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Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk

A Green Key-certified Hotel in Dubai Committed to Sustainability

Where Sustainable Luxury Lives

Dubai's setting in the Arabian Desert is part of its unique charm, but the enchanting setting also presents sustainability challenges. We meet these by recycling water, using technology to monitor energy use and working with regional food producers to find exceptional ingredients.

 

Our hotel’s design and philosophy reflect our unique location in Wafi, celebrating Egyptian and Emirati heritage with art and cultural artifacts in the lobby. In our restaurants, Arabian cuisine fuses with French expertise while behind the scenes, we support the community through initiatives with schools and NGOs.

Where luxury respects nature

Discover Our Major CSR Initiatives

  • Fresh, Local and Sustainable Cuisine

    Food is a major focus for sustainable hotels in Dubai. Our Executive Chef champions sustainability from farm to fork by sourcing over 30% of ingredients locally or through fair-trade.

     

    Committed to zero waste to landfill, our kitchens use smart technology like Chef’s Eye to monitor and reduce food waste and recycle responsibly through Reloop. Since 2022, we have composted 100% of food waste into fertilizer for local farms, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 100,000 kg and enriching the soil for future years.

  • Vital Initiatives In Our Hotel and the Community

    Our on-site water filtration and glass bottling systems eliminate the need for plastic bottles. Between 2020-2024, we have diverted 300 tons of single-use plastics from landfill, and implemented the use of recycled water for landscaping and reduced energy consumption by 37%. Our team also supports local biodiversity through mangrove planting initiatives.

  • Energy & Footprint: Where Innovation Meets Responsibility

    At Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, smart systems like GRMS and BMS help us reduce energy use without compromising comfort—leading to nearly 37% energy savings since opening.

     

    For events, we help and empower organisers to measure and reduce their carbon emissions turning every gathering into a more responsible encounter.

  • Giving Back: Where Care Becomes Action

    Since 2022, our Linen Donation Program recycled over 3,400 kg of gently used linens to the Dubai Autism Center and Al Ihsan orphanage. We also actively support the UAE Food Bank, and have donated over 30,000 meals to date.

Our sustainable hotel certification

As one of the most sustainable hotels in the UAE, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk proudly holds multiple accolades for our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. We are certified by Green Key, the international award for sustainability within the tourism and hospitality industry. Since 2023, we have held the Gold Tier Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp.

 

These distinctions reflect the dedication of the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk Sustainability Committee, which continually identifies areas for enhancement while engaging our diverse team in meaningful programs and initiatives.

Celebrating cultures, embracing diversity

Where Emirati Culture Shines

Absorb Emirati heritage when you set foot inside Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Along with traditions of warm hospitality, you'll find symbols of local culture in our art and architecture. Discover our private artifacts collection on display—from the traditional dallah coffee pot that evokes social history in our desert city, to the model of a dhow ship reflecting our ancestral maritime trade routes.

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Where Genuine Culture Meets Generous Cuisine

At Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, the shared cultural spirit of gastronomy comes to life across our restaurants. To taste local heritage, sample traditional French cuisine using local ingredients at Brasserie Boulud. Or savor La Haute Croissanterie collection at Bijou Patisserie, where pastries are infused with saffron and other flavors which reflect Dubai's role as a hub along ancient spice routes.

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Where Every Encounter Matters

At Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, every team member is engaged in our sustainability journey. Guided by a dedicated committee and sustainability champion, we work together to drive meaningful change, identify new opportunities, and inspire action—because every step forward, and every encounter, truly matters.

Frequently asked questions

Our Executive Chef balances culinary excellence with the need to reduce impact. We source more than 35% of ingredients from local and regional suppliers. 

 

In partnership with Spinneys Farm to Table Dubai, our culinary team engages with schools to promote healthy lunchbox choices. Through the Veg Pledge, we inspire children to enjoy more plant-based foods.

We recycle water for native plants on our grounds, and our filtration and glass bottling systems help us to eliminate plastic bottles.

 

In Dubai, much of the water supply comes from desalinated seawater, a process requiring significant energy. As such, reducing overall consumption through alternative energy-saving measures remains essential.

Our Paris and Alexandria meeting rooms are certified Green Meeting Rooms by the municipality of Dubai, offering electronic flipcharts and other eco-friendly solutions. All 10 meeting rooms and the hotel ballroom feature eco-friendly upgrades and temperature regulation. Banquet and coffee break menus feature local, lower carbon-impact ingredients.

Experience the soul of Dubai by crossing the creek in a wooden abra boat, frequently used by locals. The spice-scented souks of Deira, galleries in Al Fahidi and Dubai Opera are just a few minutes' drive away. Or step into the splendor of a 14th-century bazaar at the Khan Murjan Souk in Wafi City, connected to the hotel.