Desert Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates[view map]
Nightlife
The Wafi Mall is your best bet for an evening out, as it is not far away and has several good bars (China Moon, Vintage and Ginseng), restaurants (Medzo, Asha’s and Japengo) and clubs (including Plan B) to pick from (as well as shops, of course).
Another option is Festival City on the creek, where you’ll find ultra-trendy Vista cocktail bar as well as the new Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire restaurant (he’s the triple-starred French chef of Sketch restaurant fame): both of these suggestions are at Festival City's InterContinental hotel (+971 (0)4 701 1111).
Worth getting out of bed for
Desert Palm’s Lime spa is a decadent underground haven with six top-notch treatment suites: therapies run the gamut from basic manicures and sports massage to holistic rituals and 24-carat gold facials. Men and mothers-to-be have their own treatments to choose from. Fresh juices and a spa menu are also available, if you’re determined to detox.
Riders will be in seventh heaven here: the equestrian facilities are second to none, with 300 stables and four polo pitches. Jogging and riding tracks loop around the grounds, so beasts with two or four legs can get plenty of exercise; the spa boutique even stocks special beauty products for the dedicated equestrienne with a T-shirt tan and a tender behind. You’re also conveniently located for trips to the Nad al Sheba racecourse and camel-racing track, as well as the open spaces of family-friendly Mushrif Park.
Brush up on your culinary expertise care of the hotel chef, or discover unusual vintages from worlds old and new with the resident sommelier. There are no excuses for being bored here: go micro-lighting, sky-diving or hot-air ballooning above the desert, dive under the surface of the sea or hurl yourself down a ski slope: anything can be arranged by Desert Palm’s concierge (with enough notice, of course – it's best to book these as soon as you've made your reservations).
International City and its giant new China Town is in phase one of development – the Dragon Mart is already open and is almost on your doorstep, if you fancy shopping in China for a day; there are better retail pleasures to be had in town, though, at BurJaman mall, for example.
For more ideas, check out our insider guide to Dubai.
Diary
Dubai has a full calender of equestrian events, including: March The prestigious Dubai World Cup race meet. Late March The Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge is held at Desert Palm Polo Ground. The Dubai International Horse Fair celebrates Arabian warm bloods and thoroughbreds. October The horse-racing season begins.