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You are here: Home / Travel / Dubai / Review: One&Only The Palm, Dubai

Review: One&Only The Palm, Dubai

by Jeanne Horak on August 26, 2015 9 Comments in Dubai, Hotel reviews

O&OThePalmPool

We’ve all had that end-of-holiday feeling.  The feeling of relaxation and contentment, combined with the longing to live like this forever: never having to cook or make your bed; never having to vacuum the lounge or water the garden; never having to dash to the grocery store in the rain on the way home from work; always having the time to eat a proper cooked breakfast rather than a cereal bar on the train; never having to sort the laundry and vainly try to match pairs of socks, or do the ironing. But even as a teen I remember these feelings being tinged with the faint longing to be home again, among all the messy familiarity, back in the comfortable routine of the everyday.  I’ve felt like that on every holiday I’ve ever been on – but not when I stayed at One&Only The Palm in Dubai. I was so serious about staying forever that I even caught myself sizing up the wardrobe as a place to stow away and never leave.

The One&Only brand was founded in 2002 and despite having only eleven properties around the world, the brand has become the become the benchmark of excellence in the luxury resort industry and is a favourite of the rich and famous. The brand’s meteoric rise can be attributed both to the huge amount of attention to detail devoted to giving each of their properties an architectural sense of place, as well as their strategy of making branding the responsibility of each person in the company through the delivery of consistently excellent service. Both of these elements are very much in evidence at One&Only The Palm.

Situated on a man-made peninsula at the furthest point of one of the outer fronds of The Palm island in Jumeirah, the property is as far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dubai as you could wish for. It’s a fairly long drive as you have to drive up the entire “trunk” of the palm to its apex near the Atlantis resort, and then turn left and drive all the way back down the outer frond, roughly parallel to the way you have just come – but once you arrive, you feel as if you are miles from anywhere with only the view across the water to the Dubai marina to remind you that you are only a short boat-ride from the action. Set in vast grounds containing manicured gardens, tinkling fountains, palm trees and masses of frangipani, the low-rise, low-density  resort exudes luxury and serenity as soon as you walk into the cool marble-floored lobby and are welcomed with an iced drink.

 

O&OPalmPool1

 

O&OPalmWelcomeDrink

 

O&OLogo

 

O&OPalmLobbyPassage

 

O&OLobbyByNight

 

O&OPalmLobbyLights

 

ACCOMMODATION

The hotel has just shy of 100 rooms (including 25 suites) spread across the main Manor House building and six free-standing beach-front Mansions each containing a cluster of 8-10 rooms and suites, some with pools. Grandest of all is the Manor House Grand Palm Suite, the penthouse of the Manor House offering a whopping 250m² of living space and a panoramic view of the resort and the glorious 850 square metre pool. Accommodation comprises a lobby and guest loo; a small but well-equipped kitchen; an open-plan lounge and dining room (including a workspace); one (massive!) bedroom with a walk-in dressing room/closet; a large bathroom with separate shower decorated with beautiful mosaics; and a huge outdoor terrace. The décor is plush and understated and has a subtle Arabic feel, and guests also have the personalised 24-hour services of a private butler.

 

O&OSuiteLounge

 

O&OPalmSuite2

 

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O&OPalmSuiteBedroom

 

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O&OPalmSuiteKitchen

 

O&OPalmSuiteTerrace O&O

 

If you are looking for a more secluded and tranquil hideaway close to both the beach and the pool, each of the abovementioned six free-standing low rise Mansions incorporates a cluster of eight to ten independent Premiere Rooms, Junior Suites and Executive Suites. Palm Beach Executive Suites are situated directly on the beach and comprise a generous 130m² of living space including an integrated lounge and dining area and grand master bedroom with private balcony or beachfront garden patio. Two Executive Suites with 20m² pools are available at a supplement. Palm Beach Junior Suites offer the same except with 100m² of living space and a choice of seven suites with 20m² pools available at a supplement. Both these suites also come with a private covered gazebo with loungers on the beach, metres from your room.

 

O&OBeachSuiteWithPool

 

O&OBeachCabana

 

Palm Beach Premiere rooms, like the one where we stayed, offer 65m² of space, with private balcony or beachfront garden patio, furnished with elegant outdoor seating. The room was situated in one of the freestanding mansions accessed via a private courtyard complete with tinkly fountain. Compared to most hotel rooms, it was enormous – in many hotels rooms of this size are considered junior suites – and the little patio outside was fringed with frangipani trees and sweetly scented all day long. In the room, there was a large flat-screen TV, complimentary water, tea and coffee (and a Nespresso machine!) and a minibar, as well as complementary toiletries, robes and slippers – also Panama hats! There was a small lounge area with comfy sofas at the foot of the bed as well as a desk with free WiFi connection, iPod docking station and a phone, should you feel the need to work while in paradise. It was the gigantic bathroom, though, that I loved the most, with its masses of cupboard space, separate “storm shower” and toilet cubicles, enormous free-standing bath and an elliptical chandelier made of teardrop-shaped pieces of glass. I was smitten.

 

O&OPalmRoomEntrance

 

O&OPalmRoomTerrace2

 

O&OTerrace

 

O&OPalmFrangipani

 

O&OPalm BeachPremiere1

 

O&OPalmBeachPremiereLounge1

 

O&OPalmBeachPremiereBathroom1

 

O&OPalmBeachPremiereBathroom2

 

O&OPalmChandelier

 

 

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

If you can bear to tear yourself away from your beautiful room, One&Only The Palm offers a wealth of leisure activities. For starters, there is the One&Only Private Spa overseen by Espa which offers customised treatments in a tranquil complex of courtyards and fountains. There are nine treatment rooms (including couples rooms), each with its own small patio. For VIPs there is also a mosaic-adorned treatment suite with its own private outdoor shower and a separate entrance for arriving and leaving discreetly.   You also have the option of getting a massage in the seclusion of your own room or suite.

 

O&OPalmSpa1

 

O&OPalmSpa2

 

O&OPalmSpaDiptych

 

For the more energetic, there are tennis courts as well as fully equipped gym with personal trainers and fitness classes (where I did not set foot once – mea culpa!). Water sports can also be arranged nearby, or a visit to the amazing waterpark at nearby Atlantis The Palm. Less taxing is the hair salon, the library, free WiFi in all public areas, as well as the services of the concierge. There is also a surprisingly pleasant beach, only a few steps away from most rooms. Sure, there are no crashing waves and it is a man-made beach, but then nowhere in the Persian gulf is known for its big breakers; and the man-made beach has been there long enough now that marine life has flourished along it, meaning that you can go for long sunrise and sunset walks collecting seashells as I did. In fact, my advice would be do not under any circumstances skip walking on the beach! At sunrise, the temperature is almost bearable and you can get great views of the Dubai Marina reflected in the still water. At sunset, the sun becomes an orb of fire dipping slowly below the horizon and bathing everything in a golden light. It’s tranquil and very lovely.

 

O&OCityscapeSunrise

 

O&OCityscapeSunrise

 

O&OPalmSunrise2

 

O&OPalmSunsetSwim

 

O&OPalmBeachSunset

 

DubaiPalmBeachSunset

 

DubaiShell

 

But the leisure activity that we spent the most time indulging in was making use of the truly gorgeous temperature-controlled 850 square metre swimming pool with its Moorish tiled designs and its double daybeds set on little peninsulas along the edge of the pool. Oh man, I struggled to tear myself away from that pool! As soon as you sit down, a member of staff is on hand with iced water and a chilled fruit kabob, top ease you into your morning of relaxation, alternating some light reading with people watching and dips in the pool. If you feel like pushing the boat out, there are also pool cabanas that can be rented on a day basis, each with an indoor and an outdoor lounge area, flat screen TV, private restroom and bar facilities. But for my money, I preferred the proximity to the water that the loungers and daybeds at the water’s edge provided.

 

O&OPalmPool

 

O&OPalmPoolLateAfternoon

O&OPalmPoolArmcharsr

 

O&OPalmPoolBeds

 

O&OPalmPool4


O&OPalmCabana

 

O&OPalmPoolCabana

 

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O&OPalmBlueTiles

 

O&OPalmPool5

 

Although you are not that far from the hustle and bustle of Dubai, the resort feels as if it is on a secluded island paradise, so in the unlikely event that you feel cabin fever setting in, it is good to know that the One&Only Royal Mirage on the mainland is only minutes away by One&Only water taxi transfer. The free water taxi departs regularly from the jetty at the 101 restaurant and is fully air-conditioned (very important!) with smart leather seats and seatbelts, and the comfortable ride only takes a few minutes while you enjoy great views towards the Dubai Marina.

 

O&OPalmWaterTaxiExterior

 

O&OPalmWaterTaxi

 

O&OPalmSeaview

 

O&ORoyalMirageBeach

 

I’d also heartily recommend going for a  stroll around the grounds at sunset and after dinner.  The air is fractionally cooler and heavy with the scent of frangipani, and it’s wonderful to watch the colours change as the sun sets and the lights are lit.  From the end of the road leading to the private marina near 101 you also get to see fab night-time Dubai cityscapes. And of course, the pool looks even more spectacular by night than by day!

 

O&OPalmSunset

 

O&OPalmHotelDusk

 

O&OFrangipani2

 

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O&OPalmDusk

 

O&OCityscapeSunset

 

DubaiNightCityscape

 

O&OPoolNight3

 

O&OPalmPoolNight

 

DINING

There are three on-site restaurants at One&Only The Palm. ZEST is the hotel’s main international restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  The spacious room’s decor is energising and light with touches of silver leaf and crystal, and both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the pool is available.  The menu is a blend of Western, Asian and Middle-Eastern influences.  We enjoyed breakfast there and really loved the impressive spread that they put on.  There is a massive buffet with all the usual stuff like fruit, yoghurts, pastries, juices, cereals and breads, but also a large selection of mediterranean and Middle-Eastern delicacies ranging from sun-dried tomatoes to a plethora of soft fresh cheeses, to caperberries, hummus, olives and dukkah to dip everything in. here is also an a la carte menu with waffles, pancakes, eggs and smoothies made to order, as well as a small selection of speciality dishes.  One morning from the middle-Eastern menu we had shakshuka (for Nick) and ful modamas (for me), both of which were excellent.

 

O&OPalmZEST

 

O&OPalmZESTBreakfast

 

O&OPalmZESTBreakfastBuffet

 

O&OPalmBreakfast pastries

 

O&OPalmBreakfastOverhead

 

O&OPalmBreakfast2

 

O&OPalmBreakfastFulModamas

 

For gourmet dining, there is STAY by Yannick Alléno of three-Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris. STAY (the acronym for Simple Table Alléno Yannick), is only open for dinner and its international menu and relaxed ambience aims to show that fine food need not be pretentious.  I’ll be devoting a full post to our meal there soon!. For more casual dining, there is the very chic 101 restaurant and lounge bar situated on a jetty in the One&Only private marina at the very end of the Palm’s outer frond. The décor is inspired by the blue tones of the ocean and the white of the beach sand, and it looks every inch the movie star hangout.  A shaded deck provides table, lounge and bar counter seating as well as great views towards the city and across to Atlantis The Palm. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and serves modern Mediterranean-inspired food in the form of tapas, salads, pastas and fresh seafood. I visited twice during our trip and for me, the standout dish was pan-friend seabass with cauliflower, hazelnuts, croutons and capers.  The dish was not only gorgeous to look at but also delicious, with the fish served on a bed of nutty cauliflower puree and the whole dish given texture by the nuts and the croutons. When we visited for dinner we were also impressed by the crunchy homemade chocolate peanut bar – like a mini Snickers! Prices range from 80-140AED (£14-24) for starters and salads; and 100-200AED (£17-38) for mains.

 

101Approach

 

101JettyView

 

O&OPalmBoardwalk

 

101logo

 

101Deck

 

O&OPalmAtlantisView

 

101Wine

 

101AmuseBouche

 

101Salad

 

101SeaBass

 

101Fish

 

101Dessert

 

101Sorbet

 

101ViewAtlantis

 

MY THOUGHTS

As you can probably tell by the images above, I fell truly, madly, deeply in love with One&Only The Palm. There is the obvious aspect of its physical beauty and surprising tranquillity in a city known more for partying than serenity.  The low density of accommodation meant that although the hotel was fairly full, you never felt crowded, and the constant presence of tinkling water and fountains both indoors and out helped both to relax guests and create an air of coolness in the middle of a hot day. I loved the proximity of the beach and the pervasive scent of frangipani which lingers all over the grounds. I was impressed with the surprisingly democratic sizing of the rooms – even the entry level rooms were enormous by most standards and I have to say that my bathroom was not far off that of the largest suite’s.  I have swum in a few hotel pools in my time but I am fairly confident in my assertion that this is one of my top three (together with the Beacon Island and the Marina Bay Sands), for its impressive scale, its gorgeous tiling and the clever little inlets all along its length that were shallow enough to sit in and cool off just two steps from your lounger. I found the hotel décor to be elegant and subtle with hints of Moorishness rather than a pastiche, and I wanted to take that bathroom chandelier home with me.

But what impressed me most of all was the service.  Things happened without your even having a chance to ask, as if your every need had been anticipated and fulfilled. Water bottles and coffee/tea in the room were replenished twice a day.  Iced water and fruit kebabs were brought to your pool lounger as soon as you sat down. At night when you came back from dinner, not only had your bed been turned down but a bottle of water and a glass had also been placed on your bedside table and a pair of hotel slippers put out beside your bed, ready for you to step into.  I have stayed in a lot of hotels and even in good resort hotels where staff are friendly and engaging, when they chat to guests you can always see them keeping one eye on business and they make their apologies and move on as soon as is polite. But at One&Only, I saw staff members spend sometimes 10 or 15 minutes by the pool, chatting to guests who obviously felt like a bit of company.  And when I chatted to staff, they all waited for the conversation to come to a natural end rather than rushing off at the earliest opportunity. It was really striking also how genuinely pleased staff seemed to be to hear you were having a good time – clearly the company philosophy of every employee being a brand ambassador is more than just words.

Of course, this level of luxury and service does not come cheap (see below) but I was told that there are many repeat customers who come to One&Only the Palm year after year – if I had the money, I am sure I might too. It is the most completely relaxed I have seen my husband (or myself!) in a while and even now, many months later, I can smell the frangipani. If you have a special anniversary or a honeymoon coming up, or you just want a luxury island holiday without the transatlantic long haul flight, One&Only The Palm should be your first choice.

PRACTICAL INFO

I flew on one of my favourite airlines, Emirates, to Dubai, and they operate three direct flights daily from both London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Dubai. Prices in September start from about £360 per person for a return economy ticket. Quantas and British Airways also operate direct daily flights from London to Dubai and flight time is about seven hours.  The Dubai metro runs from the airport terminal into the city and the closest stop to The Palm is Dubai Internet City, from where you can take a cab to the hotel. Note that the metro is closed on Friday morning and only starts running at 1pm on Fridays.

In September, when I visited,  Premier Palm Beach rooms like the one I stayed in start from 3,800 AED (about £660) per room per night, going up to 5,800 for a Junior suite (about £1,000) per night or 8,300 AED for an executive suite (about £1,440). Pemier rooms in the manor are slightly cheaper at 3,500 AED (£607). See the One&Only website for more details on room availability and price.

One&Only The Palm
West Crescent

Palm Jumeirah
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4 440 1010
E-mail: [email protected]

Here are some more of my hotel posts you might enjoy:

  • Atlantis The Palm
  • Sofitel San Francisco
  • Hotel Icon, Hong Kong
  • Sofitel Paris La Defense

DISCLOSURE:  I enjoyed a complimentary stay as a guest of One&Only The Palm but travelled to Dubai at my own expense and paid for my own meals at 101. I was not required to write a positive review, retained full editorial control, and all opinions are my own.

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  1. Sally - My Custard Pie says

    August 26, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    With so many wonderful hotels in Dubai it’s hard to stand out – but this one does and is favourite of mine. As you know I’m a huge fan of 101 and it was lovely to meet up during your stay. Gorgeous, gorgeous pics Jeanne.

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    August 27, 2015 at 8:05 am

    Oh my goodness gracious me! What a stunning place, beautiful, gorgeous! A place I can only dream about! Thank you for bringing me along with your adventure with your words 🙂

    Reply
  3. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    August 28, 2015 at 7:51 am

    I actually had to look at all your pictures three times as they were so gorgeous. This truly is a stunning place that I would love to visit with my OH.

    Reply
  4. Emily @amummytoo says

    September 8, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Jaw dropping! Such beauty! I am genuinely lost for words.

    Reply
  5. Life Loving says

    September 25, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    Wow! Just wow. This place looks amazing – your photos are amazing. The service sounds perfect too. We stayed next to the One and Only Cape Town a couple of years ago and the hotel looked out of this world. If only….

    Sally @ Life Loving

    Reply
  6. Meeta says

    November 25, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    I love the 101 and it’s a great place to hang out! Next time we need to go together. I miss Dubai and your photos have made me homesick!

    Reply
  7. Andrew says

    November 25, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    One day I might make it to Dubai… maybe. With all that luxury in the hotel though I very much doubt I would venture far…

    Reply
  8. Rosana @ Hot&CHilli Food and Travel Blog says

    November 29, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    wow – what a tour de force post! Love the pics. Jeanne, you always go to glamorous places. Dubai is on my list. R

    Reply
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(The beautiful street art is London Hearts by @akajimmyc)
📸: @girl_travelsworld
Would you believe me if I told you this is NOT a p Would you believe me if I told you this is NOT a picture of a Moorish palace, a castle or a cathedral? And that you can get to it from central London in under an hour?

This is Crossness Pumping Station @crossnesset , a Grade I listed heritage site and one of London's last remaining magnificent Victorian sewage (!) pumping stations in Abbey Wood near Rainham. 

Did you know that...

💩 You can visit the building on monthly open days - the next one is Sun 20 Feb. Book at www.crossness.org.uk

💩  It was only in 1856, after 3 major cholera outbreaks in 30 years and the Big Stink when the stench of London's sewage finally reached Parliament, that construction of an intercepting sewer system for the city was approved.  The system (parts of which are still in use today) was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, Chief Engineer of London's Board of Metropolitan Works at the time.

💩  At Crossness, all London's sewage from south of the river was was raised by 9-12 metres to large reservoirs so that gravity would cause it to flow further east and into the Thames estuary. (Yes, until the 1880s, raw sewage was simply pumped into the Thames!)

💩 The incoming liquid was raised by the four enormous steam driven pumps, built to Joseph Bazalgette's design. The pumps were named Victoria, Prince Consort, Albert Edward, and Alexandra. They are thought to be the largest remaining rotative beam engines in the world, with 52-ton flywheels and 47-ton beams. 

💩 The pumping station was decommissioned and abandoned in the 1950s but declared a listed building in 1970.  Although all 4 beam engines remain in place, they were so damaged that today (thanks to the efforts of the Crossness Engines Trust) only Prince Consort has been restored to working condition and can be seen in action on open days.

💩 The exuberant and colourful wrought ironwork inside is the amazing work of architect Charles Henry Driver. My favourite detail is the fact that the pillars in the central atrium are topped with stylised figs and senna pods... two of nature's greatest natural laxatives 🤣
*NEW RECIPE* Roasted Brussels sprouts with feta ch *NEW RECIPE* Roasted Brussels sprouts with feta cheese, pomegranate and pine nuts

Ever noticed how you are affected by colours? 🌈

Maybe some colours make you agitated and some make you relaxed. Or maybe you find yourself inexplicably attracted to a particular colour (oh, hi teal and aqua!💙). On the basis that all colours have a wavelength, and that those outside the visible spectrum can affect us, it makes sense that the colours we see can affect our mood or even our physiology. Did you know for instance that exposure to red light can increase your blood pressure and heart rate? Are there any colours that you find yourself particularly attracted to or affected by?

The pretty colours of these roasted Brussels sprouts with feta cheese, pomegranate and pine nuts will be the first things that attract you to this dish - but it is the delicious combination of flavours and textures that will keep you coming back for more!

The recipe (and more about how colour affects us mentally and physically) is now live on my blog - click the live link in my profile and remember to like and bookmark this post to see more Cooksister in your Instagram feed ❤️
Perspective: a particular attitude towards or way Perspective: a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something.

Perspective is the one thing that the Covid-19 pandemic has given us plenty of. It has certainly made us re-evaluate what is truly important, and also what we did and didn't enjoy about our lives  before the pandemic and its associated lockdowns. It made me appreciate how much happiness my house, my job, my friends, my own company and my running bring to my life (and how fortunate I am to have all these things). But it also brought home how much I enjoy and miss travel, the theatre, and the luxury of reataurant visits at the drop of a hat. I don't think words can describe my joy at sipping the first coffee purchased from a coffee shop in summer 2020 as lockdown eased. It's the little things...

One of the things I have enjoyed and will not miss as the world creeps back to normality is the absence of crowds in what is usually a crowded city. On the occasions that I have been in central London since the start of the pandemic, streets have been blissfully empty and it has felt as if I were discovering my city anew. This glorious perspective (hah!) of St Paul's Cathedral normally requires a long wait while a queue of tourists and "influencers" ahead of you pose for photos - but on this glorious day last Spring it was almost deserted. I will miss that...

Is there anything you will miss as Covid-19 restrictions start to be lifted?
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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

Latest Recipes

Salmon with blood oranges dill and capers
Brussels sprouts with feta and pomegranate
Roast lamb with pomegranate glaze
Blood orange & pistachio galettes
Cauliflower topped steak with melted cheese
Plate of potted smoked salmon with slaw and a glass of champagne
bowls of pistachio pomegranate bircher muesli
Brussels sprouts with chorizo & hazelnuts

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