The brand new Al Seef district on the Dubai Creek does not look new at all. In fact, it looks quite old. Indeed, every detail is aged to perfection, designed to blend seamlessly with the historic old Dubai quarter of Bastikaya. In fact, the old and new districts are right next to one another, and those who do not know that one is old and the other new can be forgiven for thinking that all of it was built at the same time. And in fact, I would not be surprised if some tourists who visit Al Seef think that they HAVE visited the old quarter – that is how well it blends.
The new Al Seef has beautiful, aged details – and looks as if it has been around for decades. 
A stroll through the new Al Seef is like a stroll back through time. 
In the new Al Seef, there are lots of quaint tableaus. 
The new Al Seef is along the water, with some of the restaurants/shops built over the Creek.
Al Seef means “the shore” and it is, indeed, on the shore of the Dubai Creek. In fact, some of the restaurants and shops project out over the water. As you walk along the shore, the “old” new Al Seef butts up to the NEW and modern Al Seef, where an ultra modern hotel boasts a series of dining and shisha islands over the Creek.
A perfect outing here would be to attend one of the sessions at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (always one of my favorite things to do) in the truly old Bastikaya quarter, then spend the evening strolling the new Al Seef, ending in the modern section. There are lots of restaurants, shops, and play areas along the way, and boat trips for hire along the Creek.
The Zabeel Hotel in the modern Al Seef section has won design awards and has a cool wow factor, with a rooftop pool and view of the Creek. But if you prefer the historic feel, the XVA Art Hotel in Bastikaya is a quaint and quiet cool boutique hotel.
The rooftop pool at Zabeel House in the modern section of the new Al Seef. 
The rooftop terrace at Zabeel House Hotel in the modern portion of new Al Seef is a great viewpoint. 
There is some awesome creative design as the shore blends into the Dubai Creek at the New Al Seef. 
One of our favorite buildings at the new Al Seef – the 3rd floor is an open air terrace.
Al Seef is by Meraas, one of my favorite Dubai developers because their projects are almost always unique, fun, and high design. With Al Seef they have made the historic district even more vibrant and alluring.
You Say Dubai, I Say Hello! 
Good to hear you are still finding new adventures in Dubai. Meanwhile, we miss you here at home. Have a joy-filled Thanksgiving. I hope Jimmy told them it’s a MAJOR holiday!
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Thank you, Ann! We miss you and Arthur so much! Not much Thanksgiving-ing going on over here. Just an ordinary day! But we’ll call the kids and eat out… wish we could see the Kennedys!!!
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Great article! Al Seef in Arabic, pending on how it spells, means either “Summer” or “The Sword”😄
Cannot wait to see it, it was not built yet last time we visited Dubai.
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Oh wow, I thought it meant “the shore”! Sword definitely doesn’t make sense, but I suppose summer does – since it is always summer here! Looking forward to seeing you over here. You’ll love Al Seef, I think. It is pretty amazing what Meraas has done with it.
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Such fun to see “your life”!
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Thanks! It is crazy and fun and different over here – definitely an adventure!
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