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Hospitality News
The H Dubai: Infusing Middle Eastern Charm with the Blend of Tradition and Modernity
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
JNS Media International had an exclusive interview with Sophie Blondel, General Manager at The H Dubai.
How does The H Dubai ensure an authentic Middle Eastern experience while catering to international guests with its unique blend of contemporary comfort and Arabesque charm?
From the moment guests step into our grand lobby, they are greeted by traditional motifs, intricate patterns, and rich textures that pay homage to the region’s cultural heritage. We aim to create an ambiance that transports our guests to an Arabian oasis while incorporating modern design elements. Our culinary offerings also embrace heritage by rich flavours and diverse traditions. Our dedicated team members are also trained to provide personalized service that is attentive, respectful, and welcoming, reflecting the renowned Arabian hospitality. Moreover, Dubai itself is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, and our hotel’s strategic location allows guests to explore both aspects of old and new Dubai.
Could you tell us about the amenities and services you offer to corporate clients and event organizers?
Our hotel boasts a diverse selection of meeting and event spaces that can accommodate small boardroom meetings, large conferences, gala dinners, and everything in between. To ensure the success of every event, we provide a dedicated team of experienced marketing professionals who work closely with clients from initial planning to execution and post-event evaluations. We also offer an extensive range of catering options. Whether it’s a buffet, a sit-down dinner, or a cocktail reception, our team can fit into the needs to create a memorable dining experience. If they desire entertainment, they need not venture far, as they can enjoy dinner at any of the 13 outlets, nightclubs, bars, or show-dinner restaurants that cater to a variety of culinary preferences. We also provide IT support for our corporate clients such as printing, copying, scanning, and secretarial assistance along with high-speed internet connectivity for teleconferencing.
With the rise of online booking platforms and increased competition in the hospitality industry, how does The H Dubai differentiate itself to attract both corporate clients and leisure travelers?
Our attention to detail and commitment to providing the utmost comfort sets us apart, ensuring that both corporate and leisure guests feel pampered and relaxed throughout their stay. Whether it’s a seamless check-in process, assistance with event planning, or arranging personalized experiences, we go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels valued and well taken care of.
Our prime location in the heart of Dubai provides easy access to major business districts, shopping destinations, cultural attractions, and transportation hubs. This makes it convenient for both corporate and leisure travelers.
The Middle East is known for its rich culinary traditions. Could you highlight some of the unique dining experiences offered at The H Dubai, particularly those that showcase Middle Eastern, Indian, and Pan-Asian African cuisine?
We celebrate diverse culinary traditions through a variety of unique dining experiences. Our restaurants offer a tantalizing array of flavours, aromas, and culinary techniques that showcase the richness and authenticity of these regions. Eat & Meat restaurant offers an extensive buffet and a la carte options with live cooking stations showcasing traditional Arabic specialties, such as mezze, grilled meats, and freshly baked bread. The H Bar offers a refined and inviting space. They have an extensive beverage menu featuring handcrafted cocktails along with talented mixologists who are ready to impress with their creativity and flair.
Our guests could also experience the essence of elevated Indian cuisine at The Crossing in Dubai, where a celebration of the subcontinent’s diversity comes to life through a menu that combines traditional classics with forgotten recipes, showcasing influences from across India. Oscar’s restaurant serves the finest Lebanese cuisine in an elegant setting with live entertainment every night, featuring Lebanese and Arabic singers and a belly dance show. The award-winning PLAY Restaurant & Lounge brings to Dubai a truly unique and carefully cultivated culinary concept that transports guests on a gastronomic journey like no other. Spoiled with a concoction of exquisite flavours that fuse East and West, guests are introduced to Mediterrasian Cuisine with a spectacular live show. Electric Pawn Shop is a hedonist, exotic, dystopian counterculture Asian Mediterranean bar restaurant inspired by the 70s Chinatown of New York
Could you share some successful partnerships The H Dubai has forged with other businesses?
Accessed by the hotel lobby, our 60 offices and retails ranging from 1,500 to 12,000 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling windows boasting breath-taking views of Dubai are our partners daily. We always thrive to connect with them and work on mutual strategies.
It could be from a common romantic escape package where some couples could be the lucky winner of an exquisite piece on jewellery from Caelos or a Women’s Day celebration having hairdressers from Hadi Beauty Salon coming into the lobby and curling hair and therapists from Mandara Spa doing express massages. Recently H Dubai created some combined offers with InfraslimX Studio, the next-generation body-shaping machine.
In recent years, sustainability and responsible tourism have gained significant importance. How does The H Dubai incorporate sustainable practices and contribute to the local community in its operations?
By meeting the high standards of environmental requirements of Green Key, we have been awarded The Green Key Certification by the Emirates Green Building Council. We have also invested in a biodigester, an intelligent machine that has thus far ingested 1,830 kgs of food waste in two months and as a result, reduced 3.9 tonnes of carbon emissions.
We have also introduced Super Green Vouchers through which guests can choose not to have their room cleaned for the day. In return, they receive a voucher which can be redeemed at the hotel dining outlets.
The H Dubai offers a variety of event spaces for weddings, meetings, and other special occasions. What sets these spaces apart and makes them ideal for hosting successful and memorable events?
We have meticulously designed our event spaces to provide the ideal setting for successful and memorable occasions – Versatile & stylish venues, State-of-the-art facilities & technologies that ensure seamless and professional events, Culinary excellence that is designed to delight guests and leave a lasting impression, Personalized service that provides a stress-free experience, Strategic location and accessibility and lastly, Attention to ambiance and atmosphere that evoke a sense of elegance, sophistication, and comfort while being visually appealing since we pay attention to lighting, décor, and furnishing.
Hidden behind its signature veil of intrigue, Himitsu introduces The Sake Series, a curated exploration of Japan’s most revered spirit. Available Thursday to Sunday, this new ritual invites guests to discover sake through a collection of tasting flights and pairings that celebrate the craft and character of sake.
The experience is presented in two chapters. The first, The Himitsu Sake Series, features four tasting flights (two sakes per flight, no food) priced from AED 40, and the second, The Four Seasonal Paths, offers seasonal pairings (two sakes + small plates) priced from AED 95, moving through Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
The Himitsu Sake Series
The Himitsu Sake Series introduces four curated tasting flights, priced from AED 40, each featuring two distinct sakes chosen to showcase a particular facet of Japanese brewing. Guests can explore The Earth’s Whisper, pairing two expressions that highlight clarity and umami depth; Blossoms in Balance, where floral and fruity notes create harmony; Wings of Elegance, a study in refinement and precision; and Clouds & Bubbles, a playful contrast between traditional craftsmanship and modern effervescence. Together, these flights offer a guided journey through Japan’s finest sake styles, one sip at a time.
The Four Seasonal Paths
For guests looking to explore further, The Four Seasonal Paths offers a tasting journey inspired by Japan’s four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each pairing combines two sakes with complementary small plates, designed to mirror the flavours and emotions of the season. Think hamachi carpaccio and spicy tuna handrolls for spring’s freshness, unagi nigiri and prawn tempura maki for the richness of summer, and so on. Prices start from AED 95, with each pairing designed to take guests through a progression of flavours that reflect the changing moods of the seasons.
Available from Thursday to Sunday, The Himitsu Sake Series invites guests to slow down, sip, and see sake through a new lens, quietly, behind closed doors.
Hospitality
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH FRONT-ROW BURJ KHALIFA FIREWORKS VIEWS AT BISOU, ALBA, AND HIMITSU, IN DOWNTOWN DUBAI
This New Year’s Eve, Metafoodies Group invites guests to celebrate across Bisou, Alba, and Himitsu at Dubai Opera Plaza, offering some of Downtown Dubai’s most exclusive front-row views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Opera Plaza transforms into one of the city’s most sought-after destinations on New Year’s Eve. With the Burj Khalifa fireworks at its doorstep, the atmosphere is electric yet effortlessly refined, creating a private vantage point for one of the world’s most iconic celebrations.
Designed to balance exclusivity and value, Metafoodies Group’s New Year’s Eve experiences offer guests the luxury of fine dining and spectacular views without the need for over-the-top packages. With early bird prices starting from AED 850 per person, guests can enjoy curated four-course menus, world-class entertainment, and a private view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, an offering rarely seen in Downtown Dubai.
Known for its thoughtful design and imaginative concepts, Metafoodies Group continues to redefine Downtown Dubai’s dining scene. This New Year’s Eve celebration brings together the group’s signature touch: exceptional food, curated entertainment, and beautifully designed spaces, across its trio of destinations. Guests can also arrive in style via a complimentary luxury buggy service from across Downtown Dubai, ensuring a seamless and celebratory start to the night.
Location: Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: Doors open from 7 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 140 6888 or booking link
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
Welcome the First Sunrise of 2026 at Alba, where contemporary Japanese elegance meets the radiance of the Dubai skyline. Guests are greeted with two complimentary glasses of bubbly before indulging in Akari No Yume, meaning “Dream of Light,” a four-course menu inspired by the purity and precision of Japanese cooking, crafted by Chef Vladimir Chistyakov.
The experience presents a choice between Miso King Crab Soup and Oxtail Soup, followed by four starters such as a Chef’s special selection of sushi, Wagyu Foie Tataki and more. Mains include a Miso-marinated Cod or Wagyu yakisoba, and finishing with seasonal fruit, matcha tiramisu, or chocolate fondant, all accompanied by tea or coffee.
Throughout the evening, a DJ, live percussionist, and avant-garde performances keep the atmosphere sleek and high-energy, ensuring guests dance well into the new year. As midnight nears, guests step onto the Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck overlooking Dubai Opera Plaza for front-row views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, a moment of light and renewal to welcome the year ahead.
Location: Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: Doors open from 7 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 140 6888 or booking link
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
Step into the world of Gatsby at Bisou, where Parisian glamour sets the stage for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve surrounded by candlelight and rich red tones. Guests are greeted with two complimentary glasses of bubbles as 8-time Grammy-nominated pianist Ryan Roger serenades the room, setting the tone for an evening of effortless elegance.
The night unfolds with a four-course feast starting off with a choice of Crab Eclair, Foie Gras Terrine served with fresh homemade Brioche, Olivier with Duck, Crab Salad, Black caviar, or brioche and butter, with the second course being a choice of delicate pies of meat & morels served with sour cream and caviar. For the main course, guests may choose between Tournedos Rossini with foie gras and black truffle or lobster pasta, before ending on a sweet note with Bisou petit four, all accompanied by tea or coffee.
Just before the clock strikes twelve, guests will be escorted to an exclusive spot in Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck for a front-row view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, the city’s most spectacular celebration.
Location: Hidden within Alba, Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai
Timing: From 10 PM till late
Reservation: +971 58 585 4273
Fireworks View: Guests will be escorted to Dubai Opera Garden’s private viewing deck, just before midnight for a viewing of the Burj Khalifa fireworks
From 10 PM, the lights dim and the celebration comes alive inside Himitsu, Downtown Dubai’s most elusive speakeasy, tucked within Alba. As the Burj Khalifa fireworks ignite the sky, guests can step outside to the Dubai Opera Garden private viewing deck for a front-row experience of the city’s most iconic display before returning to the hidden bar as it transforms into an intimate after-party.
Himitsu pulses with its own energy, hosting a seductive mix of music by DJ Charlotte Van de Peer, a resident DJ in London’s top spots, having previously supported worldwide acts such as Latmun, Solardo, Carl Cox at Mixmag, Foreverland with James Hype and Tita Lau, Sam Divine, and more. Alongside the eclectic music, guests can enjoy performances, and bespoke drinks from the Kagi, the bar’s legendary cocktail program offering 1296 combinations.
Entry requires a ticket priced at AED 1000, out of which AED 500 is fully redeemable on beverages throughout the night. With live DJ sets, immersive acts, and an atmosphere charged with mystery and allure, Himitsu is where the city’s most unforgettable New Year’s moments unfold.
From the architectural icon that redefined Dubai’s skyline comes a new reason to linger after sunset. ME by Meliá Dubai, the visionary masterpiece and newly honoured with a One Key distinction by the MICHELIN Guide 2025 proudly unveils its latest culinary offering – Grill by ME.
A relaxed yet refined dining affair set beside the hotel’s striking pool terrace, Grill by ME offers guests an elevated open-air buffet where contemporary dining meets effortless style. Bringing together live grill stations, curated beats, and ME by Meliá Dubai’s signature modern energy, the new concept is designed for both intimate evenings and vibrant gatherings – a place to unwind, connect, and savour the city’s unmistakable atmosphere.
The menu celebrates simplicity with style, from fresh salads and handmade pasta to sizzling grills and decadent desserts, all prepared at interactive stations. Every element is thoughtfully curated to create a dining experience that feels relaxed, refined, and distinctly Dubai.
Priced at AED 180 per person including soft beverages, Grill by ME runs Monday to Sunday, from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, at the hotel’s pool terrace. Little foodies aged six to eleven dine at half price.
Recently awarded a One Key distinction by the MICHELIN Guide 2025, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to push boundaries in design, hospitality, and dining. As the only hotel in the world designed inside and out by Zaha Hadid, it remains one of the city’s most iconic destinations – where every detail, from architecture, ambience and service is a work of art.
SOBHA FURNITURE UNVEILS ‘THE GALLERY’ — ITS FIRST FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM AT THE S IN DUBAIA SPACE TO CONNECT, COLLABORATE, AND CO-CREATE.
DISCOVER THE ART OF SAKE WITH HIMITSU’S NEW TASTING SERIES
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH FRONT-ROW BURJ KHALIFA FIREWORKS VIEWS AT BISOU, ALBA, AND HIMITSU, IN DOWNTOWN DUBAI
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