SO/ opens first Middle East property in Dubai

Accor and joint venture partner Ennismore have opened the first SO/ property in the Middle East. Ennismore’s SO/ Uptown Dubai has formally opened in DMCC’s Uptown Tower. The hotel had begun taking bookings a few weeks ago during its soft opening phase.

Positioned as a “five-star urban resort”, SO/ Uptown Dubai features 188 rooms and suites.

It has high ceilings, marble bathrooms, rich fabrics, and dark wood finishes with pops of colour and graphics. Views from the hotel include that of Ain Dubai and the sea.

The property has several dining and entertainment offerings. It includes French-Italian style Uptown Brasserie as well as The Citronelle Club that serves Asian fusion cuisine. Savant Mixology Bar has scenic views, while Celeste’s offers entertainment-led dining experiences and Lazuli is the hotel’s signature pool bar.

For events and conferences, the hotel also houses fully-equipped meeting facilities as well as a full-service ballroom that has a capacity to host 1,000 guests.

Occupying the top 28 floors of the Uptown Tower are 227 signature branded residences which include one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as duplexes and a penthouse.

The interior design of the residences complements that of the hotel, with panoramic windows offering views of the city’s skyline. Residents will have access to an indoor pool, gym, a kids club and creche, the Sky Lounge, and an events space that transforms into a private movie screening room.

Leisure amenities at SO/ Uptown Dubai include the Uptown Spa by SO/, developed and run in partnership with Anne Semonin Paris.

SO/: A luxury offering

Uptown Tower in which the hotel is located is the first of two towers that will be a part of Uptown Dubai district master developed by DMCC. Designed by architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, Uptown Tower is a 340m tall tower with commercial, leisure, and residential offerings.

The hotel’s lobby artwork has been designed and executed by APL and Capsule Arts. SO/ Uptown Dubai worked with Dubai-based architecture studio, Woods Bagot, to complete the design.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and chief executive officer, DMCC, said, “We are delighted to have partnered with Ennismore to bring the SO/ brand to Uptown Dubai. Given the significant demand we have seen so far across commercial, residential and leisure offerings, Uptown Dubai has already cemented its position as one of the most dynamic and sought-after mixed-use communities in the UAE. We are proud that Ennismore, which is a joint venture with Accor, has chosen our premium district for their debut in the Middle East.”

Read: Ennismore: Focused on curating unique lifestyle experiences

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East.