Fairmont Dubai The Palm Near+Far rating: 7.5/10
Why stay at Fairmont Dubai The Palm
Located on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, with its own stretch of golden beach, ocean views, 10 restaurants and bars, three swimming pools, and some of the most spacious rooms on Palm Jumeirah, it’s no wonder families and sunseekers flock to Fairmont Dubai The Palm. Opened in 2012, the hotel is one of the city’s most popular and trusted beach resorts, ensuring a high-quality guest experience, thanks to being under the globally renowned wings of the Fairmont brand – a brand known for its old-world luxury. The resort is sprawling, with its Arabesque lobby – scented with beautiful oudy rose – gardens, beachfront, fitness and wellness centre and 391 rooms and suites. In recent years, the hotel has become more affordable, thanks to its slightly dated design and the rise in more shiny Palm Jumeirah neighbours, but it still retains its charm and is a failsafe and delightful place to stay. That said, the opening of a shiny new Serenity Spa could be the sign of exciting renovations to come. Entry-level rooms are an incredibly generous 48 square metres, and all come with balconies, and there are all the five-star facilities you could want, from a huge gym to the spa, sunloungers, poolside service, room service, concierge – you name it.
The location: 9/10
Fairmont Dubai The Palm’s location is fantastic – it doesn’t get much better in Dubai. It sits on the trunk of the manmade island, easily accessible to the mainland, yet in the emirate’s more affluent, beachy paradise. Thanks to being a decade old, it scooped up a tremendous amount of space and land, as the Palm West Beach development and other beach hotels rose around it. Guests can step out right onto Palm West Beach – one of the city’s premier dining and leisure destinations, home to many chic beach clubs, coffee shops and breezy beach eateries – and can even walk (or take a short drive) to Nakheel Mall – a chic retail destination and dining hub. But best of all, the property is right on the water, with iconic views of Dubai Marina, Bluewaters and Ain Dubai.
Rooms and suites: 7.5/10
Guests can choose from 12 rooms and suites, ranging from entry-level Heritage Rooms to deluxe suites, Fairmont Gold Suites and two-bedroom apartments. Though the decor is a little outdated – think lots of dark wood, gold and older, clunky furniture, the size and offering for the price is absolutely unbeatable in the city. Despite being a tad outdated, rooms have everything you need – king-sized beds, soaking bathtubs, powerful showers, spacious bathrooms, plenty of wardrobe space, desks and balconies with tables and lounge seating overlooking either the city or beach – plus there’s complimentary in-room tea and coffee making facilities.
The hotel offers Fairmont Gold, the brand’s hotel-within-a-hotel-exepeirence, and Fairmont Gold suites. Though rooms are virtually identical to the main offering, they come with exclusive privileges like access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge – with its sea views and complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea and happy hour with evening canapes. Finally, the hotel offers up to two-bedroom apartments as part of its residences wing, designed for long stays and with their own kitchens and separate living and dining spaces.
Food and drink: 8/10
Fairmont Dubai The Palm has an impressive 10 dining outlets on-site, offering everything from casual beachside dining to an all-American steakhouse vibe, and, understatedly, one of the best restaurants in Accor Middle East’s portfolio. The elegant Mashrabiya Lounge is the perfect spot for afternoon tea, and where you truly feel the five-star soul of Fairmont. Alternatively, all-day beach-casual Blow Fish and Flow Kitchen are great for laid-back lunches and suppers when rolling off the beach. Other restaurants include Boldy Asia, the Seagrill Bistro and bright and contemporary Cafe Beirut by the Sea – channelling the vibe of 1950s Beirut with the freshest seafood. The star of the show is Little Miss India, often regarded as one of the best in Accor’s entire Middle East portfolio and often booked up (so make sure to make a reservation before your stay). In a colourful setting inspired by the vibrant country’s streetfood culture and beautiful cities, guests can enjoy superb Indian cuisine and cocktails while overlooking the ocean.
Spa and facilities: 8/10
New to the hotel, and hopefully the sign of a refurb to come, is the Serenity Spa, which opened in March bringing the hotel into a new category of wellness offerings. Originally from Portugal, the spa is one of the most recognized names in Europe, and brings Portuguese wellness rituals to Dubai. Elsewhere, the property has three swimming pools – two delightfully peaceful adult pools and one family – and a long stretch of private beachfront. The beachfront is vast, with rows upon rows of sun loungers and umbrellas, so there’s no rush to secure beds in the morning – always the downside of staying in a sprawling beach resort. Other facilities include a huge fitness centre and opportunities for yoga and watersports.
The vibe: 7/10
Fairmont Dubai The Palm is a welcoming, family-friendly beach resort, where, despite the Fairmont brand’s global prestige, there are no stuffines at all. Staff are charming, smiley and experienced, and there’s a lovely friends vibe from the families that make up the majority of the clientele – largely British tourists. This is a hotel where you’ll feel comfortable, looked after and secure, where you’re just at home walking around in flip-flops and shorts as you are in a smart dress or jacket.
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