The ultimate lifestyle hotel, W Dubai - The Palm is where the cool kids hang out, families hit up for sun-kissed holidays and gastronomes gear their getaways around. Why? Because this property has honed the art of inclusive entertainment, meaning every guest is placed centre of attention and given good reason to consider this colourful playground a pleasure-filled home-away-from-home.
When it opened in 2019, it was considered the W brand’s playful spin on the traditional resort model, sprawling across a privileged beachside plot on Palm Jumeirah, with its hospitality riches spanning rooms, suites, pools, spas, and restaurants spearheaded by illustrious chefs. Its reputation has been on an upward trajectory since, becoming the city’s favoured bolt-hole for day-trippers, pool dippers, party-goers, spa lovers, culinary connoisseurs and everyone in between.
The hotel is all about good vibes – or, as we like to say, hospitality with a little pep in its step – where energy is the lifeblood of the resort. Dynamic interior décor mirrors the upbeat temperament of the staff, which in turn embodies the multifarious pursuits put on to keep guests entertained. A synergistic approach, in which the five-star lifestyle experience is king.
So, when it’s time to hit ‘play’ on your weekend away, where do you start? First, you’ll need to decide which room or suite to claim as your own. All of the 349 accommodations give you plenty of space to stay and play, whilst adopting a style-centric design, with bright bursts of colour and retro appliances bouncing off interesting textures, glass-tiled walls and urban-inspired graffiti. The views over the Gulf or Dubai shoreline are something you won’t tire of, best soaked up from your balcony with a cocktail in hand. Kicking off with a Wonderful Room and on to a Fabulous or Spectacular Room, all the way through to the glam-slam Fantastic Suite and Marvelous Jacuzzi Suite – each with their own lounge area, catwalk dining table and huge terrace – they all offer different layers of comfort and cool.
But to ramp things up a notch, the EWOW Suite, will be your sweet spot. As the hotel’s largest suite, you can unpack and play across its 864 square metres, with walk-in closet, catwalk dining table, separate lounge, an outdoor whirlpool on a private balcony, and a tastefully curated W MixBar making it the ultimate party pad for those who like entertaining.
The good times roll beyond your suite door, especially at WET Deck – the hotel’s adults-only pool which borders the beach (which now has even more space, thanks to a summer extension), where live DJ beats set the tone, taking you from relaxed mornings to energetic golden hour. In fact, speaking of sunsets... If you want one of the best views in the city, head up to SoBe Rooftop Lounge, as it’s the only bar on Palm Jumeirah with 360-degree views of the city and sea. Sip cocktails, feast on tapas-style bites and dance to soulful house beats while the sun goes down.
When something to eat is on the cards, W Dubai - The Palm sets the bar high, with two world-class restaurants. First up, is the one-Michelin-starred Torno Subito helmed by the enigmatic Massimo Bottura. A colourful and eclectic throwback to the 1960s Italian Riviera, you can feast on Fassona beef roll, cavatelli pasta with carabineros prawns, and seared Brittany lobster with Sardinian fregola and ‘scapece’-style sauce. Up on the fifth floor sits Akira Back, in all its dark and sensual glory, with an adrenalin-fuelled menu of Japanese and Korean cuisine from the former professional snowboarder-turned-chef. The restaurant has also won heart and favour amongst the city’s culinary community for its fully-inclusive menus – such as gluten-free and vegan – its six-hands dinner, and its Zero Waste dinner event. The next Vegan Zero Waste dinner takes place on November 1 for World Vegan Day, in partnership with Below Mushroom Farm in Abu Dhabi, with a menu highlighting various types of funghi with a focus on sustainability.
With all that activity, you’d be well advised to take the load off at AWAY Spa, the greatest gift to wellness enthusiasts. Knead away any tension, refresh and disconnect, or revive and rev up for the day – or night – ahead all within the brand’s signature spa style. Then, you know the drill... Rinse and repeat! www.marriott.com