Last month, the Grand Opening of the new One&Only One Za’abeel, the first vertical, urban resort by the ultra-luxury hospitality brand, was celebrated in Dubai. The event drew influential tastemakers and cultural trailblazers from around the world for a one-off weekend of entertainment on Dubai’s new urban stage, The Link.
The star-studded guest list included Jennifer Lopez (singer and actor), Naomi Campbell (model), Vanessa Hudgens (actor), Mark Ronson (DJ and record producer), Idris Elba (DJ), Sabrina Elba (model), Vincent Cassel (actor), Angelababy (actor), Isabelle Huppert (actor), David Gandy (model), Esai Morales (actor), Eva Apio (model), Emma Raducanu (tennis player), Nancy Ajram (singer), Sidharth Malhotra (actor), Kiara Advani (actor), Malaika Arora (actor), Mara Hoffman (fashion designer), Ramla Ali (boxer), and Nicola Roberts (singer).
Highlights from the Grand Opening included a dazzling party in the sky at Sphere in The Link, where Jennifer Lopez gave a spontaneous performance. She wowed guests with hit songs like “Jenny From the Block,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Get Right.” Dressed in a glittering pink jumpsuit, Lopez joined Mark Ronson on the decks during his DJ set, marking their first-ever collaboration. The party continued into the early hours with a closing set by Idris Elba.
Throughout the weekend, guests enjoyed bespoke dining experiences at various restaurants within the resort. The festivities began with welcome drinks at Aelia, followed by dinners hosted by Michelin-lauded chefs. The first night concluded with an afterparty at Tapasake, featuring a live performance by Nancy Ajram.
Day two kicked off with a sun-soaked Rosé Pool Brunch at Tapasake, followed by makeup sessions at Glam Suites by Charlotte Tilbury. Guests then walked the red carpet, joined by international celebrities, before enjoying martinis at Aelia.
The culinary experience continued with dinners hosted by Michelin-lauded chefs at their latest restaurant openings. Highlights included dishes like beef filet perfumed with black garlic at Le Dame de Pic and steamed Alaskan king crab at Sagetsu.
The weekend concluded with a brunch at StreetXO, featuring a bespoke menu of reimagined global street food by Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz. To commemorate the event, a record-breaking 3D video-mapping projection illuminated the exterior of the resort throughout the celebratory weekend, adding to the awe-inspiring atmosphere.