An elegant, all-American hotel with a glitzy dose of Dubai flair
The St Regis Dubai The Palm Near+Far rating: 7.5/10
Why stay at The St Regis Dubai The Palm
In 1904, one of the wealthiest men in America, John Jacob Astor, opened The St Regis Hotel in New York City – a celebration of the city’s Gilded Age and newfound wealth. No expense was spared in the 18-story structure (the tallest in the city at the time) – which still stands on the corner of Fifth Avenue today with its marble floors and crystal chandeliers. There are now two in Dubai – the grandest being The St Regis Dubai The Palm, occupying 18 floors of the shiny Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah – a nod to the original NYC structure. The hotel is everything you’d expect from a St Regis property – glamorous, and traditional, but with Dubai’s love for modernity and all things gold. There are hallmarks of the brand, like the signature butler service, twisting grand staircase and nightly St Regis Sabrage ceremony, but with sea views, lavish weekend brunches and a fantastic beach club.
Location: 7/10
The St Regis Dubai sits in the middle of Dubai’s most iconic destination – Palm Jumeirah – a beachy playground of beach clubs, restaurants, five-star hotels, shops and luxurious residential villas and apartments. The hotel is handily connected to the upscale Nakheel Mall, home to 300 shops and the famous Depachika food hall, and its location in the Palm Tower means it’s a short drive to the mainland, but also the Palm’s attractions (such as dining and leisure destinations Palm West Beach and Club Vista Mare). However, having no immediate beachfront – on such a famous beach destination – is a big setback, but the brand made up for it in 2022 by partnering with Dubai’s coolest hospitality group Rikas to open Kyma – a Grecian-inspired beach club on Palm West Beach (a short complimentary shuttle ride away).
Rooms and suites: 8/10
The St Regis Dubai The Palm has 264 bedrooms and 26 suites across eight categories, ranging from a deluxe king up to the grand Astor Suite – named after the famous founder. All are beautifully decorated in soothing shades inspired by the ocean – cream, white, blue, pink – and offer views of either the Arabian Gulf, shoreline or iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. There’s a slight Art Deco feel to the room, reminiscent of the hotel’s illustrious past, and beautiful touches include cream and gold carpets, wall lamps, pale pink chaise lounges, large headboards and marble flooring. The bathrooms are very impressive – encased by glass creating a fantastic sense of space (though can be frosted with the press of a button) – and, impressively, all come with a soaking tub. Guests also have access to St Regis’ signature butler service, and ours offers to unpack luggage and have shirts pressed for dinner as we settle into the room.
Food and drink: 8/10
The St Regis Dubai The Palm marries old-world, all-American luxury with new-world Dubai glamour in its four restaurants and bars. The main hub is Cordelia – a vast Art Deco dining room paying homage to 1920s New York City – that serves an impressive breakfast (everything from smoked salmon and pastries to a la carte dishes) an opulent weekend brunch, lunches and fine dining dinners. For a taste of old New York, head to plush St Regis Bar to sip on St Regis Bloody Marys and witness the classic St Regis sabrage ceremony (a bottle of bubbles opened with a sword), or order all-day classics to your lounger at the Dip Pool Bar. The newest addition to the property is RUYA – a sophisticated Anatolian restaurant clad in rich, warming jewel and earthy tones and serving Turkish classics. The property is also home to Dubai’s newest rooftop destination St Regis Gardens with five cool, and critically acclaimed, restaurants: Trèsind Studio, Chez Wam, Aretha, Signor Sassi and LEÑA – ensuring even long-stay guests never have to venture far.
Spa and facilities: 8/10
Guests can enjoy two outdoor infinity pools – an adults-only pool and one for families (though be aware the family pool doesn’t get sun all day) with plenty of comfortable cabanas and sun loungers. Service is impeccable poolside, and smiling serves do the rounds handing out ice-cold water bottles and cool refresher towels.
Guests will delight in The St Regis’ signature Iridium Spa – the hotel’s dedicated wellness hub and oasis-like retreat. There’s the same gold, cream and pin colour scheme with separate facilities like saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas for men and women, plus plenty of treatment rooms for massages, facials and signature treatments from ‘Caroline’s Collection’ (inspired by Mr Astor’s prominent socialite mother). We tried the Iridium Massage which uses unique platinum-plated hot stones and the hotel’s signature aromatherapy oils. Nearby is the bright and spacious fitness room with sparkling clean modern equipment.
While there’s no private beach at the property, a real highlight of the hotel is its partnership with nearby Kyma Beach – one of the city’s slickest new beach clubs. A certain amount of beds are reserved each day for hotel guests, though be mindful that this is more of a trendy beach club vibe than hotel beach – with a DJ and well-dressed guests.
The vibe: 7/10
Elegant, upscale, and more formal than other Palm Jumeirah hotels – befitting of the clientele of mature guests and families.
The verdict
The St Regis The Palm Dubai is one of the city’s most understatedly elegant hotels – staying away from the typical Dubai flash and wooing guests with beautiful interiors, impeccable service and five-star facilities and restaurants. Its beach location may not have a beach, but its new partnership means guests get to use one of the most beautiful beach clubs in the city for free – which is a real perk. Would Mr Astor approve? We think so.
Doubles from AED 785; marriott.com; @stregisdubaithepalm
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