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Chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodation

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Exclusive interview with Houssam Mansour, General Manager, FORM Hotel

What is the concept behind Design Hotels? Who is FORM Hotel?

Design Hotels is a hand-picked collection of boutique and design-driven luxury hotels across the globe.  FORM Hotel, a member of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, boasts a remarkable portfolio of over 350 exquisitely designed hotels spanning the globe. More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture.

What are the policies that you have put in place that have made a big difference? What are the achievements you are most proud of?

Within a short period of time, FORM Hotel has succeeded in positioning and increasing visibility as a leading 4-star boutique hotel within Marriott in the Al Jaddaf area. FORM hotel has been carefully crafted as a design hotel and conceptualized as a boutique hotel, we have been able to increase the number of guests and retain customer retention through direct bookings at a high percentage.

Who is the General Manager of FORM Hotel, and can you share some insights you’re your background and contributions to the hotel’s success?

I am a seasoned 48-year-old Lebanese hotelier with over 25 years of experience in the Middle East and Africa. I began my career at 21 as a management trainee at Forte Grand in Abu Dhabi, now known as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.

Over the past two and a half decades, I have worked in diverse regions, including Bahrain, Tunisia, the Maldives, Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, with major international chains like Le Royal Meridien, Hilton Hotels, and Marriott.

Last month, I marked the third anniversary of my journey with FORM Hotel, which has been a pinnacle of my career. I am deeply grateful for the support of the owners, whose commitment and care have been crucial to our success. Together with an exceptional, handpicked team, we have positioned FORM Hotel as the premier choice for chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodations in the area. It has become a preferred destination for both Marriott members and VIP visitors. Here’s to many more years of continued successand excellence.

Why will guests choose to stay at FORM Hotel?

FORM Hotel Dubai offers a sublimely designed, boutique experience with seamless check-in and personalized touches to your stay. Guests enjoy personal parking spaces with direct, private access to rooms while all guest rooms feature acoustically sensitive windows offering stunning views over the Culture Village and the Creek.

This seamlessness extends through the boutique property with a carefully curated design experience by Paris-based Architecture Studio that is paired with a sense of continuousness and openness.  

A hop away from Dubai’s sights and sounds yet far enough to escape the bustle of urban life, guests can expect the best of two worlds at the property’s strategic location in Al Jaddaf.

How does Marriott Bonvoy’s affiliation and its focus on providing a premium brand experience within the luxury segment benefit its guests?

FORM Hotel, being part of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, attracts many members throughout the year, particularly Elite Ambassadors and Elite Titanium members. These members earn 10 points for every $1 spent and enjoy numerous benefits, including late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades. Additionally, we’ve observed that many Marriott Bonvoy members return to FORM Hotel for the personalized service, coziness, comfort, and enhanced privacy measures.

Can you tell us about the Al Jaddaf area? 

Al Jaddaf is still in its development phase, with numerous upcoming projects and ambitious plans aimed at further enhancing the area. It boasts an impressive array of hotels and residential buildings, making it a vibrant and bustling hub for accommodation and housing. This cultural village is well-connected to tourist attractions and entertainment venues such as Festival City and Old Dubai. Architectural practice URB has unveiled its plans to develop the world’s largest Urban Tech District along the Al Jaddaf Creekside in Dubai. Al Jaddaf’s vision of sustainable practices with the project’s plans to use a host of ‘green’ programs and practices to achieve net-zero carbon goals. 

The biggest development in the future of Al Jaddaf is the construction of UAE’s very first sustainable building and a fully solar-powered Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) headquarters. Located in Al Jaddaf, you’ll find the renowned Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the vibrant hub of visual arts at Al Jaddaf, and the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the largest library in Dubai. Al Jaddaf, a vibrant location in Dubai, offers a rich blend of cultural attractions such as Dubai Culture Village, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai Creek, the Floating Bridge, Dhow Wharfage, and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, along with a range of luxurious hotels and resorts.

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Hospitality

JUNGLEBOWLS BRINGS THE ENERGY OF THE JUNGLE TO DUBAI WITH AN ALL-DAY BREAKFAST EXPERIENCE

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Inspired by the rhythm, colour and abundance of the jungle, JungleBowls welcomes guests to enjoy breakfast at any hour, with a menu filled with fresh ingredients, bold flavours and Japanese-inspired touches.

Founded by Italian restaurateur Salvatore Pisanzio, JungleBowls captures the spirit of nature and brings a fresh dining concept to Dubai. The menu celebrates vibrant bowls, comforting favourites and playful drinks, all created around flavour, freshness and balance.

Available throughout the day, the breakfast selection reflects JungleBowls’ mastery of wholesome food with personality. Guests can discover Japanese-inspired favourites including the Tamago Egg Sando, served on soft Hokkaido shokupan with creamy egg salad, Kewpie mayonnaise and a touch of sriracha, or the Jap Omelette topped with avocado, salmon gravlax and furikake for a rich umami finish.

For a more filling choice, the Halloumi Bowl combines grilled halloumi, poached egg, crispy enoki mushrooms, kale, barley and hummus. Turkish Eggs bring together poached eggs, whipped labneh, kale and aromatic miso chilli butter.

The sweeter side of breakfast comes alive through colourful creations including the Açaí Bowl topped with fresh fruit and granola, Chia Granola with coconut chia pudding and mango, and the signature Japanese Soufflé Pancakes – soft, airy and made for a little morning indulgence.

Alongside its breakfast offerings, JungleBowls serves creative beverages throughout the day. Guests can enjoy ceremonial-grade matcha, roasted hojicha, specialty coffee, fresh juices and smoothies, including favourites such as the Citrus Espresso, Mango Matcha and Blue Spirulina Smoothie,  each inspired by the colours and flavours of the natural world.

From a quick breakfast stop to a relaxed catch-up over coffee, JungleBowls invites guests to enjoy a fresh, colourful and flavour-filled escape in the heart of the city, with dishes.

Details:

  • What: Japanese-Inspired All-Day Breakfast Experience | Where: JungleBowls, Index Tower, DIFC, Dubai | When: Daily, 8:30am to 10:30pm 
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Hospitality

MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS OPENS IN THE HEART OF JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS

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Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, announces the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Developed by Orra Hotel Apartments LLC, the new property is designed to meet the evolving needs of long-stay business and leisure guests seeking flexibility, connectivity and residential comfort in one of Dubai’s most strategic business districts.

Located within Orra The Embankment, a premium mixed-use development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the property enjoys a prime position between Dubai Marina and Uptown Dubai, with convenient access to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Metro and major commercial districts including Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah and DMCC.

“Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai has been designed for today’s global professionals who value space, privacy and flexibility alongside trusted service,” said Mina Hanna, General Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. “Located in the heart of JLT, the property offers a strategic base for extended stays with seamless access to Dubai’s key commercial hubs.”

Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai offers 150 thoughtfully designed, fully furnished 1, 2 and 2-bedroom apartments, created to support productivity alongside everyday comfort. Each apartment features a premium bedding, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, high speed internet, contemporary workspaces and modern entertainment, making longer stays feel effortless and well considered. Private balconies and city views further enhance the sense of space, reinforcing a genuine home away from home experience.

Guests have access to a considered mix of amenities designed to support both work and wellbeing, including an all day international dining restaurant, a fully equipped fitness centre, paddle court, outdoor swimming pool, sauna and steam facilities, a children’s play area, dedicated concierge services and meeting and conference spaces suited to executive meetings and small corporate gatherings.

The property also integrates keyless entry, high speed internet access and advanced guest room and energy management systems, supporting seamless, secure and efficient stays.

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Hospitality

FLAVOUR AND THE SOUL OF LEÑA

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Exclusive interview with Chef Dani García at Maxx Royal Bodrum

Leña by Dani García at Maxx Royal Bodrum

Conceived by acclaimed chef Dani García, Leña by Dani García, redefines the traditional grill through a gastronomic concept where fire and live embers take centre stage, transforming primal cooking techniques into a refined, cosmopolitan dining experience. The restaurant’s contemporary interiors echo its culinary philosophy, featuring warm, earthy tones and rich wood finishes that reinforce the connection to fire, while creating an inviting, stylish atmosphere. The menu strikes a confident balance between tradition and modernity, showcasing signature dishes that have become synonymous with the brand, from the iconic grilled avocado and its emblematic burger to expertly selected cuts such as aged ribeye from mature cattle. Together, they embody Leña’s unmistakable identity: a celebration of precision, flavour and a modern approach to steakhouse culture on an international stage.

Attributable to Chef Dani García:

Leña is built around fire as both technique and emotion. How would you describe the restaurant’s identity in one sentence beyond the idea of a steakhouse?

Leña is a celebration of living through fire. It’s a place where technique, emotion and sharing come together to create unforgettable moments around the table. We are much more than a steakhouse; we are a restaurant where fire becomes a language.

  • You achieved three Michelin stars and then made the rare decision to close your restaurant at its peak. What mindset drives a decision like that?

I have always believed that gastronomy is about evolution and taking risks. Closing a three-Michelin-star restaurant was not about leaving something behind but about opening new doors. I’m driven by curiosity and by the desire to keep creating experiences that connect with more people around the world.

From Smoked Room’s rapid Michelin recognition to Leña’s global expansion, what connects all your culinary chapters?

The common thread is emotion. Whether it’s a tasting menu at Smoked Room or a dinner at Leña, my goal is always the same: to move people through flavour, hospitality and storytelling. Every project has a different expression, but the soul is identical.

What makes Turkey’s Bodrum coastline a meaningful setting for Leña’s philosophy?

Bodrum has a unique energy. There is a deep connection with the sea, with nature and with the joy of gathering around a table, and that fits perfectly with Leña’s philosophy. Fire feels very natural here. The Mediterranean lifestyle, the beauty of the coastline and the relaxed sophistication of Bodrum make it an extraordinary destination for our concept.

You’ve built a career on combining traditional Spanish ingredients with global techniques. How do you know when a dish has found the perfect balance between heritage and innovation?

When innovation doesn’t hide the ingredient or the memory behind it but elevates it. A dish works when it surprises you while still feeling familiar. Respect for the product and emotion are always the final judges.

Rapid Fire Questions

What is your personal favourite cut or ingredient to cook over fire?

I love cooking red prawns over fire. It’s a delicate ingredient that completely transforms with smoke and heat while preserving its essence.

What is the most memorable dining moment you’ve experienced as a guest, not a chef?

There have been many, but the moments I remember most are those where I felt genuine hospitality and emotion. Great food is important, but the feeling a restaurant leaves with you is what stays forever.

If you could host a dream fire-cooking dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be?

On a secluded beach in the Mediterranean, with the sea in front of us and a long table shared with friends, producers and chefs from around the world.

Is there a flavour profile that you find yourself returning to repeatedly, regardless of the concept or location?

Acidity and smokiness. I love the tension between freshness and fire. It’s a combination that appears in many of my dishes in one way or another.

Leña operates within luxury hospitality environments. How important is collaboration between hotel experience and restaurant identity?

It’s essential. The guest doesn’t separate the restaurant from the hotel experience; they remember the emotion of the whole journey. In places like Bodrum, where hospitality is taken to another level, that collaboration becomes even more important and allows us to create something truly memorable.

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