Pullman Dubai JLT enters a bold new chapter with the unveiling of its newly redesigned lobby and public areas

Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers has officially unveiled its fully refurbished lobby and public areas, designed by Dubai-based interior design studio DZ Design. The project marks a major milestone for the brand, with Pullman JLT becoming the first hotel in the region to introduce Pullman’s newest design identity, one that blends lifestyle, productivity, and community at its core. 

The transformation repositions the lobby as a fluid, multifunctional social hub, moving far beyond traditional notions of arrival. With seating increased from 12 to more than 40, the space now supports co-working, casual meetings, relaxed gatherings, and quiet moments of downtime, responding to the shifting needs of today’s travellers.

Guided by the concept ‘Raw Meets Refined’, DZ Design layered natural textures with polished surfaces to create a contemporary, welcoming environment. The introduction of organic forms, tone-on-tone desert palettes, and a signature coloured-glass chandelier elevates the double-height volume while maintaining a calm and approachable design. 

Dina Murali, design director at DZ Design, shared: “The old lobby could seat around twelve people. Today, within the exact same footprint, the space comfortably accommodates more than forty. That shift was essential to creating a true social hub and a place where guests can work, mingle, or unwind in the evening. Increasing the seating capacity without compromising flow was one of our biggest achievements.”

Diane Tabet, director of interior design at Accor, said: “At Pullman, we look at travel differently. The modern guest seeks softer productivity and spaces where connection, culture, and comfort come together. The Social Hub is central to that vision.” 

The refurbished lobby now shifts effortlessly throughout the day , from a natural light-filled morning lounge to a warmer, livelier, community-driven atmosphere in the evening. This transition is supported by subtle mood-changing lighting that responds to different times of day. 

Tabet added: “Our collaboration with DZ Design translated our brand pillars into a design language that celebrates connection, productivity, and relaxation in equal measure. The result is a space that feels dynamic, elegant, and distinctly Pullman.”

Sushanth Nambiar, cluster general manager, commented: “The timing of this refurbishment aligned perfectly with Pullman’s rollout of its new brand identity, and we’re proud to be the first hotel in the region to showcase this design direction. After more than a decade of operation, it was the right moment to evolve from a traditional business hotel to a more premium, lifestyle-driven experience.”

Upon arrival, guests pass through the Pullman Portal, a signature architectural element and a first for the brand globally, which creates a moment of transition between the city and the lobby experience. 

To the right, the reception area opens with sculptural brass counters and a backdrop of custom red shelving, complemented by bespoke booth seating designed for quick check-ins.

Moving further inside, the space unfolds into the main lobby lounge, where multiple seating typologies create a fluid, multifunctional environment.

Here, curved sofas, lounge chairs, and organic-shaped coffee tables animate the double-height volume, framed by the coloured-glass chandelier above, a key design feature that brings movement, warmth, and a sense of identity to the double-height space.”

Along the windows, a series of co-working nooks and window lounges provide comfortable, semi-private zones for working, reading, or casual meetings, while maintaining openness to the wider lobby. 

At the very back, the café features a custom-designed counter surrounded by additional seating options in the back.

While the design overhaul is significant, DZ Design approached the project with a strong commitment to reuse and responsible transformation. This includes the subtle reinvention of the three-storey staircase, originally tucked into a corner and now re-clad and refined to match more the new aesthetic.

“In any refurbishment, the balance between retaining and renewing is where creativity thrives,” adds Dina Murali. “Wherever possible, we enhanced what already existed rather than replacing it.”

The completion of Pullman JLT further strengthens DZ Design’s hospitality portfolio and underscores its expertise in delivering contemporary refurbishments that elevate guest experience while preserving operational continuity.