Hotelier Middle East – August 2019

HOTELS

HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | August 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 08 31

Occupying the 18th to 55th floors of Burj Daman, Waldorf Astoria has

opened its third property in Dubai. Hotelier Middle East takes a closer

look at brand’s first urban hotel

A

n oasis of calm it’s not. But

then, it isn’t meant to be.

Waldorf Astoria already has

two resort properties in the

UAE - Waldorf Astoria Dubai

Palm Jumeirah and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al

Khaimah but this latest addition, Waldorf

Astoria DIFC is the brand’s fi rst city hotel in

the country.

Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai,

The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and The Dubai

Fountain are nearby and Gate Village is just a

stone’s throw away. The location brings with

it an enviable mix of potential guests. Gen-

eral manager Victor Chalfoun who brings him

20 years of hospitality experience to the role

comments: “The hotel is located in a mixed use

development. This has given us a great advan-

tage having access to different audiences. So,

whether our guests are in Burj Daman or DIFC,

Dubai or UAE or from all over the world, we

believe that we have offerings that will appeal

to them.”

Housed on the 18th to 55th fl oors of Burj

Daman, the complex also comprises residences

and offi ce towers. The reception is on the 18th

fl oor, which is also home to the hotel’s dining

and wellness facilities. There’s a lot going on,

literally and visually, with hardly a bare surface

in sight and distinct textures at every turn.

The interiors are inspired by the architecture

and style of 1960s New York. The reception is

dominated by a brown and cream colour pal-

ette, accented with marble, ebony, brass and

bronze. Some respite comes in the form of Leb-

anese artist, Imad Bechara’s artwork and the

sleek, angular furniture evocative of the period.

The property, billed as a design hotel, cer-

tainly has a lot of design packed into it. While

SRSS are the lead designers behind the project,

LW Design Group handled the design for the

two main dining and social venues in the hotel -

Bull & Bear and St Trop.

In Bull & Bear, a bespoke gold-hued metal

sculpture of the symbolic animals domi-

nates the entrance. Peacock Alley is home to

the instagramable Waldorf Astoria clock. It

was custom-made by Smiths of Derby, took a

New

opening

Feature

By Claudia de Brito Photography by Ajith Narendra

SKY-HIGH

HOSPITALITY