The ambience invites sunworshippers to play in this ‘No Beach’ beach club experience
Dubai Marina is known for its plethora of incredible skyscrapers, yet the distinctively designed W Dubai Mina Seyahi manages to effortlessly cut through the noise in more ways than one.
The W Dubai Mina Seyahi could, to the uninitiated at least, be described as bougie. But this year-old hotel whose stunning design narrative stands “31 tales tall” in the heart of Dubai’s Marina is far beyond such a blasé notion.
The DJ spins Mark Allow – Borealis. The captivating melody, samples from ethnic folk law, and skilfully sequenced percussion, creates an aurora that permeates Ginger Moon’s Sun Deck.
The ambience invites sunworshippers to play in this ‘No Beach’ beach club experience where cabanas, sun loungers and bijou dining tables culminate in a stylish infinity pool that stands watch over the new Dubai Harbour and Dubai |The Palm beyond.
It’s an extension of Ginger Moon itself, the hotel’s main dining space where those staying, along with walk-ins, take breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The menu delights with headings such as Toss & Turn, Drooling Bites, Sugar & Spice, and more. The hosts are a rare find too – friendly and, importantly, authentically themselves, which extends to those found throughout the hotel at every level.
The offering is eclectic. You want it all, but choices have to be made, which is no mean feat.
Over the weekend stay, Evelyn, our fabulous host, serves us Bay Shrimp Cocktail, Black Angus Beef tartare, Black Mussels bathed in coconut milk, shallow fried Squid, Seabass and Organic Chicken & Prawns. All of which the superb presentation belies the dishes’ simplistic names.
The superb accommodation
The design ethos of the adults-only W Dubai Mina Seyahi speaks of the Orient, through ancient Arabic local storytelling and the romance of travelling. There’s a distinct Art Deco feel too, which is seen in the sunburst pattern on the bathroom door of our stupendous corner room.
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The ethos is amplified by true Arabian hospitality when to our delight, we find a table filled with British cakes and photographs of our three cats to welcome us, not to mention a giant chocolate cake in the shape of a W filled with all manner of candies. It is a beautiful touch to say the least.
The room’s backdrop is The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina where families gather for fun in the sun, below is Ginger Moon, and beyond, newly built skyscrapers.
It’s a view to-die-for, yet the eyes are too busy unravelling the room’s intriguing Arabesque design. If you were never to venture from this space – a tempting thought – for your entire stay, it is certain that you would still leave satisfied.
Up on the roof
The hotel’s design structure reflects the beauty of a Saharan Viper, a snake native to the UAE, being charmed. While the window and balconies represent the viper’s scales, the 31st floor, the top of the hotel, represents the supraocular horns and it is here where dining is certainly ‘next level’.
Attiko, the name of the restaurant and which translates to attic in English, is inspired by Asian nightclubs and cosmopolitan lounges.
It’s the place to see and to be seen. Perfect for sundowners, the sought-after terrace is abuzz, but we dine indoors where floor-to-ceiling windows surrender similar spectacular vistas with the bonus of air-conditioning.
Attentive wait staff dart among the diners, serving Asian tasty bites and beverages à go-go. To call the chef’s creations ‘bites’ is, to us at least, playing down what can only be considered exquisite pieces of art on plates. Yellowtail Carpaccio, Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio, Beef Tataki, Wagyu Gyoza and Prawn & Crab Spring Roll are delivered as quickly as they are devoured. From the Chef Signature dishes, Crispy Rice Salmon and Crispy Shisho, Toro, Uni are washed down, of course, with a bottle of fine red grape.
It is here we would usually utter ‘but there’s still room for desserts.’ On this occasion, however, none were required so ample were the ‘bites’.
After a good night’s sleep, breakfast is served at Ginger Moon, where the choice of international cuisine tempts and teases.
There’s even a licensed meat station for those who want and can partake. Eggs of your choice are served to the table.
Thereafter, the infinity pool beckons, which is awash with guests soaking in the rays on a sultry Sunday. The heat works up an appetite and Ginger Moon, once again, delivers a fabulous luncheon, a much-welcomed interlude to catching the rays of an unforgiving sun.
With a late checkout of 4pm on the cards, there’s ample time for people watching on Ginger Moon’s Sun Deck while the DJ spins his magic to end the perfect summer staycay.
For bookings, visit marriott.com
For more hotel stays, head to Yalla Dubai
