XVA Art Hotel, Dubai
Old Dubai’s Creative Hideaway
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● One of Dubai’s most authentic boutique stays, hidden within the winding lanes of the historic Al Fahidi district, where traditional architecture replaces glittering skyscrapers.
● A unique blend of heritage, contemporary Middle Eastern art, and intimate hospitality that feels more like staying in a private home than a conventional hotel.
● Just 15 individually designed rooms arranged around peaceful courtyards, creating a rare oasis of calm in one of the world’s fastest-changing cities.
A Different Side of Dubai
Long before Dubai became synonymous with record-breaking towers and luxury shopping malls, life revolved around Dubai Creek. XVA Art Hotel occupies a beautifully restored merchant’s house in Al Fahidi, one of the city’s oldest surviving neighbourhoods. Narrow alleyways, traditional wind towers, hidden courtyards, galleries, cafés, and artisan shops surround the hotel, offering visitors an entirely different perspective on Dubai. Here, history feels alive.
Heritage Meets Contemporary Art
Art is woven into every corner of the hotel. Owner Mona Hauser has transformed the property into both a boutique hotel and one of Dubai’s most respected contemporary art spaces. Original works by leading regional artists fill the courtyards, corridors, guestrooms, and gallery, creating an atmosphere where architecture and creativity naturally coexist. Traditional Persian-inspired features—including carved arches, palm-beam ceilings, shaded courtyards, and restored wind towers—sit comfortably alongside bold contemporary installations and handcrafted furnishings. The result feels timeless rather than nostalgic.
Fifteen Rooms, Fifteen Stories
No two guestrooms are alike. Each of the hotel’s 15 rooms has been individually designed, many in collaboration with regional artists and designers. Earth-toned plaster walls, handcrafted furniture, patterned textiles, and carefully chosen artworks create intimate spaces that celebrate the region’s cultural heritage while remaining distinctly contemporary. Several deluxe rooms extend into private courtyard seating areas, allowing guests to experience the gentle rhythm of life inside the historic neighbourhood. The atmosphere is personal, peaceful, and quietly inspiring.
The Courtyard Café
At the centre of the hotel lies the much-loved XVA Café. Hidden beneath mature trees in one of the shaded courtyards, it has become a favourite meeting place for both visitors and Dubai residents. The entirely vegetarian menu celebrates fresh Middle Eastern flavours through colourful salads, homemade specialities, fresh juices, and the café’s famous mint lemonade. It is the kind of place where breakfast turns into lunch and conversations easily stretch through the afternoon.
Slow Travel in Old Dubai
Staying at XVA encourages a slower pace. Step outside and lose yourself among Al Fahidi’s maze of narrow lanes before crossing Dubai Creek aboard a traditional abra to explore the spice, perfume, textile, and gold souks. Museums, galleries, independent cafés, and hidden courtyards reveal a side of Dubai that many visitors never discover. Despite its historic setting, Downtown Dubai and the city’s modern skyline remain only a short drive away.
Why It Works
XVA Art Hotel reminds visitors that Dubai’s greatest luxury isn’t always found in height, scale, or extravagance. Its true strength lies in authenticity, creativity, and a profound sense of place. By combining restored heritage architecture, contemporary Middle Eastern art, and deeply personal hospitality, it offers an experience unlike anywhere else in the city. For travellers searching for Dubai’s quieter, more creative soul, XVA Art Hotel remains one of the city’s most memorable and rewarding stays.
