25hours Hotel One Central: A Quirky Desert Dream in Dubai
Where futuristic towers meet nomadic soul and 25hours eccentricity
Architecture with Attitude
In a city famous for glass-and-gold showpieces, 25hours Hotel One Central is something else entirely. Designed by Woods Bagot, the building is bold but warm, contemporary yet deeply rooted in storytelling. Rising beside the World Trade Centre and framed by Dubai’s futuristic skyline, its form feels both monumental and inviting—a hotel that embraces the city’s ambition but also resists its clichés. Inside, the architecture becomes a canvas for playful design, layering the raw energy of the desert with a kaleidoscope of global inspiration.
Nomads, Explorers, Storytellers
True to the 25hours DNA, the design narrative is anything but conventional. Here, the guiding theme is The Nomads of Dubai—a story that ties together Bedouin traditions, Arabian heritage, and the global influences that swirl through this desert crossroads. Interiors created by the team at Woods Bagot and 25hours’ creative collaborators channel the life of explorers and storytellers, mixing old-world craft with modern quirk. Expect camel saddles repurposed as furniture, maps sprawling across walls, and antiques paired with sleek industrial lighting. Every corner is a discovery: vintage typewriters sit beside neon signs; libraries overflow with travel books; and bold murals bring desert folklore to life. The result is eclectic and exuberant—an antidote to Dubai’s uniform luxury.
Rooms with a Sense of Play
The 434 rooms and suites come in a variety of personalities, from “Bedouin Rooms” with earthy textures and desert tones to “Glamping Rooms” that playfully riff on camping culture—yes, complete with sleeping bags. At the top end, suites are unabashedly indulgent yet never lose their humor. Some feature hammocks slung across picture windows, others showcase freestanding bathtubs with skyline views. This is comfort with character, luxury with a wink.
Social Spaces with Soul
As with every 25hours property, One Central is as much about community as it is about sleep. The hotel’s ground floor hums with energy:
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Tandoor Tina, the signature restaurant, serves British-Indian fare with spice, wit, and style.
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Monkey Bar, perched on the rooftop, is already a Dubai hotspot, with lush jungle vibes, panoramic views, and cocktails that keep the crowd buzzing well into the night.
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Ernst Biergarten, meanwhile, offers a hearty, Bavarian counterpoint—because why not have lederhosen energy in the desert?
Add in the Nomad Day Bar for coffee and co-working, and you’ve got a property that functions as much like a cultural hub as a hotel.
Beyond the Ordinary Amenities
Forget sterile gyms and standard spas. At One Central, the offerings are injected with creativity: a podcast studio where guests can record their own stories; a vinyl listening room for audiophiles; a rooftop pool with skyline views; and a co-working loft that feels like a design-forward clubhouse. Even wellness takes a twist: yoga mats rolled out against floor-to-ceiling windows, saunas designed with playful flourishes, and quiet corners to recharge after a city that rarely slows down.
A New Chapter for Dubai
What makes 25hours One Central remarkable is not just what it is, but what it represents. In a city known for hyper-luxury and glittering uniformity, this hotel is messy—in the best possible way. It celebrates imperfection, embraces eccentricity, and invites guests to participate in its story rather than just consume it. It’s a fresh blueprint for what hospitality in Dubai can be: rooted in design, buzzing with culture, and unafraid to laugh at itself.
DNA Hotels Verdict
25hours Hotel One Central is Dubai unplugged: bold architecture, eccentric design, and a nomadic narrative that turns a stay into a story. With its rooftop bars, quirky rooms, and communal spirit, it’s more than a hotel—it’s a cultural playground in the desert. For travelers tired of cookie-cutter five-star polish, this is Dubai with a heartbeat, a wink, and a hammock.
