Artistic creations never looked so delicious as the towering structure takes centre stage in the lobby of the iconic hotel, setting the tone for festive cheer throughout the holiday season
Dubai, UAE -: From the moment you step foot inside The H Dubai, you are instantly engulfed in holiday cheer. As the festive season envelops the city in joyous spirits, The H Dubai proudly presents a captivating centrepiece that promises to mesmerise visitors. The hotel’s lobby is once again playing host to a truly breathtaking piece of artistic ingenuity in the form of a magnificent 6-meter-long, 2.5-meter-wide, and 2-meter-high gingerbread house inspired by the Al Wasl Dome, echoing the essence of COP28.
Every year, the hotel creates an iconic landmark with the previous years’ masterpieces including the sensational Expo 2020 site, the iconic Burj Khalifa, and the jaw-dropping Museum of the Future. This year, once again, months of meticulous planning and preparation have culminated in this extraordinary creation, which began its inception in September and was meticulously crafted until its completion on December 1st. A dedicated team of 20 talented individuals from various departments, including Pastry, Kitchen, Stewarding, Engineering, the BQT team, Purchasing, and Housekeeping, worked tirelessly for approximately 180 hours in total to bring this marvel to life.
Chef Heirida and Chef Laurent led this ambitious project, overseeing the design and execution with acute attention to detail. Made entirely of gingerbread, the complexity of replicating the Al Wasl Dome’s architecture posed some unique challenges, yet the team’s perseverance and commitment resulted in a state-of-the-art creation that pays homage to this iconic structure.
Executive Chef, Laurent Petit, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “We are thrilled with this remarkable gingerbread installation, a remarkable feat which could not have been achieved without the collaborative effort and creative spirit of our team.”
General Manager, Sophie Blondel, commented, “Each year, we aim to surpass expectations with our festive displays. This spectacular gingerbread house embodies the festive spirit and reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests. We tried to show the true spirit of the season through this display, and we are so excited with everything else that has been planned for the festive period for the whole family to enjoy.”
Al Wasl Dome was chosen this year in tribute to the ongoing COP28, the climate action conference which is taking place in Dubai. The H Dubai has a long history of sustainability and CSR initiatives, with this display being selected in recognition of all the hard work currently ongoing to help curb climate change. In line with the themes of sustainability and inclusivity for this year’s festive season, a lot of the materials used to build this impressive gingerbread house were recycled from last year and the décor includes centrepieces created by children from the Dubai Autism Centre.
This awe-inspiring gingerbread display will be a fixture of the hotel’s lobby throughout December, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its wonder and capture the essence of the holidays. Alongside this breathtaking showcase, The H Dubai has curated an extensive array of festive activities including turkey takeaways, a Christmas brunch, kids’ baking classes, and so much more, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all guests.