As the sun dipped below the horizon, Dubai witnessed a grand spectacle of opulence and magnificence at the unveiling of One&Only One Za’abeel, the first vertical urban resort nestled amidst the city’s vibrant skyline. The inaugural event, orchestrated by the prestigious ultra-luxury hospitality brand, unfolded with an air of anticipation and excitement. It also featured Michelin-inspired menus and spectacular performances by the likes of actor and DJ Idris Elba, Nancy Ajram and even a spontaneous first-time-ever collaboration between Jennifer Lopez and Mark Ronson.
The Celestial Convergence of Stars
Accompanying these illustrious figures were the suave Sidharth Malhotra, the radiant Kiara Advani, the stunning Malaika Arora, and the visionary Gauri Khan, each contributing their unique flair to the evening’s festivities. The gathering further boasted the presence of distinguished personalities such as the eminent DJ and record producer Mark Ronson, the magnetic duo of DJ Idris Elba and model Sabrina Elba, and a star-studded guest list across film, music, fashion and sport lineups including Vincent Cassel, Angelababy, Isabelle Huppert, David Gandy, Esai Morales, Eva Apio, Emma Raducanu, Nancy Ajram, Tanaaz Bhatia, Mara Hoffman, Ramla Ali and Nicola Roberts, Nandita Mahtani, Rahi Chadda, Orhan Awatramani (aka Orry) and Masoom Minawala alongside a curated guest list from around the world.
An Extravaganza Unfolds
The evening’s festivities commenced with a breathtaking aerial performance by Jennifer Lopez at Sphere, an ethereal space suspended a lofty 100 metres above the ground within The Link. Lopez captivated the audience with an impromptu medley of her chart-topping hits, including the timeless “Jenny From the Block, Can’t Get Enough,” the debut single from her upcoming album “This is Me… Now,” and “Get Right.” As the night unfolded, guests were treated to an unforgettable collaboration between Jennifer Lopez and Mark Ronson, as the duo took to the decks to curate an unforgettable musical experience. Later joined by the charismatic Idris Elba, the trio ensured that the revelry continued well into the early hours of the morning.
Lighting Up The Red Carpet
On the opening night, the red carpet was dazzling, with an array of celebrities and VIPs gracing the event. Amidst the glitz and glamour, the culinary world took centre stage with a series of exclusive dining experiences hosted by Michelin-lauded chefs. From the exquisite offerings at Le Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic to the innovative culinary delights at Arrazuna by Mehmet Gürs, QABU by Paco Morales, Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda, and Duangdy by Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones of BO. LAN, guests were treated to a symphony of flavours that tantalised the taste buds and delighted the senses.
A Culmination of Grandeur
The weekend culminated with a brunch at StreetXO, a concept restaurant by the three-Michelin star lauded Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz, where guests were served a menu of reimagined experimental street food. The finale was a mesmerising display of 3D video-mapping projections, setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest projection mapping in the world. Against the backdrop of One&Only One Za’abeel’s architectural marvel, guests were treated to a visual spectacle that seamlessly melded innovation with artistic brilliance.
As the night drew to a close, One&Only One Za’abeel emerged as a beacon of exceptional dining, innovative wellness and curated experiences to create a spectacular urban stage at the centre of everything. It is the latest resort opening operated by Kerzner International, the leader in ultra-luxury hospitality, and sits within the new One Za’abeel building, an architectural icon which boasts dual skyscrapers intersected by the world’s longest cantilever and horizontal bridge, The Link.
