SimplyAbuDhabi XLV

Guest Rooms Portuguese interior designer Cristina Matos designed the 87 guest rooms and suites of The Ivens, drawing on the materials and a colour palette that provokes a sense of exploration. Ranging from 322 to 861 square feet, each room is a refined sanctuary providing guests with luxury executed in style. Of her approach Matos says, “Interior design shares with art the ability to evoke emotions, create atmospheres, transform states of mind and express each person’s individuality.” I loved the antique-looking drawings, the animal sculptures, and the cool cane chairs. If safari camps were ultra-luxurious and free from mosquitos and other threats, they’d look like this. The expansive windows flood the rooms with an abundance of natural light and give unobstructed views of the Praça do Município and Lisbon’s iconic rooftops. The bathrooms are also flawless, outfitted with large rainfall showers, deep soaking tubs, and selected amenities from Aqua Di Parma. Hospitality Prior to my arrival, the hotel’s Explorers Team reached out via e-mail with a questionnaire. They wanted to ensure that I have a “memorable expedition” and they requested my estimated arrival time, whether I was celebrating a special occasion, and asked about food allergies and restaurant reservations. The letter also whet my appetite for exploration and added to my enthusiasm for visiting by stating, “Calm and mysterious, The Ivens is an oasis hidden in the city—but not hidden from it. Inside you will find macaws, beetles, parrots, tropical plants, velvet armchairs, comfortable beds, signature restaurants and much more. It is a place to swap the urban jungle outside for the human jungle inside. Explorers are to be found in the lobby, walking along the corridors, sitting at the bar, and seated in the restaurants. Here they swap ideas, outline plans, open maps and set off to discover.” Simply Abu Dhabi | 147