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If you’ve yet to book your next escape, and are looking for lodgings that go beyond the traditional sense of luxury, these five Jumeirah hotels could prove to be just the ticket.
The brand operates 31 properties across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa, each of which is recognised as a majlis – social spaces where people gather to share ideas and conversation, and enjoy entertainment. These are places where culture and hospitality come together; each location is distinct, with architecture and interiors inspired by the local surroundings, and inspiring, site-specific private art collections. Here, we round up five of our favourites.
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“If you can draw a building with a few sweeps of the pen and everyone recognises not only the structure, but also associates it with a place on earth, you have gone a long way towards creating something iconic,” said architect Tom Wright in 2000. It’s a simple litmus test for existing architecture – a black-and-white evaluation of form, simplicity and impact – but also a brilliant way of testing out new ideas.
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In 1993, Wright sketched the shape of a curved sail on a napkin. It would become the silhouette of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, a defining piece of the Dubai skyline inspired by the city’s legacy (the sails of the Arabian sailboats, or dhows, that once lined its shores) and its contemporary spirit. Without doubt, it raised the bar for every other hotel on earth.
Inside, the minimalism of the exterior gives way to something warmer and more intimate, though no less palatial. Drawing from traditional Arabic motifs, a rich palette of gold and marble and an explosion of colour define the scheme, created by the lauded designer Khuan Chew. And throughout its 25 years, its walls have found themselves in conversation with other works of art, playing host to pieces by artists including Anish Kapoor.
Jumeirah Capri Palace, Capri, Italy
In Italy, the bold modernity and opulence of Dubai give way to a different type of elegance. Jumeirah Capri Palace, in Anacapri, is a white-washed vision of la dolce vita. The hotel is home to White Artelier, a “living museum” of works by contemporary and mid-century artists – many of whom sought solace on the island itself, an historic magnet for artists, writers and revolutionaries.
As soon as you step into the hotel, you’re greeted by the 40-metre long ‘Rive dei Mari’, a fibreglass Atlantis-inspired artwork resembling the seabed by Arnaldo Pomodoro. The reception boasts ‘Ettore e Andromaca’, a 1960 painting by De Chirico, while ‘The Helmet’, a sculpture by Mimmo Paladino, sits by the sliding doors. There are pieces by Keith Haring and Allen Jones, while in bedrooms are Warhols, Magrittes, Mirós and Mondrians. “Art fosters genuine, human connections,” notes Arnaud Morand, an independent curator and Jumeirah’s art advisor.
Soon, the collection will grow once more. This year, the hotel launched its Contemporary Art Prize in conjunction with the Festival del Paesaggio Anacapri; the winners will have their works join its permanent collection. Another new arrival this year: five suites designed by the brilliant designer Patricia Urquiola.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Back in Dubai, Jumeirah’s latest opening offers a glimpse of how technology is changing the world of design. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab cuts an elegant figure on the beachfront, just a few kilometres from Burj Al Arab, of which it has prime views. Its softly undulating form is inspired by the movement of superyachts (the building is the conclusion of an architectural trilogy with Burj Al Arab and the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel).
Shaun Killa, the architect responsible for the award-winning Museum of the Future, used new technology to create the double-curved forms of the building. Even just a few years ago, they would have been impossible. Despite its sense of the cutting-edge, the design was heavily informed by traditional values. “I believe that creating spaces where diverse cultures feel at home starts with designing experiences that touch both the heart and mind,” says Killa. “We honour the local heritage while looking forward to inspiring future generations to create a dialogue between heritage and innovation.”
Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London, UK
This sense of cultural exchange, and Jumeirah’s legacy of warm Arabian hospitality, extends far beyond the Middle East. In Knightsbridge, London, stands Jumeirah Carlton Tower, which upon its opening in 1961 was the tallest hotel in the city. A recent redesign has gently updated the building’s original aesthetic with beautiful chandeliers and stone floors. In the entrance is a large sculpture by the late sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink, commissioned for the opening.
The hotel has always made the most of its fashionable setting, partnering with local institutions such as Christie’s. Over the recent summer, Jumeirah was the official event partner of the auction house’s Marwan: A Soul in Exile, a retrospective for the Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi. Art lovers who flew in for the exhibition were offered a bespoke stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, which included a private tour of the show and a culinary journey inspired by the artist’s heritage.
Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More high-profile collaborations arrive in Abu Dhabi. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island is a stone’s throw from the capital’s new cultural district, and soon enough, visitors will be able to visit international outposts of both the Louvre and the Guggenheim in a single afternoon, along with the new Zayed National Museum.
The Guggenheim, housed in a building designed by the visionary Frank Gehry, is expected to open in 2026, shortly after the new Zayed National Museum begins welcoming visitors in December 2025. Those hoping for a preview of both locations should visit during Nomad Art Fair in November – as official hospitality sponsor, Jumeirah is offering guests a sneak peek of the Zayed and the Guggenheim, as well as exclusive access to previews of the art fair. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island will also host a unique, original Nomad art showcase curated by the fair’s founder.
For more information and inspiration, visit Jumeirah
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