Last weekend, I was very lucky to enjoy a well needed staycation in Dubai. My friend made arrangements for me to stay at the ultra posh Fairmont The Palm, and unlike my usual Dubai trips – this one was purely based on relaxation and “me” time. After a hectic few weeks at work, I felt like my brain was exploding, and it was indeed a breath of fresh air to NOT ONCE check my emails, wake up without an alarm, and fully immerse in the beautiful surroundings.
The hotel is located on the left side of The Palm, overlooking Burj Al Arab on one side (my view), and Dubai Marina on the other. The resort is designed to resemble an oasis in the desert, with its earthy tones, fountain features and strategically scattered palm trees.
GUEST ROOMS
I stayed on the Fairmont Heritage Floor, and my room was incredible! Ok, that is a complete understatement, so allow me to clarify. The “room” was actually an apartment which features 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an open kitchen, laundry facilities, dining table, working desk and 2 terraces. It is purely aimed at long stay visits, and I was extremely sad to leave after only 2 days 🙁 The masterbed was extremely comfortable and I enjoyed a very relaxing sleep – however I must say, the fact that the apartment faces the street is quite uncomfortable as racing cars are constantly on the go. On a happier note, the bathtub was perfect for a bubble bath. The crowning glory to me, was the outdoor terrace which featured a chaise lounge – absolutely PERFECT for enjoying those amazing views, at any time of day 🙂
RESTAURANTS
The hotel has several interesting restaurants and beautiful cafes located on the ground level, both bathing in natural daylight and connected with a large terrace. Flow Kitchen is the all day dining restaurant offering dishes from around the world, and an impressive Friday Brunch. Frevo, the signature Brazilian restaurant, gives guests an authentic churrascaria style experience with several meat cuts, sliced right at the table. For guests who crave seafood, Seagrill Restaurant & Lounge, offers the freshest seafood platters, with gorgeous views of the Dubai Marina skyline. Little Miss India is a recently opened Indian restaurant, with views to the seaside, and authentic delicacies.
Mashrabiya Lounge is located in the lobby and serves the award winning Afternoon Tea, with countless options of tea varieties from the Far East; it also boasts an impressive terrace where guests can enjoy shisha as the sun goes down. My favourite out of all is Delicacy – an artisan cafe, reminiscent of those you would find in Paris, with beautiful patisserie displayed. I found peace and inspiration to find my creativity here, and discovered the hot chocolate of my dreams, which comes with a playground of colourful toppings for accessorizing!
WELLNESS
Willow Spa is a tranquil oasis, which has recently been crowned Winner of Resort Spa of the Year MEA at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2017, so you really must enjoy a treatment when visiting. Guests can enjoy various types of massages treatments and even an authentic Hamam. The resort really caters to health and wellness, which can be seen through the diverse range of activities on offer, from water sports to yoga and meditation. In addition, the resort offers 2 swimming pools – one for adults and the other for families, as well as a beach which overlooks the Dubai Marina skyline. An extra treat for the kids is the Fairmont Falcon Kids Club which offers a wide range of edutainment activities. The resort also has a wonderful Health Club complete with fitness classes and personal training sessions, for those who really want to stay active during their holiday.
As a hotelier, I always love to explore different chains to learn more about what makes them stand out, and I absolutely love the Fairmont. Throughout all my encounters in the hotel, I was greeted by my name, with a smile, and the colleagues really went the extra mile in a very genuine way (trust me, its obvious when they are simply following service standards). The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to and from Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates to all guests. I truly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Dubai, whether for short or long term and can’t wait to return!
My 2 day stay was indeed blissful and made me realize how important it is to take a break for yourself, and go to a beautiful place where you can fully immerse in the surroundings and do exactly what makes YOU feel great!
xo,
Marina
Hotel information:
Location: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Telephone:+ 971 4 457 3388
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai
Disclaimer: All views are my own and all photographs are © My Sweet Escapes. Thank you to my dear friend, KJ, for arranging this wonderful mini retreat.
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