Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Hotel to close in two months' time for renovation

The famous wave exterior will remain untouched but a significant overhaul is expected inside


DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – May 21: Jumeirah Beach Hotel as seen from Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. (Pawan Singh / The National)
 *** Local Caption ***  PS001-JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL.jpgPS001-JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL.jpg
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One of Dubai's most famous hotels will close in just over two months as it undergoes a substantial makeover.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel will stop receiving guests from May to early October as the property completes a two-year renovation

The famous wave-shaped exterior will remain but inside a significant overhaul is expected.

The 618-room hotel will reopen in time for its 21st anniversary celebrations in December.

The work will extend to 425 guest bedrooms, the public spaces, lobby, retail areas, beach and outdoor facilities, restaurants and dining outlets. This follows work last year.

All guests who have reservations during the period will be offered alternate stays in Dubai at one of the beachfront properties within Madinat Jumeirah.

While the hotel will close to guests, other parts such as the Wild Wadi waterpark, the Talise gym and café and certain parts of the beach will remain open.

Staff are set to be redeployed during the work.

"We are very excited that Jumeirah Beach Hotel is to undergo such a significant transformation," said Sven Wiedenhaupt, the hotel's general manager.

"Although our loyal guests who stay with us year after year and the Dubai community will miss visiting their favourite hotel and restaurants during its renovation, I can assure them that a brand new Jumeirah Beach Hotel experience is coming that will be well worth the wait.

"The famed wave-shape exterior of the hotel will remain untouched but the experience inside will be revamped, ensuring we are geared up to create another twenty years of memories," he said.

The first of Jumeirah’s properties, Jumeirah Beach Hotel opened in 1997. It's built on the site of the legendary Chicago Beach Hotel, which was popular during the 1980s and 1990s.

The location was then considered out of town, but the Chicago Beach Hotel set the benchmark for the expansion of the tourism industry in the city.

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