Dear Asma,
I have so much to tell you, yet somehow, I feel like you already know most of it, as I’ve shared half my heart on Instagram stories these past days. At one point I wondered if I’d overdone it, especially when my family texted, “Have you become an influencer now?” Not that they mind, nor would they be surprised, but truthfully… for all of us in the UAE, now is the moment to influence. Now is the moment to show that life in Dubai and across the country unfolds with its usual rhythm, far from the narrative painted abroad. Dubai stands proud, and all of us here stand even prouder.
I’m writing to you from Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. What began as a weekend staycation somehow feels like a full vacation, maybe because Marsa holds so much meaning for me. It’s the place that brought me to Dubai professionally, where I led the MarComms team for over three years, helping position it on the global stage. It’s where I built some of my strongest friendships in this part of the world, including meeting you, which led to our letters: honest, raw, genuine. Marsa has always been a majlis for the most diverse exchanges. This stay was no different.
Before I arrived, the butler team reached out. There’s something charmingly nostalgic about the word butler. Many hotels avoid it, but I love its old-world elegance. And when that formality comes through WhatsApp, it feels like a delightful clash of eras. They had all my preferences noted from previous stays; the only missing detail was my exact arrival time. Naturally, I couldn’t wake up on schedule, so we shifted it. Arriving at golden hour turned out to be perfect, as it let me experience Marsa’s “wow” factor all over again.
As I handed my car to the valet, the first thing that appeared under the architectural arch, the resort’s most intricate structure, was the glorious Burj, towering and unapologetically proud. I couldn’t resist taking a photo. “Hello, handsome,” I captioned it… and apparently said it out loud, because the bellboy replied, “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Radonjic — you look great yourself.” Compliments would become a theme later during my stay.
My suite, once again overlooking the Burj, was immaculate and entirely personalized. Matthew, once my boss, who became one of my closest people, and Marco, the hotel manager, always insisted on personalization and experiencing it as a guest rather than a colleague let me appreciate what that truly means. My initials on the slippers and bathrobe. A framed photo of my dog and me (the one I miss more than anyone here!) placed where I would see it each time I walked in.
Cookies, handwritten notes, and all the products we once worked on developing together, now real: Bag charms, keychains, leather notebooks, passport covers, the quirky little objects I adore for no reason other than passion. Seeing them come to life was unexpectedly emotional. A note from my former team pushed me straight into teary territory. But tears weren’t why I came, so I went to Iliana pool club to disconnect, as one should.
Music always finds a way into my travels, becoming the soundtrack of each stay. And yes, it sounds cliché, but Miley’s “I Can Buy Myself Flowers” felt just right. How often do we take ourselves out on a date? How often do we gift ourselves a staycation alone? I embraced it fully, it felt rare, and somehow necessary.
Speaking of dates, Rialto remains my chosen spot, whether with someone or just myself. I ordered the beef cheek pasta, which only comes in a sharing portion. “I’m not sure I’ll finish it as I’m sharing with myself tonight, but I’ll try,” I told the waiter. “I’ll add extra parmigiana. Looks like we’re celebrating something,” he joked. “The more, the merrier,” I said, and you know my relationship with cheese… and with cheesy things. Of course, I finished the whole portion. The irony hit me when I asked him not to mention it to anyone, knowing I’d write it to you anyway. The contradictions we choose are funny.
The morning after, I went to the gym, which must be one of the best gyms I’ve ever been to. And from there unfolds my favorite view from the resort: Dubai in a frame. From the sandy beach, through traditional architecture, all the way to the glittering skyline and the tallest building in the world. This single viewpoint captures exactly what Dubai is – a place that truly has it all.
The same day I met Sharifa and Maissa for lunch at Iliana. As we picked at a Greek salad, the sweetest tomatoes, warm bread, perfect dips – a group walked quietly into the restaurant. I looked up, unsure if I was seeing correctly, and saw Maissa smile with that soft confirmation. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum sat at the next table. There we were – guests, friends, and His Highness, all sharing the energy of one room. “Can I take a photo?” I asked the protocol team carefully. “Why wouldn’t you?” they said. The moment was beautifully emotional; I noticed Maissa’s teary eyes. “How blessed are we?” she whispered. “Blessed and safe,” I replied.
I spent the rest of my stay observing. The grace of the colleagues. The diversity of the guests. A quiet parade of all the collaborations Marsa created: women in Roksanda scarves, Feryal Al Bastaki kimonos, and Alreem Al Mansoori pocket squares; guests sipping tea from Nadine Kanso’s designs; ordering from menus designed by André Michele. Children running toward the Kids Club for their Learning Campus sessions, a thoughtful support system for families navigating distance learning. People delighting in Pierre Hermé pastries, with the same wide-eyed expression I had the first time I tried his macarons. Marsa was alive in the best possible way, and seeing it all filled me with joy.
We did well, dear Asma.
From Marsa, with love,
Milo
