The very first Dior Spa in a luxury hotel in the Middle East? Open since April 2024, it’s a major novelty on Dubai’s top spa scene . t didn’t take much more than that for Pascal Languillon, CEO of Luxe Wellness Club, to set off for Dubai to test this magnificent hotel, which didn’t leave him indifferent. Here’s his enthusiastic account.
One of Dubai’s most elegant hotels
The Dorchester Collection operates iconic hotels such as The Dorchester in London, Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris and The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. This prestigious hotel chain has decided to bring its brand of understated luxury to Dubai by opening The Lana, a 225-room establishment that can almost be described here as a “boutique hotel” in a city known for its excesses!
The Lana Dubai is located on one of Business Bay’s main thoroughfares, Marasi Drive, overlooking the Marasi Marina and downtown Dubai. Naturally, as soon as I arrived, I was eager to contemplate the Skyline, with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, rising proudly above the others. This is one of the Lana’s strengths: a beautiful, unobstructed view, which is unlikely to change in the years to come, as the owners also own the Marina, so no new towers can be built facing the Lana’s view.
The neighborhood is convenient: a little far from the beach, but 10 minutes from Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, and 20 minutes from the airport. Perfect for business stays and for anyone looking for a sophisticated urban experience . I was there in July, and with the heat wave, I personally preferred to be in the city in the air-conditioning rather than roasting on a beach.
Let’s face it: for me, the highlight of the show is the 30th and top floor, the rooftop with its magnificent infinity pool . The rooftop also houses the High Society café. An undeniable highlight compared to the city’s other infinity pools: the sun setting behind Burj Khalifa, which I watched from the poolside with an aperitif infused with gin, feta cheese, olives and thyme cordial…
Beautiful rooms
The 66 m² Marina Junior Suite I stayed in is a true marvel of its kind. Both spacious and warm, with its parquet flooring and velvet cushions, it’s a model of elegance. A large dressing room at the entrance allows you to leave your suitcases and store your clothes, keeping the room free of visual pollution.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors reveal a beautiful view of the Burj Khalifa and other skyscrapers. The tones are neutral, the decor is distinguished. The king-size bed is dressed in white sheets by Frette, and the mattress is by Vispring, supplier to Buckingham Palace 🙂 It’s enough to make you feel like a king or queen! I can attest that the bed is extremely comfortable.
I loved the marble bathroom. Superb walk-in shower! Magnificent sinks! It’s hard not to use superlatives here…. And what about the deep bathtub with its panoramic view of the city? Perfect for evening baths when the city lights up!
Wildsmith Skin products are very pleasant, with notes of magnolia, jasmine and cedar wood. The minibar, with its floral paper doors, is perfect for coffee, tea, sweets or aperitifs. Final note: I was blown away by the welcome in my room, with a printed photo of me and a chocolate Bonsai with even the name of my company in cocoa letters… The Dorchester Collection loves attention to detail! Well done.
Le Dior Spa: excellence à la française
Of course, in a luxury hotel, the most important thing for me is the spa! And I love a Dior spa! There are only a handful in the world (including a splendid one at Cheval Blanc Paris), and this one is the first in the United Arab Emirates. There’s something magical about Dior spas, almost indescribable. It’s extreme refinement, a feeling of total luxury. In fact, it’s certainly the massage table with the most pleasant sheets and comforters I’ve tested to date.
As soon as you arrive, a delicious little juice, a fresh towel and a flower are all you need to get in the mood. The massage I enjoyed was simply divine, especially as I was tired from the long journey from the South of France and the short night on the plane… No wonder: the male therapist was from Sri Lanka, a country where ayurveda is practiced with magic!
The Dior Spa at Lana boasts five spacious treatment rooms and a couples’ suite. All enjoy spectacular views. The Dior Spa also offers Icoone therapy, Hydrafacial, Dior micro-abrasion and the Dior Skin Light LED light therapy mask. There’s also an Iyashi Dôme Japanese sauna and a beauty room.
Once the treatment is over, a superb relaxation room allows you to recover your spirits with a delicious cup of tea, a bouquet of flowers, pleasant fragrances… and, as always, a breathtaking view of the city!
Another nice surprise: the fitness room is located within the spa, and it’s very well equipped! Perhaps the only regret is that there’s no sauna or hammam, but with the 43°C outside during my stay in July, it was enough to go outside if I needed a good sweat…
A sought-after gastronomy
Dubai has become one of the world’s leading gastronomic destinations , thanks to the multitude of internationally renowned chefs who have settled here. Jean Imbert is the young French chef who succeeded Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris. At Riviera, he has created an ode to the cuisine of southern France and Italy. Even the restaurant’s decor is reminiscent of our beloved Provencal bistros…
It’sa simple but well-executed cuisine: focaccia topped with burrata, sea bass carpaccio with lemon gel, salt and pepper…. L’Avocat de Jean is a signature dish. Resting on a bed of spinach and pomelo, the avocado flesh is coated in vegetable charcoal, with a surprise of egg confit and soy sauce marinade hidden inside. Delicious stuff!
Jean Imbert is also responsible for cooking at High Society, the rooftop poolside restaurant. I enjoyed an excellent pizza with smoked salmon and caviar.
At Le Jara, Basque chef Martin Berasategui, whose restaurants total 12 Michelin stars, offers exceptional tapas from an open kitchen. I live in Biarritz, but I don’t think I’ve ever eaten croquetas this good!
Our feeling
The rooftop pool, the magical view, and a bed worthy of the Queen of England’s… Add to that trendy European chef restaurants and a Dior Spa that boasts one of the most exquisite in the city. There’s no doubt about it, The Lana is already among the top 10 best hotels in Dubai. Its refined luxury is a breath of fresh air in a city that is often too blinged-out for our taste.
Luxe Wellness Club
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Rates: from around €500 per night in low season. Benefit from our expertise in wellness stays and contact us for a personalized quote for a stay at The Lana Dubai.
Call us for the USA: +1 (646) 980 6652 or for the UK: +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
