To understand the essence of The Canvas Hotel Dubai – MGallery Hotel Collection, we must travel back in time to the 19th century when the Bani Yas tribe first settled the district in which we stand – Bur Dubai. Long before the city’s first skyscraper rose up like a mirage from the Arabian Desert, Bur Dubai’s earliest residents made living diving for pearls in the Dubai Creek and slept in modest homes built out of coral. After the discovery of oil in 1966 and the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, everything changed. Bur Dubai’s sandy streets were rapidly developed and the district became the blueprint for the glittering, cosmopolitan metropolis we know today.

Our 5-star hotel in old Dubai pays homage to the idea of the city as a blank canvas – a place of constant transformation where even the most impossible dreams can become a reality. In particular, Bur Dubai’s dual role as a historic center and modern trendsetter have inspired our own outlook, which is both respectfully traditional and fiercely contemporary.

From the moment you step into our glass-ceilinged atrium the stage is set for a memorable stay. Clear desert light filters down through eight floors to reflect off Helidon Xhixha’s polished steel wall art, a tribute to the beauty of Dubai’s night-time skyline. Burgundy leather sofas invite travel-weary legs to rest awhile and admire masterpieces by Emirati artists – proof of the city’s leadership in the spheres of art and culture.

Perhaps you will dedicate your time to exploring Bur Dubai’s heritage – through a visit to the historic Al Bastakiya neighborhood perhaps, or with a Memorable Moment tour of the Etihad Museum. Perhaps you’ll embrace the fast pace of modern Dubai instead, with heady days in the nearby gold souks and Arabian nights at our rooftop lounge. Either way, our luxury hotel in Bur Dubai is the ideal base for your Emirati adventures. In between discoveries, make your way to MYST Spa to recharge body and mind with a soak in the city’s largest private jacuzzi. Or revel in the tantalizing scents and flavors served up at our celebrity restaurant, Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor.

CHRISTINA ASSMANN
HOTEL MANAGER