Bulgari Resort Dubai, a 'jewel' in the crown of Bulgari brand, received its first guests last month following the unveiling of the luxury property to a select audience at a gala event.
Exclusively situated on the man-made seahorse shaped island of Jumeirah Bay and developed as an urban oasis by Dubaibased holding company Meraas, the resort brings Mediterranean village charm to the vibrant city of Dubai.
The 1.4 million-sq-ft property is a first-of-its-kind development for Bulgari, both in terms of scale and magnitude. The complex features the resort, joined by six residential buildings of 173 sea-facing apartments, 15 private mansions, a Beach Club, and Bulgari's first Marina and Yacht Club.
The resort itself includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, including one Bulgari Villa.
Bulgari brand ambassadors and VIPs added celebrity sparkle to the gala event. Italian culture was at the heart of the event, including orchestral performances, a scenographic light show and the dance music of famous Italian DJ Mokai.
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin spoke of his pride at the resort’s launch and said: “This is a momentous day for us here at Bulgari, to launch in one of the most talked about cities in the world. We hope this architectural masterpiece, not only the stunning design of the resort by our architectural team, but the magnificence of a seahorse-shaped island, will truly put The Bulgari Resort Dubai on the map as being one of the city’s most iconic destinations”.
The event was also attended by Meraas Group chairman Abdulla Al Habbai and other Meraas officials.
The resort is expected to become the destination of choice for visitors seeking the solitude of an island escape, the residential feeling of a private house, yet situated just minutes from the heart of the city and its cultural attractions, said senior Bulgari officials.
The Bulgari Resort Dubai, designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, is only the fifth Bulgari branded hotel.
The understated luxury of the resort takes a while to seep in and a walk through its various facilities fills one with the warmth of Italian hospitality. The bespoke designs and luxurious furnishings all have the hallmark of Bulgari brand.
Both the interiors and exteriors have been created with the same detail and precision of a Bulgari jewel: pairing rare, raw materials according to colour, texture and feel, and sculpting them into objects of enduring beauty, said Babin, addressing a press conference at the new property on the eve of the opening of the resort.
"Dubai is a visionary city and Bulgari is a visionary Italian brand known for its bespoke service and warm hospitality," he said.
The luxury that Bulgari brings is all about innovation and creativity that is steeped in its tradition of jewellery making, said Silvio Ursini, executive vice-president of Bulgari in charge of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Terming the Dubai property as the jewel in the crown of Bulgari, Ursini said the resort sports contemporary Italian luxury residential design.
"Styled with illuminated gardens and pools and resembling a traditional seaside Italian village, the resort blends Mediterranean landscaping with the natural surroundings of the shores of the Arabian Gulf," he noted.
For guests looking for ultimate space and privacy, the resort's five categories of villas enable families and friends to create a bespoke experience.
Ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, with options to connect villas, the properties vary from 175 sq m to 540 sq m in size, all with a personal butler service and private pool and gazebo.
The 540-sq-m Bulgari Villa is one of the resort's highlights, ideal for dignitaries or small private functions. Features include a large living area, a sunken bathtub and a private lush garden with a large outdoor swimming pool, to ensure guests are provided with every home comfort they could possibly need.
The resort offers three types of rooms and three categories of suites.
The introductory tariffs range from Dh2,500 ($680) for the basic room to Dh20,000 ($5,444) for villas. The top-end 540-sq-m Bulgari Villa is priced at Dh40,000 ($10,889) per night.
Meanwhile, the 1,700-sq-m Bulgari Spa adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with seven treatment rooms and a 25-m indoor pool with full sea view through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows.
Guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences.
Adjacent to the spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers Workshop Gymnasium signature training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
The resort offers several dining options as well. Renowned Michelin-starred Italian chef Niko Romito has curated a blend of modern and classical Italian concepts exclusively for II Ristorante by Niko Romito, interpreting the exquisite flavours of Italy with modern simplicity. In the same space of II Ristorante, guests will find II Bar, where they can enjoy signature beverages at the oval bar.
Guests can also enjoy a more casual dining experience embodied by a menu rich with Italian simplicity and flavours at II Cafe, while the classically-designed Lobby Lounge, offers the residential atmosphere of a living room where guests can enjoy Italian-themed teas and coffees in a relaxed setting.
The resort's beach club features private villa cabanas, a children's pool and Little Gems Kids' Club while an outdoor pool and restaurant, La Spiaggia, is the perfect spot to wind down by day or night.
Nestled on the end of the Marina, the world's first Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club is a unique destination which overlooks a 50-boat harbour and recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village in the heart of the Arabian Gulf.