Suite dreams and the best baos in town – there is plenty to fall for at Raffles’ first regional resort
Dubai is known for its love of luxury and is home to a bounty of five-star hotels, but for sheer scale and grandeur, few compare to Raffles The Palm Dubai.
The first Raffles resort in the Middle East is nestled on the West Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah and styled as a luxurious palace with 388 spacious rooms, suites and villas, restaurants, pools and spa facilities. With its extensive, palatial building blending Renaissance and Baroque-style architecture, and a lobby featuring 24karat gold carved ceilings, crystal chandeliers, red velvet drapes and lavish carpeting, its air of opulence is immediately striking.
The National checked in to explore the resort.
The welcome
The drive to the property is scenic, especially during winter. Arriving at the resort, valet service is quick and we enter to find that we’ve arrived on a rather busy weekend, with preparations under way for a lavish two-day Indian wedding.
Our check-in is delayed – the suite is not quite ready on arrival – and an almost 40-minute wait ensues, something we are not used to by Dubai’s competitive and exacting five-star service standards, but it’s excusable given the number of people in the hotel, most of them wedding guests.
A welcome drink is offered to those waiting for rooms, and staff are patient and courteous in explaining the reasons for the delays.
The neighbourhood
Spread across more than 10 hectares of the Palm Jumeirah and offering 360-degree views of Dubai’s skyline, Raffles offers an ideal beachside getaway for couples or families without having to leave town, and the fact it’s on a thin slice of land with only other five-star hotels and the sea for company means you do feel as if you’ve left the hubbub of the city.
The room
We enter our Premier Ocean room and promptly forget all about the delay.
It has a large living room and bedroom, and an extended balcony complete with sun loungers and a panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf. In contrast to the lobby, the palette is entirely pastel tones, with soft blues offset by muted golds, and some striking handcrafted furniture. There is a spacious executive desk and a walk-in wardrobe, ideal for long-stayers, or wedding guests for that matter. The Baroque theme of the resort spills over to the furnishings and wallpaper in the room.
The bathroom is similarly spacious, with a walk-in shower and a separate tub. Toiletries by Sicilian brand Ortigia, formulated with natural ingredients, complement the surroundings, which have a sumptuous Italian touch.
The service
Our 24-hour butler service is discreet yet efficient, bringing us decaffeinated coffee pods for the Nespresso machine without request, for instance. The restaurant and spa staff are similarly quick, and while the hotel is in the throes of wedding preparations, we get the sense it typically runs like a well-oiled machine.
The scene
Whether staying for one night, an entire weekend or longer, guests are unlikely to run out of things to do. From its spa and large indoor pool to the 500-metre private beach and two traditional hammams, this is a place for rest and rejuvenation.
The 24-hour health club is equipped with Technogym machines and aqua fitness classes are offered in the pool. The resort also has one of the most beautiful yoga studios we’ve seen, with a large mandala filigreed on an entire wall. Guests can also head to Blue Safari Watersports, where jet skiing, parasailing, banana boats, wakeboarding, water skiing and surfboarding await.
For younger guests, there’s a Kids’ Club brimming with games and interactive activities such as arts and crafts, Lego and puzzles.
The Cinq Mondes spa is a haven of relaxation, and with its secluded, winding entranceways, it almost feels like it’s a stand-alone spa destination. We enjoy a much-needed Balinese massage in the serene and refined setting, where there are also hammams, saunas and relaxation rooms.
The food
The hotel’s restaurants offer an extensive array of cuisine. The spacious Le Jardin serves lavish breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, while the beachside Piatti serves seafood in a setting inspired by the Amalfi coast. Our alfresco breakfast is particularly memorable – it’s definitely one of the larger spreads we have seen, even by Dubai standards.
In keeping with the property’s grandeur is Bluthner Hall, the lobby lounge, where an afternoon tea experience fit for royalty is served daily, alongside notes from a bespoke Bluthner Louis XIV grand piano. Sola is a sultry jazz lounge, which hosts performances throughout the week, accompanied by a menu of Asian and Mediterranean finger food.
Our dinner at Matagi is a highlight. The contemporary Japanese food is complemented by the beautiful venue, which offers ambience and theatre in a moody, lowlight setting. Entire walls are filled with stacks of Japanese ceiling tiles, offset by patterned floor tiling, and contemporary artwork and lighting. Tenderstem broccoli tempura, served with truffle honey and roasted almond (Dh120) gets things off in style.
Salmon ceviche is served with a mango leche de tigre and pickled Italian tropea onion on a bed of avocado puree (Dh80), contrasting flavours that aren’t obvious pairings but work wonderfully together. A Matagi bao (Dh130), filled with Wagyu short rib meat and braised endive is rich and flavourful, and I’d go so far as to say one of the best things I’ve eaten in Dubai. For mains, we opt for a den miso black cod with yuzu pickled Italian giardiniera (Dh240) and the 72-hour slow-cooked beef short ribs and black truffle (Dh250), leaving us without space for dessert.
Highs and lows
The overall experience of staying in this property is unlike any other. Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, the Cinq Mondes spa and fantastic restaurants are worth a visit for the sheer quality and variety they offer. Large pools are ideal for unwinding in, we only wish we had more time on our hands to enjoy the facilities for longer.
Our delayed check-in and the general level of activity and bustle in the hotel surrounding the wedding weekend were the only downsides.
The insider tip
If you’re after a serene escape, it’s worth checking there are no big weddings or events taking place.
The verdict
It’s not to everyone’s taste, but Raffles The Palm is an unrivalled choice for travellers seeking Dubai bling and a slice of lavishness and extravagance.
The bottom line
From Dh3,151 ($858), excluding taxes. Check-in is at 3pm and checkout is at noon; www.raffles.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future
Afternoon tea fit for royalty is served daily, alongside notes from a bespoke Bluthner Louis XIV grand piano