If you thought Dubai couldn’t get any glitzier, think again.
Palazzo Versace is finally open, and it’s even more opulent that we could have imagined, as these images reveal.
The Italian brand’s artistic director, Donatella Versace — sister of the late founder, Gianni — has designed the interiors and furniture for each of the 215 rooms and 169 condominiums, ranging from one to six bedrooms, at the hotel on Dubai Creek in the Culture Village area.
The much-delayed project was originally announced in 2005 with a refrigerated beach.
It’s in good company — the first Palazzo Versace is on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, and the next will be in Macau, China.
“Versace is a renowned fashion, luxury and lifestyle company. Since the very beginning we’ve encompassed many product categories — from clothing to accessories, from luxury goods to the home collection — to convey the uniqueness and iconic style of the brand,” said Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris in a statement on Monday.
“In 2000, we have pioneered the luxury fashion-branded hotels opening the first Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, Australia and today we are proud to bring the ultimate Versace lifestyle in Dubai with the new hotel. The fine and luxurious designs by Versace will be present in every detail of the living environment, and luxury will become a lifestyle.”
The master developer of the project is Enshaa PSC.
Raza Jafar, group CEO of Enshaa and chairman of Palazzo Versace, said: “This is a very exciting time for the Palazzo Versace chain, and we are thrilled to bring this iconic hotel to the exquisite, cosmopolitan city of Dubai. As always, we are especially thankful to our team who have been working hard to create a beautiful end product for our valued guests and to help provide them with an unforgettable experience during their visit.”
Want to stay there this week? A room for November 10 ranges from Dh2,320 (deluxe) to Dh6,800 for a creek-view Grand Suite.
That refrigerated beach may no longer be there, but here’s what you can find at the hotel:
Ceilings, we are told, are hand-detailed in gold.
Design elements include marble and mosaics, and the Versace icons such as the Medusa head, the Greek Key and the house’s colourful, intricate prints (some of which were created exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Dubai).
There are two room categories: Deluxe and Premiere; and five suite categories, which should give you an idea of the clientele expected: Executive, Grand Executive, Grand, Signature and Imperial.
The lobby has a 1,000sqm marble mosaic floor, bespoke furniture and textiles decorated with peacocks, falcons and horses.
There are eight restaurants: Giardino, an all-day dining restaurant, with wallpaper in the label’s Jungle print; seafood restaurant Vanitas; “avant-garde” Enigma; lobby lounge Mosaico; Q’s bar, by music producer Quincy Jones; La Vita bar; shisha lounge Gazebo; and pool bar Amalfi.
There are three outdoor pools, as well as a spa.
There on business? There is a gala ballroom and conference centre.
