The Palm, Dubai

100   Recommended
October 20, 2011 by EXPERT

 Map | 1 Review | 100% Recommended
Share
Save
Liked:
Location
 
Service
 
Food
 
Amenities
 
Room
 

{{ oRightNav.heading }}

One&Only The Palm
 Map | 1 Review | 100% Recommended

Save

Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

The hotel is small, at least for Dubai standards, with 90 rooms. It is located at the Palm, quite far away from anything else (15 drive from entering the Palm). The small size and location makes it a nice escape/oasis compared to most other Dubai hotels.  We stayed for 12 nights. 

Room

We had a Palm beach premiere room in a beach mansion. While it was new, beautifully appointed with all the amenities one would need, I was still a bit disappointed, especially about the size and layout of the room, compared to room at FS and Amanresorts in the same pricerange. 65 square meters with bathroom separated from living/bedroom with half transparent sliding doors and no window in bathroom... It just felt less spacious and luxurious as other hotels that I have stayed in. If I would go again, I would at least choose one of the jr. suites. Bed very comfortable, aircondition great, good minibar/coffeemaker and bath products. Beautiful lamps and other decoration.  Outside is a small terrasse which is not at all private. Firstly it is so close to the next rooms terrasse that it almost felt to be a shared terrasse and secondly everyone walking by can see the whole terrasse. Same goes for the larger rooms with private pools. Nothing that I would call private...  We had spectacular view of New Dubai, but did not really feel that we had direct beach access since we were located at the far end of the beach, where there are no loungers etc. This was OK for us, but make sure you specify wishes in terms of location when booking room.

Pool/beach

Great pool, but very busy. Hotel was fully booked and it would be difficult to get a lounger at the pool if you would arrive late. Lots of kids (school holidays). We travelled with our son, so no problem for us, but I have really never seen that many kids in for example a FS resort at this time of year, so be aware if you would prefer more of a quiet lounging by the pool kind of holiday. Very comfortable sun loungers. Service good, but sometimes slow, again I guess because of full occupancy, but I do not like to wait for my drinks, no matter what is the reason.  Did not go to beach. While the view is "wrong" for me (skyscrapers), it also felt very artificial (man made beach, "inside" the Palm). In addition to the main pool there is also a smaller pool at the gym where complimentary water aerobics/water jogging etc. was offered. Very good, but it should have been with music since this makes working out much easier for me.   

Spa

Excellent. Had three great treatments with three different therapists, all really good. Beautiful spa as well. 

Restaurants

Three restaurants at the resort, all with quite similar food - "international".  The Stay restaurant with star chef Yannick Alleno was really excellent and a reason to visit also if you stay somewhere else (save space for the fantastic deserts!!!), while the two other restaurants were amazing in terms of decoration but had mostly too bland food for our taste. Breakfast very good - a mix of buffet and ala carte, including an excellent juice bar. Service in all restaurants very good.  Quite stressful and bad that we - again because of full occupancy - had to reserve tables in restaurants sometimes several days in advance to get a place. I like to be more spontanous.  A shuttle boat (only every 2nd hour, but still) takes you to the sister hotel O&O Royal Mirage where there are more restaurant which I enjoyed more, indian restaurant, thai fusion, seafood etc. There is also a shuttle to Atlantis for restaurants there (and the great water park, dolphin bay etc.) - but wonderful to be back in our own small, quiet hotel after visiting "Disneyland" (Atlantis). Lots of choise of restaurants elswhere in Dubai, but always a long ride with taxi.   

Service

Generally excellent, both in restaurant, reception, spa and housekeeping. Remembered our name and preferences and made their very best for us. Did not see very much of senior management. It was not really necessary since things were running well without them, but still it felt like something was missing compared to other luxury hotels. 

Overall

Maybe it is just that I did not really like Dubai compared to other more culturally interesting or beautiful, tranquil holiday destinations. I do not know. We had lots of fun and a good holiday in a very good hotel, but still I will not recommend this kind of holiday compared to others that we have been to. However, if you need to be in Dubai or happen to like Dubai, this is definitely a hotel to stay in! Feel free to ask questions.

9 Comments

This review lives in the Small trip report O&O The Palm, Dubai thread.
9 comments and Y review
Comment In Thread

Hotels you may also be interested in