Destination Dubai – A luxury travel blog : a luxury travel blog /

Dubai is glamorous, luxurious and indulgent. It’s a city of skyscrapers, shops and sunshine, where big business goes hand in hand with sun-seeking tourism. Dubai has always been known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to infrastructure development. With buildings such as Burj Khalifa, Burj al Arab and the Dubai Mall; the emirate’s skyline has grown beyond that of Manhattan. This slick city is known for its towering skyline, but that’s not the only thing that captures the imagination of this bustling city. One of Dubai’s most ambitious projects has been the construction of the city’s impressive artificial archipelagos, a land reclamation project that has seen millions of cubic meters of sand dredged from the bottom of the Persian and Arabian Gulf before being sprayed and “vibro-compacted” into shape ( using GPS technology for precision) and surrounded by millions of rocks for protection. Perhaps the most famous of the man-made islands is the Palm Jumeirah, and that’s where we started our stay in Dubai.

Located one kilometer from Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s main thoroughfare, the world-famous Palm Jumeirah consists of a trunk, a 16-leaf crown and a surrounding crescent-shaped island that forms an 11-kilometer-long breakwater. The crown is connected to the mainland by a 300-meter bridge, and the crescent is connected to the top of the palm by an undersea tunnel. The unique island is home to glitzy hotels, luxury apartment towers, chic international restaurants and some of Dubai’s best luxury resorts, including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, a five-star luxury resort located on the quieter, eastern crescent of iconic Palm. With views across the bay to the Palm Atlantis on one side and over Dubai’s glittering skyline on the other, Anantara The Palm is an Asian-inspired retreat that seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

There’s an air of Siam-style sophistication here, and surrounded by lush gardens, the hotel’s buildings could be mistaken for a collection of small Thai temples. 293 beautifully appointed rooms and villas are designed with modern Asian flair and surrounded by gardens filled with colorful flowers. With 400 meters of private beach, this is the perfect place to enjoy an exclusive beach holiday, while still enjoying the excitement of a cosmopolitan city. Here’s where you can get in on the action in Dubai, or get away from it all.

Clustered around three temperature-controlled azure lagoon pools, water is at the heart of this resort. Lagoon access rooms are perfect for avid swimmers, with steps leading from private decks straight into the inviting water. Three small Thai-style boats criss-cross the lagoon pools, pouring cocktails, cold towels, fruit and water – the perfect indulgence in the Dubai sun. Alternatively, the large infinity pool with its pagoda-roofed swim-up bar and crescent of sun loungers overlooking the sea is a lively affair.

Those looking for action can choose from various water sports on the beach or visit the gym. You will also find tennis courts, a games room and various water sports, and for the youngest visitors there is a kids club and playground. The hotel offers longtail boat trips to and from Barasti Beach (17 km away) and a free shuttle service to the Mall of the Emirates (just over 19 km away). If that sounds like too much action, then I recommend relaxing at the on-site spa or visiting the resort’s Turkish hammam.

The nearest attractions in Dubai are Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis. The Dubai Marina, The Walk, the legendary Burj Khalifa and various shopping malls are just a 25-minute drive away. Art lovers should visit Alserkal Avenue, a cultural district with contemporary art galleries, and for families, the Children’s City science center and Splash ‘n’ Party Kids Waterpark. If you don’t want to venture far from the hotel, the Palm’s Boardwalk is right outside the door and is popular for its views of the Dubai coastline and the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel.

At sunset, you have a choice of five restaurants serving delicious dishes from around the world: world-class Asian dining at the Mekong Restaurant, Mediterranean cuisine at the oceanfront Beach House, or rustic Australian fare at Bushman’s Restaurant and Bar. Crescendo serves an international buffet and Lotus Lounge offers light snacks and afternoon tea. Mai Bar serves cocktails and drinks throughout the day, while Revo Café offers fresh coffee and pastries.

If you really want to get away from the hype of Dubai, Anantara offers the ultimate escape – the Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, located on its own island just four kilometers and a 25-minute boat ride from the Palm. Like the Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands are an archipelago of 300 small, artificial islands formed in the shape of a world map. Built from 321,000,000 cubic meters of sand and 386 million tons of rock, the development is surrounded by an oval-shaped breakwater island.

Anantara World Islands is the first luxury resort in the World Islands development and is located on the South American continent. You’ll get a whole new perspective on Dubai from here, as you gaze back at the dramatic skyline of the city from your island paradise. This is a peaceful place, with your own private beach just steps from your room – a place to go when you feel the need to escape the city.

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Start your day at the beach, coffee in hand, watching the sun rise from Helios, the Mediterranean restaurant, where breakfast is served on an outdoor beachfront terrace with impressive views of Dubai’s skyline. The food is great and you’ll probably come back here for lunch, happy hour or dinner – casual dining with your feet in the sand. If Indian and Arabic cuisine is more your style, Qamar Restaurant offers ocean views to accompany their aromatic and delicious dishes.

To get rid of all the delicious food, maybe try the island’s running/walking track or fitness center. Alternatively, beach volleyball, stand up paddle boarding, jet skis, banana boats and a golf driving range with a difference will keep you busy. However, if you really want to immerse yourself in island bliss and feel your tensions melt away, go for a pampering spa treatment or a rejuvenating massage.

Dubai is certainly a delight and with Anantara’s The Palm Resort and World Island Resort it can be both the ultimate city break and beach holiday destination – the best of both worlds.