Raffles The Palm Dubai 5성

Had a wonderful holiday at Raffles the Palm. Enjoyed every minute of our time there, the facilities were first class , the staff were exceptional, so polite and helpful at all times. A special thank you to Isuru (the Butler) and to Saikiran (from housekeeping) who both looked after us so well and who helped to make our holiday such a memorable and enjoyable experience. We will be back.

Raffles the Palm, Dubai - Our Stay We had a wonderful stay at Raffles the Palm – a luxurious, family-friendly hotel that manages to feel both grand and welcoming. Some of the standout highlights for us included the exceptional service, the incredible staff in the Raffles Club Lounge, the stunning architecture and decor, and an outstanding kids club. The extra touches in-room, thoughtful gestures throughout, and peaceful atmosphere made it feel like a true escape. There were a couple of very minor points – such as the slippery surface around the pool, which we’ve mentioned in more detail later – but overall, this was a truly memorable experience. So much so that we’ve already booked to return next year for two full weeks. Service: As you’d expect in the UAE, the service was brilliant. Every staff member really tries to learn your names and remember what you like, which makes the whole stay feel more personal. The butler service was a nice extra, and we really got to know the team in the Club lounge – they were especially great. Huge shout-out to Scarled, Dassya, Paul, Moh, Jade, and Zaman in the Raffles Lounge, who went out of their way every single day to make us feel welcome. Also, a big thank you to Gajan and Khun, the chefs in the Lounge – their attention to detail and willingness to adapt meals was so appreciated. And not to forget Eric, the bellman – warm, professional, and always happy to help with a smile. One really sweet touch: my son loved sitting at the bar watching the drinks being made, and on our last day, they gave him a little Raffles badge and made him an honorary staff member. He was so chuffed. Food & Drink Prices: Outside of the Club, food and drink gets very expensive very quickly. A coconut water was 75 AED (around £14), and even bottled water is chargeable. The Club definitely helped avoid that – we just popped back up when we needed drinks. That said, there were times we just paid for ease if we were by the pool or with the kids. That said, pints were actually quite reasonable, especially by Dubai standards. Peroni is available on tap at the pool bar, and a pint will cost you 40 AED (around £9), or 30 AED (around £7) during happy hour from 3pm to 4:30pm. We’d definitely recommend trying the strawberry mojito in the Raffles Club (refreshing and not too sweet), and from the pool bar the espresso martini and lychee/apple martini were both excellent – strong, well-balanced, and beautifully presented. In-Room Extras: Each room now comes with a Nespresso Zenius professional machine, which was a lovely touch for a proper coffee first thing in the morning – especially before heading up to the Raffles Club for breakfast. It made the mornings feel a bit more relaxed and luxurious. We were also gifted a lovely canvas Raffles beach bag to keep, along with branded flip flops – a really nice touch. The butler even gave us some extra toiletries and consumables to pass on to my father-in-law at his request (he loves a freebie!), which we thought was thoughtful and generous. Housekeeping: Housekeeping was reliable and efficient – rooms were kept clean and beds made daily, and any requests we had were sorted without any trouble. The team were great about bringing up an extra bed when the cot didn’t work for our youngest, and they responded quickly when we pointed out some dust on the bed frame a few days in. That said, the daily tidy was quite basic – clothes weren’t folded or organised, unlike in some other hotels we’ve stayed at where the standard has been a little higher. We also missed turndown service on a few nights, though I suspect that’s because we weren’t out for long in the evenings. I’m sure they would have done it if we’d called and asked. Pools: The pool area was lovely, with one small issue worth noting – the surface around the pool can be slippery and may need addressing. There’s a covered baby pool that’s lifeguarded at all times, and the main pool has loungers, jets, and a nice relaxing feel. Children aren’t allowed in the big pool unless they’re with an adult – which is understandable. That said, a few kids did slip while we were there – including one who hurt themselves quite badly. My presumption is that the hotel are already aware of this, as it’s not something that would go unnoticed. Hopefully during off-season, something is done to resolve this. It’s the only part of the hotel that didn’t feel completely aligned with the otherwise high standard of safety and detail throughout the resort. Also worth noting – one of the lifeguards was quite firm when telling my son he couldn’t go in the pool without an adult. It ended in tears, which could’ve been avoided with a gentler approach. Safety is absolutely important, but there’s a way to communicate it to young children without upsetting them. Restaurants: There’s one main buffet restaurant for all meals and two à la carte options – Japanese and Italian. The Japanese restaurant, where we were warmly greeted by Gabby and looked after brilliantly by Raffa, was a real highlight. The food here is genuinely top notch. The miso aubergine and tofu dish was spectacular – rich, savoury, and perfectly balanced. To be able to use the dine-around credit here as part of the half board package is a brilliant inclusion – it feels like a proper dining experience rather than just an add-on. The Italian restaurant was also good – lovely setting and attentive service – though it did lack plant-based options compared to the Japanese. Hopefully that’s something they can look to expand in future. Style & Aesthetics: Probably the most beautiful hotel we’ve stayed in across the UAE. It’s got that traditional, luxurious look – really elegant without feeling too over the top. Grand entrance featuring a beautiful, purpose-built piano made especially for Raffles The building itself is stone, with pillared balconies Chic pool décor with striped pillows Amazing views of Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab in the distance The hotel is also awash with chandeliers – everywhere you look there’s something sparkling above you. The showpiece is in the entrance lobby – quite literally the biggest chandelier I’ve ever seen. It was absolutely stunning and really needs to be seen in person to appreciate how grand it is. The Club Rooms are spectacular. We had the largest bed we’ve ever had in a hotel, a huge chandelier, and opulent decoration throughout. The room had everything: a large balcony with sun loungers overlooking the hotel grounds and sea, a huge bathroom with two basins, a walk-in shower, a large bath, a desk, and plenty of storage. We had two single beds added for the boys, and it didn’t feel cramped at all – the room still felt spacious and luxurious. A special thank you to Eric, who greeted us at the entrance each day with a warm welcome and always took the time to chat whenever we bumped into him elsewhere in the hotel – even while assisting other guests. Impeccable customer service and a real asset to the team at Raffles. Watersports: We were tempted by a couple of things – especially the electric speedboat – but at nearly 1,500 AED (around £300) for half an hour, it felt way too steep, which didn’t feel justifiable. Might suit some, but we gave it a miss. Kids Club: Easily the best kids club we’ve used. Genuinely impressive. The staff were great and the activities were varied and well thought out. They did mask making, slime, bracelets, crowns, board games, free play, you name it. There’s a small soft play area with giant stacking blocks and an outdoor games area too – basketball hoops, table tennis, target games, giant chess etc. Special thanks to Hermando, who was especially brilliant with the kids – warm, engaging, and clearly loved what he did. On our final day, when we popped in to say goodbye, he even had a surprise for the boys – two bags of slime in their favourite colours. They were over the moon. Both boys kept wanting to stay longer and longer – total win for us! Helpful Tips: Book Half Board with Club Access – This is, hands down, the best option. You’ll get breakfast in the Club (much quieter), afternoon tea, happy hour with drinks, and free non-alcoholic drinks all day. The Club really transforms the experience – we wouldn’t book without it. Here’s what a typical day looked like for us: Breakfast in the Club Lounge until 11am Afternoon Tea from 3:00–4:30pm (includes one alcoholic drink) Happy Hour from 5:00–7:00pm (cocktails, wine, beer – smart casual dress code) Club access throughout the day for soft drinks, coffee, tea, and light service This made meals feel relaxed and well-paced, and we rarely needed to eat much outside of these times. Vegan Options – Vegan food isn’t a big part of the local culture, but staff were more than willing to accommodate. I ended up having dosa with coconut chutney and curry every morning, and even got a miso tofu sandwich one day from the Club chef – really appreciated the effort. Tipping – Bring plenty of 10 dirham notes (about £2). It’s standard to tip: 5–10 AED (£1–£2) for regular service 15–20 AED (£3–£4) for exceptional service Overall: A really special stay, made even better by the Club access and the exceptional service from the Club team. Great for families, visually stunning, and full of thoughtful touches. Just a couple of small service and pricing issues stop it being a full 5, but we'd absolutely return – and happily recommend it to others. In fact, we’ve already booked to return next year for a full two weeks.

There’s no denying that this hotel makes a grand first impression. From the moment you arrive, the doormen are attentive and quick to help with luggage—nothing seems too much trouble. Check-in was smooth, although a 2000 AED hold was placed on our credit card for incidentals. Interestingly, over four days, we ended up spending just about that amount, so perhaps they know their guests well! The overall aesthetic of the hotel is one of grandeur and opulence—chandeliers everywhere, marble floors and walls—it genuinely feels like you’ve stepped into a palace. Staff were consistently polite, professional, and helpful throughout our stay. We were “upgraded” to a garden view room, which, while spacious and beautifully appointed, looked directly onto a hedge. We had hoped for (and thought we’d booked) a higher floor with palm and water views, so the upgrade didn’t quite feel like one. The room itself was lovely—generously sized with twin basins, a large soaking tub, and a spacious rain shower. It was well-equipped and comfortable. That said, at a nightly rate of £550 and up, a few details felt off. The towels and bathrobes, for instance, were quite stiff—understandable with constant laundering, but still a bit underwhelming for a five-star experience. The pool area is visually stunning, but practicality was lacking. After about 10 a.m., finding a spot became a challenge. Once you did, getting into the pool often meant either climbing over a wall or walking halfway around. Then there was the kids club—lively and energetic, which is great if you have young children, but it turned the whole pool vibe into something more reminiscent of a beach club than a serene resort. Loud music, cheering, and air horns were a daily feature, which wasn’t quite the atmosphere we’d expected. We also got the impression that the hotel allows day passes. On one occasion, it seemed like a couple of large groups had come in, bringing inflatables and crowding the swim-up bar—children sitting on the bar and jumping in, adults drinking and taking over the space. Again, perhaps fine in a more casual resort, but not what we had envisioned from a luxury hotel. On another evening, we were looking forward to a classical music performance near our room and had planned to enjoy it from our balcony. Unfortunately, a party elsewhere on the property seemed to be competing with booming bass that echoed across the grounds. I did call reception around 10:30 p.m., and to their credit, they apologized and offered to reduce the volume. It did quiet down somewhat, and the following day we received a handwritten apology and some chocolates—a kind gesture that was appreciated. The Blüthner Hall cocktail lounge serves a limited but elegant selection of drinks. However, they were only able to make drinks listed on the menu. We were told another bar inside the Japanese restaurant, Matagi, offered more options, though it seemed very busy and was primarily for diners. We did enjoy the peacefulness of the indoor spa pool and sauna—an oasis compared to the main pool. However, we had a disappointing interaction with the spa staff. I was initially shown around by a friendly staff member who encouraged me to book treatments. When I returned just five minutes later to show my wife , another staff member dismissed the idea, stating they had clients having treatments and to return the next day. Her manner felt curt, and my wife found the tone quite unwelcoming. As a result, we decided not to return, which was unfortunate given how beautiful the facilities were. In summary, the hotel itself is undeniably beautiful and grand, with many positives—from the service to the decor and luxurious amenities. But our overall experience was mixed. It may have been a case of bad timing, with weekend events and a particularly busy atmosphere. Still, at this level and price point, we expected a touch more polish and tranquility.

I had come to raffles for the Huwei Partner Sumit, I had give n my car to the valet service to park but I quickly needed it back to take some things Faisal, the valet supervisor was really helpful. Needed to take them urgently to and Faisal assisted me swiftly with no hassle. Highly appreciate their service

Such a lovely hotel, such Amazing, Beautiful Views. The staff are nothing short of excellent, from housekeeping, the concierge, reception, super helpful and responsive especially Ajay in IRD, an amazing guy, always with a smile, extremely helpful, and well groomed. We loved our stay at Raffles The Palm and will definitely be back.