Crescent Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (727) 241-5756
Grand luxury
resort with stunning palatial interiors
Set on the West
Crescent of the exclusive Palm Jumeirah
Huge,
spectacular spa with hammams and snow rooms
Large outdoor
pool surrounded by tropical gardens
Gorgeous private beach with volleyball courts
All rooms open to
terraces or balconies with sea views
Bathrooms feature
large marble tubs and designer products
Choice of 10 on-site eateries, plus an ultra-chic bar and a theater
Family-friendly
facilities include a kids' club and splash pool
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Removed from most tourist attractions
Lavish interiors
might be extravagant for some
Reports of
overbearing security presence
In many ways the 405-room Jumeirah
Zabeel Saray is the epitome of the lavish hotels for which Dubai is famed. Sumptuous interiors combine with an exclusive Palm Jumeirah setting
and one of the largest -- and most impressive -- spas in the Middle East. Set away from
the attractions of Dubai, it's not in the best location for sightseers, though with its numerous on-site dining options, a private beach with volleyball courts, and kid-friendly facilities, there's little
reason to leave. The extraordinary outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens is another property highlight. Opulent rooms have furnished terraces plus bathrooms with big marble tubs. While there are several similarly swanky hotels on The Palm
-- including the Fairmont and Sofitel -- this qualifies as one
of the finest.
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
Spectacular opulence in a luxurious resort-style hotel
Even by the standards of high-end Dubai hotels, the five-pearl Jumeirah Zabeel Saray stands
out as one of the most grandiose. While the soaring, ornately carved entrance
hints at the opulence within, it's not until stepping inside the hotel that its level of
extravagance is revealed. Inspired by the palatial golden age of the Ottoman
empire, the lobby is a riot of shimmering gold and white, featuring a polished stone
floor reflecting a marble fountain and huge spiraled columns supporting
a lofty ceiling adorned with an elaborate hand-painted dome. The front deskarea has intricate geometric patterning, traditional zellige tile floors, and sumptuous furnishings, all moodily lit with tasseled
lamp shades and lavish chandeliers. Just off the lobby, the cavernous Avenue of Indulgence -- with over
a dozen luxury boutiques -- speaks for itself. While some may find the property a
little over the top, it is undeniably impressive and immaculate in its
presentation, including the meticulously tended gardens that slope gently down to
the private sandy beach. Obviously
attracting the more well-heeled end of the market, the hotel is popular with couples seeking a luxurious retreat and families drawn by the kids' club and family-friendly facilities. However, reports do suggest security presence is less than
discreet and can feel a little overbearing.
Location
Secluded west crescent Palm Jumeirah setting away from the sights of Dubai
This hotel is located
on Palm Jumeirah -- one of two palm-shaped artificial
archipelagos in Dubai built out into the Arabian Gulf. One side of the hotel is
beachfront with views towards the central elements of The Palm, while the
other side of the hotel adjoins the access road that runs along the crescent. Being situated
right on the tip of The Palm's West Crescent gives the place an exclusive and
secluded feel, but at the same time making it a hassle to get to the
Dubai mainland. This means getting anywhere can take a while --
especially considering Dubai's notoriously busy traffic -- so this property is best for those not
planning on much sightseeing.
Rooms
Luxurious rooms with marble tubs and sea-view balconies
The hotel has 405
rooms, suites, and residences that, while certainly lavishly decorated,
are toned down a notch compared to the public areas. There is
still plenty in the way of opulence, though, such as the velvet-topped furnishings, sumptuous
fabrics, and wood latticework in Arabian styling. All rooms open to spacious furnished balconies or terraces with sea views,
either toward the Palm or the gulf and cityscape.
Amenities are all first-rate, including free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and large flat-screen TVs, plus
Ottoman-style bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, large Turkish marble
bathtubs, and luxury Penhaligon's products. Rooms also have electric kettles, minibars, and Nespresso machines. The 38 exclusive Royal Residences situated around a lagoon pool are seriously upscale and have personal 24-hour butler service.
Features
One of the region's largest spas, a large outdoor pool, private beach, and variety of on-site dining options
It's the hotel's Talise Ottoman Spa -- one of the largest spas in the Middle East -- that really makes the resort special. Containing a whopping 42 treatment rooms, eight hydrotherapy rooms, steam and snow rooms, and three beautiful Turkish hammams, it's beyond impressive. Additionally, there's a large outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens, cushioned loungers, and umbrellas. Next to the pool is the beautiful private sandy beach lined with loungers, butler service, and a volleyball court. Child-friendly facilities include the Sinbad’s Kids Club, which has two pools (one with a waterslide), and an adjacent playground, trampoline, and rock wall. The fitness center is small for a resort of this size, but it's well-equipped with modern cardio and strength-training machines, free weights, yoga mats, and punching bags. Two tennis courts and a cinema showing family and adult-oriented movies each day are also available for guests. For business travelers, there are several fully equipped meeting and conference spaces. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
All-Inclusive / Food
Several restaurants, including a high-end steakhouse and Anatolian eatery
Dining options are numerous and varied, offering everything from Northern Indian to high-end steakhouse to Lebanese cuisine, as well as Dubai’s first Anatolian restaurant. Breakfast is served in the grand Imperium restaurant, complete with rows of crystal chandeliers and neoclassical columns (though it is not included in standard rates). All 10 eateries include the option of alfresco dining on outside terraces. In addition to the eateries, guests can grab a cocktail at the sleek Voda Bar. The Music Hall theater provides evening entertainment on select nights.
