Dubai hotels may be synonymous with polished extravagance, but 25hours Hotel One Central flips the script by turning every corner into a playground of personality.
As one of almost 1000 hotels in Dubai, the 25hours Hotel One Central stands out not only for its design pedigree but also for its prime accessibility.
From art-laden lounges and vintage curios to rooms with views framing the Museum of the Future’s surreal architecture, the hotel blends Bedouin-inspired details with modern ease. Expect inventive dining concepts, a rooftop pool overlooking the skyline, and cozy nooks that invite you to linger, this is luxury reimagined for the curious and the carefree.
In Short: Playful, casual and packed with personality, this colourful hotel delivers a different take on luxury in Dubai. It’s a dynamic, come-as-you-are kind of place, with diverse dining, tons of creativity and a view that’s magnetic.
The Location
For a district that remained undeveloped for so long, the area surrounding the hotel is remarkably central. It’s just 11 km from Dubai International Airport — a taxi ride of around 15 minutes — and a few minutes walk from World Trade Centre Metro station.
Though there are still few immediately accessible restaurants and shops right by the hotel, the nearby metro effortlessly connects travellers to the airport in one direction and towards Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall in the other, a 15-minute commute. Of course, the Museum of the Future is the dominant draw here but business travellers regularly bunker down at the hotel when the neighbouring Dubai World Trade Centre is hosting one of its regular global expos or conferences.
The Background
‘You know one, you know none.’ As hotel group slogans go, it’s a confusing one, but it does show that the 25hours Hotels brand’s eclecticism is entirely intentional.
Launched in Germany 20 years ago, each of its 17 hotels is completely unique but there are some commonalities: bright, bold interiors dominate; immersive, engaging and unstuffy art is a strong focus; and each hotel is themed around some fanciful or flamboyant story or narrative. The Florence property, for example, was influenced by Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy and references to the poem are threaded into the property’s furniture, accessories and other touchpoints.
When the first 25 Hours hotel in the Middle East opened in Dubai in 2021, that creative approach injected a sense of fun into the city’s hospitality scene. Though this flashy tourism epicentre is inundated with five-star properties, it was unusual to find one with such an informal, creative personality. Plus its launch contributed to the reinvigoration of a central but often overlooked district of the city. Opened shortly afterwards, the architecturally staggering Museum of the Future sits right across from the hotel - in ever-evolving Dubai, this precinct is now a tourism hotspot.
The Guests
Just as much a melting pot as Dubai is, this welcoming hotel draws local hipsters with its cafe courtyard and co-working spaces; conference-goers who network at the nearby World Trade Centre; plus clued-up holidaymakers and creative types who’ve rejected the city’s glossy-but-generic five-stars in favour of something more idiosyncratic.
The Rooms
A counterpoint to many of Dubai’s glossy but generic hotel accommodations, rooms at 25hours are packed with curios, talking points, colour and personality.
Inspired by nomads and explorers, some might feature nostalgia-inducing anachronisms like analogue telephones and Polaroid cameras, alongside hammocks, roll-top baths and display bicycles. Plush toy camels are another cute touch, and the complimentary minibar is thoughtful. The basics are handsomely covered too — I’d no issues with soundproofing, water pressure, bedding and the like — but what really makes the best of these 434 rooms stand out is what lies beyond them: a few offer stellar, surreal views of the Museum of the Future, one of the most beautiful, ambitious buildings in this pioneering city.
The Dining
The hotel’s eclecticism extends into its F&B offering.
Pretty in pale Jaipur pinks, progressive Indian restaurant Tandoor Tina serves an endless array of vibrant, flavour-packed dishes, like coal-roasted seabass in a creamy coconut curry, or tamarind-glazed lamb chops with a dollop of gunpowder aioli. With its jaunty green tiling, checkered tablecloths and light-dappled terrace, German restaurant Ernst’s reminded me of my carefree days spent in Munich biergartens but I wasn’t won over by plain dishes like Bavarian potato salad or a bland buttercream-and-chocolate torte.
Come evening, rooftop Monkey Bar and Juna shisha lounge are two of the hotel’s liveliest spots. Primarily a buffet affair, breakfast is perfectly acceptable but - given how imaginative other facets of the hotel are - I couldn’t help but find its prescriptive range of dishes predictable and boring.
Wellness & Spa
The first 25hours spa to open across the brand’s entire portfolio, the hotel’s Extra Hour Spa is a dinky, discreet component of a wellness proposition that stretches over much of the hotel’s sixth-floor rooftop. Fitness fans have access to an excellent gym supplemented by an outdoor training area, and the open-air pool again offers stellar views of the shimmering Museum of the Future.
The Staff
Appropriately for the brand, staff are friendly, youthful and approachable. Still, at times it felt like this much-loved hotel may be a victim of its own popularity. During my stay, the under resourced reception team couldn’t always cope efficiently with the volume of enquiries they encountered - I felt this was likely a common issue given the hotel is often booked solid.
Sustainability & Accessibility
The hotel is Green Key-certified and has procedures in place to minimise the impact of electricity use and water waste. With regards to accessibility for People of Determination, the 25 Hours Hotel One Central provides a number of accessible rooms. Additionally, all its F&B outlets are wheelchair accessible.
How would you describe it to a friend?
A welcome antidote to the sea of sameness you encounter when staying at so many other glass-box Dubai hotels.
25 Hours Hotel One Central, Dubai
Trade Center Street, 9914 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Prices from Dhs1000 per night
@25hourshoteldubai
25hours-hotels.com
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