By Susan Hansen
A familiar travel snapshot, perhaps. Enveloped by heat, the airport transfer drops you at the entrance. Tired, sweaty and hungry with a slight hint of a headache, you make an effort to be alert, stay patient and friendly, you keep telling yourself, ‘it’s ok, I am free to escape to my room soon’.
While the above possibly is the norm, what happens next, is not. Far from it. High ceilings, glass panel windows that stretch as far as the eye is capable of following. Helpful staff, all eager to please, real people who take pride in what they do, they want to provide splendid service.
The atmosphere inside FIVE LUXE JBR, the glamourous beachfront resort in Dubai, is one of high anticipation. The embodiment of lofty ambition designed with excellence and detailed precision, FIVE LUXE JBR takes the concept of extravaganza to the next level, demonstrating that there’s more. It’s about indulgence, elevated discovery and enjoyment, the stuff that dreams are made of.
Excitement is in the air. Pacha ICONS, the prestigious event series at Playa Pacha, is set for a thrilling return. It’s an event every staff member has worked on for months. Aiming to deliver nothing less than perfection, British DJ legend Carl Cox has come to Dubai to spin plates as the headline act.
Packed with music and beach fans, the combination of having a striking DJ set and an opulent stay is a win. To have Pacha ICONS in the Middle East, working its magic as an authentic event, comparable to its European counterpart, is a real competitive boost.
Carl Cox’s appearance in Dubai is special. With a career-spanning set, the DJ legend goes over and beyond the call of duty in a quest to deliver an arresting performance. As always, he insists on keeping things real. It’s an attractive form of stubbornness that places him in a league of his own, especially with the combined level of skill and experience he has to offer. The passion for DJing alone cements the notion of Cox as a global talent, and he continues to outdo himself, showing the world what he does so well.
The crowd knows it too. Dancing, moving to the pulsating beats, there’s smiling and laughing, as they sip drinks. As it is, the upbeat mood spreads across the dancefloor like rings on water. If the heat has been intense today, it’s less noticeable now, with the attention being focused elsewhere. The power of music can never be underestimated.
The culinary food and drink options are absolutely no joke either. With a broad spectrum, the spread includes American craft beer as provided at the Goose Island Tap House, Japanese cuisine in Ronin and Mediterranean cuisine at Cielo, the ground floor restaurant.
While working on the assumption that FIVE LUXE JBR is about as good as it gets in Dubai may seem a safe bet, it only tells a part of the story. There is a match, and that match is FIVE Palm Jumeirah. The two resorts are equal when it comes to the commitment to supplying top range high-end lifestyle services in the region.
It’s worth noting that the two resorts differ in vibe. This is no bad thing, it’s to set expectations right. A main difference is in FIVE Palm Jumeirah’s bohemian raison d’etre, the party-like, nightclub intoxicating spirit that runs through and is part of its DNA. By contrast, FIVE LUXE JBR plays on a more corporate yet classic palette. Between the dramatic architecture, the use of a taller building structure, less of a focus on intimacy, its emphasis on big scope and large scaling works for a wide exhibit.
Beach by FIVE at FIVE Palm Jumeirah invites guests to forget about everything and enjoy sun, sand and sea for as long as possible with a 150-meter private beach and double-width sun loungers. Set against the backdrop of Dubai Marina skyline, a leading beach party destination, its Bohemia Beach Club depicts a standalone experience where enthusiasts can soak up sunrays in an electrifying environment.
With a prominent event series such as Bohemia Presents and Skyline Saturdays, the latter hosted at The Penthouse – the nightlife scene at FIVE Palm Jumeirah is untouchable. For those who prefer an after hours vibe, why not dance the night away at exclusive nightclub Bling, a place where afrobeats and hip-hop come together.
But, it is a massive but, Osnabrück-bred DJ and record producer Robin Schultz has a gig lined up at Bohemia Beach Club. The German plate spinner’s gig is fun and engaging. The slight eccentricity in his character creates curiosity and a thirst for more, as he takes the audience through a trip of dance, house, electro and pop. The fanbase present on the night adds a layer of exclusivity to the performance and makes the moment feel special. Known for hits like ‘Waves’ and ‘Sugar’, this setlist is adapted to the location and the unique vibe.
To those seeking out culinary supremacy, the venue is spoiled for choice. Guests can choose between Maiden Shanghai, Italian restaurant Cinque, The Delisserie, Praia on the beach and modern Arabic cuisine at NUMÂ. It’s a high bar, an adventurous blend with determination to impress. There’s no need to worry, the flavours are spot on.
Experiencing parts of Dubai has been a journey of adventure, grandeur and entertainment. Contrary to some popular opinion, it has a distinct vibe, which at large seems attributable to the expertise involved at the stage of inception and its people. There is an argument that a newer place such as this should be judged purely on its own terms, instead of being compared to ancient cities with an exhaustive history. It’s more than possible to imagine that cities like Jericho, Rome, Athens, Tokyo, Damascus, Xi’an for that matter, weren’t held in high esteem, viewed the way they are now.
FIVE LUXE JBR and FIVE Palm Jumeirah, you have both been dream-like. I hope to return one day.
