Beach Babes
Madinat Jumeirah
Inspired by traditional Arabic architecture, this lavish honey-coloured hotel complex features latticed archways, oriental lanterns and replica wind-towers. The sprawling complex boasts a two five-star hotels (Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam), summerhouses, villas, an air-conditioned souk and over 40 restaurants and bars linked by man-made waterways lined with bougainvillea. At the foot of the iconic Burj al-Arab this complex is rather lovely and a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.
jumeirah.com
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Ottoman opulence best describes this palatial hotel on the west crescent of the Palm. The lobby has jewel-coloured chandeliers and handpainted frescos, while the rooms are equally impressive with silk-draped beds and enormous marble baths. Outside, there’s a private beach and a 59-metre infinity pool, but the real draw is the magnificent Talise Ottoman Spa, home to a staggering 42 treatment rooms, three traditional Turkish hammams, steam rooms and saunas. jumeirah.com
One&Only Royal Mirage
The magnificent One&Only Royal Mirage, reminiscent of an Arabian palace features beautifully lush palm courtyards, interspersed by intricate arches, domes, and towers. This beautiful beachside hotel overlooking the Palm, is made up of three hotels within the resort (The Palace, Arabian Court and Residence & Spa) and also has a wonderful spa. Pure bliss! royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com
Fairmont The Palm
We can’t get enough of this top notch beach resort on Dubai’s iconic man-made island. With a private beach, four sparkling swimming pools, and a fantastic panorama of the skyscrapers of the ‘Middle East Manhattan’, you could easily spend your whole holiday here. And did we mention the hotel’s great restaurants (we particularly like Ba Restaurant & Lounge’s accomplished Chinese cuisine) and the 1,600-square-metre spa with treatment rooms overlooking the Arabian Gulf?
fairmont.com
City Slickers
Vida Downtown Dubai
This boutique-style hotel, conveniently located in Downtown Dubai, and close to the Dubai Mall, is sleek and modern. This hotel boasts some fantastic restaurants including a Dubai branch of the Sydney-based Japanese ‘Toko’ and French bistro La Serre.
vida-hotels.com
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
As you can imagine, the views from the world’s tallest hotel are pretty spectacular. Located in Business Bay, just a stone’s throw from Downtown, this twin-tower hotel has contemporary rooms in muted tones with floor-to-ceiling windows and freestanding tubs. There are 14 restaurants and bars, including succulent steak at Prime 68 and expertly mixed cocktails at Vault on the 72nd floor (don’t miss the daily Happy Hour from 5pm – 8pm). The spa is top-notch too.
marriott.com
The Palace Downtown Dubai
Modern meets majestic at The Palace Downtown Dubai. Just a few steps away from the Dubai Mall, and attached to Souk Al Bahar with boutiques, restaurants and bars, The Palace is perfectly located for girls that like to shop until they drop! And, the rooms, or the pool overlooking the Burj Khalifa, are pretty nice to ‘drop’ into.
theaddress.com/en/hotels/the-palace-downtown-dubai
The Address Downtown Dubai
If you’ve come to Dubai to shop ‘til you drop, this fabulous hotel should be top of your wish list. It has brilliant Burj views, 196 stylish rooms, a plush spa and five-tier infinity pool. There are seven restaurants and bars – we love CUT by Wolfgang Puck, while the lovely outdoor terrace at Calabar is perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Nearby sister hotel, The Address Dubai Mall has direct access to the mega-mall.
theaddress.com
Armani Hotel Dubai
Want to really wow your girlfriends? A room at Giorgio Armani’s first hotel ought to do it. Located in the world’s tallest building, 828-metre Burj Khalifa, this super stylish hotel has seven restaurants including an authentic Italian deli with great coffee, a sleek spa, outdoor pool and uber-cool nightclub. The 160 rooms come with king-sized beds, marble bathrooms and Armani goodies, while the staff are easily the best-dressed in town.
dubai.armanihotels.com
Creekside
Park Hyatt Dubai
Closer to the old city, the elegant Park Hyatt Dubai, alongside the Dubai Creek is a serene luxury hideaway. The hotel, with its 225 five-star rooms and suites, features some excellent restaurants including the signature French brasserie Traiteur (famous for the Friday brunch) and The Terrace, overlooking the Dubai Creek and marina – the perfect spot to watch the sun go down over the water. Not to forget, the hotel includes the luxury Amara Spa, one of the finest in the city. There are a number of golfing options nearby at various resorts. A 25-metre outdoor swimming pool is a highlight of the property, with its four whirlwind pools in each corner; while private fishing and yacht charters available to guests will appeal to the luxury angler.
dubai.park.hyatt.com
New in 2016
The Langham, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
The Langham, located on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah, is scheduled to open in 2016. With 323 rooms, the hotel will be located on the waterfront directly facing the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai Marina skyline. All rooms and suites will have expansive outdoor terraces and sea-front views including 53 well-appointed one- and two-bedroom suites; where 22 of them will feature individual plunge pools.
Designed to become one of the city’s social centres for dining, The Langham will offer guests a wide variety of innovative restaurants and bars, most of them with al fresco waterside dining. Headlining the culinary options will be Palm Court, an elegant lounge modelled after its namesake at The Langham, London – the first grand hotel to serve the traditional afternoon tea in 1865.
The Langham, Palm Jumeirah will feature one of the region’s largest hotel recreation facilities covering almost 4,000 square metres over two floors. For a retreat of relaxation, the group’s signature award-winning Chuan Spa will showcase a remarkable 26 treatment rooms as well as therapies based on the sound principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
A distinctive feature of The Langham, Palm Jumeirah is the dedicated Travellers Lounge, which will provide all the facilities and comforts for early arrival or late departure flyers. Designed as a sanctuary and an extension of the luxury resort experience, guests are welcome to take full advantage of the well-stocked library, entertainment selections, light dining service, business centre and shower/change rooms with compliments of the resort.
dubai.langhamhotels.com
Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah marks the Viceroy’s first venture into Dubai and its second in the UAE. Located beachfront, Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah will offer 477 spacious guest rooms and suites, all with views of the Arabian Gulf. With architecture and design lead by Yabu Pushelberg and NAO Taniyama and Associates, the hotel will feature services and amenities created specifically for a diverse group of guests including dining venues hosted by renowned chefs and a spa. A beach club and a 100-metre-long pool will be complemented by children’s clubs, entertainment, and sporting activities. Situated at the base trunk of The Palm Jumeirah, the property will be accessible from Sheikh Zayed Road, only 15 minutes from the city’s downtown centre.
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/dubai