Review: Rixos: The Palm, Dubai: A luxury resort that takes all-inclusive to the next level

It’s not hard to see why all-inclusive resorts are gaining more footing amongst millennials traveling in groups: Having everything taken care of means no one person in the squad bogged down with planning everything. There’s also the aspect of keeping your expenses under a budget. The premise of having unlimited access to food, drinks, and entertainment for a flat fee does sound alluring, but is everything actually part of the package, no questions asked? Many times not. However, I recently tested the stunning Rixos: The Palm that actually delivers the promise.

A suite escape
The property boasts 316 plush rooms and suites. All rooms have suites with separate tubs and showers, terraces or balconies, tea and coffee amenities, minibar, television, and air-conditioning.

Ranging from Deluxe rooms to five-bedroom pool suites, accommodation is spacious and varied. The new Luxury Suite Collection stands out for its sculptural, teak Sixties chic, with décor incorporating curvaceous freestanding lamps and irregular-shaped side tables.

My Senior Sea View Suite featured panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah from its floor-to-ceiling windows and a business desk perfect for those looking for an office away from work, a cozy sofa, dining table, and powder room.

There is a minibar (read: complimentary munchies and drinks) and maxi bar, air conditioning, safety deposit box, parquet flooring (Balcony with sun loungers, illy espresso machine, and tea amenities, and two 40” plasma TVs. However, my favorite aspects were the marshmallow-soft bed and the ravishing marble bathroom with a standalone duo rainfall shower with body massage spray jets. It has to be one of the most gorgeous suites I have stayed at. Add to that the most indulgent dessert treats laid out as a welcome amenity, and we got a winner!

Activities galore
Four pools, nine bars and restaurants, two kids’ clubs, a fitness center, and a spa keep guests occupied. For health-conscious guests, Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites offers numerous recreational activities at the Rixos Sports Academy, all of which are included as part of the Ultra-All-Inclusive offering. Guests have many classes on offer, from spin cycling, trampoline jump and TRX, to anti-gravity yoga and aquafit. With a newly renovated outdoor wellness area, expansive main swimming pool, indoor wellness studio, and tennis court, there are multiple locations for guests to get their daily workout fix. Guests can also hit the state-of-the-art fitness center for independent training or take to the outdoor Jungle Gym, which offers mesmerizing Gulf views.

The Paradise beach club is another showstopper.

A 1-kilometer stretch of private beach and four temperature-controlled swimming pools offering ample opportunities to relax and take in the Palm Jumeirah setting. The wealth of facilities includes a water sports center and a helipad. Teenagers and pre-teens have their own clubs to go to, and Anjana Spa contains a beauty salon, a Turkish hammam, and treatment suites.

Amping up the indulgence factor
I loved how indulgence was taken to new levels at the property throughout my stay and extended the true VIP treatment. From touches like complimentary pool and beach amenities such as ice-cold fruit kebabs, frozen lollies, refreshing Evian face mists, and sub-zero face towels to a Sunglass Butler to ensure those mesmerizing palm views remain unobstructed, the staff and services do not cease to delight.

I was booked in for a signature Turkish Hammam treatment at the Anjana Spa, one of my favorite aspects of my stay. I was instantly transported to the heart of Istanbul as everything from the décor to the mosaic lanterns, and calming lute music has been designed to create an authentic Turkish experience – hugely helped by the tray of Turkish delight and mint tea I was served, of course. But moreish nibbles and beautiful interiors aside, the show’s star has to be the stunning hammam room. A large, steam marble chamber complete with ornately detailed mosaics and designs, it’s seriously Sultan-worthy.

My treatment started with me lying down on the huge heated marble slab in the center, where I was washed with jugs of hot water drawn from the basins located around the room. After a good rinse, my therapist used a “kese” mitt to scrub away the dead and dull skin, followed by a bubbling foam bag that shampooed my body from top to toe, leaving me seriously squeaky clean. I was then treated to a blissful head massage and scalp cleanse before being whisked off to a beautiful hammam-style relaxation room. It’s almost therapeutic. I left feeling like my soul has been cleansed, too.

In between the beachy blast and spa indulgence, I devoured meals at Toro Loco that served some succulent steak and L’Olivo, bringing my Italian gastronomic dreams to life. The staff is incredible, and the culinary chops of the property shine through every offering as freshness and craftsmanship take center stage in every dish. Of course, tired of the over sugary baklavas I have tried all over, I can definitely say that the baklava here is the real deal!

No kidding
No wonder the property is a magnet for families. Throughout my stay, it felt very much like a family location and was buzzing with children.

Catering to every age, the hotel offers dedicated kids buffets at both all-day dining outlets, plus a specialty Baby Chef who’s on hand to create bespoke meals for the hotel’s youngest guests. With gluten, allergen-free, and vegetarian menu options widely available and the services of a dedicated Wellbeing Chef who can tailor meals to specific health requirements, every guest is catered for.

Parents with younger children can enjoy the facilities of Toddler Town, choosing to recharge and freshen up in the privacy of the Baby Chamber or take advantage of the dedicated Nap Room for toddlers who need their forty winks. Meanwhile, the vibrant Junior Town boasts an exciting line-up of arts and crafts, pizza and sushi-making classes to trampoline, aqua gym, and kids yoga classes. Kids can also attend the Rixy Disco for a fun dance class at the resort’s first-in-market Kids Amphitheatre. Make a splash in the new kid’s pool complete with colorful waterslides and tipping buckets, or watch popular animated films at the Rixynema movie theatre.

An Ultra-All-Inclusive Experience
My Ultra-All-Inclusive experience at Rixos The Palm Dubai took me on an epicurean adventure, providing limitless dining at 11 food and beverage outlets, thanks to its dine-around concept. From international specialties at all-day dining restaurants, A La Turca and Turquoise, to a choice of a la carte dining at the recently refurbished Italian restaurant, L’Olivo Ristorante, Spanish meat joint Toro Loco Steakhouse, and seafood spot, Aqua & More, the choices are endless. That was topped off with the fully upgraded premium beverage program that offered over 100 international brands, plus 24-hour treats at Patisserie Istanbul; I truly experienced limitless indulgence here.

The property not only takes all-inclusive to another level, well-delivering on the promise but also keeps you regaled with the wealth of its offerings, warmth of the gracious staff, gastronomic heaven, and loads of indulgence: leaving you with lots of reasons to keep returning to this slice of paradise.

Note: ,The hotel hosted the critic but all opinions are her own.

An Ultra-All-Inclusive stays a Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites start from USD 419/AED1,500 per night based on two people staying in a Deluxe Room and includes unlimited dining, a choice of 177 premium brand beverages, daily mini and maxibar services, access to daily entertainment, kids activities and watersports, and use of the wellness facilities at Anjana Spa.

For more details or to book an Ultra-All-Inclusive stay at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, please visit thepalmdubai.rixos.com or email [email protected].

Where: East Crescent Plog40 Palm – Jumeirah – Dubai
Phone: 04 457 5555