The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, UAE [Master Thread]
Sep 25, 2021, 1:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 221
If one’s going to stay at The Palm — miles from anywhere slightly interesting in Dubai — at the very least one should stay at a hotel that has direct beach access...
I don’t see the logic of this hotel. For leisure stays, it is located in the middle of an urban nondescript block while there are much better options in the area with private beaches; for business stays, it is so far away from any business destination to the point of being discouraging.
I don’t see the logic of this hotel. For leisure stays, it is located in the middle of an urban nondescript block while there are much better options in the area with private beaches; for business stays, it is so far away from any business destination to the point of being discouraging.
Sep 25, 2021, 1:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 221
I'm considering a stay here in September for a leisure visit, but sounds like opinions are mixed at best. I guess the things that make it interesting is that it's a brand new St. Regis with some interesting design elements, looks like a nice pool, decent suite upgrade chances with a SNA, nice views from many rooms, and seems to be reasonably well connected to the mall and transportation options.
For those that are not keen on the hotel, what would you suggest as an alternative on The Palm or by the Marina for a leisure stay in September? W on the Palm or Grosvernor/Le Grand Meridien by the Marina were a couple others that I was considering nearby. I'm thinking September may be a bit too hot for much beach time anyhow, so not sure how important beach access is then. Any thoughts on how the St. Regis would stack up against other nearby options?
For those that are not keen on the hotel, what would you suggest as an alternative on The Palm or by the Marina for a leisure stay in September? W on the Palm or Grosvernor/Le Grand Meridien by the Marina were a couple others that I was considering nearby. I'm thinking September may be a bit too hot for much beach time anyhow, so not sure how important beach access is then. Any thoughts on how the St. Regis would stack up against other nearby options?
None of the Marriott bonvoy hotels in Dubai on the beach are spectacular other than Bulgari but they don’t participate in bonvoy benefits. A new Marriott will open on the palm soon though so let’s see.
Nov 7, 2021, 1:23 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 221
Nov 7, 2021, 1:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 447
Last edited by shadowline; Nov 7, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Nov 8, 2021, 1:24 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
Jan 4, 2022, 1:53 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I’m not sure I get the dislike for this place. Here now and having a very good stay - actually just extended. I have now stayed at every supposed ‘high-end’ Marriott in Dubai proper other than the W and LRM over the last 12 months and would rate this place second after GH. Not perfect but the current pricing is also pretty good vs. lots of massively inflated prices elsewhere.
Likes
- Breakfast is great, not the biggest spread but probably the highest quality buffet I’ve found within the Marriott portfolio in Dubai. Selection of cured fish (including two types of salmon), giant bowl of berries, salad bar with all the usual Middle Eastern dips, very good coffee; I’d take that over a large range of cheap fried carbs and processed meats any day
- The adult pool area is truly excellent, sun all day, nice breeze, super relaxing / quiet, great service
- Gym is very good and the first one I’ve used in Dubai that’s actually set to an appropriate temperature for cardio rather than 23-24 degrees!
- The welcome gift is impressive - giant bowls of i) fresh fruit, ii) stuffed dates, baklava, Arabic sweets, chocolate etc that I am still eating three days later…
- Rooms and hard product generally look much better in real life than photos and, unlike the St. Regis Downtown, this place is actually built to St. Regis standard; the bathroom in particular is beautiful
- Food in Cordelia is very good. My main food disappointment at GH was Bellavista which is probably the quality of a decent Italian chain restaurant in the U.K. Had basically the same saffron risotto there and then here at the St. Regis and it was night and day (here it was perfectly al dente and loads of flavour vs. overcooked and bland)
- Nakheel Mall downstairs is useful, including a giant Waitrose if you want basically any item of food or drink
Less good
- Low suite upgrade chances, they only have 26 suites (including the speciality ones) out of 290 rooms. My SNA was denied and I got an upgrade to a Grand Deluxe room instead
- Elite benefits seem limited to basically what is contractually required
- Housekeeping feels like the weak service link, one day I came back at 4.30 and my room hadn’t been serviced so had to call to ask. There are also a couple of pieces of fluff that have stayed on the carpet so I don’t think they are vacuuming extensively during stays but was very clean when I checked in
- They have taken ‘rainfall shower’ too literally and max water pressure in the shower is like being lightly rained on, quite annoying; the air conditioning also blows directly onto the bed which is bad for me (but some may like that)
- The rooms are 43 sqm and because the bathroom and dressing area is so large and opulent it takes up at least half of the room and makes the actual bedroom feel a lot smaller and less luxurious
- The location is obviously a bit isolated, but I much prefer this to being 10 minutes further out on the actual exterior Palm, given you have the Mall, monorail and taxis are cheap and readily available in Dubai I don’t view it as a huge issue if you want to stay around the Palm / Dubai Marina / JBR area
- No balconies in rooms, which is always disappointing in Dubai
As an aside this is the most Russian guests I think I’ve ever seen in any hotel (beating the Four Seasons Dubai). Not sure if it’s the time of year. Fortunately, they are the Instagram in the gym type not the get very drunk type but still, was unexpected!
Likes
- Breakfast is great, not the biggest spread but probably the highest quality buffet I’ve found within the Marriott portfolio in Dubai. Selection of cured fish (including two types of salmon), giant bowl of berries, salad bar with all the usual Middle Eastern dips, very good coffee; I’d take that over a large range of cheap fried carbs and processed meats any day
- The adult pool area is truly excellent, sun all day, nice breeze, super relaxing / quiet, great service
- Gym is very good and the first one I’ve used in Dubai that’s actually set to an appropriate temperature for cardio rather than 23-24 degrees!
- The welcome gift is impressive - giant bowls of i) fresh fruit, ii) stuffed dates, baklava, Arabic sweets, chocolate etc that I am still eating three days later…
- Rooms and hard product generally look much better in real life than photos and, unlike the St. Regis Downtown, this place is actually built to St. Regis standard; the bathroom in particular is beautiful
- Food in Cordelia is very good. My main food disappointment at GH was Bellavista which is probably the quality of a decent Italian chain restaurant in the U.K. Had basically the same saffron risotto there and then here at the St. Regis and it was night and day (here it was perfectly al dente and loads of flavour vs. overcooked and bland)
- Nakheel Mall downstairs is useful, including a giant Waitrose if you want basically any item of food or drink
Less good
- Low suite upgrade chances, they only have 26 suites (including the speciality ones) out of 290 rooms. My SNA was denied and I got an upgrade to a Grand Deluxe room instead
- Elite benefits seem limited to basically what is contractually required
- Housekeeping feels like the weak service link, one day I came back at 4.30 and my room hadn’t been serviced so had to call to ask. There are also a couple of pieces of fluff that have stayed on the carpet so I don’t think they are vacuuming extensively during stays but was very clean when I checked in
- They have taken ‘rainfall shower’ too literally and max water pressure in the shower is like being lightly rained on, quite annoying; the air conditioning also blows directly onto the bed which is bad for me (but some may like that)
- The rooms are 43 sqm and because the bathroom and dressing area is so large and opulent it takes up at least half of the room and makes the actual bedroom feel a lot smaller and less luxurious
- The location is obviously a bit isolated, but I much prefer this to being 10 minutes further out on the actual exterior Palm, given you have the Mall, monorail and taxis are cheap and readily available in Dubai I don’t view it as a huge issue if you want to stay around the Palm / Dubai Marina / JBR area
- No balconies in rooms, which is always disappointing in Dubai
As an aside this is the most Russian guests I think I’ve ever seen in any hotel (beating the Four Seasons Dubai). Not sure if it’s the time of year. Fortunately, they are the Instagram in the gym type not the get very drunk type but still, was unexpected!
Oct 8, 2022, 2:47 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,165
Wow - what a great way to start off my trip to Dubai! Perhaps, my judgement is misguided as an American used to American properties, but the St. Regis Palm has been fantastic - let's dive in to the pros and photos!
Pros:
Overall, I would highly recommend the St. Regis Palm - what a great way to start off this journey!
Photos:
Pros:
- Arrival experience was very 5-star - bellhop immediately grabbed my bags from the back of the "taxi" (it was a Tesla - don't know why the airport thought to direct me to the bougie line and everyone else to the other line), escorted me to an associate who happened to be the manager-on-duty to check me in, led to my room by one of the butlers, luggage delivered quickly, etc.
- Upgraded without asking to a Metropolitan Suite on the 5th floor with great views of Atlantis - unfortunately, the Andaz across the street blocks the views of Burj al-Arab
- Service very friendly and personable - check-in was a relaxed conversation about my travel patterns, all staff say hello in the hallways, butler asked if I wanted coffee or tea (I mentioned I didn't want coffee so I could go to sleep, and he suggested that I have some chamomile tea that he could bring)
- Late check-out wasn't an option - it was a requirement :-) - the MOD told me that I was going to be getting 4 PM, whether I needed it or not, before I even had the chance to bring it up
- Great modern design that still feels like a St. Regis to me - large windows, comfortable furniture, etc.
- Bed was great - very fluffy covers, smooth pillows, solid yet plush mattress
- Bathroom design was beautiful - the sliding doors were magnificent to look at
- Rainfall shower had amazing and powerful pressure - very relaxing
- Internet TV OS - though, the only app is YouTube (all I need)
- Most of the outlets were compatible with several plug types, including US plugs (though, voltage is of course, 240 V, which thankfully is compatible with most electronic chargers that I have) - one of the bathroom sockets had a 120 V option, which was great for my toothbrush charger
- At some point, one of the breakers must have tripped as my TV in the bedroom wouldn't turn on - Engineering came up quickly at 1 AM and ended up removing one of the photos from the wall to reset the breaker and then quietly replacing the photo - talk about service at 1 AM!
- Breakfast (free restaurant buffet for Elites) was divine - the pastries (especially the lemon cruffin) were melt-in-your-mouth, the made-to-order eggs benedict with salmon was delicious, and the choices were extensive (several Indian and Arabic dishes, as well) - breakfast service was friendly, though a tad low-touch in terms of beverage refills (though, when they were around, they wanted to talk about my travels, etc)
- Welcome gift of nice fruits waiting in my suite - I had the banana, which was perfectly ripe
- Turndown service performed by two friendly housekeepers - some chocolates were left on the bed - score!
- Nothing
Overall, I would highly recommend the St. Regis Palm - what a great way to start off this journey!
Photos:
Oct 8, 2022, 3:52 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: EHAM / 52°18'29"N 004°45'51"E
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Flying Blue Platinum For Life
Posts: 209
ElevatorEnthusiast thanks for the review. Great pictures!
The reason why you got to the lines of taxis that brought you a Tesla at DXB was because there are folks pointing you in that direction hoping you bite. The ride was surely smooth but you likely also paid 3-4 times more than a regular taxi :-)
The reason why you got to the lines of taxis that brought you a Tesla at DXB was because there are folks pointing you in that direction hoping you bite. The ride was surely smooth but you likely also paid 3-4 times more than a regular taxi :-)
Oct 8, 2022, 3:57 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,165
ElevatorEnthusiast thanks for the review. Great pictures!
The reason why you got to the lines of taxis that brought you a Tesla at DXB was because there are folks pointing you in that direction hoping you bite. The ride was surely smooth but you likely also paid 3-4 times more than a regular taxi :-)
The reason why you got to the lines of taxis that brought you a Tesla at DXB was because there are folks pointing you in that direction hoping you bite. The ride was surely smooth but you likely also paid 3-4 times more than a regular taxi :-)
Plus, the price was comparable to an UberX in some of the large US cities I travel in for a comparable distance.
Oct 8, 2022, 7:27 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,165
I did not directly, but I could see it well from my suite. One good note to add - right outside my suite and only two floors down, there was significant construction with many workers on the outside rooftop for the View at the Palm entrance (disclosed in Hotel Messages upon booking). To the hotel's benefit, sound proofing in my suite was quite effective, and I was completely unbothered by the work.
