THANKS to project developer Mirage Mille’s efforts, Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort, threw open  its doors ahead of schedule. It’s been three months since the whole product has been on display but guests and visitors have not stopped marvelling at this masterpiece of new-fashioned luxury modern coupled with unique UAE architecture and design.

The ancient Arabian city, with sandy palaces, wind towers and the traditional suq has a way of growing on guests as they ride around the meandering waterways of this intricate city of senses in battery-operated abras. Or, like Gerald Lawless, managing director of Jumeirah International, puts it, “The more I see it, the more I am impressed with it.”
Looking back, Lawless said he was fortunate that the construction went according to plan – “it has come through from the original concept to what we see today very, very quickly”.
“I am sure that anywhere else in the world something like this would have taken twice as long to execute,” he adds. “The contractors may have had their challenges from time to time but they have obviously coped with them very well.”
Since there was no blueprint for something like this, a huge amount of planning went into the development of Madinat Jumeirah.
“Ever since General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, had given the idea and concept of how Madinat Jumeirah should be built to reflect the architecture and heritage of Gulf and the atmosphere of, what I call, the soul of Dubai, the Creek, replete with its dhows and abras, we had a very unique project in our hands,” Lawless recalls. “Along the way, we have always been getting encouragement and leadership from him to help us stay on the right path and make sure that what was planned in the beginning was actually executed and delivered in the end. Moreover, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of the Emirates Group, has also been involved in the project all the way through.
“We all passed on what was given to us, in the first place, as a concept and then as a team we have worked very well together with Sheikh Ahmed, Mirage Mille, resort general manager Serge Zaalof and his team, Creative Kingdom, a US-based thematic architectural design firm, and all the various contractors to see that the original concept was realised as promised.”
Mina A’ Salam, the ‘harbour of peace’ and gateway to Madinat Jumeirah, opened last year and, in a way, built people’s expectations.
But the opening of Al Qasr, ‘The Palace’ – the centrepiece of the resort, it is elevated as if to emphasise its splendour – and Dar Al Masyaf, the traditional two-storey private villas where guests can feel that they are staying in their own Dubai house, have exceeded everyone’s expectations. However, even though Al Qasr, a majestic mansion-style hotel rising up to form the jewel in the crown of the world’s most sublime resort, is a more premium product as compared to Mina A’ Salam, there’s not much of a noticeable difference except for the grandeur of the lobby, the decoration and the incredible chandeliers that give guests a huge sense of arrival.
Besides the two grand boutique hotels and the courtyard summer houses, Madinat Jumeirah also boasts a traditional suq, the Six Senses Spa, the region’s leading conference and banqueting centre, The Madinat Arena, a multi-purpose venue which can accommodate up to 4,000 people, and the Quay Healthclub, which features a relaxing ambience that is punctuated by pillars of bright mosaic to reflect the mood of well-being and claims to have the most comprehensively-equipped gymnasium and health-enhancing facility in the region.
On the other hand, Madinat Conference Hall is arguably the region’s most comprehensive meetings and events facility. Standing within an authentic Arabian city, it is designed to reflect the architectural styles of ‘old Dubai’. A senior ballroom of 1,844 sq m and a junior ballroom of 388 sq m are superbly equipped and adorned in richly-decorative Arabic themes. Together with the adjacent multi-purpose venue and the vast facilities of Madinat Jumeirah, it provides a destination of unrivalled qualities, scope and flexibility.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a unique recreation of an ancient market place, further lends authentic Arabian style to the resort. Whether arriving by car, walkway from the adjacent hotels or by traditional abras, a bazaar-like atmosphere greets visitors to the Souk Madinat as they wander amongst the 75 boutique-style open-shuttered shops and intimate galleries. Through these meandering pathways, visitors can purchase goods from barrows and shops spilling out into the streets selling spices, oud, gifts and souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, jewellery and gold.
With such a vibrant ambience created by street performers roaming the alleys, the exotic and tantalising aroma from more than 22 waterfront cafes, restaurants and bars featuring a range of international cuisine and the sound of craftsmen, musicians and artists at work and play, makes it an experience like no other.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah not only offers a unique shopping and dining selection, but it also features exciting entertainment facilities including the luxury 424-seat indoor Madinat Theatre and the outdoor amphitheatre by the water, for visitors to enjoy a range of activities. Both of these facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technical systems and elaborate logistical amenities to accommodate a wide variety of local and international talent and events.
Moving on, the Six Senses Spa aims to provide guests with an experience designed to touch the inner self. Rejuvenation, relaxation and beautification are achieved through treatments and therapies, which relieve the pressure of everyday life and restore the body’s natural equilibrium.
Amid semi-tropical gardens lined with bamboo, palm trees, frangipani and hibiscus flowers and bordered by gently flowing waterways that allow guests access to the spa by abras, the spa ambience is soothing and serene. Further enhanced by an interior scheme of earthy warm tones, and soft cushions and velvety fabrics to offer comfortable surroundings, the spa is a setting of calmness and well-being.
The spa sets new standards in holistic care and beauty treatments featuring 26 treatment rooms built in clusters. There are a variety of treatment rooms including sunken, wet, colour, crystal and light therapy rooms; hydrotherapy rooms with indoor and outdoor baths and steam showers; a Watsu pool and Kneipp basins; and two honeymoon suites with private changing facilities, sunken baths, relaxation areas, steam showers and home theatre. All treatment rooms have private gardens or private balcony. There are also three Arabic tents set up as treatment areas with double occupancy set amidst the gardens and the canal.
To further customise treatments, Shiffa, a luxury skin and body care product range has been developed and is used exclusively in Six Senses Spa at Madinat Jumeirah featuring the finest organic materials and ingredients from all over the world. The spa also provides a separate and private ladies-only reception and treatment area with full facilities.
Not surprising then that Madinat Jumeirah, which translates into the ‘City of Jumeirah’, is so named because of the sheer variety in this magnificent resort.
“From the moment they arrive, guests of Madinat Jumeirah will enjoy an authentic Arabian experience in every detail – from the architectural style and decor to the ambience and genuine hospitality,” explains Zaalof. “Madinat Jumeirah offers a unique and unrivalled experience in Dubai whilst still maintaining the highest levels of service, innovation and luxury that have become synonymous with Jumeirah International.”