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Meliá Hotels International is to introduce its Gran Meliá brand to the UAE with the opening of J1 Hotel in Dubai in Q4 2027.
Located on the Jumeirah 1 beachfront, the hotel will comprise 366 rooms and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline, including 40 accommodation options with private pools.
The property will also feature four swimming pools, landscaped outdoor and retail areas, a ballroom, meeting and events facilities, a fitness centre and rooftop terrace.
Named after its Jumeirah 1 location, J1 Hotel will become Meliá Hotels International’s third property in Dubai, joining ME Dubai and Meliá Desert Palm, part of The Meliá Collection.
Food and beverage will form a substantial part of the development, with a collection of international restaurant and bar concepts planned across the hotel.
Among the latest additions are Jul’s and Tala.
Originally from Ibiza and recently launched in London, Jul’s will bring its Greek-led restaurant concept to the hotel, with a menu incorporating wider Mediterranean and international influences.
Tala will offer Pan-Middle Eastern dining overlooking the marina, with a main dining room, show kitchen, private dining area, terrace and VIP lounge.
They will join previously announced concepts Zuma Beach House, Park Chinois and Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club.
Zuma Beach House will occupy a 140-metre private beach adjacent to the hotel and will become Zuma’s first beachfront location in the Middle East.
The concept will combine its Japanese izakaya-style food with a swimming pool, lounge and bar.
Park Chinois will operate from the rooftop, bringing its Chinese dining and entertainment concept to Dubai alongside resident and international guest DJs.
Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club will introduce its Mediterranean concept with a semi-private beach, bar and private cabanas.
Its menu will focus on seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta, wood-fired dishes, meats and seafood.
An additional all-day dining restaurant will operate from breakfast through to dinner, with further food and beverage concepts due to be announced ahead of the hotel’s opening.
Wellness facilities will be centred around Journée Wellbeing, a rooftop concept developed and managed by Waring Wellbeing Hospitality.
The 900 sq m facility will combine traditional treatments and advanced therapies with visiting practitioners, movement programmes and social wellness experiences.
Facilities and programming will include Aufguss sauna ceremonies from 432 Social Wellbeing and group Reformer Pilates sessions by Jeju Pilates.
J1 Hotel will be led by General Manager Pedro Neto, who brings more than 20 years of international luxury hospitality experience.
Neto spent 17 years with Four Seasons in leadership roles across Lisbon, Nevis, Maui and Prague before moving into General Manager positions in Portugal’s Algarve, including Octant Vila Monte and Verdelago Resort.
Pedro said, “What excites me most about J1 Hotel is the opportunity to create a destination that becomes part of how people experience Dubai, whether they are staying with us, coming for dinner or spending time by the water. After more than two decades working across different luxury hospitality markets, bringing Gran Meliá to the UAE for the first time is an incredibly exciting next chapter. Our focus now is on building the J1 Hotel team and service culture that will bring the brand’s Spanish luxury to life with warmth, personality and attention to detail.”
J1 Hotel is scheduled to open in Q4 2027 as Meliá Hotels International continues to expand its premium and luxury portfolio internationally.
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