NIKKI BEACH
RESORT & SPA DUBAI

Text by Sara Magro*

On the golden sands of Pearl Jumeirah Island, where the line between sky and sea blurs as seamlessly as that between luxury and simplicity, stands the pristine and minimalist Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai. This is no ordinary resort—it is the embodiment of a lifestyle that has captivated the international jet set, from Miami to the French Riviera, now finding a refined expression in Dubai, balancing moments of serene seclusion with vibrant sociability.

If you visit on a winter’s day, when Dubai’s climate offers spring-like temperatures, you’ll be tempted to dive straight into the stunning infinity pool at the beach club. If the heat becomes too intense, simply retreat to the refreshingly cool restaurant, which cleverly maintains an open-air ambiance thanks to its recent redesign.

The 132 rooms and suites (including the city’s largest, spanning over 1,000 square meters) and the 15 villas with private pools are a tribute to simplicity. There are no frills or excessive decorations: expansive windows frame picturesque views of the Persian Gulf, while the interiors feature a palette of whites and blues, accented with design elements inspired by the sea. Everything is crafted for a leisurely vacation: oversized beds for ultimate comfort and terraces offering a front-row seat to the breathtaking spectacle of the sunset painting Dubai’s futuristic skyline in shades of pink.

The heart of the resort is the beach club, a haven for the celebration of life concept that has made the brand famous worldwide. Here, among oversized loungers and cozy cabanas, the atmosphere shifts with the time of day. Relaxed breakfast by the pool with healthy granola and detox juices in the morning; DJ sets in the afternoon; and sunset aperitifs—not just any aperitifs, but the most sought-after in the city, celebrated for their festive vibe and cocktails with a playful twist.

«Perched above the beach club, the Celebration Suite is Dubai’s largest, spanning 1,045 square meters. It features a stunning 3D ceiling installation and a private infinity pool with breathtaking sea views»

At Nikki Beach, good food and drink, paired with diverse flavors and atmospheres, are integral to the experience. Fusion cuisine takes center stage at Nikki Café, where you can savor a delightful sea bass carpaccio with yuzu and coriander, while Soul Lounge offers gourmet tapas to pair with excellent cocktails. At Bungalo34, you can’t miss the reimagined versions of two Riviera classics: lobster Thermidor with egg and brandy, and a shrimp cocktail with avocado. It’s well-known that there’s a direct link between food and happiness, and for weekend brunches, a feast is laid out with fresh seafood, live cooking stations, and live music. It’s a celebration!

Life at the resort flows at a slow yet vibrant pace, with everything designed to elevate guests’ moods and well-being. The 1,650-square-meter spa features a luxurious white marble hammam and revitalizing rituals that work wonders in just a couple of hours—even for the most stubborn jet lag. Guests start with reflexology, warm their back with hot stones, enjoy a head massage, and voilà—energy is restored, and fatigue fades like magic. Others prefer to release tension through movement. The Tone Gym, equipped with the latest machines, caters to those who won’t give up their regular workouts, which can even be enhanced here with a personal trainer.

«Tailor your vacation to your rhythm and style—stay active with workouts and parties or unwind with beachside relaxation and rejuvenating wellness rituals.»

Nikki Beach’s location on Pearl Jumeirah Island is strategic: secluded enough to ensure the tranquility one seeks by the sea, yet just 14 kilometers from the airport and never too far from the mega malls and the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

The service is impeccable, with a multilingual staff ready to assist with any request, from booking a table at the trendiest restaurant to organizing a helicopter tour over the city.

In an ultra-modern metropolis where luxury and ultra-luxury hotels continue to open, it’s no surprise that Nikki Beach has managed to maintain a place of honor since its arrival in 2017, thanks to its formula of leisure, elegance, and entertainment. In fact, entrepreneurs Jack and Lucia Penrod were visionary when they created the first five-star beach club concept in Miami in 1998. To honor Nicole (Nikki), Jack’s daughter who tragically passed away in a car accident at the age of 18, they envisioned a place that would celebrate life—with music, good food, fashion, cinema, and entertainment: the things that bring joy.

Their vision was an immediate success, which the Penrods replicated with equal acclaim in St. Barth, Santorini, St. Tropez, Costa Smeralda, and other iconic beaches around the world. More than 25 years later, the group continues to thrive. Today, it boasts 12 beach clubs, five resorts, residences, multiple dining concepts, and pop-up events that define its seasons and make it an unmissable attraction wherever it goes.

… a celebration of life…

Sara Magro is a free lance journalist specilized on hospitality and travel. Regular contributor to Condé Nast Magazines and to the financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, she is co-founder and editor in chief of the web magazines TheTravelNews.it and TheItalyInsider.com