Named for its flagship property on London's Park Lane and revered the world over for its glamorous, old-school outposts in LA, Paris, Milan and Berkshire, Dorchester Collection has just launched its first hotel in the Middle East. The Lana (which can be translated as 'together' in Arabic but speaks more to the tranquil vibe) forms half of a 30-storey Foster + Partners building on Dubai's Marasi Bay Marina created in partnership with local developer OMNIYAT.
Dorchester Collection manages the 33 residences and six penthouses that comprise the remainder of the building, while The Lana secures its position as the emirate's first true urban resort with dialled-back, elegantly executed interiors by French husband-and-wife team Gilles & Boissier, the UAE's first Dior spa and eight restaurants and bars, four of which are overseen by 12-Michelin-starred fire chef Martín Berasategui, Jean Imbert, and patissier Angelo Musa – the latter two combining duties here with their roles at The Lana's sister property, Paris' Hôtel Plaza Athénée.
Top of a list of reasons to travel, however, must be the 30th-floor rooftop infinity pool and bar, a refreshing departure from the traditional 'presidential palace' penthouse suite usually occupying such spaces, and a fresh gathering point for Dubai's glitterati, drawn to the Instagrammable views and chic surroundings.
For its part, Dorchester Collection keeps its UK-domiciled business model very much alive, with afternoon tea served in the vast, vaulting Gallery, which also features work by British artist Sophie Coryndon that echoes her statement piece The Dorchester Dossel that hangs behind the reception desk of The Dorchester.
dorchestercollection.com/dubai/the-lana
This article was originally published on The Week
