At Jumeirah Frankfurt, a 208-room luxury hotel located steps from the bustling Zeil shopping district, 40,000 bees thrive on the rooftop. Overseen by the hotel’s beekeeper and executive chef, the hives produce honey used across the hotel’s kitchen and in its locally inspired spa treatments — for example, the Skyline ritual incorporates a honey paste to nourish the skin. This rooftop apiary reflects Germany’s artisan food culture and illustrates Jumeirah’s commitment to local community engagement, a hallmark of the brand’s approach that distinguishes it from more uniform global hotel chains.
Beekeeper at Jumeirah Frankfurt © JUMEIRAH
“No two Jumeirah hotels will be exactly alike,” says José Silva, the group’s chief executive officer, who joined Jumeirah in March 2018.
Silva brings extensive luxury-hospitality experience — including 27 years with Four Seasons — and is known for his strategic vision and expertise in repositioning landmark properties, such as the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris. An award-winning hotelier, Silva now leads Jumeirah through a period of measured expansion. With nine new hotels opening in the year and the growth of the sister brand Zabeel House by Jumeirah, the company aims to retain its founding values while widening its appeal. Zabeel House targets a broad mix of business and leisure travelers with design-led, experience-focused properties; three locations are already in operation in Dubai.
“Our primary aim is to make our guests feel that they are at the center of our universe,” Silva explains. He describes Arabian hospitality as a philosophy that elevates service beyond conventional five-star standards. Combined with distinctive architecture, thoughtful dining programs and staff trained to greet guests with warmth and can-do attitudes, Jumeirah delivers a consistent level of refined, approachable luxury that many upscale hotels struggle to maintain.
Founded in 1997 with the mission of creating a world-class luxury hotel portfolio, Jumeirah Group joined Dubai Holding in 2004. The brand has grown steadily: 15 properties in the Middle East, including the iconic Burj Al Arab; five in Europe; two in Asia; and numerous projects underway. “Dubai is a city that makes the impossible possible, and it is with this vision and boldness that Jumeirah has seen itself grow into the leading hospitality company,” Silva says. He emphasizes that Jumeirah’s strong identity resonates internationally as the brand expands while preserving its Dubai-origin spirit.
Silva describes the group’s expansion strategy as “nimble,” combining acquisitions and management agreements to grow selectively while maintaining high standards. With hotels spanning Spain to the Maldives and Dubai to London, Jumeirah emphasizes variety and a genuine sense of place. The workforce, drawn from more than 140 nationalities, contributes cultural richness that helps each property reflect its locale. “Whether you are dining at The Terrace at Burj Al Arab, exploring the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, enjoying a city break at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, or discovering the history of the Sóller Valley at Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa in Mallorca, guests can be sure their experiences will stay with them forever,” Silva says, stressing that growth will remain connected to local culture.
Food and beverage is central to Jumeirah’s future strategy. “Over the last decade, hotels have become more than just a place of accommodation,” Silva notes. “I see dining as one of our strongest difference-makers.” Building on the Dubai model — where Jumeirah operates more than 60 restaurants along a premier beachfront — the group is enhancing culinary offerings across new and existing properties. To lead this effort, Jumeirah appointed Michael Ellis, former global director of the Michelin Restaurant and Hotel Guides, as its first chief culinary officer. Under his guidance, the company plans to roll out fresh restaurant concepts and elevate current dining experiences.
New openings are planned worldwide, from China and Bali to Oman and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, Al Seef Heritage Hotel by Jumeirah, which opened in September, channels an Arabian Nights atmosphere with traditional architecture and Emirati hospitality along the banks of Dubai Creek. The 200-room hotel spans 22 Arabian-style houses, features classic wind towers, and evokes old-world charm alongside waterfront views.
Jumeirah Nanjing © JUMEIRAH
Architecture enthusiasts will note the Zaha Hadid–designed Jumeirah Nanjing, which opened in the fall in the Hexi New District, a one-hour train ride from Shanghai. Located in a mixed-use entertainment and commercial hub, the hotel reflects China’s forward-looking urban character. Also in China, Jumeirah Guangzhou, set to open in November, will feature 124 premier rooms and spa suites adjacent to the Talise Spa, alongside Jumeirah Living Guangzhou, a complex of 169 serviced apartments that cater to long-stay and residential-style guests.
Travelers should also look for Jumeirah Bali, scheduled to open in 2019 in Jimbaran. The all-private-villa resort, inspired by a Javanese water palace and perched near a popular surf beach and the New Kuta Golf Course, will include three restaurants, a spa and a modern fitness center.
Below is a selection of notable Jumeirah properties that illustrate the brand’s range and service standards.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah © JUMEIRAH
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah | Dubai
Demographic: Luxury travelers seeking a memorable splurge
Offerings: An all-suite hotel renowned for extravagant arrivals, including chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or helicopter transfers to its helipad.
Highlights: Iconic sail-shaped architecture, The Terrace with beach, pools, restaurants and butler-serviced cabanas — an immersive seaside experience.
Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa | Mallorca
Demographic: Leisure travelers, honeymooners, culinary travelers, athletes and solo travelers
Offerings: Perched on a cliff, the 121-room hotel spans 11 Mediterranean-style buildings surrounded by gardens, with terraces offering sea or mountain views.
Highlights: Three restaurants serving regional specialties, including Es Fanals at the hotel’s highest point, and sunset boat trips along Mallorca’s northern coast with views of the Tramuntana range.
Slow-cooked barramundi at Jumeirah Vittaveli © JUMEIRAH
Jumeirah Vittaveli | Maldives
Demographic: Honeymooners, families and wellness-minded guests
Offerings: A 20-minute motorized catamaran ride from Malé, the resort offers 89 villas and suites with private pools, including ocean suites and two-bedroom family villas.
Highlights: The largest kids’ club in the Maldives, a 5-star PADI dive center, tailored wellness programs and spa treatments featuring island-made products.
Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living | London
Demographic: High-end business travelers, families and luxury travelers
Offerings: Luxury serviced apartments that combine Mayfair-style elegance with full-service amenities, located near Hyde Park.
Highlights: The At Home with Jumeirah Living service supports residents with dinner-party planning, office setup and grocery stocking to create a seamless London stay.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers | Abu Dhabi
Demographic: Business, leisure, family and luxury travelers
Offerings: A beachside complex of five towers offering retail, dining and conference facilities, plus sea views, pools and attentive service.
Highlights: Choose from 12 dining venues, many led by notable chefs, and enjoy tea at Observation Deck at 300 for sweeping city views.