Renaissance Downtown Dubai Turns One!

After 4 long months; I was back in Dubai, absolutely brimming with excitement and even more thrilled to experience the Renaissance Downtown Dubai like a true traveler (No longer a local..Buhuhu!!)  Almost a year ago Renaissance Downtown by Marriott International opened it’s doors in Business Bay. Located right at the Dubai Canal, backed by 4 celebrity chef restaurants and interiors so a la mode one has to experience it to know.

Renaissance Downtown Lobby dubai

Upon arrival the lobby is spacious, refreshingly chic and minimalistic with some statement art installations that beautifully stand out – the wooden wave bench backed by a 3D skyline of Dubai wall art and a quirky ceiling chandelier to match. The Renaissance boasts of distinctive local interiors and design features that can be seen across – from public areas to rooms and restaurants. Some ‘DID YOU KNOW’ feels quite necessary here……

• The hotel interiors are a depiction of Dubai’s growth – city of mere sand and water that created concrete and glass structures (How thoughtful)
• To use materials in their raw natural form was part of the design DNA such as the wood which is widely used in the hotel.
• The statement lobby chandelier is hand blown and emulates the shape of sand dunes in the desert (I mean…..Remarkable! )
• The black and gold colours seen in various parts of the hotel signify oil and gold of Dubai ( I want to meet this interior designer)

Renaissance Downtown Lobby Dubai UAE

Renaissance Downtown Lobby dubai – Artwork

The rooms are gorgeous with options of the Burj view or the canal view, we went with the Burj view. All of them have an open plan concept giving the occupant an airy feel as the room naturally progresses to the bathroom, which is equipped with luxurious Amouage toiletries and has…….Girls brace yourselves! It has an entire wall of glass mosaics in the shower!! I mean……I know you’re thinking of shower selfies with the mosiac wall backdrop …don’t be ashamed I did too!

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Rooms

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Rooms – Burj Khalifa view

Amouge Toiletries

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Rooms

Loved this black robe!

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Rooms – Mosaic tiled wall

I was personally obsessed with the giant black screen/ mirror which btw is also the television – super techy! The old fashion studio like lamp in the corner added a nice touch to the hotel’s DNA of modern decor. All rooms have either the camel or the flamingo metal sculptures above the beds inspired by Picasso’s line drawings.

Next of-course we went to the poolside which is an interesting half covered half open concept. Again you’ll see some quirky, modern yet minimalistic decor elements which I found genuinely refreshing. Not to forget, the canal views are the best from the pool side, perfect setting to immerse yourself in water and your jet lag in wine. On second thoughts jet-lag and wine was not the best idea as it naturally sunk us into a little siesta and no alarms were set for the evening….Oops!
That was obviously not going to stop us from trying Masaharu Morimoto’s first eponymous restaurant. Full review here: MORIMOTO DUBAI

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Pool side – Dubai canal

Renaissance Downtown Dubai Pool side – Dubai canal

Next morning we had breakfast at BHAR which had a lovely international’s spread and of course we can’t get enough of the views. We sat at the massive outdoor terrace and something I hadn’t experienced at breakfast before was – Music! which honestly was my highlight! They played mellow acoustic versions of most commercial tracks and I can’t express how enjoyable that was. I’ve started doing that at home now rather than turning on the news or listening to radio ads first thing is the morning.  The restaurant is stunning and serves modern middle eastern cuisine the rest of the day. Now here’s a tick in every box for evening visitors – Business Bay location – Canal views – Middle Eastern Cuisine – Beautiful spacious indoors and a gorgeous outdoor terrace – Full bar available and ……and………Shisha !! I literally cannot think of another place that could boast of all these elements. Winner!

BHAR – Rendxb

BHAR – Rendxb

BHAR – Rendxb

BHAR – Rendxb

BHAR – Rendxb

I’ve honestly always recieved more than expected at every Marriott property and this one surpassed every expectation. Can’t wait to go back. Info and links down here for you guys – Yalla go book it for your next holiday…Xoxo

Occupancy: 298 rooms of which 65 are suites
Locations: Business Bay
Restaurants: Morimoto by Masaharu Morimoto( Japanese)
Bleu Blanc by David Myers (French)
Basta by David Myers (Italian)
Grounded Cafe
Poppy by David Myers ( I personally did not know of this but shows on Zomato)

Book your room here: Renaissance Downtown Dubai – Business Bay 
Tel:  +971 4 512 5555

Follow me on Instagram for my daily escapades: Fcube_Dubai