Project / Client’s Brief
The client’s vision was to revitalize and diversify the dining and social offerings at Le Royal Meridien, Dubai, by introducing two new concepts within the same property. The brief asked for two distinct yet complementary venues: one that would serve as a relaxed, bistro-style dining experience, and another as a sophisticated cocktail and wine bar. The goal was to reclaim underutilized areas of the hotel and transform them into destinations that appeal to both hotel guests and outside visitors, while ensuring each space had its own unique character and atmosphere.
Concept
The project was conceived as two stories, one transformation. Beam was designed as a contemporary coastal bistro, casual yet refined, where guests could enjoy a seamless dining experience from morning to evening. Blush, in contrast, was imagined as a poetic, intimate cocktail and wine bar — layered, tactile, and immersive. Together, they represent two sides of hospitality: convivial dining and intimate socializing.
Various Design Elements
Beam emphasizes lightness and flow. White brick walls, paneled columns wrapped in striped fabric, and muted coastal tones set a relaxed atmosphere. The seafood counter was relocated to improve spatial circulation, and a new seasonal bar connects the dining room to the terrace, functioning open-air in cooler months and enclosed during summer.
Blush takes a more expressive approach. A circular bar serves as the centerpiece of the two-level venue, set against a bold patterned floor and a hand-painted botanical ceiling mural. Antique mirrored panels, blush-toned upholstery, and eclectic artworks contribute to an atmosphere of intimacy, layered detail, and visual richness.
About the Execution
The execution required adaptability, as both projects involved reworking existing hotel spaces with technical limitations. In Beam, original features such as marble flooring and hexagonal ceiling patterns were retained and reinterpreted, with rattan inlays adding warmth and craft. For Blush, unexpected demolition discoveries such as structural shafts demanded on-site design revisions, including relocating the bar and adjusting glazing, all resolved without compromising the concept.
About the Ambience
Beam offers a relaxed, informal ambience that feels both familiar and sophisticated — a place where daylight, muted tones, and coastal materials create comfort and calm. Blush contrasts this with a moodier, more intimate energy. Rich textures, mirrored surfaces, and a curated art collection evoke elegance and discovery. The ambience is layered and sensory, designed for lingering conversations and late-night gatherings.
Challenges Overcome
Among the main challenges was integrating new bar infrastructure within existing hotel layouts. In Blush, structural constraints uncovered during demolition required the relocation of the bar and adjustments to glazing, which were resolved without compromising the concept. For Beam, the long-established footprint and existing architectural elements were reinterpreted rather than discarded, ensuring continuity while creating a new identity.
Unique and Key Features
The dual-concept transformation is in itself a defining feature. Beam and Blush are designed with contrasting yet complementary identities, both rooted in the same design language of material quality and craft. Beam is distinguished by its seasonal bar, reoriented dining flow, and reinterpretation of existing hotel features. Blush is characterized by its circular bar centerpiece, botanical ceiling mural, and integration of art and craft.
Technical Elements
Beam required structural coordination for the terrace integration and careful reinterpretation of existing finishes. Blush involved recalibrated bar placement, custom lighting design, and acoustic treatment for intimacy. Both projects employed adaptable FF&E strategies, combining custom furniture with repurposed hotel pieces to achieve continuity and efficiency.
Material Selection
Beam features natural timber, white brick, striped fabric panels, artificial rattan inlays, and a muted coastal palette of blues and beiges. Blush employs antique mirrors, blush-toned upholstery, botanical murals, rattan textures, and bold graphic flooring patterns.
Furniture
In Beam, a mix of custom-designed furniture and repurposed FF&E aligns with the coastal palette. In Blush, sculptural bar stools, plush banquettes, eclectic seating, and statement chandeliers are tailored to create intimacy and detail.
Team
The projects were designed by LW Design Group, with contributions from Rachel Kidd, Debra Parkinson, and Marianna Arpano Kirkegaard on Blush. Culinary direction was led by Chef Nick Alvis.
