YOU are never too far from a jewel in a dynamic city like Dubai
And now one of the earliest districts in this global metropolis has become home to another gem, this time beside the major body of water that was part of Dubai’s rise from obscurity.
The Jewel of the Creek is an emerging hospitality and residential destination - and the Marriott Marquis Dubai the perfect spot from which to take in the still-busy artery.
The property opened earlier this year as one of two hotels anchoring a landmark project that is bringing new life to Deira.
And taking in the panoramic view through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a 15th floor suite, the extent of this historically important river becomes clear as it snakes through the metropolis that has evolved around it.
Located at Port Saeed, Marriott Marquis Dubai is the stylish public face of a landmark development comprising multiple towers that will eventually be home to thousands.
And the property does justice to its prime “old Dubai” Deira location, including an epic lobby dominated by a stunning splashing water glass chandelier-meets-fountain sculpture.
From there, glass elevators swish through the tower, simultaneously showcasing the Creek and the modern Dubai skyline nudging the horizon beyond.
Nearby, the pampered greenery of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club sits close to the decommissioned - and legendary to many - Floating Bridge. City Centre Deira Mall is a neighbour and Dubai Creek Park a natural oasis on the opposite riverbank.
Marriott Marquis Dubai is spread across four of 17 wave-inspired towers within the Jewel on the Creek project, and comprises 434 hotel rooms and suites, plus 156 serviced apartments, some of which are dedicated to pet owners.
Our room, like most of the hotel, blends modern comforts with mashrabiya heritage design flourishes, including graceful Arabic-style lighting fixtures paired with muted colours, cool furniture and neat wooden floors.
There is plentiful luggage storage and hanging space and a bathroom with a sectioned area for showering beside a generous bathtub designed for long soaks.
Guests booking the relevant room category can access the M Club Lounge for more cinematic views, inside and on a dedicated terrace that beckons during these cooler evenings.
Other room categories include a decadent Honeymoon Suite for whether you are a newlywed or simply seeking a special space for your downtime.
The conference floor includes smart meeting rooms with views that could prove distracting to less engaged attendees while the hotel’s bright fitness centre is equipped with the latest cardio tech.
It shares a level with a modern spa touting a menu of enticing wellbeing treatments - such as facials and massages designed to pamper and de-stress - alongside a Turkish hammam.
Outside, the hotel’s 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.
On the subject of dining, the Marriott Marquis Dubai has some tasty options, with more outlets to follow soon.
The Middle Eastern theme shines again across the lobby through the tented canopies that fringe the Greatroom cafe. Beside a varied menu of handsome snacks and drinks, including 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.
The property’s signature Creek Kitchen restaurant is where these creatives flourish further, not least during the Nautiluna Seafood Friday Night Brunch.
This opulent feast is beautifully presented across the restaurant, with hot and cold stations covering 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 artworks such as vanilla strawberry parfait, cheesecake mousse, fresh fruit Pavlova, blueberry vanilla bavarois, raspberry pistachio mousse…
To be fair, Creek Kitchen merits a trip regardless of whether you are a hotel guest.
As does The Copperhead, for those seeking a mix of sports events and casual dining. With warm wood and steel finishes and low level lighting, this has the feel of a stylish old pub with modern flourishes.
Customers can sit at the bar, a table or grab a pool cue while indulging an eclectic food menu that majors on pies and crosses the continents for choices ranging German bratwurst to pizza and grills.
The Copperhead has plenty of screens for the big matches and an outdoor space from where guests can also wander to a waterfront promenade.
This is gradually opening up further to offer great views of the new marina and deliver a sense of the huge scale that is the Jewel of the Creek.
Marriott Marquis Dubai opened in March and is connected to three self-sufficient long- and short-stay serviced apartment blocks.
General Manager Deepak Manocha rightly describes it as “a destination”. “Nobody realises what it is until they drive in and take in the views and the expanse,” he explains. “That’s the best part.” Deepak says one of the challenges - other than opening a hotel - 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.”
And among the messages is “everywhere is here”, a nod to location close to the souks, the airport, major visitor attractions and shopping, a marina and a golf course, plus a Dubai Metro station…all in all, making the hotel suitable for guests on holiday, or in for an exhibition.
“You’ve got the modernity and the old world charm,” says Deepak, citing his property’s “perfect combination” of convenience, peacefulness and luxury in an area that “exceeds expectations” as it gets a continuing upgrade.
“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 the 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 which is being seen in a fresh light.
And, together with the emerging Jewel of the Creek community, it puts a stylishly-curated focus on a treasured city district where much of what was to happen to Dubai was first dreamt.
To find out room rates and more, visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbmj-marriott-marquis-dubai/overview
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