10 things you didn't know: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Jumeirah’s Zabeel Saray on The Palm opened in January 2011, and has since welcomed the guests who have raved about its traditional Turkish feel.
The 405-key property also offers 38 villas and 10 restaurants, as well as Mehteran Theatre & Event Centre, which will play host to live shows and events. However, there's lots you may not know about the hotel...
1. A team of 45 Turkish interior designers was dedicated to completing the vast interior within six months.
2. The main inspiration behind the façade and interior design are two palaces in the city of Istanbul, namely Topkapi and Dolmabahçe.
3. The hotel is centred around a 200 meter long Avenue of Indulgence, the main thoroughfare of exclusive shops and restaurants.
4. Approximately 30,000 square meters of Italian and Turkish natural marble, crafted by Turkish craftsmen, were used in the design of the entire hotel. The Turkish marble was sourced from Afyon and Kutahya, two mountainous cities in Turkey renowned for their marble production.
5. Each of the doors opening to the Talise ottoman Spa weigh 600kg and are hand-painted Turkish Oak. Over two days, 10 craftsmen lovingly worked on the wooden doors to accomplish an authentic look.
6. An exceptional collection of paintings were created by the leading Turkish artist Ismail Acar.
7. Lalezar, which means ‘field of tulips’, a stunning signature restaurant, is named after the national flower of Turkey – the tulip.
8. The elegant black tie gala scene with Tom Cruise and Paula Patton in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol was shot entirely in the palatial lobby lounge of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
9. Talise Ottoman Spa is the largest spa in the Middle East and Africa, spanning more than 8,000 square metres in area spread across two floors offering authentic Turkish hammam.
10. Mehteran Theater & Show Centre, considered to be the only one of its kind in Dubai, is named after ‘Mehteran’, meaning brass military band.