Review : Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Set on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is an imposing hotel in Dubai. This elegant luxury resort is appreciated for its long, sandy beach and its extensive list of services, which we’ll be taking a closer look at. As soon as we arrive, we’re transported by the beautiful melodies of a pianist in a lounge adjacent to the reception area.

There are so many hotels in Dubai that it can be hard to choose. You’ll find two Hilton hotels in the palm grove and two on the Marina side:

• Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
• Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
• Hilton Dubai The Walk
• DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai

The group also owns a second Waldorf Astoria property in Dubai, located in the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) district.

Let’s look at what the Waldorf Astoria at the Palm Jumeirah on the shores of the Persian Gulf has to offer.

Prices start at $766 a night or 85,000 Hilton Honors points for a superior room with a king-size bed. We took the opportunity to use our annual one-night free certificate.

The Waldorf Astoria is part of the Hilton portfolio. Canadians can stay there by earning and redeeming Hilton Honors points earned with the Platinum Card^MD from American Express. This is the only credit card in Canada that can earn Hilton Honors Gold status.

Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond status include the following benefits:

• 25% to 50% bonus on accumulated base points,
• 5th night free for all bookings with 4-night points,
• free breakfasts in certain hotels,
• upgrade to a superior room, depending on the brand.

What’s more, thanks to Hilton Honors Gold status, each time you stay with us, you can choose from several benefits depending on the Hilton brand you choose, such as :

• food and beverage credit or complimentary continental breakfast,
• bonus points to use towards a future stay,
• a welcome snack.

Therefore, the Platinum Card^MD from American Express offers significant advantages within the Hilton group. It allows you to indulge yourself while also offering more flexibility when it comes to choosing a hotel.

For the record, the success of New York’s Waldorf Astoria inspired the conception and modern design of this hotel. The ultimate goal is to provide visitors with memorable experiences and a feeling of being transported to a small haven of peace.

The corridors leading to the bedrooms are sober, chic and long. No superfluous decoration, just an area of sand and palm trees overlooked by a transparent elevator.

Opened in December 2013, the hotel offers 319 luxurious rooms and suites, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf or the interior of Palm Island (Palm Jumeirah).

Located at the end of the Palm, the hotel offers privileged access to Dubai’s wonderful white sandy beaches and a breathtaking view of the Persian Gulf. It takes around 50 minutes to get there from Dubai International Airport.

One of the disadvantages is its distance from the center of Dubai, if you want to go there during your stay. A shuttle service is available for guests wishing to visit the Atlantis Aquaventure center or the Dubai Mall (same shuttle), the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Hills shopping mall.

Nakheel Mall and The Pointe are just a ten-minute drive away. The latter is a pleasant place to enjoy outdoor strolls and watch the evening water displays in front of Atlantis.

Although the hotel’s gastronomic offerings are interesting, you can dine in one of the nearby restaurants or use a room delivery service.

Arrivals are from 3 pm and departures from 12 am the following day.

Once parked at the hotel entrance, the valets took charge of our car while one of the butlers took care of our suitcases. We were invited to go to the check-in desk on the right.

First impression: the entrance hall is splendid. You’ll quickly notice two magnificent elements: the clock and the superb chandelier and the noble materials such as marble.

A professional welcome at check-in.

The hotel has 10 room categories offering views of either:

• on the sea with views of the Burj Khalifa and Burj al-Arab (as was our case),
• on the palm grove with its white sandy beach, ideal for watching the sun set.

Rooms are comfortable and offer all modern conveniences with free WiFi. Being with children, we got a deluxe room with a very large bed and an extra bed was installed on our arrival.

As soon as we entered the room, we were overwhelmed by the view of the sea and especially the Burj Khalifa and al-Arab and we had a lovely terrace to enjoy it on. The whole is harmonious in soft shades of beige. The room includes a work desk, sofa and coffee table.

At the entrance, the room has a good-sized dressing room for two and a marble bathroom with a bathtub and shower overlooking the room and outside. You can even watch TV while taking a bath.

Opposite the bed is a hanging TV and an imposing sideboard with a selection of teas, a bottle of wine and crockery inside, a filled refrigerator, as well as a coffee machine, kettle and two bottles of water on the side.

The Pearl Club at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is a lounge available exclusively to guests staying in Pearl Club rooms, Pearl Club suites, the President’s suite or the Royal suite. It is open from 8 am to 9:30 pm.

It offers its members an enhanced, personalized stay experience independent of the Hilton Honors program. This lounge can offer a more intimate and tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxing, working or holding informal meetings. Children under 12 are not allowed after 5 p.m.

Day refreshments, snacks and even evening aperitifs are available exclusively for members.

Accommodations connected to the Pearl Club are of a superior category, offering privileged views, even more luxurious amenities, and a larger surface area. A separate, fast and personalized check-in and check-out service can be offered to avoid waiting at the main reception.

If you’re staying in one of the hotel’s standard rooms or suites and would like to take advantage of the Club’s benefits, you can join for AED 750 per person.

The hotel offers a full range of services, including a tennis court, a heliport for spectacular arrivals, and access to renowned restaurants, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience.

The Waldorf Astoria hotel in the palm grove offers a variety of restaurants:

• Mezzerie offers buffet service for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Palm Avenue is a poolside restaurant with Mexican and Californian influences.
• Sunset 55 is a bohemian-style beach lounge perfect for relaxing at the end of the day with a drink in hand.
• Peacock Alley is a chic lounge offering a selection of teas with pastries and other desserts accompanied by the gentle melodies of a pianist in the afternoon.
• Serafina Bar is a cosy bar serving cocktails and cigars.
• Lao is the hotel’s South Asian restaurant and offers an outdoor terrace.
• Finally, Social is a renowned restaurant offering fine Italian cuisine.

During our stay, we enjoyed breakfast at the Mezzerie between 7 and 11 a.m., which is located on the floor below the lobby. Eating is possible on the outdoor terrace.

Breakfast service is as varied as the hotel itself. It was crowded when we arrived. A vast choice of dishes is offered to satisfy every taste bud in a comfortable setting; however, I found it less elegant than the rest of the hotel. Here’s what we found:

We took advantage of our evening to dine at the poolside restaurant, Palm Avenue. The food was good; however, the prices were too expensive considering the quantity on the plate, and the dishes were not so elaborate for a Waldorf Astoria.

The main pool, with its different depths, is a real delight for families. Another small pool is available for the little ones, in an area more protected from the sun. Magazines and sunscreen are provided for optimum relaxation.

A second pool is reserved for adults, ideal for swimming laps, although the water is a little chilly. A Jacuzzi for two is also available. The location is appreciated for its quiet atmosphere.

Pools are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Finally, of course, there’s the option of taking a dip in the sea and relaxing on one of the many sun loungers on the beach. Water games on inflatable platforms are available but must be paid for. Kayaks and other water sports equipment are also available for hire.

The hotel boasts a large, fully-equipped 24-hour gym and tennis court.

One of the hotel’s most significant advantages for families is undoubtedly its Kids Club. Children aged 4 to 12 are welcomed at the center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for activities that change every day. An enclosed children’s play area protected from the sun and outdoor games for the whole family are available: ping pong table, darts, etc.

On arrival, a concierge can be assigned to you at your request to ensure that your expectations are met throughout your stay.

Finally, the hotel offers a wide range of other services such as :

• A spa offering massages, sauna, steam and whirlpool baths, steam room, boutique, with special treatment rooms for couples, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m,
• Le salon Blanc which is a hair salon,
• Eight meeting rooms,
• A business center,
• A wedding reception that can accommodate up to 350 guests,
• Helicopter transport service.

Our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah was a great experience. I was no more dazzled by the staff’s service. However, the luxurious surroundings and services, such as the Kids Club, swimming pools, gym and beach, make this hotel an exciting choice for a stay in Dubai.

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