#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (final)

This is it, folks! The final part of #bonningtonopens live blogging. The party is officially over, though many guests are still having a grand time in Healey’s.

Thanks to our owners, and (one more time today!) a very Happy Birthday to Mr & Mrs McGettigan!

Here they are, cutting their birthday cake:

A very big thank you, too, to all our associates who have worked tirelessly to put it all together and deliver a stylish opening.

Lastly, of course, thanks to all our guests!

See you all next year for the 1st anniversary party!

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

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#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (VII)

The evening party is in full swing and people are wandering from the lobby to the Authors’ Lounge, Healey’s Bar & Terrace, the Cavendish and to BokaBento.

Some first impressions:

The band setting up

Khamille & Sitha

Skytrackers light up the Almas Tower

Our Pastry Chef outdid himself - A cake replica of our tower!

The electric violinist in the Authors' Lounge

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

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#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (VI)

We’re getting ready for the evening part of the Grand Opening. Over 600 guests are expected to attend a black tie event that will take up most of our public areas.

Dublin’s 98FM Declan Pierce will broadcast his daily show live from our lobby, a string quartet will paly in the Authors’ Lounge, and a band will entertain guests in the Cavendish.
Later in the evening, a DJ will start spinning the tables in Healey’s Bar.

Here’s the first ever photo of our recently completed private dining area in Bokabento:

Chef and his team are discussing strategies for the night in Bokabento’s show-kitchen.

The stage is set in the Cavendish, and only a couple of tables need to be placed now.

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (V)

Here’s a couple of videos from the official opening ceremony at noon today:

Stand by for more news & pictures of our Grand Opening and tune into Twitter hashtag #bonningtonopens to follow the action live!

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (IV)

Here’s a couple of more shots from just before the official ribbon cutting at noon today:

The pillars for the official ribbon cutting are being placed outside the hotel entrance.

The official scissors awaiting the arrival of the dignitaries & VIPs.

Owners and dignitaries.

The ceremony is about to begin.

Visitors making their way to the hotel entrance for the official ribbon cutting.

Here we go: The cutting of the ribbon!

The MD’s speech after the ribbon cutting.

Stand by for more news & pictures of our Grand Opening and tune into Twitter hashtag #bonningtonopens to follow the action live!

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (III)

In the Cavendish Restaurant, the stage for the evening function is currently being set up.

While we’re on the subject of the Cavendish, here are the first two pictures of our new fountain by the (equally new!) patio outside the Cavendish:

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (II)

About 1 1/2 hours to go to the start of the official ribbon cutting, and we carried out a quick flag raising practice session with the grand children of the hotel owners:

The Authors’ Lounge is being set up to receive the dignitaries and VIP guests:

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

#bonningtonopens – We’re live! (I)

Tune into our live Twitter feed #bonningtonopens, bringing you the latest news of our Grand Opening celebrations as the day unfolds.

Right now, numerous last minute preparations are ongoing. Our new fountains outside both entrances have been turned on and the protective plastic cover is about to come off the red carpet:

Bonnington Bear, our official mascot, has arrived, too, to join the celebrations:

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

Red Carpet! Money!

Outside the hotel, the red carpet’s going down in front of the special Grand Opening backdrop designed by the fine folks from A-Game.

Inside the hotel, in the meantime, we’ve powered up our newly acquired ATM machine and the honour of using it first, went to our General Manager:

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar

The Bonnington brings you two firsts in Jumeirah Lakes Towers!

Good news for our neighbours in JLT and, of course, our guests and visitors!
We’re proud to bring you tow absolute firsts in Jumeirah Lakes Towers: An ATM and actual grass!

We finally received our very own ATM machine earlier today and, like the Bonnington, it is luxurious and at your service 24/7! Believe it or not, this is JLT’s first ATM machine. Up to now, JLT residents had to drive to Dubai Marina or Ibn Battuta to find an ATM. Now, of course, you can just pop into the Bonnington, have a coffee in our Authors’ Lounge or a cool drink in Healey’s, and then withdraw some cash on the way home.
Here’s our Chief Accountant showing off the latest addition to the Bonnington family:

Outside the building is the second first for JLT: Actual green grass. Yes, we mean the real stuff, not some poor artificial replacement. The first lot arrived last night and more will come today & tomorrow. Strategically located just next to the patio outside the Cavendish and our new water feature, this is bound to be today’s attraction in JLT! Tired of the sand around your tower? Come and check out the grass.
Yes, the grass IS greener on our side and not just because we’re Irish owned! Let it be known that, if the Bonnington would do landscaping, JLT would be all green & lovely tomorrow!

Our homepage: Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

almas tower, dmcc, almas dubai, dubai jlt, dmcca, jumeirah bar, jumeirah lakes, cafe in jlt, jafza hotels, ibn batuta, moevenpick jumeirah, cavendish restaurant, authors lounge, healey’s bar