The Fluxx guide: Dubai’s Design-Led Luxury Hotels
The Properties Defining Travel at the Start of 2026
As 2026 begins, Dubai stands as one of the world’s most design-conscious luxury hotel destinations. The city’s most talked-about openings and enduring icons are now united by a shared philosophy: architecture with intent, interiors that tell a story, and experiences shaped by culture, craft and calm.
If you’re heading to Dubai, here’s the Fluxx Editors Guide to
The Lana, Dorchester Collection
Zaha Hadid Architecture & Contemporary European Refinement
Rising along the Marasi Marina, The Lana is one of Dubai’s most culturally significant hotel openings in recent years. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the building’s fluid curves, and cantilevered forms introduce a softer, more sculptural presence to Business Bay, an architectural counterpoint to the city’s traditionally angular skyline.
Inside, the Dorchester Collection has delivered an interior narrative rooted in European refinement and residential warmth. Public spaces flow seamlessly, with bespoke furniture, hand-finished materials and a muted, tactile palette that allows light and form to take centre stage. Rooms and suites feel calm and contemporary, with expansive glazing framing marina and skyline views.
Beyond design, The Lana has positioned itself as a lifestyle and cultural hub, appealing to a globally minded audience that values discretion, service and substance over spectacle.
Spa & Wellness: Dior Spa The Lana, a serene, design-forward wellness destination offering bespoke treatments, private suites, a state-of-the-art fitness studio and an outdoor pool overlooking the water.
Notable Dining & Bars: Jara by Martín Berasategui, Riviera by Jean Imbert, High Society rooftop lounge
Read our spa feature here
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Superyacht-Inspired Architecture & Coastal Modernism
Conceived as a contemporary counterpart to the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab signals a new chapter in homegrown Dubai luxury. Its superyacht-inspired architecture features sweeping lines, layered decks and panoramic glazing, creating a fluid dialogue between land, sea and sky.
Interiors are light-filled and elegant, with refined materials, soft nautical tones and expansive terraces that prioritise indoor–outdoor living. The hotel is centred around a private marina, giving it the feel of a coastal lifestyle enclave rather than a traditional resort.
Guests are encouraged to move slowly here, lingering on terraces, exploring waterfront dining and engaging with the property’s curated experiences.
Spa & Wellness: Talise Spa, a multi-level wellness sanctuary featuring hydrotherapy pools, treatment villas, yoga terraces and marina-facing relaxation spaces.
Notable Dining & Bars: A collection of destination waterfront restaurants and lounges spanning international cuisines.
Read our hotel feature here
Read our spa feature here
Atlantis The Royal
Monumental Design & Experiential Luxury
Designed as a bold architectural statement, Atlantis The Royal continues to dominate global luxury travel conversations. Its stacked, cantilevered form is deliberately provocative, a piece of inhabitable sculpture designed to be experienced as much as admired.
Interiors are cinematic in scale, with dramatic public spaces, sculptural staircases and terraces that frame expansive views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline. The hotel operates as a vertical destination, offering multiple pools, entertainment spaces and dining venues that function as standalone experiences.
This is Dubai luxury at its most immersive and energetic, a hotel that feels alive from morning through late night.
Spa & Wellness: AWAKEN Spa, a high-design wellness experience with hydrotherapy circuits, meditation spaces, snow showers and longevity-focused treatments.
Notable Dining & Bars: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Nobu by the Beach, Ling Ling and Carbone, Dubai.
Read our Carbone Dubai feature here
So/Uptown Dubai
A New Benchmark in Middle Eastern Luxury
In a region renowned for architectural ambition and world-class hospitality, few properties manage to marry design innovation with sensory experience as seamlessly as this standout hotel.
A celebration of craft, culture, and contemporary luxury, the hotel offers guests more than a place to stay; it presents a journey through carefully choreographed spaces. The experience is highly personalised, from private beach access to chauffeur-driven transfers, reinforcing its enduring status as a bucket-list destination.
Spa & Wellness: Spa by So
Notable Dining & Bars: Savant, Lazuli and Celeste.
Read our hotel feature here
One&Only The Palm
Understated Architecture & Intimate Luxury
Set on a secluded stretch of Palm Jumeirah, One&Only The Palm offers a rare sense of tranquillity within Dubai’s dynamic hotel scene. Low-rise, Moorish-inspired architecture is paired with lush gardens, shaded courtyards and water features that create a deeply calming atmosphere.
Interiors focus on craftsmanship and texture, carved wood, soft stone, muted tones and generous space, resulting in a hotel that feels more like a private residence than a resort. Privacy, discretion and impeccable service define the experience.
Spa & Wellness: Guerlain Spa, nestled within tranquil gardens, offering bespoke rituals, hammams and private spa suites designed for deep restoration.
Notable Dining & Bars: STAY by Yannick Alléno
Read our spa feature here
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Refined Modernism & Beachfront Calm
With its clean architectural lines and refined material palette, Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah presents a more restrained interpretation of Dubai luxury. The beachfront property prioritises proportion, light and balance, with interiors enriched by curated art and subtle regional references.
Public spaces feel calm and residential, while rooms open onto sea-facing terraces that emphasise relaxation and flow. The atmosphere is quietly luxurious, appealing to travellers who value wellness, privacy and design clarity.
Spa & Wellness: Mandarin Oriental Spa, offering private hammams, holistic therapies, yoga and fitness facilities rooted in Eastern wellness philosophies.
Notable Dining & Bars: Tasca by José Avillez, Netsu
Raffles The Palm Dubai
Palatial Design & Old-World Glamour
Grand in both scale and ambition, Raffles The Palm channels classic European grandeur through a contemporary lens. Palace-style architecture gives way to marble-clad interiors, dramatic chandeliers and richly detailed public spaces.
Suites are among the largest in Dubai, designed for indulgence and extended stays. The overall experience is theatrical and opulent, appealing to travellers drawn to heritage, ceremony and timeless luxury.
Spa & Wellness: Cinq Mondes Spa, one of the largest spas in Dubai, featuring hammams, indoor pools and globally inspired wellness rituals.
Notable Dining & Bars: Matagi, Le Jardin, Blüthner Hall
Delano Dubai
A design savvy hotel, redefining luxury on Bluewater’s Island
Photography, Natelee Cocks
Set on the exclusive shores of Bluewaters Island, this destination hotel delivers a curated escape where social energy meets sophisticated calm.
From the pristine private beach to the iconic Delano pool, every corner is designed for the discerning traveller who expects more than just luxury—they seek a vibe, a scene, and an unforgettable sense of place.
Spa & Wellness: Guests of Delano Dubai have full access to the exceptional Banyan Tree spa within the larger resort.
Notable Dining & Bars: Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Rose Bar, Tutto Passa,Maison Revka and TakaHisa, Michelin Guide 2023’s Best Japanese Restaurant in Dubai.
Read our hotel feature here