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Day 1. Heading briefly under the sea as we drove through the Palm Jumeirah Tunnel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...d/XL/01-XL.jpg After driving to the eastern crescent side of the Palm Jumeirah archipelago we arrived at Anantara The Palm for our weekend staycation. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/02-XL.jpg Along with Atlantis The Palm, Anantara The Palm was one of the first resorts constructed on Palm Jumeirah and opened in 2013. I had booked our one night stay a month prior while Dubai was under 24 hour lockdown for a very reasonable rate. Although many hotels were still open despite the lockdown almost all facilities were closed. It was going to be our second wedding anniversary so it seemed like a good excuse to get out of the house though despite what would be a limited resort experience. Thankfully the 24 hour lockdown had since eased and two days before our stay it was announced that hotel beaches in Dubai could reopen. The Thai-inspired resort is known for its extensive and large swimming pools. Unfortunately hotel pools in Dubai were still closed however. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/03-XL.jpg With the hotel operating at reduced capacity due to the pandemic the main lobby was closed and check-in was instead at the lobby in the Anantara Residences. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...e/XL/04-XL.jpg We had arrived at 1pm and although the official check-in time was 3pm our room for our stay was ready. Being whisked in a buggy to our waiting room. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...5/XL/05-XL.jpg For our stay we had booked one of the resort's overwater villas. While the normally rate was 3500-5500 AED ($953-1497) per night, I managed to take advantage of a pandemic reduced rate of 1350 AED ($367) including dinner and breakfast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/06-XL.jpg Hannelie enjoying the ride. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/07-XL.jpg The resort's overwater villas are the only ones in the UAE. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...4/XL/08-XL.jpg While there are undoubtedly more luxurious overwater villas in the Maldives, unfortunately none of them were a 20 minute drive from home. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/09-XL.jpg The villa was a generous 106 m2 (1141 sqft) in size. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/10-XL.jpg Minibar with espresso machine and snacks. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/11-XL.jpg Wine refrigerator. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/12-XL.jpg The King sized bed and the glass floor with the sea below. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...8/XL/13-XL.jpg The bathroom complete with benchseat and a ladder towel rack. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...b/XL/14-XL.jpg The toilet and bidet to the left and the rain shower to the right. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/15-XL.jpg L'Occitane toiletries. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...6/XL/16-XL.jpg His and hers vanities. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/17-XL.jpg And the large bath tub for two. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/18-XL.jpg The sunbed put on the patio. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/19-XL.jpg And a pair of sun loungers with the skyline of Dubai Marina in the distance. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/20-XL.jpg Hannelie waving excitedly with all the new space she can crawl around. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...e/XL/21-XL.jpg Luckily the May weather was unseasonally cool (low 30s celsius) so we headed out for a stroll. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/22-XL.jpg And went to the resort's Revo Café for lunch. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/23-XL.jpg Apart from in-room dining, the café was the only one out of five restaurants at the resort that was currently open for guests. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/24-XL.jpg As most establishments in Dubai were not allowing children to dine in as part of the government mandated pandemic restrictions, it was great to simply sit down for a meal at the hotel café for lunch. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/25-XL.jpg While Rianda opted for a hot caffe latte I went for one over ice. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...d/XL/26-XL.jpg Rianda's very healthy Chevre goat cheese and fig salad with rocket, honey glazed walnuts and pomegranate vinaigarette. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/27-XL.jpg And my not so healthy Wagyu burger with buffalo mozzarella, Canadian veal bacon, dill pickle, shallots, tomato, mustard and barbecue mayo on a sesame bun. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/28-XL.jpg Checking out the lagoon rooms as we walk back. There was quite a few people staying in them and it seemed a shame that they literally had the pool right on their door step but weren't allowed to use it. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...b/XL/29-XL.jpg Hannelie posing for a photo on the glass floor back in our overwater villa. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/30-XL.jpg Rianda was a little hesitant to step on the glass floor at first but after a bit of encouragement from Hannelie she gradually mustered up the courage. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...3/XL/31-XL.jpg Catching a few rays on one of the sun loungers. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...2/XL/32-XL.jpg Hannelie and Rianda relaxing on the sunbed. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...5/XL/33-XL.jpg And looking out to the houses lining the fronds of the Palm. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/34-XL.jpg We then spent the afternoon relaxing in the villa. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...d/XL/35-XL.jpg Just after 3pm we got a knock at the door for the delivery of a small cake to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was red velvet and definitely tasted as good as it looked. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...3/XL/36-XL.jpg At about 5pm we ventured out to the beach. There were numerous precautions with the recent reopening and we had to get our temperature checked, wear face masks and socially distance etc. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...d/XL/37-XL.jpg We also had to bring our towels from our bathroom (and then ring room service for replacement ones) since the hotel could no longer hand them out at the beach by law. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/38-XL.jpg The sea within the Palm was very calm and almost resembled a giant swimming pool so it was nice to just take a dip and relax. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/39-XL.jpg Hannelie tasting the salty water. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...1/XL/40-XL.jpg Although initially a little reluctant she quickly relaxed and enjoyed the warm water. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...5/XL/41-XL.jpg And drying her off after her first proper swim in the sea. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/42-XL.jpg The sun beginning to set between the Atlantis The Palm and the underconstruction Royal Atlantis Residences. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...0/XL/43-XL.jpg After the beach excursion we headed back to our villa. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...9/XL/44-XL.jpg Where Hannelie promptly passed out for an extended nap after giving her a quick bath in the tub. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/45-XL.jpg Just before 7pm we went for a stroll at dusk. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/46-XL.jpg After walking through the eerily deserted main lobby we headed to the resorts Lotus Lounge for a drink. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...2/XL/47-XL.jpg Unfortunately with the pandemic restrictions alcohol could not be served. Rianda's Magnitude 6 (apricot juice, papaya syrup, orange juice, passionfruit seed, tonic and lemongrass) on the left and my Arab's Bliss (sparking date juice, raspberry purée, apple juice and rose water) on the right. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...e/XL/48-XL.jpg Hannelie was full of energy after her sleep and couldn't resist climbing about the couch while we sipped on our mocktails. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...8/XL/49-XL.jpg Back at our villa with the lights of Dubai in the distance from the balcony. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...6/XL/50-XL.jpg With the hotel restaurants closed we ordered in room service for dinner. My green chicken curry and Rianda's butter chicken. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...2/XL/51-XL.jpg For dessert we shared the sticky toffee pudding and a slice of berry cheesecake. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...b/XL/52-XL.jpg And Hannelie fast asleep in the cot after a fun and relaxing day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/53-XL.jpg Day 2. The sun rising above the Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in the early morning. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...6/XL/54-XL.jpg Palma Residences located on a finger of reclaimed land. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...5/XL/55-XL.jpg Shoreline Residences lining the main trunk of the Palm Jumeirah. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/56-XL.jpg Another manmade island just offshore from the coast of Dubai. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/57-XL.jpg The private island is personally owned by the Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...8/XL/58-XL.jpg The Rixos The Palm hotel which had now temporarily closed with the pandemic. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...b/XL/59-XL.jpg Back at the Anantara The Palm https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...8/XL/60-XL.jpg And the overwater villas. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...2/XL/61-XL.jpg Hannelie was now wide awake and went for an impromptu crawl over the glass floor. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/62-XL.jpg I then put on my running shoes to work off some of last nights curry and cheesecake. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...0/XL/63-XL.jpg Wearing my black running gaiter at the end of the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk. Fines for not wearing a mask had recently increased to 3000 AED ($817). https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...f/XL/64-XL.jpg Some workers sterilising the wooden boardwalk. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/65-XL.jpg Running past the Royal Atlantis Residences. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...e/XL/66-XL.jpg The Sofitel Dubai The Palm where we stayed 5 months prior. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...0/XL/67-XL.jpg And back at the beach at the resort. I was a little nervous about passing the temperature check given that I was hot and sweaty from my morning run but luckily I had no issues. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...3/XL/68-XL.jpg And soaking my feet in the gently lapping ocean water. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...a/XL/69-XL.jpg Back in the villa with Hannelie eating her porridge for breakfast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...5/XL/70-XL.jpg Just after 9:30am our breakfast was delivered. It was quite interesting sitting down for breakfast while watching fish swimming past below. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...4/XL/71-XL.jpg Rianda's congee on the left with my carb overload basket on the right. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/72-XL.jpg While Rianda had the healthy egg white omelette I indulged with the tasty eggs benedict with smoked salmon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...7/XL/73-XL.jpg After the sumptious breakfast we headed out to one of the sun beds on the beach. Hannelie doing a little holiday dance with Rianda clapping on. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...6/XL/74-XL.jpg And one last dip in the sea. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...e/XL/75-XL.jpg Just after 12pm we packed up and called for a ride back to the lobby to check-out. https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...c/XL/76-XL.jpg And back in the Kia after another wonderful and relaxing pandemic staycation! https://photos.smugmug.com/Photos/PA...2/XL/77-XL.jpg |
Really sounds freezing:D It's a warm part of the earth.
I didn't know they do overwater there but if I think about it I'm not surprised. I can imagine your daughter enjoyed the ride, it's nearly tailored for kids |
Love the pictures, including my favorite subject, Hannelie! Oh, she’s growing up fast. That one pic of her in the crib looks like she’s in jail.
The lagoon pools look really inviting. Too bad you couldn’t swim in it. I’m always nervous walking on glass floors. Whether it’s at the original World Trade Center, Tokyo Tower, or John Hancock Tower, I always feel nervous walking on them! |
Beautiful report - as usual.
Do you have to use the hotel beach or was there a way to get in and out of the sea directly from your overwater villa? |
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 32676361)
I’m always nervous walking on glass floors. Whether it’s at the original World Trade Center, Tokyo Tower, or John Hancock Tower, I always feel nervous walking on them!
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Thanks, that was lovely.
Great deal btw. |
It's fun seeing you take joy wherever you go, whether this luxe stay or some of the extremely simple ones you've had in other parts of the world. Your baby is a little beauty.
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Loved the report, envious! (Last trip, Madeira in February, next trip meant to be Oman in November - yeah, right :( )
I thought the shot of the crib was a bit of a sunburst effect, not jail :) |
Gorgeous photos - I love your baby so much!! Omg.
and lovely TR |
Originally Posted by offerendum
(Post 32676329)
Really sounds freezing:D It's a warm part of the earth.
I didn't know they do overwater there but if I think about it I'm not surprised. I can imagine your daughter enjoyed the ride, it's nearly tailored for kids
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 32676361)
Love the pictures, including my favorite subject, Hannelie! Oh, she’s growing up fast. That one pic of her in the crib looks like she’s in jail.
The lagoon pools look really inviting. Too bad you couldn’t swim in it. I’m always nervous walking on glass floors. Whether it’s at the original World Trade Center, Tokyo Tower, or John Hancock Tower, I always feel nervous walking on them! https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-.../i-BJLH6kt.jpg
Originally Posted by frogster
(Post 32676879)
Beautiful report - as usual.
Do you have to use the hotel beach or was there a way to get in and out of the sea directly from your overwater villa?
Originally Posted by roadwarrier
(Post 32677077)
I do not care what they say about "super-duper technology", but I am with you on this one.
Originally Posted by magXY
(Post 32677163)
Thanks, that was lovely.
Great deal btw.
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
(Post 32677509)
It's fun seeing you take joy wherever you go, whether this luxe stay or some of the extremely simple ones you've had in other parts of the world. Your baby is a little beauty.
Originally Posted by Tocsin
(Post 32677936)
Loved the report, envious! (Last trip, Madeira in February, next trip meant to be Oman in November - yeah, right :( )
I thought the shot of the crib was a bit of a sunburst effect, not jail :)
Originally Posted by gaobest
(Post 32678442)
Gorgeous photos - I love your baby so much!! Omg. and lovely TR
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Very nice report. In the other over the water villa shot, whose yacht is that? That is a pretty nice looking boat. Thanks for sharing your staycation report with us.
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Awesome pictures and adorable baby :)
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Originally Posted by DanielW
(Post 32678977)
Yes, she really enjoyed all the space to crawl around and especially the glass floor:).
Thank you, Jaimito Cartero, luckily Hannelie had no qualms with the see-through floor:). Yes, she is really growing up now, finally fits her dress I bought for her last year in Dhaka:). https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-.../i-BJLH6kt.jpg |
This is living proof you can do something fun during a pandemic.
Thanks for sharing. The Over Water Villas of the Maldives are not 20 minutes from my house either... (laughing) |
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