Unwind in luxury at Marriott Marquis Dubai, Jewel of the Creek’s chic new hospitality destination, by Dubai writer David Dunn
It can be easy to overlook Dubai Creek’s role amid the origins of a city now admired around the world.
But the significance of this impressive body of water can be appreciated afresh, courtesy of emerging hospitality and residential destination Jewel of the Creek.
Located at Port Saeed, the Marriott Marquis Dubai is the stylish public face of a landmark development comprising multiple stylish towers that will eventually be home to thousands.
The hotel swiftly does justice to its prime “old Dubai” Deira location, beginning with an epic lobby dominated by a stunning splashing water glass chandelier-meets-fountain sculpture.
Glass elevators climb smoothly through the building, simultaneously showcasing the Creek and the modern Downtown Dubai skyline nudging the horizon beyond.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in our spacious room yield panoramic views of the waterway as it snakes through the metropolis that has flourished around it.
Close by is the preened greenery of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the now decommissioned Floating Bridge, City Centre Deira Mall, and the natural oasis of Dubai Creek Park on the opposite riverbank.
The Marriott Marquis Dubai is spread across four of the 17 wave-inspired towers and comprises 434 hotel rooms and suites, plus 156 serviced apartments, some of which are pet-friendly.
Our room, like most of the hotel, blends modern comforts with mashrabiya heritage design flourishes, such as graceful Arabic-style lighting fixtures paired with muted colours, cool furniture and neat wooden floors.
Past plentiful luggage storage and hanging space, the bathroom offers circular sinks with a sectioned area for showering beside a generous bathtub.
Depending on room category, guests can access the M Club lounge for more cinematic views, inside and on a dedicated terrace.
Continue downstairs and a conference floor includes smart meeting rooms with views that could prove distracting to less engaged attendees.
A bright fitness centre with the latest cardio equipment shares the same floor as a spa with a menu of enticing treatments designed to pamper and de-stress.
Outside, the pool deck boasts plenty of comfy wooden loungers and a handful of cabanas, all served by a circular bar area with stools, plus a dedicated dining section.
To justify a lane swim or workout, however, you need to grab some calories – and the Marriott Marquis Dubai has tasty options, with more outlets to follow.
To one side of the lobby, the Middle Eastern theme emerges via tented canopies that fringe a cafe delivering a varied snacks and drinks menu.
Here, you’ll find good coffee and superb Jing teas. This is also the venue for a delightful high tea experience driven by savoury goodies, sweet creations and decadent pastries from the hotel’s talented culinary team.
A visit to the property’s signature Creek Kitchen restaurant sees them really excel, not least during the Nautiluna Seafood Friday Night Brunch.
An opulent feast beautifully presented across the restaurant, hot and cold stations cover everything from sushi and sashimi, shrimp kunafa, squid ink hummus and freshly shucked oysters, to lobster tails, blue crab, and crispy octopus.
Seafood shawarma and locally caught sea bream are also a hit, but require restraint if you are to indulge a dessert section of foodie art works such as vanilla strawberry parfait, cheesecake mousse, fresh fruit Pavlova, blueberry vanilla bavarois, raspberry pistachio mousse…
All in all, Creek Kitchen merits a trip regardless of whether you are a hotel guest. Likewise, The Copperhead pub, for those seeking a mix of sports events and casual dining.
Decked out in warm wood and steel, with low level lighting, customers can sit at the bar, a table or grab a pool cue while sipping from a decent drinks’ selection.
The food menu is eclectic and excels on pies but crosses the continents with choices that include German bratwurst to pizza and grills.
The Copperhead has plenty of screens for sporting action and an outdoor space to enjoy the cooler weather.
Guests can also wander along a waterfront promenade, gradually opening up further to offer great views of the new marina and a sense of the Jewel of the Crown’s huge scale.
The Marriott Marquis Dubai opened in March and is connected to three self-sufficient long- and short-stay serviced apartment blocks, including a dedicated pet-friendly section.
“It is a destination,” explains General Manager Deepak Manocha. “The first impression…nobody realises what it is until they drive in and take in the views and the expanse – that’s the best part.”
Deepak says the initial challenge apart from opening a new hotel, however, was creating awareness of the area. But word is spreading.
“Even though we’ve got this world class brand – we are the 13th Marriott Marquis and the second in Dubai – you have to reinforce the message of Jewel of the Creek and create that identity.”
Part of that is the motto “everywhere is here”, a nod to its location close to the souks, the airport, major visitor attractions and shopping, a marina and golf course, plus a Dubai Metro station, making it suitable for vacation or exhibition guests.
“There is great emphasis on uplifting this entire place (Deira) – you’ve got the modernity and the old-world charm,” says Deepak, citing his hotel’s “perfect combination” of convenience, peacefulness and luxury in an area that “exceeds expectations”.
“The feeling of space and amazing accessibility…we are like a city resort,” he continues.
“A lot of thought has gone into our interiors and we have great flexibility so we are well positioned to look after the business traveller, given a size of our rooms, group travellers…and leisure travellers love us.”
The Marriott Marquis Dubai is a young hotel in a mature area of Dubai.
And together with the emerging Jewel of the Creek community, it shines a fresh, stylish light on a treasured city district where much of what was to follow was first imagined.
For more, visit Marriott Dubai
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