Along the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, nestled peacefully between sea and sky, sits an urban sanctuary with a tale to tell. A resort that fosters a duality of beach and city experiences, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai is one of those hotels that is both capacious yet cosy, huge yet homely. Intuitive contradictions that allow for conversant connections.
The most recent Taj Exotica opening from Indian Hotels Company Limited – which was announced last year as the world’s strongest hotel brand – history and culture are the foundations of the hotel’s hospitality roadmap, where guests are welcomed with world-class warmth and refinement, whilst remaining deeply rooted in the region’s local heritage, where India meets Arabia.
The beauty of this 325-room resort is its ability to feel intimate despite its size, where the grace and kindness of Indian hospitality entwines itself around every interaction – both subtle and perceptive. A double-height lobby is awash with light and an aquamarine palette, punctuated by a 11,000-piece crystal chandelier by Czech-based lighting designers Preciosa, and the soothing sounds of live music.
The Hirsch Bedner Associates-designed interiors then flow through to the golden ambience of Emperor Lounge where traditional British or Mumbai afternoon tea is served amidst leisurely luxury, and on out to sea, where the horizon is interrupted by nothing more than the hypnotic ripples of the chartreuse-tiled swimming pool – the longest pool on the East Crescent.
Fringed by several of the hotel’s restaurants – Varq, Roaring Rabbit, The Coast and Palm Kitchen – the pool creates an epicentre for both languid encounters and culinary immersions, while upstairs award-winning spa, JIVA, awaits to apply its restorative powers to all those who cross its holistic threshold.
Sleep comes to all, and it’s a worthwhile pursuit in Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm’s lap of luxury. Rooms and suites are wrapped in the continuous calming colours of blues and green, with wooden floors, marble bathrooms and balconies for all. Sunlight pours in by day, while golden sunsets wrap things up beautifully come evening, paving the way for star-speckled, after-dark rendezvous at Raia rooftop restaurant and lounge. An elegant end to a perfect day.
Offering a more tranquil side to city life, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai encapsulates escapism with convenience, where island living encounters urban accessibility. Contemporary yet with tradition at its core, the superlative service raises the bar for hospitality in the emirate, allowing for a seamless execution of experiences, from simple sweet dreams and culinary pursuits to holistic journeys and celebrating life’s special moments.
With hospitality at the heart of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, you can weave your way around its palatial corridors to sip and savour from dawn to dusk and long after dark. Feast on dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world at the bucolic Palm Kitchen, or settle in for high-end ‘pub grub’ at cool and quirky Roaring Rabbit. Intersperse pool-time with al fresco eating at The Coast, positioned perfectly for sundowners, or indulge like royalty at the golden-hued Emperor Lounge, with cocktails, warming tea blends and decadent desserts.
The fine-dining bar is redefined at Varq (meaning a finely crafted gold or silver leaf used to garnish gourmet dishes, and a symbol of royalty), with its contemporary twists on Indian classics all presented with signature flair, while rooftops are raised at Raia, thanks to its private balconies, creative mixology, and ‘Mumbai to Marrakesh’ menu.
Photographer: Nicolas Dumont
Stylist: Jade Chilton
Photographer's assistant: Mehr Dumont
Hair & Make-up: Julia Rada
Model: Tamsin at MMG Models
Editorial Producer: Emily Baxter-Priest