The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai: A Masterclass in Modern Elegance
Dubai is no stranger to spectacle. From gravity-defying skyscrapers to gold-drenched interiors, the city has long defined itself through grandeur. But with the arrival of The Lana, the Dorchester Collection’s much-anticipated debut in the Middle East, a new design language has quietly entered the conversation: one that speaks in hushed tones of elegance, restraint, and considered luxury.
Designed by the globally renowned Foster + Partners, The Lana’s architecture is a sculptural feat that fringes the Marasi Marina in Business Bay. The 30-storey form, articulated in gleaming interlocking volumes, is an architectural jigsaw that reflects the inky waters below and the shimmering skyline beyond. It’s as much a beacon for design aficionados as it is for discerning travellers.
Inside, Parisian design duo Gilles & Boissier have masterfully redefined what luxury looks like in the UAE. Their interiors eschew the ornate in favour of the artful. Think muted pink mosaics, velvet sofas in dusty pastels, and custom details that nod to European grandeur while remaining unmistakably contemporary. The triple-height floral arrangement in the lobby, curated by Dorchester’s designer florist Philip Hammond, greets guests with soft eucalyptus, lilies, and the bespoke Dorchester rose – all staged in a Versailles-inspired urn that adds an almost theatrical elegance to the space.
Above: The Lana’s Marina Duplex Suite
Design details matter here. From Sophie Coryndon’s sculptural honeycomb wall in the lobby to the tiny bar tucked into a discreet alcove serving honey-based cocktails, The Lana is full of moments designed to surprise and delight. Matt Simmonds’ miniature stone sculptures — classical forms encased in museum-like vitrines — lend a contemplative stillness to the public areas. Even the lifts, lined in rippled pink leather, feel like an aesthetic decision rather than a functional one.
Above: The Lana’s Royal Suite
The rooms, all 225 of them, embrace a style that’s minimal, yet indulgent. Expansive terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on natural light give every suite a residential feel. In the Marina Sky Suite, every detail feels purposeful — from the Vispring mattresses and custom Frette linens to the intuitive lighting controls and Dyson Supersonic hairdryer. The bathrooms, clad in pink-toned marble and framed by views of Downtown Dubai, continue the theme of quiet luxury, while amenities like an in-room watch winder and Dior-branded toiletries offer tactile delight.
And then, of course, there’s the Dior Spa — the brand’s first in the UAE — occupying the 29th floor in a space adorned with toile de Jouy and pale blonde wood. The spa’s five treatment rooms and boutique are designed not just for pampering, but as sanctuaries of aesthetic calm, where even the dumbbells bear the Dior mark.
Dining at The Lana is as considered as its interiors. Eight culinary concepts span the property, offering everything from rooftop sundowners with sweeping Burj Khalifa views to patisserie indulgences on terraces built for intimate conversation, not showmanship. It’s a refreshing departure from the theatrics Dubai’s dining scene often leans into — here, food and design share the same guiding principles of subtlety and substance.
Despite being in the heart of Downtown Dubai, The Lana feels surprisingly private — a boutique soul in a skyline city. Service is polished, occasionally over-enthusiastic, but grounded in hospitality that values thoughtfulness over theatre. Whether you’re greeted by name at breakfast or surprised with a celebratory cake sculpted to perfection, moments of personalisation reveal themselves throughout a stay.
After over a decade without a new opening, The Lana marks a bold and timely evolution for the Dorchester Collection — one that anchors their legacy in one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury markets. But rather than mimic the city around it, The Lana dares to be different. In a land known for excess, it introduces a compelling new vision: one of architectural precision, sensory nuance, and design-led luxury that whispers, rather than shouts.
