A 31-story steel and glass structure stands in Al Mina Al Seyahi – Dubai’s historical, cultural, and social storylines are woven into the design of the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi Hotel
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi opened its doors in 2023 – a glass structure rising on Jumeirah Beach
Al Mina Al Seyahi, meaning Port of Travelers, is an area of Dubai that includes part of Jumeirah Beach and the Dubai International Marine Club, founded in 1986 and featuring a marina with 291 berths. On this strip of land stands the 31-story W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, inaugurated in 2023. This glass architecture cuts through the Middle Eastern winds, serving as a vantage point to admire the views of the Persian Gulf and the city’s landmarks.
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi: The history of an area conceived as a tourism hub
The road running along the sea separates the hotel from a dense skyline of towers. The cab stops in front of the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi entrance, where a tree greets visitors at the center of the porch. Its large branches extend upward through an opening in the canopy above.
In the late 1970s, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum planned three distinctive areas for Dubai: the Jebel Ali Free Zone as an industrial area, the Central Area as a residential zone, and Mina Seyahi for tourism and leisure. The Dubai International Marine Club was the first project in Mina Seyahi, established in 1986 to provide a strong organizational base for offshore powerboat racing. The first Dubai Offshore Powerboat Race took place in April 1986, with 25 boats participating; by 1995, that number had grown to 60.
Over the years, DIMC has hosted numerous national and international events, earning awards and recognition as one of the Best Organizers. Besides its prime location and ocean access, the club offers services such as crane facilities, provisioning, a slipway, and wet and dry mooring for 350 boats, all equipped with electricity and water. The marina also includes a sports pier for visiting boats up to 160 feet long.
Dubai’s historical, cultural, and social storylines are reflected in every aspect of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi’s design
Inside, the W Lounge (the hotel’s lobby, according to W Hotels) draws inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern meeting places.
Imagine a traditional souq – a maze of colors and sounds forming the beating heart of Arab and Middle Eastern commerce. Narrow, winding streets are lined with stalls selling spices, fabrics, food, hand-embroidered carpets, ceramics, and jewelry. The architecture of the souq reflects the region’s culture and history, with intricate ceilings and artistic details contributing to its unique atmosphere. Beyond commerce, the souq is also a social hub, a place where people meet, exchange news, and share stories.
The W Lounge design, with its warm tones and golden accents, recalls the traditional gold markets of the region. The reception area continues the theme, evoking the mystique of a snake charmer and drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern mysticism — a world of poets, storytellers, and artists that bring the energy of the bazaar to life.
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi: 318 rooms overlooking Ain Dubai and Palm Jumeirah
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi features 318 rooms, including 26 suites and an Extreme WOW Suite (the brand’s presidential suite, located on the 30th floor and measuring 285 m²). The style blends traditional Middle Eastern elements with contemporary design details. Each room includes a living area, bedroom, dressing room, and the brand’s signature Mix Bar. All rooms feature private balconies offering ocean views and stunning sunsets over Palm Jumeirah and landmarks such as Ain Dubai.
At night, a spectacle of strobe lights illuminates the scene in front of the hotel. Among them stands Ain Dubai (Eye of Dubai), the tallest Ferris wheel ever built – over 243 meters high, surpassing the High Roller in Las Vegas (167.6 m). The wheel can carry up to 1,750 passengers in 48 cabins, offering panoramic views of Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa.
Palm Jumeirah: the artificial island designed to expand Dubai’s coastline
Facing the hotel lies Palm Jumeirah, part of the Palm Islands – a complex of three man-made islands built to expand Dubai’s coastline for tourism.
Construction of Palm Jumeirah began in 2001. The island is shaped like a palm tree, with a wide trunk connected to the mainland by a double bridge. Its 17 fronds extend from the trunk, surrounded by a crescent-shaped breakwater called The Crescent, divided into three sections to allow seawater circulation. The Crescent is approximately 12 km long and 250 meters wide, giving the entire island an elliptical shape about 5.6 km by 5 km.
At the northwestern tip, the palm’s apex connects to the Crescent via a 1.4 km underwater tunnel, of which 600 meters lie 25 meters below sea level. The tunnel features three traffic lanes in each direction and a central emergency lane.
The island’s construction was carried out by the Dutch company Van Oord using the rainbowing technique, in which sand dredged from the seabed is “blown” at high speed (about 10 m/s) to create new land, guided by GPS for precision. The process forms an arc of airborne sand — hence the name rainbowing.
Dining and entertainment at W Dubai – Mina Seyahi: Ginger Moon, Attiko, and Bussola
On the second floor, Ginger Moon offers an urban beach experience with creative cuisine served for lunch, dinner, and cocktails. Designed by Singapore-based BLINK Design Group, the space draws inspiration from Tulum’s bohemian style, featuring woven ceilings, hanging rugs, and bamboo columns. The restaurant opens onto a terrace leading to the WET Deck, where an infinity pool offers panoramic views of Mina Seyahi Bay. Guests can sunbathe, relax in cabanas, sip cocktails, and enjoy DJ sets in true W style.
On the 31st floor, Attiko blends the atmosphere of Asian nightclubs and cosmopolitan lounges — the perfect spot on the Marina side to admire Dubai’s golden sunsets and glittering night skyline.
Bussola, the award-winning Italian restaurant, brings authentic Italian flavors to Dubai. Guests can enjoy fine dining in the main restaurant, relax on the terrace lounge, or savor casual dishes in the pizzeria.
The Spa and Fitness Experience
Energy and well-being are at the heart of Spa BAR-B, offering treatments for body and mind. With four treatment rooms, a beauty bar, and relaxation spaces, BAR-B provides high-quality spa services.
The hotel also hosts 1Rebel, the British-born luxury fitness brand, debuting in the Emirates for the first time in 2023. Spread over two floors and covering 2,500 square meters, the in-house 1Rebel/FIT studio redefines the fitness experience.
W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels draws inspiration from New York City’s dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit. With nearly 60 hotels around the world, the brand is known for its bold design, signature Whatever/Whenever® service, and social Living Rooms that many try to emulate.
W Hotels Worldwide is part of Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s global travel program.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy offers a portfolio of 30 hospitality brands, from The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels, providing experiences for every type of traveler. Members can earn and redeem points through hotel stays, all-inclusive resorts, premium apartments, and affiliated credit card purchases, turning every journey into a reward.
