Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai Opens Within Wasl Tower

A New Chapter in Dubai’s Luxury Story

Mandarin Oriental has officially opened its second property in Dubai — Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, located within the striking Wasl Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. This new addition marks an exciting chapter for the global luxury brand, known for its signature blend of Asian hospitality and modern sophistication. The hotel brings together art, culture, and design to create an urban oasis in the heart of Downtown Dubai.

The Architectural Marvel of Wasl Tower

Wasl Tower itself is an architectural icon. Designed by UNStudio and engineered by Werner Sobek, the tower’s sculptural, twisting form adds a distinctive touch to Dubai’s skyline. It features the region’s tallest ceramic façade, a design element that not only enhances its aesthetics but also promotes sustainability. The ceramic fins help regulate airflow and natural cooling, reducing energy consumption and setting a new example for eco-conscious urban living.

Inside, the interiors crafted by London-based G.A Group reflect Mandarin Oriental’s Asian roots combined with the vibrant character of Downtown Dubai. The result is a warm, contemporary space that blends understated luxury with cultural elegance.

A World of Refined Comfort

Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai features 259 rooms and suites, each designed to offer comfort and serenity. Every room boasts sweeping views of either the Arabian Gulf or the Dubai skyline. The interiors are characterized by natural tones, elegant furnishings, and an art collection that celebrates both local and international creativity. Inspired by the desert’s natural hues, these artworks add a poetic touch to the modern spaces.

Above the hotel sit The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, the brand’s first residential development in the city, scheduled to launch in 2026. These residences promise an exceptional lifestyle experience defined by privacy, dedicated service, and panoramic skyline views, setting a new standard for exclusive urban living.

Dining as an Art Form

Culinary excellence lies at the core of the Mandarin Oriental experience. The hotel introduces ten unique dining destinations, each offering a different cultural and sensory journey.

At the forefront is Yù & Mì, a modern Chinese restaurant and bar inspired by the cultural vibrance of 1960s Hong Kong. Yù features crafted cocktails, dramatic lighting, and panoramic views, while Mì brings bold Cantonese and Sichuan flavors inspired by the city’s hidden supper clubs.

For lovers of Italian cuisine, Chitarra celebrates the art of handmade pasta and regional dishes that pay tribute to Italy’s timeless culinary traditions. Meanwhile, Noia by the Pool on the 11th-floor rooftop captures the relaxed essence of the Greek islands, offering Mediterranean-style dishes against a backdrop of skyline views and tranquil waters.

The hotel’s upcoming culinary lineup will expand with celebrated international and homegrown names such as Billionaire and Lion in the Sun by Majestas Group, the Nikkei dining concept Osaka, and Pavyllon Dubai by renowned chef Yannick Alléno. A rooftop Greek restaurant and an urban street-level eatery featuring the Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop will complete the hotel’s dining collection, promising guests a diverse range of experiences from casual elegance to fine dining.

Wellness and Relaxation

Wellbeing takes center stage at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai. The wellness area spans two dedicated floors and is built around four key pillars: nourishment, beauty, in-room wellness, and intelligent movement. The spa features nine treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, and a private VIP suite with a hammam, ensuring complete relaxation and rejuvenation.

Guests can unwind in vitality pools, saunas, and steam rooms, or enjoy tepidarium loungers and sensory showers. The fitness center, equipped with Mandarin Oriental’s custom Technogym equipment, provides a modern space for health and movement.

Outdoors, the landscaped pool terrace features a 25-meter lap pool, a leisure pool, and a dedicated kids’ pool, creating a tranquil retreat amidst the city’s bustle. The terrace also includes private cabanas, a tea lounge, and a movement studio, completing a wellness journey that blends luxury with serenity.

Spaces for Celebration and Connection

Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai also offers versatile spaces for events, meetings, and social gatherings. With more than 2,000 square meters of flexible indoor space, it caters to both corporate and personal occasions. The centerpiece is the 1,000-square-meter Oriental Ballroom, complemented by adjoining pre-function areas and eight meeting rooms filled with natural light.

Each space is designed with cutting-edge audiovisual technology and an emphasis on comfort, making it ideal for weddings, business events, and private celebrations.

For families, the hotel features Hana & Friends, a dedicated Kids’ Club designed to create fun, safe, and engaging experiences for younger guests, ensuring that the property welcomes travelers of all ages.

The Signature Fan: A Symbol of Culture and Connection

As part of Mandarin Oriental’s long-standing tradition, each property features a unique signature fan that represents the essence of its location. For this new opening, Emirati artist Zeinab Alhashemi designed a fan crafted from eleven shades of camel hide, accentuated with bronze industrial rods. The piece symbolizes the harmony between Dubai’s desert heritage and its modern skyline, reflecting the city’s dynamic spirit and the hotel’s commitment to celebrating local artistry.

A Vertical Boulevard of Luxury

Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai is more than a hotel—it is a vertical boulevard where hospitality, art, culture, and commerce coexist. Each level of the tower offers a different experience, from its world-class restaurants to its rooftop retreats and wellness sanctuaries. It embodies the very essence of Dubai’s forward-looking identity: a city that seamlessly merges tradition with innovation.

Sustainability and Innovation Combined

Sustainability lies at the heart of Wasl Tower’s design philosophy. The building integrates advanced energy-efficient technologies, ensuring it remains a model for environmentally responsible architecture. The ceramic façade not only enhances the building’s visual identity but also helps regulate the internal climate naturally, reducing the need for artificial cooling systems.

This thoughtful balance of sustainability and luxury aligns with Mandarin Oriental’s global mission to promote responsible hospitality and environmental mindfulness in every aspect of its operations.

Partnership for Excellence

The opening of Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai is the result of a successful collaboration between Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Wasl Hospitality. Together, they have created a destination that redefines modern luxury while honoring the cultural depth of Dubai. This partnership represents a shared vision to elevate the city’s global status as a center for design, culture, and high-end living.

Setting a New Standard for Dubai’s Hospitality Scene

With its impeccable service, artistic design, and commitment to sustainability, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai establishes a new benchmark for contemporary hospitality in the Middle East. It stands as a symbol of how architecture, culture, and service can merge to create something extraordinary.

As the city continues to grow as a global hub for tourism and luxury living, the hotel’s opening within Wasl Tower reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a destination that embraces the future while celebrating its unique heritage. Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai is not just a place to stay—it is an experience that captures the imagination and redefines the meaning of modern urban luxury.

Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram