Dubai’s skyline sparkled with the grandeur of the One&Only One Za’abeel’s opening, marking a historic event in luxury urban resorts and highlighting its position among the most anticipated new hotels in Dubai.
The final day of the celebration brought together global celebrities and influencers, creating unforgettable moments in the heart of Dubai. Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, and Idris Elba were among the luminaries who graced the event, showcasing the allure of this unique city resort.
The star-studded guest list across film, music, fashion and sport included Jennifer Lopez (singer and actor), Naomi Campbell (model), Vanessa Hudgens (actor), Mark Ronson (DJ and record producer), Idris Elba (DJ) and Sabrina Elba (model), Vincent Cassel (actor), Angelababy (actor), Isabelle Huppert (actor), David Gandy (model), Esai Morales (actor), Eva Apio (model), Emma Raducanu (tennis player), Nancy Ajram (singer), Sidharth Malhotra (actor), Kiara Advani (actor), Malaika Arora (actor), Mara Hoffman (fashion designer), Ramla Ali (boxer) and Nicola Roberts (singer), who were invited, alongside a curated guestlist from around the world, to be the first to experience the captivating city resort.
The celebrations began on Friday, with a sophisticated style set flying in from around the world to Dubai for the unmissable occasion. Intimate welcome drinks at new French-Mediterranean restaurant Aelia saw guests sipping on cocktails, before enjoying the first of the weekend’s bespoke dining experiences at The Link. The first night of the weekend’s festivities concluded with an afterparty at Tapasake, One&Only One Za’abeel’s glamorous poolside restaurant and rooftop pool club, with a live performance by Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram.
Mara Hoffman (fashion designer), Eva Apio (model) and Nicola Roberts (singer) attended a sun-soaked Rosé Pool Brunch at Tapasake surrounded by unparalleled views of Dubai’s skyline to begin Day Two’s celebrations. Atop the world’s longest cantilever, with the option to take a dip in the UAE’s longest infinity pool, guests enjoyed a bespoke menu of Japanese fusion food including cebiche, oysters, wagyu tataki and tiradito.
Guests then experienced the finest of the culinary world, with dinners hosted by Michelin-lauded chefs at their latest restaurant openings: Le Dame de Pic (by Anne-Sophie Pic), Arrazuna (by Mehmet Gürs), QABU (by Paco Morales), Sagetsu (by Tetsuya Wakuda), and Duangdy (by Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones of BO.LAN). Menu highlights included Beef filet perfumed with black garlic and sobacha at Le Dame de Pic, lobster with sautéed spinach, smoked butter emulsion and sheep cheese at QABU by Paco Morales, and Steamed Alaskan King Crab at Sagetsu.
The weekend culminated, Sunday 11 February, with a brunch at StreetXO, the cutting-edge concept restaurant by Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz. Guests dined on a bespoke menu of reimagined global street-food envisioned by Muñoz, the three-Michelin star lauded chef named Best Chef in the World of 2023. Dishes included wagyu and scallop croquettes, Mexican and Hamachi sashimi, grilled octopus tacos and Muñoz’s unique take on a Club Sandwich.
To commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime event, a breathtaking show of record-breaking 3D video-mapping projections – now the longest projection mapping in the world – glittered across the glass exterior of the new resort and landmark structure, transforming the facade to reflect the futuristic and innovative interior of the building. The awe-inspiring animation ran every evening throughout the celebratory weekend, lighting up the Dubai skyline and welcoming guests as they arrived into the city.
The event closed with the spectacular 3D video-mapping show, a fitting tribute to the innovation and luxury that One&Only One Za’abeel represents. This grand opening not only celebrated the resort’s launch but also solidified Dubai’s status as a premier destination for luxury and innovation.
