Expect stunning skyline views, the elegance and exclusivity of the Royal Hideaway brand and strong food and beverage concepts at this Palm Jumeirah address.
Dukes The Palm, A Royal Hideaway Hotel is a hotel with a quintessentially British edge, ideally located on Dubai’s artificial island, Palm Jumeirah. From the moment we enter the lobby with its distinctive portraits, quaint fireplace, high-backed armchairs and floral arrangements presented in dainty glass vases, we’re enraptured by the regal charms of the five-star hotel.
The hotel is full of gorgeous touches, with the foyer boasting a huge Swarovski chandelier taking centre stage. At the same time, the Dukes The Palm team is warm and welcoming and super helpful at organising everything you need.
The hotel is situated on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah and is perfect for feeling that you are away from it all while still being close to Dubai Marina and Mall of The Emirates. Featuring 279-rooms and 285 apartments, the accommodation is plush and lovely and maintains the London feel of the rest of the hotel. There are stunning views of Dubai Marina, JBR, Ain Dubai and the Arabian Gulf from our stylish yet homely room, which features a spacious balcony perfect for taking in the views. We stayed in a Suite Deluxe, which was spacious at 56 square meters and extremely comfortable for our weekend stay. The decor is elegant with plenty of fabrics, soft furnishings and British artworks. In comparison, the bathroom projects a different feel with black tiles and a high-tech Japanese toilet. The large bed is super comfy and we have a great sleep thanks to the beautiful, heavy drapes blocking out the Dubai sun.
Outside, the large infinity-style pool has to be seen to be believed and is located adjacent to a strip of private beach. Meanwhile, a lazy river replete with waterfalls and slow current offers plenty of fun for little ones. For families, the DUKESY Kids’ Club has a host of activities throughout the day to keep children entertained, while adults can sunbathe on the expansive lawns or take a dip in the indoor pool on the hotel’s 14th floor.
The hotel features several and bars, so you won’t be short of choices when dining. The Great British Restaurant is open all day and the large buffet breakfast is served here with hot and cold options along with Arabic choices and meats and cheese. The standout restaurant is Khyber which brings intricate and rich North Indian flavours to Dubai and is the first restaurant of its kind outside the flagship in Mumbai.
Khyber offers a rustic environment that feels somewhat palatial with its brickwork, gurgling water features and collonaded archways. It’s a space so different from the hotels interior that it feels as though you’ve been transported to the North-West Frontier, the Khyber pass so to speak, a treacherous mountain pathway that formed part of the ancient silk route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Khyber takes things back to basics with a firm foucus on the aromatic spices traded along the silk route. It should be noted that Khyber isn’t afraid when it comes to spice levels, and the Butter Chicken is the perfect example of this. As a dish often recognised for being creamy and very mild, Khyber’s version opts for a more robust gravy and a good dose of spice to compliment the tomato base and tender boneless tandoori chicken.
Situated on a pristine stretch of coastline overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the five-star property boasts a magnificent private beach overlooking Dubai Marina. If you’re looking for the ideal weekend escape for every member of the family, then you should give some serious consideration to Dukes The Palm, A Royal Hideaway Hotel.
GO: Visit www.barcelo.com or call (0)4 455 1101 for reservations and more information.
