Thia Skylounge

Thia is a pool-side food and beverage outlet nestled discreetly within lush foliage under the tower undercroft of the podium roof. The bar offers pool-side cocktails by day and sunset-inspired drinks by night.

To create a unique food and beverage venue at the hotel’s modest pool deck inspired by biophilia that will create an impactful juxtaposition in the urban jungle in which it is situated. It was important that the design was translated to feel like a magical terraced garden. The space demanded to be designed as a destination food and beverage venue that appealed to hotel guests using the pool during the day.

On entering Thia, guests are greeted with a verdant oasis that immediately connects them to nature in an unexpected setting. LW Design has cleverly clustered plants and olive trees in nostalgic terracotta pots throughout the calm sanctuary to create intimate pockets of seating throughout the terrace. The fortuitous serenity encapsulates a feeling of timelessness and that of a dreamy garden in the sky. Green walls cover the columns and walls while vines creep up and around them.

A solid teak scalloped bar is camouflaged with the back bar creating a monolithic backdrop where the ceiling walls and bar merge into a single entity. Beautiful, soft canvas director chairs line the bar to break up the line of homogenous scallops. Solid teak furniture with handcrafted rattan accents sits on vivid hand-woven rugs. The well- considered planting of pots affords small and large groups a sense of privacy within this urban escape.

Intricate terrazzo seamlessly covers the expanse of the space all the way to the pool edge. The pool is tiled in subtle white volcanic stone that reflects the water with a soft blue hue to complement the biophilic backdrop. The infinity pool overlooks Old Town and the modern icon, the Burj Khalifa. By day the fabric-covered cabanas are used for lounging, and, by night, they cleverly transform to become upright sofas for sheesha, drinks and canapes.Cabanas line the perimeter of the pool, offering a more private and exclusive experience. Dramatically uplit, the cabanas frame the space in an elegant yet soft manner. Flowy drapes give dappled shade throughout the day while creating an enchanting layer of privacy for evening guests.

Lighting has been beautifully woven through the plant pots to create an enchanting escape. At night the lighting creates beautiful shadows changing the landscape entirely from the day. The transformation from day to night creates a natural pocket of magic on the podium roof deck while the hotel tower reflects into the pool, creating a truly unique and special space. The AV system has been carefully integrated into the banquettes and walls to give bountiful sound for Thia to thrive as a popular evening and nighttime venue.

All furniture is handcrafted locally in solid teak wood with the highest quality materials and attention to detail. The outdoor fabrics were supplied by Perennials. Seamless terrazzo from Gambit flooring. All plants were locally sourced and indigenous to the region to ensure they can withstand the hot and humid UAE climate.

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