[Conde Nast Traveller Middle East, Scott Campbell]
Luxury hotel group Aman has unveiled the location of its upcoming wellness-focused property, Janu Dubai, which is planned to open in 2027. Set in the upscale Dubai International Financial Centre, which is already home to dozens of the city’s best fine-dining restaurants and bars, the 150-room hotel will boast “sweeping views” of sprawling garden palace grounds and the shimmering Burj Khalifa — the tallest building in the world.
Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron – the company behind the wood-toned boutique Hotel Volkshaus Basel and the crystalline façade of Prada’s Aoyama store in Tokyo – says it has designed a property that is the “first of its kind” in the market, with expansive outdoor terraces and balconies featuring abundant planting and gardens.
“Dubai has long been part of my growth vision,” says Vlad Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman Group. “The strategic placement of Janu Dubai within the DIFC situates it at the core of this vibrant city, within its business and residential hub, and among top-tier dining, retail, entertainment and amenities.
“Similar to Janu Tokyo, I foresee Janu Dubai becoming an essential part of the local community, serving residents, and business and leisure visitors alike.”
While celebrity favourite Aman is renowned for its tucked-away, minimalist sanctuaries in some of the world’s most desirable locations, Janu promises a “playful, energetic, and uplifting experience” at a price point that will appeal to a new demographic of would-be “Amanjunkies” — the hotel’s term for loyal guests who fall in love with the brand’s service and exceptional locations.
“While Janu has often been associated with a younger audience,” Doronin says, “including Gen X and Millennials, our focus extends beyond age to encompass a shared mindset, a thirst for unique experiences and cultural immersion.”
Guests in Dubai can also expect distinctive bars and dining venues, and a sizeable wellness and fitness centre. “Much like Janu Tokyo, where the wellness centre set a new standard in the city,” Doronin says. “You can expect world-class facilities and a dynamic programme dedicated to group exercise.”
There will also be a limited number of fully serviced branded residences and an exclusive member’s club, so local residents can indulge in the hotel’s amenities and experiences. Dubai will be the second location for the newly launched sister brand, following the opening of Janu Tokyo earlier this year in the cultural neighbourhood of Azabudai Hills, in the shadow of the tapered Tokyo Tower.
Doronin, 61, who acquired Aman from founder Adrian Zecha in 2014, believes Janu Dubai will serve as a community hub, as well as attracting oversees leisure and business guests. The new hotel announcement follows the launch of the city’s first Aman hotel at Jumeirah Beach in 2027, on a 350-metre stretch of private beach with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea.
Construction is already underway at Aman Dubai, which will sit within nine acres of landscaped gardens and is set to feature a 2,300-square-spa, member’s club and a series of branded residences. The property will showcase the brand’s much-loved minimal and contemporary design aesthetic, making use of natural materials and clean lines to frame the cityscape and waterfront views.
The high-end hotel group, which opened its first property in Thailand in 1988 when Zecha happened upon a coconut grove on the island’s west coast while looking for a holiday home, now operates 35 hotels, resorts and branded residences in 20 destinations worldwide. Nine more are in the pipeline, including Aman Beverley Hills, Aman Los Angeles, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, Amanvari Mexico, a clutch of properties in Saudi Arabia and, of course, Aman Dubai.
The brand is known for its impeccable, and almost invisible, service. Rooms are turned down every time guests leave by ninja-like housekeeping staff, thoughtful hand-made gifts appear on pillows every evening, and you’ll never need to sign a bill — they already know who you are. Staff are even said to have once carried Elizabeth Taylor back to her room on a palanquin when the film star grew too tired after an afternoon in the sunshine.
Read the original interview on Conde Nast Traveller Middle East.
