East Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (888) 962-8097
Secluded and serene Palm Jumeirah setting
Over-water villas with glass floor panels, the only in the UAE
In-room amenities include Nespresso machines and 42-inch flat-screen TVs
Three lagoon
pools and huge infinity pool
Long white-sand
beach with cocoons, cabanas, and water sports
Entertainment and
activities for kids and teens
Poor location for
Dubai sightseeing
Beach cocoon and
cabana rental expensive
The Anantara
Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa is an upscale, Thai-style hotel located on the
secluded east crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's two artificial palm-shaped archipelagos. Arranged around
several lagoon pools and extending to a white sand beach, the Anantara is certainly one of
Dubai's prettier resorts, and it caters well to both romancing couples
and families with kids. Over-water villas are particularly impressive,
though all of the rooms come with excellent amenities. Rates
certainly aren't cheap by any standards, and the location is awkward for
sightseeing, but for a high-end holiday resort with plenty of facilities it's an excellent choice.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Traditional Thai-style resort and one of Dubai's prettier and more romantic settings
The resort has a Thai atmosphere that's noticeable immediately upon arrival at its Asian-style portico, lotus-flower water feature, and collection of figurine statues.
The hotel reception continues this theme with a lofty wood-slate
ceiling and collection of hanging lamps, while traditional Thai touches -- from
ornate carvings, natural wood furnishings, and even traditionally Thai-dressed
staff -- complete the illusion. Every effort has been made to give the whole
resort an Eastern feel, with Thai temple-style architecture set in lush but
meticulously tended grounds. The gardens are full of colorful flowers, exotic plans, and
tropical palms and are arranged around a series of lagoon pools and extending to a
lovely white sand beach. The complex is a particularly attractive resort by day,
but its when night falls and the resort lights up when the place really shines -- making
for one of the more romantic settings in Dubai and a popular spot for couples.
Location
Secluded and serene Palm Jumeirah setting, though not ideal for sightseeing
The hotel is located
on the Palm Jumeirah -- one of two of Dubai's palm-shaped artificial
archipelagos that stretch out into the Arabian Gulf.
Its position halfway down the palm's eastern crescent and overlooking the
islands fronds gives it a secluded feel, while at the same time making
it a bit of a hassle to get to and from the Dubai mainland. Getting
anywhere in Dubai from the property can take a while -- especially with Dubai's
notoriously busy traffic -- so its best for those not planning on doing too
much sightseeing.
Rooms
Elegant, Thai-style rooms and villas, including the only over-water villas in the UAE
The resort has 260
rooms arranged around the lagoon pools and 30-plus villas, 18 of which constitute the only over-water villas in the UAE. Decor in
all units is a contemporary take on traditional Thai styling with smart
and simple dark-wood furnishings, natural wood floors, and occasional splashes
of color. In-room amenities include free (and fast) Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs with media hubs, while bathrooms
have walk-in rainfall showers, separate tubs, double basins, bathrobes, and both
slippers and flip-flops. The over-water
villas offer particularly superb sea views and have glass viewing
panels in the floor. For the real high-end experience, however, the Beach Pool
Villa comes with a private infinity pool and direct access to a pristine stretch of
beach.
Features
First-class facilities for families and couples and a superb white-sand beach
The Anatara has all
the facilities one would expect from a high-end resort, including a huge infinity swimming pool, tennis courts, a full-service spa, and a decent selection of
restaurants and bars. However, the hotel stands out on several fronts, not
least because of its particularly attractive, white sand beach, a pleasant change from
some of Palm Jumeirah's lackluster beaches. Beach cocoons and cabanas are also a
excellent touch (though daily rental is pricey) and the relatively
long stretch of sand rarely feels crowded. Candlelit dinners by the beach can also be arranged for romancing couples (with notice), while families with children are well catered to, with entertainment and activities for both kids and
teenagers.
