J1 Hotel, a Gran Meliá Hotel

First announced in 2025, J1 Hotel will feature 366 rooms and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline, including 40 accommodations with private pools. The beachfront property will bring together an extensive collection of restaurants and bars, a dedicated rooftop wellness offering, four swimming pools, landscaped outdoor and retail spaces, a ballroom, meeting and event facilities, a fitness centre and rooftop terrace.

Named after its Jumeirah 1 location, J1 Hotel will become Meliá Hotels International’s third property in Dubai, joining Meliá Desert Palm, part of The Meliá Collection portfolio and ME Dubai. The opening marks the next step in Meliá Hotels International’s continued expansion of its premium and luxury portfolio. Known for its distinctive expression of Spanish luxury, Gran Meliá combines intuitive service and exceptional experiences with an approach shaped by the character of each destination.

A New Dining Destination for Dubai

J1 Hotel is set to become a new dining destination for Dubai, bringing together internationally renowned names alongside concepts making their city debut. Among the latest additions are Jul’s and Tala. Originally from Ibiza, Jul’s recently opened its flagship restaurant in London and will now bring its Greek-led concept to J1 Hotel with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a ‘no limit cuisine’ philosophy that draws on flavours and techniques from beyond traditional Greek cooking. Tala, meanwhile, will offer Pan-Middle Eastern dining overlooking the marina. Conceived as a ‘Sunlit Marina Majlis’, the restaurant will combine Riviera-inspired design with the intimacy of an Arabic majlis, featuring a main dining room, show kitchen, private dining, terrace and VIP lounge.

They join the previously announced Zuma Beach House, Park Chinois and Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club. Set along a 140-metre private beach adjacent to the hotel, Zuma Beach House will become the brand’s first beachfront location in the Middle East and its second lifestyle destination following Mykonos, combining its Japanese izakaya-style cuisine with a pool, lounge and bar. On the rooftop, Mayfair-born Park Chinois will bring its signature after-dark experience to Dubai, pairing refined Chinese cuisine and the glamour of 1930s Shanghai with resident and international guest DJs overlooking the city skyline.

Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club will bring its Mediterranean concept to J1 Hotel following its Los Angeles launch in 2024, with a semi-private beach, bar and private cabanas alongside a menu centred on seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta, wood-fired cooking, premium meats and fresh seafood. The wider collection will also feature an all-day dining concept, moving from breakfast and lighter daytime dishes through to sunset and dinner, with further details and additional concepts to be announced ahead of opening. Together, the collection will establish J1 Hotel as a dining destination for both hotel guests and Dubai residents.

Wellness Beyond the Spa

Wellness at J1 Hotel will take centre stage on the rooftop with Journée Wellbeing, a dedicated sanctuary developed and managed by Waring Wellbeing Hospitality. Inspired by the relaxed spirit of Mediterranean wellbeing and Dubai’s beachfront setting, the space will draw on the group’s international expertise across luxury hospitality, spa, medical wellness and premium fitness.

Journée Wellbeing will combine traditional treatments and advanced therapies with visiting practitioners, movement and social experiences. Highlights will include Aufguss sauna ceremonies from 432 Social Wellbeing and group Reformer Pilates by Jeju Pilates, creating a wellness experience that moves beyond the traditional hotel spa.

J1 Hotel will be led by Pedro Neto, who joins as General Manager with more than two decades of international luxury hospitality experience. Neto spent 17 years with Four Seasons, holding leadership positions across Lisbon, Nevis, Maui and Prague, before moving into General Manager roles in Portugal’s Algarve, including Octant Vila Monte and Verdelago Resort.

Opening in Q4 2027, J1 Hotel will mark Gran Meliá’s UAE debut and a new beachfront address for the brand in Dubai, bringing its approach to Spanish luxury together with destination dining, design and wellbeing.