Delano will open this October in Dubai, echoing the zeitgeist of its Miami flagship, promising guests a world of contemporary design, refined luxury and lively energy
Delano, the iconic Miami hotel synonymous with luxury and effortless cool, is set to make waves in Dubai this October. The brand’s signature blend of understated elegance and vibrant energy will be transplanted to the shores of Bluewaters, promising a new era of lifestyle hospitality.
“The opening of Delano Dubai is an exciting milestone in the brand’s evolution and represents the continuation of the Delano story,” Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO, Ennismore and CEO of Lifestyle & Leisure Brands, Accor, tells TTN Middle East in an interview.
“When Delano first came onto the scene in Miami in 1995, it marked the inception of lifestyle hospitality and redefined the urban resort experience, quickly gaining a devoted following among stars and luminaries. Delano Dubai will embody and elevate the pillars that secured the original’s legendary status, with a guest experience informed by refined luxury, sophisticated style, and lively social energy. It will be both familiar to brand aficionados and alluring to a new generation.”
The Dubai outpost will mirror its Miami predecessor, offering a haven of contemporary design and impeccable service. With 167 guestrooms and 84 suites, including a five-bedroom penthouse, the hotel promises an exclusive retreat. At its heart, three distinct dining and bar concepts, including a revival of the legendary Rose Bar, will create a vibrant social hub.
Set on 250m of private beach on the pristine shores of Bluewaters Dubai, Delano Dubai boasts a spectacular five-bedroom Delano Penthouse and three distinct restaurant and bar concepts, including a reimagining of the iconic Blue Door and Rose Bar.
“Delano Dubai will bring a new level of luxury and vibrant energy to the city, which people will want to be a part of.”
In terms of source markets, Delano Dubai will welcome international guests, especially from Saudi Arabia and also locally within the UAE. “Equally important will be to create a destination and social hub for locals through cultural programming and curated food and beverage offerings,” Bhushan tells us.
Delano is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Formed in 2021, Ennismore is a joint-venture with Accor, which holds a majority shareholding.
Ennismore’s brands – including Delano – are included in Accor’s newly built HERA programme for the travel trade. “We also educate travel advisors via client events, tradeshows and advisory boards, as well as through Accor’s HERA platform.”
“The joint venture of Accor and Ennismore brings together the best of both worlds,” Bhushan says. “Ennismore is an agile and entrepreneurial company that knows how to tell meaningful stories to our guests through design and programming. We are part of Europe’s largest hospitality company, Accor, a global leader in hospitality when it comes to infrastructure, development, distribution, and sales. When you combine those two companies, you have an incredible combination to develop and grow brands and hotels.
“We learn from each other every day; it’s not about one becoming the other; it’s about collaborating and leveraging each other’s strengths,” explains Bhushan.
Sharan Pasricha is the Founder & Co-CEO of Ennismore. Bhushan says: “Sharan and I have known each other for years, so when we came together – along with Accor’s Chairman and CEO, Sebastian Bazin – to discuss the joint-venture between Accor and Ennismore, it made complete sense to us.
“There isn’t anyone I would want to be on this journey with. We have complementary roles and skills.
“Sharan oversees everything the guest sees and touches, from their online digital experience to the interior design of restaurant and bar concepts when guests arrive at the hotel. I oversee the running of the business, from hotel operations, finance, People & Culture and Tech. I’m also always in contact with our owners and looking at where we can grow our brands next.
MORE ON ENNISMORE
Ennismore has a wide showcase of brands in the region from 25hours Hotels, SLS, Hyde, Mondrian, Banyan Tree, SO/ and Rixos.
The latest openings have been Banyan Tree Dubai on Bluewaters Island and SO/ Uptown Dubai.
Upcoming openings include Delano Dubai (2024); Mama Shelter Dubai Business Bay (2024); Mondrian Abu Dhabi (2025); SLS Red Sea (2025); and SO/ Jeddah (2025).