New heights in luxury
North America's Fairmont chain will make its debut into the Middle East with the launch of a lavish property in the UAE city of Dubai. GCM presents a special report on how this new landmark was built.
01 December 2001
The Fairmont Dubai, which soars 35 storeys high on Dubai's prestigious Sheikh Zayed Road, is on schedule for an early 2002 opening.
With construction complete, fitting out of the interior is being finalised for a grand opening of the hotel in February next year.
The multi-purpose hotel, residential and office complex is located in Dubai's burgeoning business district, opposite the Dubai World Trade Centre, exhibition halls and the area earmarked for construction of a world-standard convention centre, scheduled for completion in 2003.
A nine-level car-park building is located behind the hotel.
Pedestrian access to the exhibition and convention complex is provided by a walkway - The Fairmont Walkway - over the Sheikh Zayed Road, a bonus for hotel guests and the first such overhead crossing to open.
"The Fairmont Dubai will be a landmark facility," says Michael Kaile, the hotel's vice president and general manager "In fact, the hotel's architecture has already done well to assist the landmark distinction due to its Barajeel design, based on a traditional windtower."
The project, which initially started off as the 550-room Sheraton Plaza, was taken over by the Fairmont chain earlier this year.
The Fairmont Dubai offers 395 rooms and suites with extensive business and leisure features. It has 110 suites as well as its premium Fairmont Gold 'hotel within a hotel'; 12 restaurants and lounges; a 40,000 sq ft spa and health club with a gymnasium, treatment rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis, and a dedicated aerobics area, plus a rooftop sundeck with two handcrafted mosaic-lined pools.
On the ground floor of the complex are the lobby, atrium area which extends the 135 m high and the Barajeel Ballroom of the hotel. The first floor features concept restaurants; the second level is dedicated as the business floor. Offices are located on the fifth to the seventh levels. The ninth floor has the spa and the fitness centre. The 10th to the 32nd levels feature suites, residences, deluxe guest rooms, and the club rooms.
A highlight of the hotel is a multi-menu restaurant with interactive dining featuring eight cuisines, three private rooms and a lounge.
The Imperial, Royal and Presidential suites occupy levels 34 and 35 floors of the tower. These large-scale suites offer the guest luxurious surroundings and opulent facilities, and due to their location and the large panoramic windows afford breathtaking views of Dubai.
There are three Imperial Suites, each providing 620 sq m of accommodation split on two levels, consisting of a large living/dining area, gym, Jacuzzi and seating area, private study, pantry, two master bedrooms and one double bedroom. Each suite also has a private roof garden of 110 sq m.
The two Royal suites in the hotel each cover 370 sq m and consist of a large living area with bar and pantry, dining room, study area, master bedroom, double bedroom, and twin bedroom.
The hotel has two Presidential suites each providing 388 sq m of space and consisting of a large living area with bar and pantry, dining room, study area, master bedroom, double bedroom, and twin bedroom.
Each of the suites has its own identity and colour scheme. The suites are designed with a bold contemporary style using strong contrasting colours offset on white. The floor is a combination of white glass agglomerate with strong inset colours and bold area rugs.
"The furniture has been chosen for its individuality and style to create a luxurious yet distinctive atmosphere," says a spokesman for The Fairmont Dubai. "Each piece of fabric and furniture has been selected for its individuality of shape, colour or texture, giving a unique feel to each room.
"The colour schemes use a play of bold colours and textures, a strong combination of light and dark woods, completely in contrast to the mirror finish white polished flooring thus making a play with light and space."
The Fairmont Gold is a premium executive product featuring dedicated, private floors, 24-hour concierge service and a private check-in and check-out area. Access to a luxurious lounge with a complimentary bar; cocktail hour canapés; deluxe continental breakfast, and an executive boardroom are also part of the package.
In addition, Fairmont Gold rooms include upgraded amenities such as large feather pillows and terry cloth bathrobes, as well as a spacious work area with modem/fax hook-up, halogen desk lamp and two telephones for added convenience.
For business guests, The Fairmont Dubai has a dedicated second-floor business centre - The Exchange - with 40 work-stations and feature rooms equipped with 'smart walls', electronic whiteboards, VCR capabilities and complete audio systems.
The executive conference centre located on the 33rd floor will be a self-contained unit offering senior management and business executives an impeccably run, turnkey facility for small meeting and conference space, the spokesman says.
The facilities include:
Elaborating on the conference centre, he says: "The style of the executive conference centre is one of understated traditional elegance with a twist, offering the latest in audio/visual and computer technology amidst a rich decor of timber panelling and tasteful artwork themed on the past and present history of commerce of the UAE. Each space is given its own identity using various materials such as fused glass, bas-relief cast metal panels, speciality painted finishes all offset by the luxurious feel of the leather furnishings and individually designed intricate carpets.
"All meeting rooms boast modular non-glare leather clad tables with ergonomically designed leather chairs, individual temperature controls and full spectrum lighting in order to create the best and most comfortable ambience in which to conduct business."
The nightclub is located on the lower ground floor of the development and has its own private entrance from the street level.
The layout defines a new concept in Dubai combining a bar, restaurant and nightclub in a series of different rooms. The main room divides into four distinct areas - the main bar, dance floor, split-level Moroccan seating and the curtain-covered alcoves. The capacity of the main room is 200 with 100 seated. In addition, the nightclub has two private rooms and the VIP Octagon, a small exclusive tented room hidden away in the VIP area of the club affording an intimate setting for upto 14 people.
Commenting on the decor of the nightclub, the spokesman says: "The atmosphere is theatrical created by the use of flowing fabrics bright in colour. Each area is like a stage set with its own identity and atmosphere allowing the client intimate private areas for retreat or the throbbing pace of the main room. The main influence of the design is Middle Eastern using dramatic colour, deep stained timber flooring, split level sumptuous low level seating and integrated artefacts form this region. The main bar is designed in the style of hand-carved stone and its split-level allows the client a prime view of the dance floor. The overall atmosphere is of 1001 Arabian Nights."
For longer-stay visitors, the hotel complex also includes 115 two and three-bedroom furnished apartments for lease.
The hotel was built at a cost of Dh800 million ($218 million). The main contractor is DCC-Arabtec, the consultant Khatib & Alami and Turner International, the project manager.
Dubai is the flagship international destination for Canada-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as it embarks on expansion outside of the Americas. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is the largest operator of luxury hotels and resorts in North America, with 38 properties in the US, Canada, Bermuda, Barbados, Mexico and now the UAE.
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