First look: The Address Boulevard opens in Downtown Dubai

The Address Boulevard, the first new Address hotel in seven years, opens its doors today.

Located opposite Dubai Mall, the five-star hotel is a striking addition to the Downtown scene with 251 art pieces made by 48 artists. Alongside the centrepiece lobby chandelier are two more in the adjacent Lounge, as well as butterfly designs which hover above the discreet reception to the left.

The hotel component (196 rooms) is smaller than the tall tower suggests, as the bulk of units are serviced apartments (532). It’s a clean, contemporary look and split corridors on the upper floors make another arresting feature.

The Lounge, close to the lobby, serves French pastries with teas and coffees and affords Burj Khalifa views, as does the pool area which has a resort-style cascading fountain. The 11th floor Club Lounge is another attractive space.

The Restaurant, with bar concepts to the right and different lounge areas ahead, contains one cosy private dining area accessed through the wall. The menu is playful (‘A Good Beginning’, ‘I Feel Good’, ‘Let’s stay a little longer’, ‘Let’s stay a lot longer’) and wine by the glass is priced between Dhs45-85.

In-room innovations include the bedside ‘iGenie’ which monitors everything from a/c to room reservations. Bathroom amenities are from Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze.

The 700sqm spa on the fourth floor contains a couple’s room with a step-up Jacuzzi as well as a shower with different options (‘Tropical rain’, ‘Caribbean storm’).

The hotel prefers the label ‘lifestyle events’ to MICE, and to that end has a dedicated Atelier for F&B outside the small ballroom, whose ceiling changes colour and has its own entrance. A reading room opposite contains framed extracts from a Henry Fielding novel.