A New Dorchester Address on Marasi Bay

Dubai is a city that rarely stays still for long. Entire districts shift in scale and character within a few years, while new architecture constantly changes the relationship between the skyline, the water and the neighborhoods below.

The Lana sits directly inside that evolution.

Opened in February 2024 on Marasi Bay Marina in Business Bay, the hotel is Dorchester Collection’s first property in the Middle East. Its position places guests between Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Design District and the developing waterfront of Business Bay, creating a setting that feels urban without being entirely absorbed by the city around it.

For us, the location is one of the hotel’s strongest assets.

The Lana is close enough to Dubai Mall and Downtown for shopping, dining and sightseeing, but the marina frontage creates a more composed arrival than many of the city’s busiest addresses. From the guestrooms and upper floors, Dubai appears as a sequence of very different views: the Burj Khalifa and Downtown in one direction, Dubai Design District and Meydan in another, and the water of Marasi Bay immediately below.

The hotel itself is substantial, with 225 rooms and suites, but its identity is less about scale than about how that scale has been handled.

Foster + Partners shaped the architecture, Gilles & Boissier created the interiors, and the dining program brings together several internationally recognized chefs. Add the rooftop pool, Dior Spa The Lana and a strong collection of social spaces, and the hotel becomes more than a place to sleep between meetings or sightseeing.

It is a modern Dubai hotel designed around the idea that the city should remain visible at almost every turn.

Dorchester Collection’s First Chapter in the Middle East

The Lana represents a significant moment for Dorchester Collection.

When the hotel opened on February 1, 2024, it became the group’s first property in the Middle East and its first new hotel opening in more than a decade.

That makes its location especially important.

Rather than entering Dubai through one of the city’s more established resort districts, Dorchester Collection chose Marasi Bay Marina in Business Bay, part of a broader waterfront area that continues to evolve between Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Water Canal.

The project was developed by OMNIYAT and conceived as part of a larger luxury residential and hospitality district, with The Lana hotel and residences forming an architectural landmark along the marina.

Its arrival also reflects the changing character of Business Bay itself.

Once understood primarily as a commercial district, the area has increasingly developed into a mixed urban neighborhood of residences, restaurants, hotels and waterfront spaces. The Lana sits within that transition, looking toward the established icons of Downtown while helping define a newer part of the city.

For us, that context matters because the hotel is not trying to recreate an older Dubai or retreat from the city altogether.

It belongs very specifically to the Dubai of now.

Foster + Partners Outside, Gilles & Boissier Within

The architecture of The Lana was designed by Foster + Partners, who approached the building as a contemporary addition to Dubai’s constantly shifting skyline.

The 30-storey structure is defined by stacked horizontal forms, broad terraces and interconnected volumes that appear to extend toward the marina. Rather than creating a simple glass tower, the architecture uses depth and projection to produce shade, outdoor space and a stronger relationship with the waterfront.

A central podium connects the hotel to The Lana Promenade, while the upper levels are oriented toward some of Dubai’s most recognizable views.

Inside, the mood changes.

Parisian designers Gilles & Boissier describe their work at The Lana as an “architecture within architecture,” using movement, scale, materials and light to create a sequence of distinct spaces inside the Foster + Partners shell.

The desert is one of the key references.

Pink and beige marbles, darker stones, textured surfaces, pale woods and sculptural forms draw from the mineral quality and strong light of the surrounding landscape without turning the hotel into a literal interpretation of regional design.

The lobby feels deliberately monumental, while guestrooms become softer and more residential.

Curves, arches and layered materials prevent the interiors from feeling overly rigid, and a collection of more than 50 commissioned artworks introduces another visual layer throughout the property.

For us, the most successful part of the design is the contrast.

The exterior feels unmistakably metropolitan. Inside, the rooms and public spaces slow the experience down without disconnecting guests from the city outside.

Rooms and Suites Framed by Dubai

The Lana’s accommodation collection is unusually varied for a city hotel, ranging from generous guestrooms to multi-level suites and two substantial royal suites. The most meaningful differences are the view, floor level, terrace size and amount of separate living space.

Horizon Room: At 603 sq. ft. including an 86 sq. ft. balcony, this bright entry category combines floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony and views toward Dubai Design District, Meydan Racecourse and the desert beyond.
Sunrise Room: Offering 689 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this room adds generous floor area, a dedicated working space and east-facing views toward Dubai Design District and Meydan.
Sunrise Sky Room: Also measuring 689 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this higher-floor category places the same spacious layout above more of the city, with expansive windows and far-reaching sunrise views.
Marina Room: With 721 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this waterfront-facing room looks toward Marasi Bay Marina and Downtown Dubai and includes both sitting and working areas.
Marina Sky Room: At 721 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this upper-floor version of the Marina Room emphasizes elevated views of Downtown Dubai, the marina and the city skyline.
Marina Junior Suite: Offering 711 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this open and light-filled junior suite pairs Downtown views with a private balcony, walk-in wardrobe and freestanding bathtub.
Marina Sky Junior Suite: Also measuring 711 sq. ft. including a 108 sq. ft. balcony, this higher-floor junior suite combines the same generous layout with elevated Downtown views and a freestanding bathtub.
Junior Suite: At 990 sq. ft. including a 366 sq. ft. balcony, this open-plan suite is particularly notable for its unusually large outdoor space, floor-to-ceiling windows and views toward Dubai Design District and Meydan.
Panoramic Suite: Offering 1,044 sq. ft. including a 377 sq. ft. balcony, this suite uses its large private terrace to frame Marasi Bay Marina, Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa while adding a guest bathroom and connecting-room option.
Marina Suite: At 1,184 sq. ft. including a 140 sq. ft. balcony, this corner suite introduces a separate living room, private terrace, working area, walk-in wardrobe and guest powder room with prominent marina and skyline views.
Marina Sky Suite: Also measuring 1,184 sq. ft. including a 140 sq. ft. balcony, this category is positioned on the 20th floor or higher and combines a separate sitting room with elevated views across Marasi Bay Marina and the Burj Khalifa.
Lana Suite: Offering 1,453 sq. ft. including a 215 sq. ft. balcony, the hotel’s namesake suite includes a private dining room, walk-in wardrobes, guest bathroom and connecting-room option, with views toward Downtown Dubai and Marasi Bay.
Marina Duplex Suite: At 2,271 sq. ft. including 538 sq. ft. of balcony space, this two-storey suite feels more like a private residence, with a dramatic double-height living room, terraces on both levels and substantial space for entertaining.
Marina Terrace Suite: Offering 2,379 sq. ft. including a 1,303 sq. ft. private terrace, this expansive suite combines double-height proportions, a freestanding bathtub and 180-degree views across the marina, Downtown and Dubai Design District.
Marina Royal Suite: At approximately 3,584 sq. ft. including a 431 sq. ft. balcony, this presidential-style suite runs along the building’s elevation and includes a private kitchen, formal dining room, second sitting room and extensive Burj Khalifa views.
The Lana Royal Suite: Measuring 3,822 sq. ft. including a 1,486 sq. ft. terrace, the hotel’s largest signature suite combines 180-degree views, a formal dining room, expansive indoor-outdoor living space and butler service in the property’s most residential accommodation.

For us, the room decision starts with orientation.

Guests who prioritize the Burj Khalifa and marina should focus on the Marina categories, while the Horizon and Sunrise rooms provide broader views toward Dubai Design District, Meydan and the desert.

For longer stays or entertaining, the Marina Duplex, Marina Terrace and Royal Suites make a meaningful difference because the living spaces become a genuine part of the stay rather than simply an extension of the bedroom.

A Dining Program Built for the City

Dining is central to The Lana’s identity, and the hotel’s current collection ranges from chef-led destination restaurants to a hidden cocktail bar, rooftop dining and marina-side pastry.

Riviera by Jean Imbert: Jean Imbert’s Mediterranean restaurant draws on the French and Italian Rivieras, pairing polished but relaxed cooking with marina and Downtown views.
Jara by Martín Berasategui: A Basque-inspired restaurant from Martín Berasategui, built around seafood, grilled meats and open-fire cooking in one of the hotel’s most dramatic evening settings.
High Society: Located at the rooftop pool, this Jean Imbert-led venue combines small plates, cocktails, live music and panoramic views toward the Burj Khalifa.
Bonbon Café Angelo Musa: World Pastry Champion Angelo Musa brings French patisserie, viennoiserie, breads, desserts and coffee to a polished café beside the marina.
The Gallery: The hotel’s principal social lounge serves an all-day menu and afternoon tea in a light-filled space overlooking the water.
Veranda: A garden-style outdoor venue for cocktails and light dishes, with a more casual atmosphere and seasonal operating schedule.
Bitter Honey: A small, concealed cocktail bar tucked into the lobby, focused on intimate seating and highly composed drinks.
Txakolina: The Lana’s cigar lounge combines a collection of international cigars with fine spirits and a deliberately private atmosphere.

The wider Lana Promenade adds further independent dining around the hotel, making the immediate waterfront more of a destination than a self-contained hotel podium.

For us, Riviera works naturally for breakfast or a slower lunch, while Jara deserves a dedicated dinner. High Society is best timed around sunset, particularly for first-time visitors who want the skyline to become part of the evening.

Dior Above the City

Dior Spa The Lana occupies the 29th floor and was the first Dior Spa to open in the UAE.

The elevation is important.

Rather than creating an inward-looking spa, the design uses large windows and natural light to keep the city visible from the treatment spaces and relaxation areas.

The treatment program combines Dior skincare with contemporary wellness technology and massage techniques. Signature experiences include Escale at The Lana, a Japanese-inspired head-to-toe ritual built around kneading, friction, percussion and slow massage.

Other treatments incorporate advanced facial and body technologies alongside more traditional hands-on therapies.

The spa is complemented by a 24-hour fitness center for hotel guests, while the rooftop infinity pool creates a separate form of wellness at the top of the building.

The pool faces directly toward the Burj Khalifa and Downtown skyline. Children may use it with parental supervision during the day, while evenings become adults-only after 5pm.

For us, The Lana works particularly well for travelers who want wellness without leaving the rhythm of the city.

A morning treatment, afternoon meeting or museum visit and sunset at the rooftop pool can all exist within the same day without feeling overly scheduled.

Dubai Beyond Business Bay

The Lana’s central location makes it particularly easy to build a city itinerary without spending excessive time in transit.

Downtown Dubai and Dubai Mall are close enough to form the obvious first layer, with the Burj Khalifa remaining visible from much of the hotel.

Dubai Design District provides a different perspective, particularly for travelers interested in fashion, architecture, interiors and contemporary creative culture.

The Museum of the Future, Dubai International Financial Centre and its galleries and restaurants can also be incorporated easily, while Jumeirah, the beach districts and older areas around Dubai Creek require a longer but straightforward drive.

The hotel itself maintains a changing calendar of cultural, culinary and social events, ranging from chef-led dinners and wine experiences to music and seasonal programming.

For us, a stay here should not be built entirely around the best-known landmarks.

The Lana is particularly well positioned for travelers who want to move between Downtown, DIFC, d3 and newer parts of Business Bay while still having easy access to the rest of Dubai.

That makes the hotel especially useful for repeat visitors who already know the city’s headline attractions and want to experience its more contemporary side.

Family Time in the City

The Lana is not designed around a large children’s club, but it works well for families who want a central Dubai hotel with generous rooms and reliable connecting options.

The hotel offers guaranteed connecting or adjoining configurations through its current Family Time program, based on two adults traveling with two children under 18.

A complimentary extra bed or cot is available for children, while many room and suite categories offer enough space to make a longer urban stay practical.

Families can also use the rooftop infinity pool during daytime hours, with children under 16 accompanied by a parent.

The location adds much of the value.

Dubai Mall, the aquarium, Dubai Fountain area, parks, museums and other family attractions are all relatively easy to reach, allowing parents to combine city activities with downtime at the hotel.

For us, the strongest setup would be two connecting rooms rather than placing an entire family into one accommodation simply because the floor area allows it.

The additional privacy becomes particularly useful after several full days in Dubai.

A More Efficient Urban Footprint

The Lana’s sustainability story is less visible than its architecture or dining program, but several practical considerations influence how the property operates.

As a contemporary high-rise hotel within an existing urban district, the building concentrates a large number of guestrooms, restaurants and facilities on a comparatively compact footprint rather than spreading them across a resort-scale site.

Its location in Business Bay also gives guests access to a dense part of the city, reducing the need for long transfers for many Downtown, DIFC and design-district activities.

The architecture itself uses deep terraces and projecting floor plates that provide shade to parts of the façade, an important consideration in Dubai’s climate.

At the same time, sustainability information published specifically for The Lana is less extensive than at some resort properties.

For travelers who prioritize environmental certifications, energy sourcing, waste targets or water-consumption data, we would request the hotel’s most recent sustainability information directly rather than making assumptions based on the age of the building.

Accessibility Designed Into the Hotel

The Lana provides unusually detailed accessibility information for a luxury city hotel.

There are four accessible guestrooms, with features including lowered door viewers and signage, adapted wardrobes, emergency assistance buttons and closed-caption televisions.

Accessible bathrooms are designed for wheelchair use and include roll-in showers, shower seating, grab handles, handheld showerheads and emergency cords.

Public areas throughout the hotel are wheelchair accessible, with wide corridors and entrances.

Elevators include Braille signage and buttons, while accessible bathrooms are available in public areas. Accessible parking spaces and valet parking are also provided.

Wheelchairs and crutches can be requested, and service dogs are permitted throughout the property.

For us, the main point to confirm before booking would be the exact accessible room location and preferred connecting arrangement if additional guestrooms are required.

From Dubai International Airport to Marasi Bay

The Lana is located on Marasi Drive in Business Bay, overlooking Marasi Bay Marina and within easy reach of Downtown Dubai.

By Air – Dubai International Airport: The hotel is approximately a 20-minute drive from DXB under normal traffic conditions, making it particularly convenient for international arrivals.
By Private Transfer: Airport transfers can be arranged through the hotel, and selected suite categories include round-trip transfers from Dubai airport terminals as part of their published benefits.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing: Dubai taxis and app-based car services provide a straightforward connection between the airport, Business Bay and the rest of the city.
By Private Car: Valet parking is complimentary for hotel guests, making The Lana practical for travelers using a private car throughout their stay.
By Metro: Business Bay and Downtown are served by the Dubai Metro, although a taxi or private transfer remains more convenient when arriving with luggage.
By Private Aviation: Travelers arriving through Dubai’s private aviation terminals can continue to the hotel by pre-arranged chauffeured transfer.

For an international arrival, we would keep the first few hours simple.

Check in, spend some time on the balcony, walk along the marina and plan the first evening either at Riviera or on the rooftop at High Society.

The skyline provides enough introduction to Dubai without immediately needing to leave the hotel.

A Hotel for Dubai as It Is Now

The Lana works because it does not attempt to soften Dubai into something more traditional than it is.

The architecture is contemporary. The skyline is part of the interior experience. The restaurants are ambitious, the spa is highly polished and the entire property looks outward toward a city that continues to reinvent itself.

At the same time, the hotel avoids feeling anonymous.

Gilles & Boissier’s interiors add warmth and texture to the Foster + Partners building, while the terraces and marina bring a sense of space that is often missing from large urban hotels.

One day might begin with breakfast at Riviera, continue through Dubai Design District or Downtown and end with dinner at Jara. Another could involve almost nothing beyond Dior Spa, the rooftop pool and a long afternoon in the room watching the city change with the light.

For us, that flexibility is what gives The Lana its strongest identity.