Perched on the southern coast of JBR beach, the pyramid-shaped Sheraton JBR was the first hotel to open in one of Dubai's most popular neighbourhoods. Welcoming guests since 1996, it was the only building back then in what was to become one of Dubai's most bustling shorefronts.
Almost three decades ago, there was only a single lane of tarmac leading to the hotel, which was surrounded by vast sandy expanses and tropical palm trees. Today, the area is recognisable by its district throng of shops, hotels, bars and a dizzying number of restaurants, plus a new-look Sheraton hotel with renovated suites, rooms, restaurants and facilities.
“We are excited to introduce this transformative chapter for Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort,” said Mohamed El Aghoury, general manager of Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort and Aloft Palm Jumeirah. “We’ve reimagined the resort to offer not just comfort, but also a truly immersive atmosphere, where every detail ensures visitors feel like they truly belong in this thoughtfully designed environment.”
The National was invited to write the first paragraph of this stalwart hotel's new chapter.
The welcome
When Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort first opened, getting to it was easy. There were no other hotels in the neighbourhood and plenty of open space. Today, it’s a different story, and my journey to the hotel involves a snail-like crawl along the road leading to JBR. Once I reach the hotel, it’s smooth sailing with a private car park and quick valet service.
I arrive at 3pm on the dot, and reception staff take my ID and process the paperwork efficiently. The room is not quite ready – which is forgivable, given that my family and I will be the first people to stay in the newly renovated duplex garden suite. We’re shown to the Club Lounge, where complimentary soft drinks and snacks are almost enough to keep us happily occupied during the 45-minute wait.
The neighbourhood
JBR is one of Dubai’s busiest waterfront communities and one that has undergone rapid development in the past two decades. As the first hotel to open here, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort has gone from flying solo to being one of numerous hotels.
Bookending one side of JBR beach, the hotel is in the heart of what is essentially a city within a city, filled with hotels, bars, shops, apartments and a dizzying number of restaurants. One thing is for sure, guests staying in this district are spoilt for choice when it comes to food. It's also not far from Bluewater's Island, with a pedestrian bridge leading to the artificial isle that's home to Ain Dubai.
The room
We’re staying in a two-bedroom duplex family garden suite. Located on the ground level, the room is also accessible from the hotel gardens via a wooden gate leading to a small courtyard. Going inside, the room is huge and feels more like a town house than a hotel suite.
The front door opens to a small washroom and a wide entry hall, which is a convenient place to park prams for those travelling with children. A kitchenette, complete with washing machine, microwave, fridge and utensils is suitable for those staying a while. There’s a circular dining table although, surprisingly for a family suite, only two chairs. A sprawling stylish cream sofa spans the length of the lounge, opening up on one side with an L-shaped cushion. There’s another round table here, with another two chairs, plus a long ledge that can be used as a workspace or storage. Sliding glass doors open out to the courtyard, making it super-convenient to go explore the resort.
The colour palette is inspired by the hotel's seaside surrounds with plenty of white marble and sandy tones complemented by pops of azure. Natural shapes and curves play a big part, with arched coving and free-form mirrors and the lighting throughout is soothing. Up the beautifully illuminated stairs are two bedrooms, one to each side of the staircase. The master has a king bed that is deliciously comfortable, plus plenty of space for a baby cot.
Floor-to-ceiling windows come with views of Ain Dubai and the Arabian Gulf, although there's no upstairs balcony. The twin room on the other side of the suite has its own bathroom and is generously sized with two comfortable beds. The views here aren’t quite as impressive, though, as it overlooks a McDonald's and Starbucks.
The service
It's hit and miss. Reception staff are efficient and friendly, as are those working in the restaurants especially at Peacock, one of Dubai’s oldest Chinese eateries, where staff go above and beyond to make us feel welcome and give us great recommendations on dishes to try. At the pool, though, attendants are hard to track down and there’s a constant lack of towels. During our visit, one of the lifeguards has to leap into the pool to help rescue a little boy who is struggling to swim – so kudos to the lifeguard team.
The scene
A family-friendly resort, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort is also popular with couples and groups of travellers both from overseas and around the Emirates. Children fit right in and there’s plenty to keep them entertained, including an impressive wooden pirate-ship playground, and a gradual sloping swimming pool that means there’s a depth for every size of swimmer. There’s also a shaded children's pool and the Azure swim-up pool bar.
For travellers staying in a suite or club room, there's complimentary access to the Sheraton Club Lounge. Newly renovated, it has fantastic views and a revolving menu of complimentary soft drinks and snacks. The hotel gym has everything you might need for a holiday workout and the private beach has a host of watersports available, plus plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas.
Located right in front of the beach, Bliss Lounge is the ideal place to enjoy a sunset drink, with good music and a relaxed vibe. From here, it's easy to head out into the wider JBR neighbourhood – with direct access from the hotel gardens leading to a path that winds along the sand to The Walk.
The food
Seafield Mediterranean Eatery is the hotel's newest restaurant, which boasts a resort-inspired look, offers indoor and outdoor seating, plus a wide menu. It’s still getting the final touches during our visit, so instead we dine at Peacock – where the menu has remained largely the same since the hotel first opened.
Tucked away on the mezzanine level and decorated with traditional red Chinese lanterns, water features and lucky cats, the restaurant offers a menu that spans Sichuan and Cantonese dishes. We try the prawn har gow (Dh55), served in a traditional steamer basket and a huge portion of sticky salt and pepper spare ribs (Dh95). For mains, the crispy beef (Dh95) is excellent – perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, while the black bean seafood platter (Dh128) has a lovely umami flavour. The accompanying egg fried rice is also delicious, and there's a distinct sense of authenticity in each dish we try.
Other new dining options in the hotel include Black Goose, an industrial-chic sports bar that serves up a Tex-Mex inspired menu, and & More, the hotel's spacious lobby dining area, where breakfast is served each morning.
Highs and lows
Our room is a beautifully decorated sanctum with plenty of space to spread out despite being in the heart of one of Dubai's buzziest neighbourhoods – that's hard to beat. The newly renovated spaces are very inviting and transport one of the city's oldest hotels into the modern era. The downside of the renovation is that there's a very obvious vibe change between the new parts of the hotel and the older spaces, which could benefit from upgrading.
The insider tip
Dine at Peacock – there's a reason it's been serving up the same dishes for almost 30 years. Order plenty and be prepared to share. Oh, and maybe bring your own pool towels!
The verdict
A classic staycation spot that's been brought up to date with a seaside-inspired makeover.
The bottom line
Winter rates start from Dh1,830 (including breakfast and taxes). Check-in from 3pm; checkout is until noon.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the resort and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
The five pillars of Islam
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2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nabil%20Ayouch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nisrin%20Erradi%2C%20Joud%20Chamihy%2C%20Jalila%20Talemsi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
Mobile phone packages comparison
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
