Anantara The Palm, Dubai: My Honest, In-Depth Review

• Check-in starts at 4 PM, and check-out is at 11 AM. The process was quick and painless when I went in April.

• As soon as I exited my Uber, the staff took my luggage to my room and provided me with a ticket to track it.

• As I was checking in, I was greeted by the staff with a refreshing cold tea beverage and a soothing cold wet towel.

• Once I checked in, I was taken on a golf cart tour of the hotel grounds and then accompanied to my room with my luggage.

💡 I recommend upgrading to a Deluxe Lagoon View Room for direct pool access from your balcony.

• The Premier Lagoon View Room is Anantara's most affordable accommodation. After a tour of the hotel grounds, a staff member took me directly to my room via golf cart.
• This room boasts all the expected 5-star amenities, but its true highlight is the stunning view of the blue lagoon below.
• I found the in-room Wi-Fi to be very reliable, and despite the door's limited soundproofing, I experienced no disturbances from outside noise.

Food and Drinks Station

• Each room comes with a well-stocked drink and food station, featuring a Nespresso coffee machine, Coffee Planet capsules, complementary filtered water, and a variety of snacks. A minibar is also available for an additional charge.

• The Nespresso-compatible coffee machine offers three options: lungo, ristretto, and decaf, using Coffee Planet capsules.

• A minibar is provided for an extra charge, though its offerings are quite basic.

• Open the first drawer to discover tea packets, creamer, cups, spoons, and convenient trays.

• For our tea-loving friends, a kettle is available.

• Continuing in the room, you'll find a selection of snacks and a bottle of wine, both available for an additional cost. A hairdryer is also provided for your convenience.

Television

• As expected in any hotel, the room also includes a large smart television.

Workdesk

• You'll find a functional, albeit unremarkable, wooden work desk in the room, accompanied by multiple electrical outlets.
• Although a universal power adapter isn't available inside the room, one can be obtained from the reception.
• The accompanying wooden chair is okay, but its lack of armrests could make it less comfortable for long working sessions.

The bed

• Anantara's king beds are incredibly comfortable and generously sized. Each features special pillows that guests can arrange for personalized comfort.
• I was particularly delighted to find an elephant-shaped towel art on my bed – it's these small creative touches that always make my stay.

• The nightstand features a clock with a built-in wireless charging pad.

• You can also unwind on the incredibly comfortable ancient Roman-style* daybed located beside the main bed. _{*No cap}

Balcony

• The balcony offers a standout view, as it overlooks the mesmerizing blue lagoons instead of Dubai's typical cityscape and the sea.

• For direct access to the water, upgrading to the Deluxe version of this room allows you to jump straight into the pool from your balcony.

Wardrobe

• The wardrobe area is well-equipped with essentials, including two umbrellas, a shoehorn, a safe, an iron and ironing board and hangers.

• A safe is located right next to the wardrobe for secure storage.

Praying Mat / Quran

• A Quran and prayer mat are provided in the room for Muslim guests.

• Impeccably clean and thoughtfully stocked, the bathroom offers all the amenities you could need. It comes complete with towels, a hairdryer, bathrobes, shampoo, shower gel, a vanity kit, a shower, a bathtub, and a bidet.

Vanity Kit

• The vanity kit features cotton pads, cotton buds, a bamboo comb, a dental kit, mouthwash, an emery board, and bubble bath gel.

Bathrobes / Towels

• The bathroom comes with 2 sets of bathrobes, towels and indoor slippers. Towels are changed daily.

• On top of these, you'll also find a bathroom scale, perfect for tracking those delightful post-buffet gains.
• The hairdryer is located in the bedroom.)

Bath

• The bathroom is equipped with a bathtub and all the essentials, including shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, ginger soap, and hair catcher.
• I found the bathtub to be on the smaller side, and the position of the faucet made it difficult to fully stretch out.

Shower

• Guests can expect ideal conditions with no fluctuation in water temperature and reliable water pressure.
• True to a five-star standard, shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel are all included.

Toilet / Bidet

The bathroom also includes a standard toilet and bidet.

Rooms:

• Premier Lagoon View Room: Offers views of the lagoon from a private balcony.
• Deluxe Lagoon View Room: Features a private balcony with lagoon views.
• Premier Lagoon Access Room: Provides direct access to the lagoon pool from a private terrace.
• Deluxe Lagoon Access Room: Also offers direct access to the lagoon pool from a private terrace.
• Deluxe Family Lagoon Access Room: A spacious room designed for families, with direct lagoon access and a separate area for children.
• Standard Room (Residence Building): Located in the residence buildings, with options for lagoon or Dubai skyline views.

Villas:

• One Bedroom Over Water Villa: Unique villas set over the water with a glass viewing panel to see the Arabian Gulf and an oversized soaking tub.
• One Bedroom Beach Pool Villa: Offers a private pool and direct access to the beach.
• Anantara Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villa: Larger villas with a private pool and direct beach access, suitable for families or groups.

Apartments (located in the Anantara Residences, adjacent to the resort):

• One Bedroom Apartment: Includes a separate living and dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.
• Two Bedroom Apartment: Features master and twin en-suite rooms, a separate living and dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen.
• Two Bedroom Apartment with Luxury Terrace: Similar to the two-bedroom apartment but with a larger rooftop terrace offering extensive views.

• The buffet breakfast is served at the Crescendo restaurant between 7:00 and 11:00.

• The food quality was high, and the variety was excellent as well. Overall, the selection primarily featured Asian and Arabian-style cuisine.

• To start, you'll find classic muesli-style dishes available.

• Next, you'll find the fruit section, offering a variety of melons, mango, and papaya, among other selections.

• Next, there was an colorful salad and vegetable section.

• Next up was another classic section, featuring a variety of cheeses and hams, perfect for bread.

• Next, there was a classic bakery section offering items like croissants, pastries, and doughnuts.

• In the same area, you'll find a variety of jam-filled pastries, and pancakes are prepared fresh on the spot.

• Next, we encounter a classic pickles section.

• And of course, the beverage section is also available, where you can pour yourself water and various fruit juices.

• Overall, the breakfast was excellent. Of course, if you're seeking the absolute maximum in quality and variety, nothing surpasses what's offered at the Atlantis.

• The buffet dinner is also served at the Crescendo restaurant, available from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

• As the picture shows, the dinner selection here clearly features a much stronger Asian and especially Arabian presence.

• The same is noticeable with the desserts. The flavors and quality were impeccable.

• Let's go over the offerings. We'll start with the dessert section, where I had the pleasure of trying many uncommon sweets.

• Continuing with the dessert section, it might immediately strike you that there are fewer international options in the dessert repertoire. However, I can assure everyone that you won't be disappointed by the selection available.

• The only problem is that our stomachs aren't bottomless. :(

• For those who prioritize a healthier diet, the fruit section will be a great delight.

• We've now reached the main course section, where you'll immediately find a wide variety of Indian-inspired dishes.

• In the picture below, I can't quite tell what the dish is, but we can be sure it's delicious.

• Similar to breakfast, a diverse selection of beverages is available here, including water and various fruit drinks.

• Next, we've arrived at the first section of the Middle Eastern dishes, where you'll find true classics like falafel or shawarma.

• To continue, I can highly recommend the rice with meat found in this large serving dish.

• More shawarma!

• Next, you'll find a separate hummus section.

• Next, we arrive at a section with an exceptionally colorful selection of salads.

• Seafood lovers won't be disappointed either, although the selection doesn't include items like sushi.

• Next, we arrive at a very interesting bread section, where there are more bread varieties than one might expect. Great for dipping!

• I highly recommend that everyone tries the kunafa as well. I certainly went back for seconds!

• Upon entering the hotel, guests arrive in a spacious, subtly perfumed lobby that offers comfortable seating.

• The lobby is decorated in an authentic Thai interior design style.

• I found a miniature model of the hotel, which provides an excellent overview of the resort's offerings.

• Upon entering, you'll immediately find the Crescendo buffet restaurant straight ahead – this is where half-board guests will dine.

• Upon entering the lobby, to its left, you'll discover a lounge bar where guests can enjoy various food and drinks while taking in beautiful views.

• This lounge bar also features an outdoor section, which further enhances the views and atmosphere.

• To the right of the lobby, you'll find a small convenience store offering various non-food tourist items. Additionally, the concierge service is conveniently located nearby, should you wish to utilize it.

• To the right of the lobby, you'll find a small convenience store offering various non-food tourist items. Additionally, you can arrange photography or concierge services here.

• Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort is distinguished by its uniquely beautiful blue lagoons, bordered by charming, single-story cabin accommodations.

• The ground-floor cabins offer the luxury of direct access to the water, where lifeguards are always on duty for your safety.

• The resort grounds are crisscrossed by a network of winding paths, creating the feel of a vast, lush garden.

• It's incredibly pleasant to stroll, explore, and simply forget the world's worries here.

• For those seeking more vibrancy, the central pool area provides no shortage of options.

• To begin, you'll find an iconic colonnaded section reminiscent of the classical antiquity era right here.

• A separate children's pool with shade is also available.

• Naturally, we can't forget the main pool, which isn't overly deep, allowing children to swim safely. This area also features a bubble bath section and a swim-up bar where you can enjoy drinks while seated in the pool.

• If you prefer lounging on sandy shores and swimming in the sea, the hotel's private beach is at your disposal.

• This beach also features the hotel's signature over-water bungalows, reminiscent of the iconic stilted villas found in the Seychelles.

• Within the hotel grounds, you will also find private villas that offer direct access to the beach and come with their own private swimming pools.

• As with any well-equipped hotel, this resort offers various recreational options for water sports enthusiasts.

• Continuing along the beach, you'll find an open-air Mediterranean restaurant. The hotel grounds, in fact, feature numerous dining establishments, including an Australian restaurant, an Asian restaurant (a blend of Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisine), a lounge bar, and a café.

• Beyond these, the resort offers a variety of unique private and group dining experiences. These include beachfront sunset dinners, distinctive "bubble" dinners, interactive culinary events, and more, providing a diverse range of memorable gastronomic opportunities.

• The hotel also features two multi-story buildings offering apartment-style accommodations.

Gym

• The Anantara Gym is equipped with Technogym equipment, offering a good variety of machines for a satisfying workout. While it's impressive for a hotel gym, it won't rival the extensive range found in larger commercial gyms.
• A standout convenience is the gym's 24-hour daily operation. You can also hire a personal training session for an additional fee. Fresh towels and a water station are readily available for all guests.

Spa

• The Anantara Spa at Anantara Dubai provides a tranquil environment for relaxation and rejuvenation, offering a range of wellness treatments. Services include various massage therapies such as traditional Thai, deep tissue, and hot stone.
• Specialized facials address specific skin concerns, and body rituals, including scrubs and wraps, are available. The spa is equipped with treatment rooms, some featuring private steam rooms, saunas, and plunge pools. Therapists utilize premium products to deliver services.

Kid's Club

• Anantara Dubai's Kids Club is a vibrant and engaging space designed to keep younger guests entertained throughout their stay. Tailored for various age groups, the club offers a diverse array of supervised activities that spark creativity and encourage active play.
• From arts and crafts sessions to engaging games and educational fun, there's always something exciting happening. The dedicated and friendly staff ensure a safe and stimulating environment, allowing parents to relax knowing their children are in good hands and having a memorable vacation of their own.

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• Anantara's hospitality was a perfect ten out of ten, starting the moment I exited my Uber.
• I was immediately greeted with a warm welcome by the staff, a soothing, delicious tea, and a refreshing cold towel. A gracious staff member then provided a comprehensive tour of the hotel grounds. Overall, these initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive.

• Throughout my stay, I consistently encountered exceptional service. The security staff were professional and courteous in every interaction. The gym receptionist was also incredibly helpful and friendly.
• Finally, the staff at the buffet-cafeteria were consistently attentive to my needs at the table, always checking if everything was alright and if I required anything further.
• This consistent demonstration of professional, polite, yet warm service truly made my experience outstanding.