The Palace offers a limousine pick-up service. The Palace offers a limousine pick-up service.

ATN checked into one of Dubai's newest properties, The Palace, The Old Town, to experience a 'Romantic Escapism' package.

Summer may be the season for fleeing the Gulf to seek cooler climes or jetting off to exotic locations for romantic honeymoons, but these occasions don't always warrant a long-haul flight.

In fact, GCC residents should look closer to home where there are opportunities aplenty to ‘get away from it all' and indulge in some summer loving.

ATN discovered that The Palace, The Old Town, one of Dubai's newest properties, is a place where your clients can seek refuge and be indulged in true honeymoon style, whether they are newlyweds or not.

 

"LeSpa at The Palace has a warm and homely atmosphere."

ATN discovered that The Palace, The Old Town, one of Dubai's newest properties, is a place where your clients can seek refuge and be indulged in true honeymoon style, whether they are newlyweds or not.

 

The hotel - a luxurious, yet homely haven in the middle of Dubai -- is offering a ‘Romantic Escapism' package, designed for couples seeking a weekend of relaxation and indulgence and offering all the components they could wish for - from spa treatments, private dining and champagne breakfasts to in-room chocolate fountains, rose-petal baths and luxurious and private surroundings.
 

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The red carpet treatment

ATN's ‘Romantic Escapism' package started with a limousine pick-up from our villa. A chauffeur-driven S-class Mercedes arrived at our doorstep making us the envy of all our neighbours and we were spared the stress of driving through Dubai's notoriously bad traffic.

Before we knew it we'd been whisked away to The Palace - an Arabian-themed hotel with a very subtle French twist (thanks to the property's French management company Sofitel) - where we were immediately made to feel at home.

Our butler greeted us and escorted us to our Royal Suite where we not only checked-in privately but feasted our eyes on a culinary display that made our mouths water.

After cold towels, champagne and juice, I scanned the room and spotted a tray of chocolates and cakes, a giant chest of fruit and the pièce de résistance - a chocolate fountain surrounded by bite-sized cakes, strawberries and pineapple. This was a first for me and as a certified chocaholic, I was already mightily impressed.

Suite dreams

The Royal Suite is one of 81 suites on offer at The Palace. Measuring 106m², the suite is tastefully decorated in modern Arabian style, again, with a homely feel that resonates throughout the property.

It comprises four main areas - a living room with large flat-screen TV, coffee table and desk and an adjoining cloakroom; a bedroom with king-sized bed, flat-screen TV, DVD player and ladies' vanity unit with a large built-in mirror and hairdryer (very impressive); a large bathroom with separate shower and toilet, free-standing bath, double wash basins and a spacious wardrobe and luggage area; and an outdoor terrace overlooking the majestic Burj Dubai.

At your leisure

For clients wishing to venture outside the comfort of the suite there are plenty of recreation facilities on offer - choose from a dip in the outdoor pool, a walk around the neighbouring souk or a quick session in the gym to work off the calories ingested from the chocolate fountain. We chose the latter to work up an appetite for dinner.

Rose-coloured spectacle

When we returned to the suite we were greeted by mellow music and a trail of petals that led to a hot and bubbly rose-petal bath. Also waiting was a bottle of champagne on ice.

But this was just the prelude to an evening of pure indulgence and relaxation. Post-bath we donned fluffy robes and were treated to a peppermint foot bath ritual while the turn-down service was completed in our bedroom, complete with chocolates, slippers and a toy camel called ‘Momo'.

Private dining

While dressing for dinner two butlers worked their magic on our terrace and created a romantic al fresco dining setting.

Arabic lanterns and candles lit the table and we sipped champagne while we perused the menu.