La Dolce Vita
Tucked in the heart of the city, but with a Mediterranean village charm, the new Bulgari Resort Dubai makes the perfect island retreat for Hashirin Nurin Hashimi, who seeks the sun, the sea and the city
am a city girl; i love the vibe of a bustling metropolis, and how its art and architecture evolve with modernity. But that doesn’t mean I don’t fancy a weekend on the beach. That is why a destination such as the Bulgari Resort Dubai, which combines the sun, the sea and the city appeals to me. We were privileged to be among the first to discover this urban oasis last December. A stone’s throw from Downtown Dubai, connected via a 300m bridge, the fifth and newest property of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts is set on a man-made seahorse-shaped island on Jumeira Bay. “Every project starts with an amazing location, which is like a rough stone that you cut, polish and craft into a beautiful jewel,” said group executive vice president, Silvio Ursini. Like its high jewellery creations, these locations are exclusive, as evidenced by Bulgari’s portfolio: Milan, which opened in 2004, Bali in 2006, London in 2012, and Beijing last September. Ursini explained, “When I look at a site, I think about the size, the views, the sunrise and sunset—physical attributes that make it special. Then there are ‘irrational considerations’ or what we call genius loci. It’s a feeling.” Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, where everything is bigger, taller and glitzier (this was immediately apparent during the 20min drive from the airport to the resort), capped by the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. So how would the resort’s “understated low-rise architecture”, as Ursini calls it, stand tall against the spectacular skyline? The answer was staring back at us when we arrived. Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the renowned Italian architectural firm behind all the Bulgari hotels and resorts to date, the building is exquisitely layered, bathed in golden lights that reflect on its coral-inspired brise-soleil, juxtaposed against the arabescarto marble exteriors. Architect Antonio Citterio said, “The juxtaposition of white marble and coral is charming. It’s an unusual combination and contrast. I think this would be one of the iconic images of the resort.” With the Arabian Gulf on one side and the Dubai skyline on the other, the resort is anchored by 101 rooms and suites split into four floors across two wings. There are 20 villas along a stretch of white sandy beach, each with a private pool and a personal butler. The top of the line Bulgari Villa also has a private entrance, so you can skip the lobby, which coincidentally is one of my favourite spots for its modern Italian design. It is anchored by the arresting 1963 image of Italian star Monica Vitti, wearing the Bulgari Seven Wonders necklace (named for its seven Colombian emeralds), which immediately draws you into the space. This provides a warm “welcome home” when you arrive back after a city sojourn at the gold and spice