W Dubai – Mina Seyahi stars in latest episode of hotel brand's short film series

W Hotels’ short film series Hotel Tales has returned this year, with Dubai taking centre. The cinematic, editorial-style video production taps into the trend for “set-jetting” marketing campaigns and portrays moments that unfold within W Hotels around the world.

The latest instalment features W Dubai – Mina Seyahi as its filmset location where the design-forward UAE property acts as a catalyst for creativity, curing the main character, Saudi-American artist Adwa Bader, of writer’s block.

Titled Writer’s Block, Unblocked, Bader explores how environment can unlock creativity in unexpected ways. Arriving at W Dubai determined to work, she instead finds herself pulled into the hotel’s attractions. Sun-drenched lounges and skyline-framed pools gradually draw her away from her notebook, transforming frustration into inspiration. 

See the video here:

The Dubai episode forms part of a wider Hotel Tales season that spans four continents and five destinations, each featuring a different personality. Other films include musician Orville Peck at W Austin, model and presenter Emma Winder at W Budapest, chef and model Isaac Carew at W Florence, and artist Kenny Kwan at W Macau – Studio City.

Launched as a digital-first initiative, the series builds on its debut last year at W New York – Union Square and is being rolled out across W Hotels’ global social and video channels, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, as well as the brand’s editorial platform, The Angle.

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George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader at W Hotels, said the concept is rooted in the idea that every W hotel acts as a stage for stories that unfold organically. From Dubai to New York, Florence to Macau, he noted, the brand’s spaces are designed to encourage unexpected encounters and memorable moments worth sharing.

The series aims to reinforce W Hotels’ positioning at the intersection of hospitality and culture as the brand subtly shifts away from its original brand pillar as a place to party and enjoy its iconic mini bars.

Born in New York in 1998, W Hotels is now courting culturally curious, experience-led travellers with further Hotel Tales episodes planned for release in 2026.

For more information, visit w-hotels.marriott.com