The grand opening of the new One&Only One Za’abeel, the first vertical, urban resort by the ultra-luxury hospitality brand, saw the world’s A-listers gather in Dubai.
The grand inauguration of One&Only One Za’abeel, the pioneering vertical urban resort by the esteemed luxury hospitality brand, drew a gathering of the world’s elite, influential personalities, and cultural trendsetters to Dubai for an extraordinary weekend of entertainment at The Link, the city’s innovative urban platform.
The star-studded attendees from various fields such as film, music, fashion, and sports included luminaries like Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Vanessa Hudgens, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Gauri Khan, Malaika Arora, Mark Ronson, Idris Elba, Sabrina Elba, Vincent Cassel, Angelababy, Isabelle Huppert, David Gandy, Esai Morales, Eva Apio, Emma Raducanu, Nancy Ajram, Tanaaz Bhatia, Mara Hoffman, Ramla Ali, and Nicola Roberts, who were specially invited to be the inaugural guests experiencing the allure of the captivating city resort.
The event’s highlights featured an enchanting sky-high party, headlined by global icon Jennifer Lopez, who delivered a spontaneous performance at Sphere in The Link, a futuristic boulevard suspended 100 meters above ground, connecting One Za’abeel’s twin towers. Lopez mesmerized the audience with a medley of her hit songs, including “Jenny From the Block,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Get Right,” from her upcoming album “This is Me…Now,” dazzling in a sequin jumpsuit. She also joined forces with Grammy-winning DJ Mark Ronson for their first-ever collaboration, while A-list actor and DJ Idris Elba later joined Ronson for a late-night set, extending the festivities into the early hours.
The celebrations kicked off with celebrities flying in from around the globe for this exceptional occasion. Guests enjoyed welcome drinks at the new French-Mediterranean restaurant Aelia before indulging in bespoke dining experiences at The Link. The first night concluded with an afterparty at Tapasake, the resort’s chic poolside restaurant and rooftop pool club, featuring a live performance by Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram.
The second day commenced with a sun-soaked RoséPool Brunch at Tapasake, attended by Malaika Arora, Tanaaz Bhatia, Nandita Mahatani, Rahi Chadda, Orry from India, offering breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline and a menu of Japanese fusion cuisine.
The red carpet on opening night sparkled with international celebrities and VIPs, including Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Vanessa Hudgens, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Mark Ronson, Idris Elba, Sabrina Elba, Vincent Cassel, Angelababy, Gauri Khan, Malaika Arora, Isabelle Huppert, David Gandy, Esai Morales, Eva Apio, Emma Raducanu, Nancy Ajram, Nicola Roberts, Nandita Mahtani, Tanaaz Bhatia, Rahi Chadda, Orhan Awatramani, and Masoom Minawala.
Guests were treated to the finest culinary experiences, with dinners hosted by renowned Michelin-starred chefs at their latest restaurant openings within the resort: Le Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic, Arrazuna by Mehmet Gürs, QABU by Paco Morales, Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda, and Duangdy by Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones of BO.LAN.
The weekend concluded with a brunch at StreetXO, the innovative concept restaurant by Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz, featuring a bespoke menu of reimagined global street food.
The event was commemorated with a breathtaking Guinness World Record-breaking 3D video-mapping projection, now the longest in the world, transforming the facade of the new resort into a futuristic and innovative spectacle, reflecting its interior design.
One&Only One Za’abeel epitomizes exceptional dining, innovative wellness, and curated experiences, establishing itself as a spectacular urban destination at the heart of Dubai. Operated by Kerzner International, the leader in ultra-luxury hospitality, the resort is housed within the iconic One Za’abeel building, featuring dual skyscrapers intersected by the world’s longest cantilever and horizontal bridge, The Link.
Source: Hotelier India
