Record-breaking dining
Aretha Franklin now has her own namesake restaurant. At St Regis Gardens on the Palm, Aretha hosts performances of soulful 60s and 70s music as diners tuck into Wagyu beef Rossini.
At the nearby Atlantis the Palm, FZN by the celebrated Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen is a 27-seater ultra-high-end venue serving a European-Japanese tasting menu. A chance to enjoy authentic Emirati dining awaits at Gerbou, a locally inspired farm-to-table restaurant.
Burj Khalifa’s At.mosphere restaurant has had a refresh: at 442 metres, the world’s highest-located restaurant now features a new chef, Yannis Sgard, and revamped menus.
Superyachts & sand dunes
Like the Miami original did 30 years previously, the Delano Dubai wants to shake things up in its home city. Expect tastefully demure rooms with white-oak flooring and suites with private pools.
Opening in early 2025, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is perhaps the most anticipated new hotel in the city. With a sleek facade inspired by superyachts, it sits in waterfront landscaped gardens.
At Bab Al Shams, oryx roam the desert dunes and nature reserves that surround this remote resort. Just under an hour away from the city, its newly opened Desert Pool Villas let guests enjoy romantic landscapes in total privacy.
Hit the beach
On the Jumeirah seafront, the launch of J1 Beach has introduced 13 fine-dining beach clubs. These include Gitano, a stylish Mexican eatery, and the 9,000sqm Greek-themed Sirene by Gaia, said to be the largest beach club on the planet.
There’s also the Dubai outpost of Ibiza’s O Beach, which should continue the original’s tradition of hosting legendary parties. Opening by the Gran Melia Dubai in 2025, Zuma Dubai Beachhouse will feature izakaya menus and top-class mixology.
Culture club
It’s easy to forget that the UAE was only established a little over 50 years ago and Dubai is a baby of a city.
But its districts are developing their own personalities – artsy Alserkal Avenue is chock-a-block with independent galleries, arthouse cinemas and hipster cafes. In a converted warehouse, The Edit concept store sells mindful fashion brands.
For something wholesome, join a painting class at Thejamjar community arts centre before picking up treats at the Ganache Chocolatier factory.
Fresh fairer focus
Though there’s still work to be done (as a new resident here, I hope to see improvements to the city’s recycling facilities, for example) Dubai is increasing its focus on accessibility and sustainability.
A landmark initiative, the new Dubai Reef project is the world’s largest marine reef development project. Over four years, some 20,000 artificial reefs will be planted across an area equivalent in size to 85,000 football fields.
When considering accommodation, eco-conscious clients can look out for the new Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp that recognises Dubai hotels securing the highest scores in sustainability rankings.
Amid ongoing efforts to become the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere, more than 13,000 of Dubai’s hospitality professionals have received autism training.
