From opulence to oasis – how BLINK reimagined Caesars Palace Dubai as a Banyan Tree Sanctuary

BLINK Design Group took on a striking two-phase transformation of the former Caesars Palace Dubai into Banyan Tree Dubai. The first phase, which took just one month, offered a subtle yet strategic refresh, breathing new life into pivotal public spaces – from the arrival experience and lobby lounge to the all-day dining destination – infusing each with a refined sense of place.

Image credit: Natelee Cocks

The second design chapter, one year in the making, marked a more transformative evolution, reimagining the wellness offering at every level. Here, the Banyan Tree Spa, gym, and salon were meticulously redesigned as part of the property’s metamorphosis from Caesars Palace to the serene sophistication of Banyan Tree.

“We began by peeling back the more ornamental and overtly decorative features of the previous brand to reveal a calmer architectural language,” explained Clint Nagata, Co-Founder and Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group. “Retaining some of the existing floor and wall finishes, we layered in materials that speak to Banyan Tree’s brand ethos – organic, tactile and nature-inspired.”

By retaining key structural elements and integrating new materials aligned with Banyan Tree’s nature-inspired ethos, the project balances sustainability with elevated design. The result is a refined transformation that respects the original architecture while introducing a calmer, more intentional guest experience.

“We focused on high-impact yet minimally invasive interventions,” said Nagata. “We prioritised a thoughtful facelift, if you like – refinishing existing elements and introducing materials that embody the Banyan Tree DNA. For example, in Alizée, we retained the original kitchen stations but re-clad them using more refined, nature-inspired materials that elevated the experience without requiring major construction.”

Image credit: Natelee Cocks

Among the most challenging aspects for the interior designers was executing the first phase while the hotel remained fully operational. “This required highly coordinated offsite fabrication for millwork and screening elements that could be installed overnight,” continued Nagata. “An additional challenge was reinterpreting a space originally designed for a more urban, decorative luxury aesthetic into Banyan Tree’s understated, nature-inspired elegance required a delicate balance in design language.”

BLINK’s approach to design is grounded in the art of placemaking. Banyan Tree Dubai reflects this philosophy with spaces that invite guests to reconnect with themselves, nature and each other. It is a space designed to feel both timeless and timely, a rare sanctuary amidst the city’s frenetic pace.

Inspired by desert landscapes, the lobby becomes a modern mirage: soft lighting, filtered through sheer drapery and ceiling coves, is enhanced with materiality and spatial layering. “There’s an immediate sense of calm and retreat,” added Nagata. “The arrival experience – defined by softly screened partitions – creates a gentle transition from the fast-paced city outside to a tranquil sanctuary within.”

Beyond the lobby, Toucha, the Japanese tea house-inspired lounge unfolds as a sanctuary of stillness – its measured design and hushed elegance embody the quiet confidence of Banyan Tree Dubai’s take on luxury.

Image credit: Natelee Cocks

The transition between spaces within the hotel is fluid and cohesive, guided by a consistent palette of natural textures and tonal restraint. Screened thresholds and varying ceiling treatments help define zones while maintaining openness. “Each area flows into the next through subtle shifts in materials and lighting, creating a spatial journey that unfolds gradually,” explained Nagata.

With 178 rooms, including expansive suites and a secluded four-bedroom villa with a private beach and infinity pool, Banyan Tree Dubai offers a range of luxurious accommodations. Neutral tones, inspired by the Arabian oryx, enhance the restful atmosphere. Soft whites, creams and earth tones create harmony, while vertical architectural elements nod to the resilient Ghaf tree, the region’s symbol of life in the harshest conditions.

Throughout the property, natural textures – raw timber, handwoven textiles and matte stone – create an atmosphere of quiet luxury. The conscious curated palette of materials anchors the hotel’s serene aesthetic, with each element chosen as much for its tactile beauty as for its environmental integrity. In the spa, warm timber flooring brings a natural softness underfoot, grounding the light, airy interiors.

In the Banyan Tree Spa Treatment Room and reception, dark wood accents introduce a sense of depth and quiet contrast, while artisanal banana leaf wallcoverings – handcrafted from natural fibres – add organic texture and an unmistakably human artistic touch. Intricate veneer marquetry, sustainably sourced and polished with water-based finishes, speaks to a refined craftsmanship aligned with eco-conscious principles.

In the gym, Bolon flooring – made from recycled chalk and BIO-based PVC – underscores the project’s sustainable ethos. Throughout, light-hued natural stone echoes the tones of the surrounding desert, infusing the space with a sense of timeless calm, understated luxury and an unmistakeable sense of place.

Image credit: Natelee Cocks

This sensory language of materials extends beyond the visual and tactile into the experiential. Nowhere is this more evident than in the spa, where design and wellness intertwine. The rainforest tunnel and barefoot hydrotherapy experience draw on cultural symbolism and contemporary healing practices, guiding guests through a ritual of renewal – where mist, heat, and water gently dissolve the weight of the outside world.

The spa offers a lighter, more tranquil interior tone that acts as a counterbalance to the richer, deeper hues found in the public areas. “This tonal dialogue creates a harmonious interplay across the property,” added Nagata. “Each space is distinct in its expression yet unified in its commitment to understated luxury and wellbeing.”

Banyan Tree Dubai stands as a beacon of conscious luxury amidst Dubai’s rapid development. The design transformation of the hotel speaks softly, but with complete assurance – grounded, refined and unmistakably Banyan Tree. With its seamless blend of nature, design and wellbeing, it offers a space for modern nomads to pause, reflect and reconnect with themselves and the world around them.

BLINK’s transformation of the hotel speaks softly, but with complete assurance – grounded, refined and unmistakably Banyan Tree. It doesn’t try to impress; it simply belongs, as though it’s always been there, and has no intention of leaving.

Main image credit: Natelee Cocks