Elite Traveler May-June 2018

BULGARI RESORT DUBAI OPENED DECEMBER 2017 Designed to feel like an Italian village on the Mediterranean Sea, albeit one on a man-made, seahorse-shaped island in the Arabian Gulf, Bulgari’s sprawling 1.4m-sq-ft compound has apartments, private mansions, a hotel, 50-boat marina and yacht club. Reputed to be Dubai’s most expensive resort — which in a city as over-the- top as Dubai is really saying something — it has every conceivable amenity, including dining from a three-Michelin-starred chef and an incredible spa with views of Dubai’s skyline from its infinity pool. Marble and stone abound throughout the resort; the exterior walls are dramatic slabs of Arabescata marble, and inside there’s rare Iranian green onyx, Mongolian black granite and, of course, Italian marble. The brise-soleils resemble coral, and they cut a striking profile throughout the property. Providing absolute privacy is a collection of 20 villas, the most luxurious of which is the 5,800-sq- ft Bulgari Villa. The living room’s double-height floor-to-ceiling windows open to a suspended wooden walkway that leads to an oval pool overlooking the ocean and a private beach. Butler service, a security entrance, full bar, kitchen that can cater for up to 100 people and a 5,400-sq-ft private garden make it the perfect spot for entertaining. THE EXPERIENCE Have an Italian feast with a menu by three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito in La Limonaia, a walled secret garden filled with lemon trees. Designed as an ancient Roman garden, a birch walkway follows a geometric pattern as it winds its way through the fragrant trees. Bulgari Villa from $55,000 per night with five-night minimum booking. Contact Pep Lozano, general manager, dubai@ bulgarihotels.com, bulgarihotels.com

Photo TOMMY-PICONE