Meliá Hotels International will bring Gran Meliá to the UAE for the first time with J1 Hotel, a Gran Meliá Hotel, opening in Dubai’s Jumeirah 1 in Q4 2027
First announced in 2025, the hotel will feature 366 rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, and a dedicated wellness offering. It will be Meliá Hotels International’s third Dubai property, joining Meliá Desert Palm and ME by Meliá Dubai. The hotel will offer direct beach access and ocean views, with 40 rooms and suites featuring private pools. Facilities will include four swimming pools, landscaped outdoor and retail spaces, a ballroom, meeting and event facilities, a fitness centre and rooftop terrace.
Food and beverage will be a key part of the property, with a collection of restaurants and bars. Among the latest additions is Jul’s, which will make its Dubai debut at J1 Hotel. Originally from Ibiza, the Greek-led concept recently opened its flagship restaurant in London and will bring its contemporary take on Greek cuisine to Dubai.
Jul’s menu draws on Greek culinary traditions while moving beyond classic interpretations, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a “no limit cuisine” philosophy. Expect a mix of flavours and techniques across the menu. Tala will also join the collection with a Pan-Middle Eastern menu overlooking the marina. Designed as a “Sunlit Marina Majlis”, it will feature a main dining room, show kitchen, private dining, terrace and VIP lounge, with shisha on the terrace.
Previously announced concepts include Zuma Beach House, set on a 140-metre private beach with a pool, lounge and bar; Park Chinois, bringing its Mayfair-style Chinese dining and late-night atmosphere to the rooftop; and Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club, offering Mediterranean cuisine, a private beach area, cabanas and all-day dining.
The collection will also include an all-day restaurant, with further details to be announced.
Journée Wellbeing will occupy the rooftop, offering treatments, advanced therapies, fitness and wellness experiences. The offering will include Aufguss sauna ceremonies from 432 Social Wellbeing and Reformer Pilates by Jeju Pilates.
J1 Hotel will be led by General Manager Pedro Neto, who brings more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, including 17 years with Four Seasons across Lisbon, Nevis, Maui and Prague.
Pedro said: “What excites me most about J1 Hotel is the opportunity to create a destination that becomes part of how people experience Dubai, whether they are staying with us, coming for dinner or spending time by the water. After more than two decades working across different luxury hospitality markets, bringing Gran Meliá to the UAE for the first time is an incredibly exciting next chapter. Our focus now is on building the J1 Hotel team and service culture that will bring the brand’s Spanish luxury to life with warmth, personality and attention to detail.”
