. Open to villa and suite guests, the Summersalt Beach Club has its own restaurant, dishing up favourites from across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Guests can also pay for access to the club villa for AED595 (£121) per adult, which includes AED250 (£51) worth of dining credit.
Throughout the Madinat, there are a total 40 restaurants and bars, including Koubba Bar at the Jumeirah Al Qasr, which overlooks the Madinat’s manmade lake and is a gorgeous spot to watch the sun set with a one of the bar’s signature gin cocktails. We had a wonderful meal at The Hide steakhouse, also at Al Qasr, and winner of Time Out Dubai’s Best Newcomer award last year. I tried the flat iron steak with Korean marinade and kimchi salad, which had a sensational, melt in the mouth texture and paired well with the tangy kimchi salad.
For dessert, I tried the campfire s’mores, a decadent dish of marshmallow, melted chocolate, crumbly cookies and ice cream served in a bulbous jar. It was incredibly rich, and best for those with a very sweet tooth. Service was warm and personal throughout our meal.
MEETING FACILITIES
The Madinat Conference Centre is a ten-minute buggy ride away from Al Naseem. It has eight venues that can hold between 20 and 4,500 people.
LEISURE FACILITIES
There are three lovely pools – an adults-only, a family-friendly and a private pool at the Summer Salt Beach Club. Summersalt also has a restaurant serving lunch, dinner, light dishes and cocktails to pool guests and those on the beach. Guests can use the Talise gym and spa at the Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, also within the Madinat. The private beach extends the length of the complex.
VERDICT
This is a gorgeous property with thoughtfully designed rooms, stunning facilities and some of the best service I’ve experienced.
PRICE
Internet rates for a Resort Deluxe room started from £418 including taxes.
CONTACT
Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai.
