The second hotel in the Zabeel House by Jumeirah collection opens this week, bringing a loft-style vibe to the south banks of Dubai Creek, next door to the earlier opened Zabeel House Mini by Jumeirah.

Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef promises to be the stylish older sibling of its next door neighbour, while still delivering on the collection’s ‘Upscale Casual’ promise of sharp design and smart service, with an informal approach and a moderate price point.
 
With 200 rooms in three different sizes for solo travelers, couples or families; a welcoming vast lobby filled with a collection of contrasting art and design pieces and bookcases made for browsing; a destination restaurant that stretches out over the waters of Dubai Creek, and a rooftop bar and pool with views across both old and new Dubai, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef provides a completely new experience in this part of the city.

Add ample creative spaces to work from as well as five meeting rooms for the corporates, and a design style that is perfectly groomed and stylishly accessorised with enough sophisticated quirks to keep guests busy, and you have a hotel that is the perfect hangout for curious travellers with an intrepid spirit, whether they want to stay always on, or go off the grid.

The vast open-plan lobby provides the perfect location for catch-ups with colleagues, clients or friends. From the group of human sculptures raising their hats to guests as they enter the hotel, to the abstract art display called the ‘cityscape’ which portrays Dubai’s transformation and the stereos that adorn the reception desk and the spa, there’s design details to inspire at every turn. 

Chapters is not a normal lobby bar. Here, guests will be encouraged to settle in for a while with one of the books pulled down from the surrounding bookcases. Through the lobby guests will find Nyon serving Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern bites throughout the day.

Two other bars and restaurants will compete to be known as the hottest new destination on this side of town. Skafos, opening after the summer, will be an alfresco gastro restaurant reaching out over the waters of Dubai Creek, the ideal spot to watch the dhows and abras cruise past. Seven floors above, Sol Sky Bar sits on the brim of the rooftop pool with a cocktail menu to match the variety of panoramic views of the city, from the oldest wind towers of the Creek to the newest skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai.

Watch out for:

• Multitude translations of the word ‘Explore’, littered throughout the lobby
• The black and white photographs in NYON showcasing some of the world’s most iconic cities, with plenty of perspectives of Dubai included
• The bookcases in Chapters that will feature curated shelves from some of Dubai’s creative community
• The ginger shot that will be offered on arrival, mixed with fresh saffron from the Spice Souk and pure honey from Yemen

With rates starting from Dh297++ ($80.8++) per night, the hotel offers three room sizes - the Plush, the Popular and Suites.

Think king-size (or twin) B&B Italia mattresses in the Plush and Suite rooms or Simmons mattresses in the popular rooms, oversized oak dining or work tables, minimalist wardrobe spaces, hammocks for lounging on when reading, contemporary art on the walls and ceilings inspired by Dubai and free-standing bathtubs for the ultimate soak – all complete with signature black Smeg mini bars, N’espresso machines and a SuitePad, perfect for ordering a late-night snack or making plans for tomorrow.

For those looking for zen throughout their stay, there is a well-equipped indoor gym, complete with sauna, steam room and two treatment rooms – or head out for a run on the 2km promenade that stretches from the hotel alongside the Creek.

Watch out for:
• The astronaut holding tightly on to the moon-shaped lamp
• The word-search above the bed - (clue – some of them glow in the dark to make it easier to solve)
• Organic liquid amenities by Osme, wrapped in certified eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging.

Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef stands at the entrance to Al Seef, a new district of 90 restaurants and 350 retail outlets, on the south banks of Dubai Creek. Created by Meraas, the company behind tourist friendly neighborhoods across the city such as Kite Beach, City Walk and The Walk at JBR, Al Seef has revitalised a 2km stretch of the Creek. It’s the perfect jumping-off point to explore the older parts of the city including the wind towers, galleries and cafes of Al Fahidi; the spice, textile and gold souks; and the old homes of Al Shindigha.  

The hotel is also conveniently located for exploring other parts of the city, with Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall and the beaches of Jumeirah just 15 minutes away. - TradeArabia News Service