From sailboats to superyachts, Jumeirah's palaces come in all shapes and sizes. After the Burj Al Arab and its instantly recognisable silhouette, Dubai has just unveiled a new king-size hotel: the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. The luxury Dubai hotel thus completes its nautical trilogy, adding to the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Designed by architect Shaun Killa, this new architectural landmark in the emirate stretches along the edge of a private marina, with room for 82 yachts, and features a range of aesthetics, including marble, silk carpets, crystal lighting and other noble and refined materials. Embellished with spacious terraces, the 300 rooms are reminiscent of the legendary Italian Riva boats, while the 86 suites play on the pure elegance of a superyacht. The Presidential and Royal suites in particular boast a private swimming pool.
In total, the complex includes four swimming pools and an indoor swimming pool, a spa and a wide range of culinary experiences, from French and Italian to Japanese, Greek and Indian. While the hotel is firmly established as a leisure destination, its Pearl Suite boasts a vast terrace and private kitchen for hosting exclusive events for up to 80 guests.
While the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab joins the emblematic Burj Al Arab on the list of Dubai's flagship hotels, in Singapore the historic Raffles, now part of the Accor group, has just been given a new look.n resort on the island of Sentosa. Continuing the legend dating back to 1867, with the brand's own butler service and the inevitable Singapore Sling for guests, this second hotel is set in almost 10 hectares of tropical gardens and is unique in that it is made up entirely of villas, of which there are 62. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, they all have private pools, and the resort's other relaxing features include a spa, as well as access to the nearby Sentosa Golf Club and Tanjong beach.
Several bars and restaurants serving Italian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine complete the offer. But, just 15 minutes from the centre of Singapore, the Raffles Sentosa is also a popular meeting point with its gala room which can accommodate up to 400 people - and even 600 for cocktails - or its Garden Room and terrace, ideal for small business meetings.
Back to Europe for another new luxury hotel, or rather the transformation and upmarket upgrade of a key establishment in Madridthe former Westin Palace, renamed The Palace to become part of another Marriott brand, the Luxury Collection. Opened at the beginning of the XXe century, in 1912, the establishment, which was the stopping-off point for many celebrities, from Picasso to Garcia Lorca, from Hemingway to Orson Welles, has regained his original splendour after two years of work supervised by Ruiz Larrea Arquitectura. The restoration work has brought to light forgotten floral ornaments on the façade and restored the lustre of the stained glass and wrought iron dome, designed at the time by Eduardo Ferrés i Puig.
Designed by the Lázaro Rosa-Violán design studio, the interiors and the 470 rooms and suites are a blend of classic luxury and contemporary design. Next door to Madrid's great museums, the hotel has transformed and renamed its former Museo Bar into the 27 Club, in homage to the poets and writers of the Generation of 27, who frequented this cocktail bar in their day. The gastronomic heart of the hotel is its La Cupula restaurant and bar, located under the hotel's vast, emblematic dome.
But while The Palace is once again welcoming visiting business travellers to its exclusive setting, it has also regained its place as one of Madrid's leading venues for business events. With a MICE area worthy of this hotel also frequented by the Spanish monarchy, i.e. king size. Covering more than 2,500 m², the hotel has 20 reception and meeting rooms, which can accommodate both executive committees and private dinners, as well as events for up to 800 people.
The last major opening in March was another prestigious establishment, the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard in Bucharestthe gateway to the Romanian capital for dignitaries and crowned heads, is back in business. Inaugurated in 1871 under the impetus of French businessman Jacques Herdan, this historic jewel with its neoclassical façade has been carefully restored, and now offers an exclusive range of 30 suites. Owned by the Corinthia group, this luxury boutique hotel has converted the former ballroom, decorated with painted ceilings and chandeliers, into a restaurant serving French and Romanian cuisine, Boulevard 73, which is also available for business dinners and events for up to 120 people. Similarly, its Heritage lounge bar has a capacity of 80 people, while its other restaurant, created in partnership with Monegasque party venue SAAS Café, can accommodate parties of 45 to 100 people.
