Desert Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates [view map]
- Style
- Italo-Arab urban retreat
- Setting
- Private polo estate
Desert Palm is a stylish retreat from the thrilling buzz of sun-soaked Dubai, an elegant Euro-Arab estate offering boutique-hotel rooms and spacious villas with more mod cons than the Starship Enterprise – oh, and world-class polo facilities.
Need to know
- Rooms
- 24, including 11 pool villas.
- Rates
- In low season, US$383–1,680; in high season, US$764–5,880. Villa Layali, US$3,528–8,424, excluding service (10 per cent) and tax (10 per cent). Rates include à la carte breakfast at Epicure.
- Check-out
- 11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm. Later check-outs are subject to availability and, up to 6pm, incur a cost of 50 per cent of the room rate. After 6pm, you will be charged the full room rate.
- Facilities
- Tennis/squash courts, polo pitches, riding school, swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, shop, DVD library, free WiFi. In rooms, LCD TV/DVD, iPod, B+O stereo, minibar, coffee maker, Ren toiletries. Villas also have kitchens and pools.
- Poolside
- The outdoor infinity pool stretches along the terrace in front of Epicure restaurant, with designer sun loungers and views across the polo fields. Occasional distant traffic noise, depending on wind direction.
- Children
- Welcome, although this is more of an adult getaway. Under-twos stay free in Palm Suites or Pool Villas. Over-twos accommodated in Pool Residences only; under-12s, AED 184; over-12s pay full rates. Child-minders/children's menus available.
- Eco-friendly
- Desert Palm works with a UK-based carbon-offsetting company and its grounds are home to a number of bird species not found anywhere else in Dubai.
- Also
- Over Christmas and New Year, there’s a minimum stay of five nights. Cooking and wine-tasting tutorials can be arranged on site.
In the know
- Our favourite rooms
- All the Palm Suites have the same facilities and gizmos galore, but we like seven with views of the polo field best. Three in the left wing overlook the gardens; those on the right have pool views. Palm Suites benefit from bathrooms with natural light (a rarity in Dubai), are reasonably priced and the perfect size for a couple. Pool Villas are great for partners who are more interested in 'alone time' than sightseeing, with private plunge pools and plenty of room to play in; and Pool Residences are ideal for families or small groups, with huge fitted kitchens and living areas. Villa Laylani is the spectacular two-bedroom presidential villa, with private gardens, pools, courtyards and a fantastic roof terrace with sunset views across the main polo pitch.
- Packing tips
- Riding gear and a bikini for sunbathing; that’s about it – everything else you can buy or borrow, if it’s not already in your room (umbrellas, robes, slippers, hairdryers, stationery and ironing boards all tucked away in your room).
- Also
- Book your holistic spa treatments at Lime well in advance to avoid disappointment. Staff can also arrange hair stylists, personal shoppers and private tours – just ask.
Food & drink
- Hotel restaurant
- Rare serves a meaty menu of rare-breed beef (Wagyu, Kobe) and game with a 500-bin wine list. Italianate Epicure café has Missoni-esque décor, a deli, bakery and patisserie; and afternoon tea is served on the Jewel lounge terrace.
- Dress code
- Designer casuals.
- Top table
- At Epicure, snag a window seat overlooking the terrace or sit up at one of the grazing counters for a quick coffee. Opt for a raised booth or a table by the wine room in Rare.
- Last orders
- Epicure, 7am–10.30pm; Jewel, 3pm–5.30pm; Rare, 7pm–11pm, plus noon–4pm on Fridays; Red bar pours its last champagne at 1am.
- Room service
- 24 hours; varied breakfast menu including healthy options (organic cereal with soya milk), plus room-service staples and delicacies such as Beluga caviar and oysters. They even have organic baby food.
- Hotel bar
- Red bar supplements Desert Palm’s extensive wine cellars with big-deal brandies, fine whisky and serious cocktails – there’s a full-size pool table too.
Smith card offer Afternoon tea for two at Jewel, with home-made scones, sandwiches and all the trimmings
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Smith concierge
If you’d prefer to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble booking online, ring our travel team on 0845 034 0700 (+44 20 8987 4312 from outside the UK). We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.
Desert Palm
Al Awir Road, PO Box 103635, Dubai