An exotic escape on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
Palm Jumeriah, Dubai’s marvel of modern engineering, offers the best of both worlds when visiting our fair city. Celebrity chef fronted restaurants butt up against waterparks, whilst long swathes of sandy beaches provide the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of the city without losing any of the excitement.
Enter: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, the third Dubai property from luxurious hotel operator Taj Hotels. Located on the far reaches of Palm Jumeirah’s Eastern crescent, this new resort boasts a strikingly different stay from the business-driven JLT or Business Bay properties. Here on a pristine stretch of beachfront, lies a sprawling family-friendly resort that offers something for everyone inside a brilliantly white structure resembling a modern palace.
Entering the grand lobby with its vaulted glass ceiling, it already feels as if you’ve arrived at the beach. Here, pretty carpets replicate the pattern of ocean waves crashing against the shore, while a large overhead sculpture comprising hundreds of pieces of blown glass take on the appearance of the crest of a wave.
Greeted at check-in with seashell necklaces and a blessing using a candle perched amidst a lotus flower, the arrival process is not only efficient but entirely memorable. And throughout Taj Hotel’s newest opening, the staff are friendly, personable and emanate a genuine warmth towards guests.
A Suite Sea View
Images of the ocean can be found throughout the hotel and mark the way from the lobby to the guest rooms. Expect sculptures made from dazzling white seashells in the communal areas to floating bubbles punctuating the walls in the elevators.Â
A Luxury Suite Sea View on the hotel’s fourth floor offers unrivalled views across the fronds of the Palm, allowing guests to wake up to those memorable ocean vistas that can only be found in Dubai.
Like the rest of the resort, the 90 square meter suite is modern and spacious. Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, this accommodation option offers a calming sanctuary for relaxation after a busy day at the beach. Divided into three district areas – living, sleeping and bathing – every detail throughout the space has been well-thought-out and designed with care.Â
The living room with its guest powder room, small writing desk, and comfortable sofa presents the ideal space for socialising with friends and family. Moving through to the bedroom, a large king-sized bed offers a restful night’s sleep. With its traced designs of the Dubai skyline appearing through a cloud of fog, the room is beautifully maintained with natural wood panelling and gold detailing adding a touch of opulence to the otherwise understated design. The small balcony is a perfect nook for sunning or morning caffeination.
Expansive bathrooms offer double vanities, a deep tub and a walk-in rainfall shower, all clad in gleaming marble. No details have been overlooked in the design of these spaces, with Hermes amenities, bath pillows (yes, you read that correctly) and a shower experience that is so refreshing, you’ll find it difficult to drag yourself away from the spectacular pendant that cascades torrents of water as if you’ve been caught in a tropical rainstorm.
Extra luggage space, ample living space and access to the Taj Club Lounge make the Luxury Suite Sea View a preferred accommodation option for those travelling with young children.Â
Destination Dining
With seven on-site restaurants and bars, you’ll never need to leave the resort during a stay at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Dubai. Emperor Lounge serves a decadent afternoon tea, the swim-up Lime Pool Bar is the place to beat the heat with a selection of refreshing beverages, The Coast offers snacks and light bites poolside, and Palm Kitchen is the hotels day to night dining destination, where an expansive breakfast and dinner buffet offers everything imaginable whilst a live violinist serenades guests.Â
The signature Varqui Crab, a culinary medley of crab meat, tandoori shrimp, crispy filo and gold leaf, is reason enough to visit the Indian fine-dining restaurant, Varq. Named after the finely crafted gold or silver leaf used to garnish gourmet dishes, the restaurant offers a cosy ambience and a menu constructed from the highest quality ingredients presented with French panache.
The sixth-floor rooftop is home to Raia, a pulsating nightlife venue where master mixology complements an appealing menu of modern Moroccan and Andalusian dishes. Arrive for the sunset and stay well into the night, as a DJ plays an eclectic soundtrack against the backdrop of Dubai’s glittering skyline.
Causal and undeniably fun, Roaring Rabbit is a British gastropub wrapped up in an aesthetic ripped from the pages of the Lewis Carroll novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Here, amidst walls decked in cards, cocktails are served in teacups and a heady atmosphere of fun and frivolity takes hold. The appealing menu offers pub grub favourites such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Scotch eggs, in addition to more interesting fare like braised oxtail with colcannon or the 220g rabbit thigh. No matter what you order, this is one rabbit hole you will be happy to fall into.
Family-Friendly Facilities
We assume that most people checking into Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Dubai, are doing so for the pool and beach. 230 metres of private white sand beach allow guests to lounge on the stunning shoreline upon daybeds and cabanas. Elsewhere, the Olympic-size swimming pool offers shimmering shallow waters that mirror the azure blue sea. And because no beachfront resort is complete without family-friendly amenities, The Popsicle Kids Club comprises both a dedicated shallow water pool and a playground.
For those looking to be a little more active, the resort boasts a 24-hour fitness centre, one multi-court and one tennis court, and a putting green. There’s also a games room for teenagers featuring foosball, air hockey and video games.Â
Reflecting the very best of the Taj Hotels brand, the luxurious Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Dubai houses 325 elegantly styled rooms and suites, an array of culinary experiences, and holistic wellness at Jiva spa. An exotic escape is closer than you think and for a family-friendly stay on the Palm, look no further.
GO: Visit www.tajexoticapalmdubai.com or follow @tajpalmdubai on Instagram for bookings or more information.
