A 31-story steel and glass structure stands at Al Mina Al Seyahi, the Port of Travelers – Dubai’s historical, cultural and social storylines are woven into the design of the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi, Dubai
W Hotel – Mina Seyahi opened its door in 2023 – a glass architecture slices on the Jumeirah Beach
Travelers’ Port: the literal meaning of the expression Al Mina Al Seyahi, an area of the city of Dubai that includes part of the Jumeirah Beach and the Dubai International Marine Club-founded in 1986, comprising a marina with 291 berths. On this strip of land, stand the 31 stories of the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi, which opened in 2023. A glass architecture slices through the Middle Eastern winds and stands as a vantage point from which to admire views of the Persian Gulf and the city’s landmarks.
W Hotel – Mina Seyahi: The history of this part of Dubai, conceived as a hub for tourism
The road that runs along the sea separates the hotel facilities from the dense neighborhood of skyscrapers. The cab stops in front of the doors of the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi. Welcoming it is a tree in the center of the porch. Its mighty branches reach past the canopy through a large hole.
In the late 1970s, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum planned to create three distinctive areas in the Emirate of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Free Zone as an industrial area, the Central Area as a residential area, and Mina Seyahi for the pleasures of tourism. The Dubai International Marine Club was the first development of Mina Seyahi-formed in 1986 to form a solid organizational base for offshore powerboat racing. In April 1986 the first Dubai offshore powerboat race was held, in which 25 boats participated. By 1995 the number had increased to 60 boats.
Over the years, DIMC has organized numerous national and international events that have earned it awards and recognition as ‘Best Organizer’. In addition to the club’s prime location and easy access to the ocean, DIMC offers other services to its members and guests. The marina offers crane facilities, provisioning services, a slipway and a beautiful wet and dry mooring area for 350 boats. The moorings are equipped with electricity and water. The marina also has a sports pier for visiting boats up to 160 feet.
Dubai’s historical, cultural and social storylines are woven into every aspect of the design of the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi, Dubai
Inside, the W Lounge (the lobby according to W Hotels) draws inspiration from Middle Eastern meeting places.
Imagine yourself in a traditional souq: a maze of colors and sounds that forms the beating heart of commerce in Arab and Middle Eastern cultures. The narrow, winding streets are lined with stalls and stores selling spices, fabrics, foodstuffs, hand-embroidered carpets, ceramics, and jewelry. The architecture of the souq often reflects the history and culture of the region, with traditional buildings, ornate ceilings and artistic details contributing to the unique atmosphere. In addition to the commercial component, the souq is often a social place where people meet, exchange news and share stories. Ultimately, the traditional souq is more than just a market; it is a crossroads of culture, history, and daily life.
The design of the W Lounge, with its warm color palette and golden touches, is reminiscent of a traditional souq, paying homage to the region’s gold markets. The design continues in the reception area, which evokes the romance of a snake charmer and is inspired by the history of Middle Eastern mysticism, an ever-evolving mix of poets, storytellers, and artists who bring the energy of the bazaar to life.
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi has 318 rooms overlooking Ain Dubai and the island of Palm Jumeriah
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi has 318 rooms, including 26 suites and an Extreme WOW Suite (the presidential suite according to W Hotels, 285 meters on the 30th floor). The style of the rooms mixes references to traditional Middle Eastern elements and modern details. Spaces are separated between living room, bedroom and dressing room, along with the brand’s signature Mix Bar. All rooms overlook the ocean with private balconies from which to admire Dubai sunsets over Palm Jumeriah Island and the city’s iconic structures, such as Ain Dubai.
When the sun sets, a scene of strobe lights unfolds in front of the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi. Only the lights of Ain Dubai (eye of Dubai), the tallest Ferris wheel ever built, standing more than 243 meters (82.4 m) taller than the world’s previous tallest Ferris wheel, the 167.6 m High Roller in Las Vegas. The wheel is designed to carry up to 1,750 passengers in 48 cabins and offer views of Dubai Marina and landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa.
Palm Jumeirah, the artificial island that is part of the Palm Islands, a complex of three islands whose construction was intended to boost Dubai’s economy
If on the left is the Ferris wheel, opposite the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is Palm Jumeirah, the artificial island that is part of the Palm Islands, a complex of three islands whose construction was intended to boost Dubai’s economy by extending the beach usable for tourism purposes. Palm Jumeirah was the first of these islands, whose construction began in 2001. The island is shaped like a palm tree with a wide trunk connecting it to the mainland via a double bridge. On the slenderest extension of the trunk branches out 17 fronds. This structure is surrounded by a crescent-shaped breakwater, called The Crescent, which is divided into three sectors to facilitate the recycling of seawater, about 12 kilometers long and 250 meters wide. The entire structure has an elliptical shape with the major axis about 5.6 kilometers long and the minor axis about 5 kilometers long.
At the northwestern end, the palm-shaped apex of the main island is connected to the outer crescent by a 1400-meter-long underwater tunnel, 600 meters of which are completely under the sea at a depth of 25 meters. The tunnel provides three traffic lanes in both directions and a central cell for emergency traffic. The outer width and height of the tunnel are 37 meters and 9.6 meters, respectively.
The physical construction of the island was carried out by the Dutch company Van Oord using a technique of subtracting land from the sea called rainbowing, in which sand dredged from the seabed is ‘blown’ at high speed (about 10 m/s) toward the place where the land is to be built with the support of a GPS system that allows very precise positioning. The blown sand forms a brown arc in the air, hence the name rainbowing (rainbow creation).
The dining and evening entertainment options offered by W Dubai – Mina Seyahi: Ginger Moon, Attiko and Bussola
Located on the second floor of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is Ginger Moon, which offers an urban beach experience in which to enjoy creative dishes at lunch, dinner, and cocktail hour. Located on the second floor, Ginger Moon is W Dubai – Mina Seyahi’s urban beach club, which offers gastronomic offerings for lunch, aperitif, and dinner. Designed by Singapore-based design firm BLINK Design group, it features an interior aesthetic inspired by the Boho tradition of Tulum, with woven roof, the suspended carpets and bamboo columns. This space opens onto a terrace leading to the WET Deck, featuring an infinity pool with panoramic views of Mina Seyahi Bay. The WET Deck, the W-style version of the poolside space, offers guests an environment in which to sunbathe, relax in the infinity pool or cabanas, cool off with a cocktail, and enjoy DJ sets.
Attiko is located on the 31st floor of the W Dubai Mina Seyahi. It is inspired by the conviviality of Asian nightclubs and cosmopolitan lounges. It is the best place on the Marina side of the city to catch the beauty of Dubai’s golden sunset and the night lights of the city’s iconic skyline.
Bussola, the award-winning Italian restaurant, brings the finest flavors of Italy to Dubai. Guests can choose to relax on the terrace lounge, dine on fine Italian dishes in the restaurant or enjoy casual favorites in the Pizzeria.
The Spa at W Dubai – Mina Seyahi
Energy and well-being are at the heart of Spa BAR-B, where guests can indulge in mind and body care. With four treatment rooms, a beauty bar and relaxation areas, BAR-B offers spa treatments of the highest quality. Within the 1Rebel/FIT fitness center, 1Rebel, the British-originated sport-luxe fitness experience, will debut in the Emirates for the first time in 2023, with an in-house studio in the hotel located on two floors and covering 2,500 square meters.
W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels takes its cue from the enterprising attitude and fast-paced culture of New York City. With nearly 60 hotels worldwide, the brand’s design, unparalleled Whatever/Whenever service and Living Rooms create an atmosphere that many try to imitate without ever sensing its essence. W Hotels Worldwide is part of Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s global travel program.W Hotels takes its cue from the enterprising attitude and fast-paced culture of New York City. With nearly 60 hotels worldwide, the brand’s design, unparalleled Whatever/Whenever service and Living Rooms create an atmosphere that many try to imitate without ever guessing. W Hotels Worldwide is part of Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s global travel program.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio offers international hospitality services, with 30 brands that can customize any type of trip. From the Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels, with Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points through their stay at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts, and premium apartments, as well as through any purchase made through affiliated credit cards. Members can redeem their points in future stays.
