I love Dubai. I really do. I could live in Dubai and be quite happy. It’s central to pretty much everywhere in the world. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s clean and it’s really nice. I have been to Dubai more times than I can count and have used it as a transit base for traveling to many countries in the Middle East and Africa. I’ve stayed at some of the nicest hotels in the world in Dubai and in many different areas. However, on my recent trip I was excited to be staying on the Palm Islands of Dubai!
As part of my ongoing campaign with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts I actually spent one night at the Fairmont Dubai because I arrived quite late the first night coming in from the Masai Mara in Kenya and then two nights at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai.
The Fairmont Dubai is a big, beautiful, modern business hotel about 10-15 minutes from the airport. It has all the amenities you’d expect from a top business hotel including great views and a really interesting pool!
It’s also right on the Dubai metro; which I had never used before. I was a little hesitant but it was so easy. I needed some clothes at the Dubai Mall; which is a ridiculous spectacle of excess to experience and where the Burj Khalifa is located aka the worlds tallest building. 2 stops-boom!
However, my favorite thing about the Fairmont Dubai was far and away Café Sushi. I know it sounds odd that my favorite thing about a hotel was a sushi place, especially in Dubai but I’m telling you it was fantastic. It would crush it in New York or Los Angeles. Locals come from far and wide to eat at café Sushi and I can see why.
Then I headed out to Fairmont The Palm, Dubai; which was absolutely phenomenal. It’s one of those hotels where you never want to leave. The service was beyond outstanding. The restaurants were each tremendous. The pool was great and the adult pool was separate from the family pool; which is a must for me!
However, my favorite thing was the view from pretty much everywhere in the hotel of the Dubai Marina and its beautiful skyline. I could look at it forever and it looks different at different times of the day with the vast desert sunrises and sunsets.
I also have to say and show you and example of service that will be hard to beat. I did a Bermuda weekend getaway where I had excellent service. I did a staycation at the Plaza Hotel with top-notch service. I also experienced Chinese hospitality along with 5 awesome things to do in Shanghai but Fairmont The Palm takes the cake for service in my view.
They simply wrote “Good Morning Lee” in massive letters along the beach in front of the hotel. I nearly fell over when I saw it and was completely floored by the gesture. Obviously, the hotel knew I was coming and they were hosting me but this went far and above anything I would have ever expected or have ever experienced! Fairmont The Palm, Dubai has a fan for life!
Since I was staying on the Palm Islands of Dubai I wanted to take advantage of the location. Fairmont The Palm offers many water activities but what I wanted to do was take a boat tour around the Dubai Marina.
This was the perfect way to see the Marina in a chilled out way. It was also a great way to get some sun. It was a private boat and the driver was a very knowledgeable guide and taught me about an area of Dubai I didn’t know much about as it’s mostly brand new and still developing. Needless to say, like just about everything in Dubai-it was gorgeous.
Back on the beach of Fairmont The Palm; I tried to do some falconry. Falconry goes back forever in the Middle East and is something I’ve always wanted to check out. I have to admit, I didn’t actually do much aside from watch the expert but I did get to hold the falcon and get some cool photos. It’s amazing how the falcon just knows where to go and what to do!
Honestly, the rest of my time at Fairmont The Palm was spent relaxing at the awesome pool, eating and drinking. One other thing worth noting is the amazing cigar bar in the hotel right next to the Brazilian Restaurant. Aside from having a fine selection of cigars and the fact that is in old school oaken bar décor, they had a bottle of scotch that cost $46,000 and they actually have 3 of them! I didn’t try it. I would have felt bad because each shot costs over $1000!
My stay on the Palm Islands of Dubai was too short as it always seems to be but my Fairmont experience at both Fairmont Dubai and of course Fairmont The Palm was fantastic: note the personalized robe below. I look forward to going back to Dubai in May and October and hope to once again stay in the Palm Islands of Dubai.
Disclaimer: My stays at Fairmont Dubai and Fairmont The Palm, Dubai were fully hosted as part of my ongoing campaign with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Everything I’ve written has been based on my experience at the hotels and has not been influenced in any way-as always.
Staying on the Palm Islands of Dubai
Filed Under: Favorites, Middle East, Travel Blog, United Arab Emirates Tagged With: DUbai, Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont Hotels, Fairmont The Palm, falconry, Staying on the Palm Islands of Dubai, travel, UAE, United Arab Emirates
This looks amazing! I’m always jealous of your trips but I’ve always wanted to visit Dubai since I saw the Mission Inpossible a few years ago. Burj Khalifa looks amazing!
Thanks Stephen! I love that scene where he climbs the outside of the Khalifa! Dubai is great, hope you get to check it out soon!
Dubai is an incredible place that sprouted out of nowhere. I love looking at the photos from Dubai 30 years ago. I was essentially a gas station transit stop. Now it’s taking over the world. Money and cheap labor can make wonders happen!
Lars, agreed on all accounts! The place was just a small fishing village 30 years ago. I wish they had one of those time lapse videos since 1985!
Amazing photos! Looks like a great trip!
Jen, Twas!
$46,000 for a bottle of scotch!?
Does it perform favors? LOL
Haha not that I saw or experienced!
I’m staying at Fairmont the Palm in March for Spring Break! Your snapchat story inspired me to try a visit to Dubai. After reading this, I could NOT be any more excited!
Addison, thanks that’s so nice to hear! I’ve been putting a lot of effort into my Snapchat and glad it resonates with people! You will love Fairmont The Palm!
Writing your name in the sand amazing! That must have been quite the shock!
I was literally floored! The staff played it well so I was surprised…it was well disguised!
I could live in Dubai! Such a beautiful, comfortable place to visit. I wonder how the real estate is these days. Years ago it was very affordable. I’d imagine with so many moving there each day the prices must be sky high nowadays.
I’m not sure about real estate prices but they’re constantly building more and expanding Dubai proper. I imagine it’s on par with other major cities nowadays.
That view from the hotel, wow! And the personalised greeting, you cannot beat that! 🙂
Palm island is one of the most famous desination in world.
love the article. Crazy thing is there are plenty of projects underway and soon to be completed on the Palm. Lots of new hotels & residential buildings on the way make it a must visit place to see.
If you ever return we would love to have you down at the Sofitel Resort & Spa down at the Palm where we run the watersports at the property. We run Kayak & SUP tours through the Palm which gives people the chance to explore the palm from a different angle.
I can’t believe they wrote that – how amazing! Personalised service is the best thing about luxury travel! Pinning this for my trip next month!
Hey Lee – we heard that staying on the Palm could present some issues since there is only one way on and one way off. For example traffic jams – the Royals coming through. Did you experience that? Looking for advice for an upcoming trip this July. Debating staying on the Palm or at Al Qasr in Jumeriah Beach.
I had zero traffic issues and I’ve now stayed there 3 times. I feel like there’s more traffic at Jumeirah because of the Burj and water park etc
Good post keeps up the good work. Palm Island is the best.
What a cute idea and love the play on words.