The birds’ gentle harmonies ring out from the pristine gardens below; the gentle whisp of the wings of a solitary dragonfly as it zooms by; and the bubbling of my Jacuzzi creates the soundtrack to watching the spectacle of the sunrise over Dubai’s cityscape. Early mornings on Palm Jumeirah do not get better than this.
The Signature Suite of Raffles The Palm Dubai is my home for the weekend, but I’m starting to consider whether I should take up permanent residence in this gargantuan haven of luxury, with an on-call private butler. Sprawling over 110 square-metres of the third floor, the suite comes complete with the aforementioned hot tub that sits on a huge balcony, boasting views of the property’s verdant gardens, as well as the city’s iconic towering structures, including the Burj Khalifa.
Inside is an adventure into opulent luxury. In the bedroom, a chandelier hangs above an enormous bed with a gold headboard that glistens around me when I decide to retire for the evening to watch a movie on the widescreen television. At the foot of the bed sits a gilded bench, where one can relax while their partner readies themselves in front of a stylish-yet-spacious marble vanity table and mirror.
Guests are beckoned into the suite’s lounge to spend a lazy afternoon with a book, resting on fine Louis XIV furniture crafted by Italy’s Francesco Molon atelier – part of a collection of 70,000 bespoke pieces placed around the property. The coffee table hosts an array of delightful welcome sweets and savouries that I indulge in throughout the stay. And for that renowned Raffles touch, the room is brightened upon nightfall with another shimmering chandelier.
The suite’s oversized marble bathroom enjoys a deep, freestanding bathtub, perfect for relaxation. There’s also a spacious rainfall shower with luxury amenities supplied by Sicilian brand, Ortigia. I wrestle with the idea of spending the rest of the day in the toasty embrace of my Jacuzzi but there is too much to discover for one to luxuriate in bubbles the entire stay. After wandering the vast corridors of the property, reminiscent of an 18th-century château, or The Winter Palace of St. Petersburg, I come to a formidable lobby, possessing eight colossal columns of pink Rosa Portugal marble, and a chandelier of 40,000 crystals. I have arrived for the Royal Afternoon Tea at Blüthner Hall – a lavish lobby lounge showcasing more exquisite furnishings and a stand-out Louis XVI piano, crafted from wood, ivory and 24-carat gold by the Blüthner family in Germany.
Tea connoisseurs have blends-upon-blends over which to cast their eyes. We decide to explore Nina’s Marie Antoinette Teas, a sustainable range of brews as we nibble on mini sandwiches of beef bresaola, coronation chicken and smoked salmon, alongside sweet treats of sakura cherry cake and caramel chocolate tart. While afternoon tea was delightful, we ensured to not overindulge in preparation for dinner at Matagi – a chic Japanese restaurant with mahogany tables, Japanese lanterns and house music, setting some seriously good vibes. The Izakaya menus promote sharing, and it is hard to resist the signatures of whole sea bream karaage with wasabi mayo, and saikyo miso marinated black cod. Take a seat at the bar before dinner to enjoy a drink from the kakuteru (cocktail) selection; Wabi Sabi for the gents and Kikubari for the ladies.
For a taste of the Med and its famed seafood, head for the pretty interiors of Piatti by the Beach. The manzo beef tartare and Sgroppino, prepared tableside, are most definitely mandatory choices. After an excellent nights’ sleep, breakfast at Le Jardin is the perfect way to start the day. It’s fruit and delicious eggs royale for me, as I soak up the palatial grandeur of the parlour. But suite stayers at the property can take breakfast to another level by dining at the exclusive, sixth floor Raffles Club Lounge that boasts views of the Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Gulf on either side of the property.
I spend the rest of my time flitting between the ginormous pool and the massage tables of the elegant Cinq Mondes Spa. Alas, check-out time is approaching, and I sadly begin preparations to leave. I quickly glance at my watch – I still have time for one more Jacuzzi session...
