The new Meliá Desert Palm Dubai.

The Meliá Desert Palm Dubai opened last July on the outskirts of the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The hotel, with its contemporary design and prime location within a polo estate, is ideal for enjoying the more relaxed side of the city.

Urban oasis—these two words define the essence of Dubai, but they’re also the most fitting description for the new Meliá Desert Palm Dubai hotel. The ‘urban’ part is obvious, as the hotel is just 20 minutes away from the city centre, and the ‘oasis’ aspect is also abundantly clear. The hotel features modern architecture and is located within a 160-hectare polo estate opposite the Dubai Safari Park, surrounded by hundreds of palm trees.

It boasts the best of both worlds, with 38 guest rooms and suites featuring views of lush nature and the Dubai skyline. Fifteen of the rooms are spread over three floors in the main building, while the rest are located in villas around the grounds,

surrounded by private pools and ‘palapas’ that provide the perfect place to relax and cool off in this desert oasis. They all share contemporary Middle Eastern decor, with emperor-size beds and plush designer bathrooms.

Reflecting its focus on wellness, health and sport, the Meliá Dubai Desert Palm has four polo fields, a riding school and a boutique fitness centre, complete with modern equipment and classes offering gorgeous views of the natural surroundings. The Samana Spa features highly personalised, exclusive services—like the option to create custom essential oils to be used in your massage—as well as a range of classic facial and body treatments.

The hotel’s cuisine, directed by RARE, is extensive and varied. An open-air, oak wood-fired grill, specialising in steak and seafood, faces the main polo field where tournaments are held. There’s also a brasserie serving international cuisine, and a bar where polo fans come together to enjoy a range of carefully selected wines and spirits.

In the winter months (the best time to enjoy the city, at milder temperatures) the hotel and its grounds become the perfect venue for romantic weddings inspired by ‘Arabian Nights’—with a modern twist, of course.

THE HOTEL FEATURES MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND IS LOCATED WITHIN A 160-HECTARE POLO ESTATE OPPOSITE THE DUBAI SAFARI PARK, SURROUNDED BY HUNDREDS OF PALM TREES.