New hotel on the block: Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai opens its doors

Nov 13, 2017

Presidential Suite at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai.

Marriott International has opened its newest hotel in Downtown Dubai. The 298-key property will have 65 suites, each with Burj Khalifa or Dubai Water Canal views and is located in Dubai's Business Bay district.

Renaissance Downtown Hotel was designed by interior design firm WA International. Sister publication DesignMENA reports: "The Renaissance was a study of the growth of Dubai and its basic composition; the building of a city literally ‘out of the sand and water’ to create concrete and glass structures." According to the Marriott release, "the hotel’s design will see a dynamic art installation of Dubai’s cityscape that takes centre-stage upon arrival, to the cheeky photography in each guestroom, complemented by a Pablo Picasso’s famed camel sketch re-imagined into a 3D iron rod sculpture".

Culinary outlets at Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai are Masaharu Morimoto's first eponymous restaurant in Dubai, which will open in December, while David Myers will debut new contemporary concepts Bleu Blanc & Basta, which showcase a Southern French farmhouse and an urban interpretation of a Roman trattoria, respectively. Bhar, the Arabic word for spice, will offer indigenous Middle Eastern cuisine. Alongside the opening of Bhar, Grounded will serve as the hotel’s coffee shop.

Related: Quickfire Q&A with David Myers

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Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai will also feature all of the brand’s experiences, including "Evenings at Renaissance" where guests can connect, socialise, and experience the locale through nightly programming. The hotel’s "Navigators" will help guests experience the neighbourhood by highlighting hidden gems and handpicked local discoveries.

The hotel giant also announced its latest global partnership with Universal Music Group, which will see them bring its music series to the UAE. Celebrating the grand opening of Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, global superstar Gwen Stefani will be the next performance in this concert series.

Taking place on December 4, 2017, there will be two Ultimate Gwen Stefani Dubai Concert Fan Experience packages available on Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments. These include special extras including VIP Meet and Greets with the star and accommodation at the luxury Dubai hotel.

“The spectacular new Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai is theatrical, unexpected and sets the stage for discovering Dubai’s newest neighbourhood,” said Brian Povinelli, senior vice president & global brand leader, Renaissance Hotels.

"We are thrilled to mark this milestone for Renaissance Hotels by bringing this concert series to the Middle East region for the first time,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

Members of Marriott’s award-winning loyalty programmes, Marriott Rewards, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest, are able to redeem their points for the Ultimate Fan Experience packages around the concert.