Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City

Posted in Projects on 4 May, 2017

Media One Hotel redefines itself with edgy interior makeover

Media One Hotel, set amidst buzzing Dubai Media City, has recently undergone a refurbishment of its lobby, bar, café and office lobby. Frequented by vibey, urban millennials; concertgoers and creative business types means the hotel needs to keep up with trends and maintain a contemporary feel. Work on the hotel rooms and suites is currently under way.

LW’s design team, led by Pooja Shah-Mulani, Senior Interior Designer, was briefed to make the space more exciting; to give visitors something to think about. The central theme that was selected was ‘media’ – relating to the location of the property within Media City, as well as the key business interests of many of its guests.

This was translated into some of the playful pieces that adorn the lobby, café and bar. Visitors will notice abundant white monkeys holding lights (by Seletti World) – a nod to the ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ premise. There are also sheep, by Jean Luc Cornec, featuring old fashioned telephones on their faces: a reminder of how far communication devices have come.

Overall, there were no major changes made to the structure or the flooring, keeping disruption to the operation of the hotel to a minimum. An eclectic mix of furniture and fixtures has been configured into social yet intimate meeting spaces through the clever use of sliding barn doors.

Cool white marble runs throughout the ground floor, so the designer decided to introduce timber panels and cladding to add some warmth. The fabrics chosen are contemporary and eclectic, adding texture and interest to seating areas, often punctuated by pops of blue. Wooden flooring has been introduced into the outlets, complementing the use of marble, wood and metal on furnishing.

The reception desk has relocated to the back of the lobby space. Not a traditionally obvious place for this function, yet it encourages visitors to explore the space and adds to the aspect of social interaction.

The bar, named QWERTY after the first letters on a keyboard, boasts bold statements and art on the walls that reflects pop culture and a gastro pub vibe. By simple changes to cushions, artwork and lighting, the space is transformed from daytime to night.

CaféM is located on the ground floor and is a relaxed, fun meeting place serving wholesome food all day long. Here, suspended metal fixtures provide storage and display space above the serving counter. Bespoke cabinetry creates a welcoming home for plants and books related to the media theme whilst the different types of seating makes the café a great place for informal meetings and casual meals. Bold statements adorn the wall, giving visitors a talking point.

Media One Hotel can now claim to be a benchmark in urban living. Its choice of customised industrial lights, contemporary furniture and street art combines to create a youthful, edgy experience that has been well received by a trendy audience.