Hotel Hotspot: Laidback luxury prevails at The Lana – Dorchester Collection

The luxury hotel is home to blockbuster chefs, Insta-worthy views and a skyline swimming pool.

The Dorchester Collection’s arrival in the Middle East was accompanied by plenty of fanfare. Celebrity chefs, the first Dior Spa in the Middle East, and a legacy of fine hospitality exemplified by the notoriety of the Dorchester brand come with sky-high expectations. But how does this hospitality history translate to an urban city hotel in the heart of new Dubai? The secret is laidback luxury and superb service.

Located in Business Bay, The Lana – Dorchester Collection overlooks Burj Khalifa and Marasi Bay Marina, the only marina in downtown Dubai. The hotel’s pair of interlocking towers span 30 floors and boast a sleek, stunning structure. Prepare for a wow-worthy arrival as you ascend the driveway and are met with waterfront views and dapper staff in burgundy top hats and tails. Between the valet and the check-in desk, the proficient team has already learnt our names, and we enter into a serene space that is sophisticated without pretension.

The lobby at The Lana is beautiful. It is light and airy and a lesson in luxury. Gleaming marble floors give way to plush seating, powder pink cushions, and textured gold artwork by British artist Sophie Coryndon.

Luxurious Living

The Lana – Dorchester Collection has been created by the British architectural firm, Foster + Partners while the interiors have been designed by the French design duo, Gilles & Boissier. The architects took inspiration from Dubai’s skyline and brought a modern and minimalist aesthetic to the hotel.

Home to 225 rooms and suites, the signature suites include the Marina Duplex and Marina Terrace Suite, which have a duplex layout, double-height living room, and outdoor terraces spanning two levels. We check into a Marina Room on the 12th floor, which offers views of Dubai Canal and the yachts docked in Marasi Bay Marina. 

Clocking in at a generous 67 square meters, the room adopts a faint pink colour scheme and offers a luxe retreat with panelled walls and plush furnishings. The living room, with its low-slung seating, small writing desk and guest WC, is separated from the sleeping area by a set of polished double doors. Inside, the king bed is comfortable and topped with a Vispring mattress (the same ones used at Buckingham Palace), a thick Frette duvet and plump pillows. It faces a flat-screen television boasting an impressive Bang & Olufsen sound bar, emphasising the hotel’s striving for contemporary luxury.

Ample closet space replete with fluffy robes and soft slippers segues guests from the bedroom to the bathroom, where a rainfall shower, white and grey-veined marble tub and double vanity await. Yet small touches such as Dyson Supersonic hair dryers, heated toilet seats and custom-made toiletries make a mark. A private balcony wraps around the room, pairing soft sun loungers with the Burj Khalifa’s nightly sound and light show.

Destination Dining

Chefs Angelo Musa, Jean Imbert, and Martín Berasategui have brought their MICHELIN magic to Dubai. The Lana – Dorchester Collection is home to eight new dining concepts, four of which were created with the celebrated chefs. 

Located on the fourth floor, Riviera by Jean Imbert boasts a laidback luxurious vibe and is flooded with lots of light. If it weren’t for the widescreen view of the Dubai skyline, you’d think you were on the French Riviera. The décor is bright and airy with neutral beige, brown and white tones, which are punctuated by green hues and framed photos and potted plants. The à la carte breakfast is a dainty affair where The Lana logo is embossed on butter and dusted atop cappuccinos, and The Dorchester’s signature lacquered and layered coffee brioche makes an appearance. Don’t miss the egg white omelette with goat cheese and spinach, which looks like a cloud on a plate and could be the fluffiest we’ve tasted.

Jara by Martín Berasategui promises a fine dining experience inspired by the Basque region of Spain. The highlights include a Duo of Cantabrian Anchovies, Grilled Turbot, Kokotxas Casserole with Clams, and, of course, a Basque Cheesecake. The restaurant’s sleek and smart décor includes dark shades of brown to gold. Plus, there is a jaw-dropping view of Dubai, which sweeps across the city. 

Bonbon Café Angelo Musa adds a touch of sweetness to the hotel with signature pastries, including the Ruby Grapefruit Cheesecake and Vanilla Roll Cake. It’s also the place to sit and sip on the thick, decadent Lana Hot Chocolate. Elsewhere, the garden bar Veranda offers a chic al fresco setting, lobby bar Bitter Honey serves curated cocktails made with local honey, and Txakolina is a speakeasy bar boasting old-school touches, from Cuban cigars to vinyl records.

High Society is a sight to behold. So much so, we challenge you not to take a photo when you enter the rooftop on the 30th floor. The 360-degree view from the Burj Khalifa to the Dubai desert is best enjoyed at sunset. The sky-high setting has mastered a minimalist and modern design, offering a contemporary chic look across white furniture, tables, and sparkling infinity pools. The signature cocktails come with epic names, which are inspired by myths – Secret of Archipelago, anyone?

Fantastic Facilities

True to its namesake, High Society dazzles with exclusivity at the very top of The Lana – Dorchester Collection. The poolside features infinity waters, sunken seating, and cabanas that are currently only open to in-house guests. A pontoon-cum-viewing deck juts out over the swimming pool to provide an Insta-worthy location.

The only Dior Spa in the Middle East offers a stunning spa setting on the 29th floor. Dior Spa The Lana integrates cutting-edge technology into treatments, encompassing five treatment rooms, a couple’s suite and stunning skyline views. Guests can indulge in Icoone Therapy, Hydrafacial, Dior Micro-Abrasion, and the renowned Dior Skin Light LED therapy mask, celebrated for its ability to promote intense cell regeneration. No surface escapes a dusting of Dior, from plump cushions to toile de Jouy prints on the massage beds. You’ll even find Christian Dior branded stability balls and yoga mats in the 24-hour fitness centre.

A sleek and sporty Foiler yacht is set to make waves soon, transporting up to eight guests along the canal to The Lana’s private beach club LAVITA, which is expected to open in September at One at Palm Jumeirah, Dorchester Collection at the entrance to Palm Jumeirah.

The Verdict

The location is the key to The Lana’s success, foregoing the busy Palm Jumeirah or Jumeira waterfront in favour of the up-and-coming Marasi Bay Marina. From the piped leather interiors of the elevators to the mélange of marbles and a stunning rooftop retreat, The Lana – Dorchester Collection is a masterclass in understated sophistication and timeless elegance backed up by superb service without the stuffiness. The Lana proudly joins the Dorchester Hotel on London’s Park Lane and Paris’s Hotel Plaza Athenée as the tenth property in the Dorchester Collection’s stunning property portfolio. 

Expect service with a smile, and then some. 

GO: Visit www.dorchestercollection.com for more information.