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

And it's not just the food that is authentic - so too is the décor and design of the outlet, the centerpiece of which is a goat on a slow-roast spit.

The Argentinian farmhouse vibe is juxtaposed with views of modern Downtown Dubai - just glance out of the window and the Burj Dubai stands in all its glory.

It was truly a pleasure to eat there and we returned the following weekend to dine with our friends.

Also worth a big mention is the Friday brunch at Ewaan, which has a Mediterranean focus with an impressive seafood and sushi display, although an all-day breakfast with eggs and the works is worth trying too. You can wash this down with free-flowing champagne or soft drinks galore.

The highlight for me, however, was the cheese selection -and this is where the French influence of Sofitel comes to the fore. I counted at least 12 different cheese varieties and I sampled all of them, from creamy Camembert to crumbly feta.

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For agents selling the 'Romantic Escapism' package, it's definitely worth throwing in the Friday and Saturday brunch to create a weekend of pure unadulterated indulgence.

 

Editor's verdict

What makes The Palace special is its atmosphere. It is luxurious without being over-the-top and although it has 242 rooms, it feels like a boutique hotel.

Much like another of my favourite Dubai hotels, the Park Hyatt Dubai, it is a low-rise property, which automatically creates a residential atmosphere while there is plenty of natural light.

The interior design is again, luxurious, but homely and residential and embodies Arabic design without reverting to heavy fabrics and too much dark wood.

Facilities at The Palace tick most of my boxes - a spa, gym, a good variety of F&B outlets and a souk adjoining the property.

The staff are attentive and have obviously been well-trained. In this respect it is not surprising that the property's general manager was a former employee of The Ritz-Carlton Company LLC.

Employees are polite, friendly, helpful and look like they actually enjoy their jobs - this is a rarity in Dubai.

The Romantic Escapism package itself has been well thought out and contains all the ingredients to live up to its name - a large suite with private balcony, a butler service, private dining, champagne, caviar, chocolate fountains and pampering treatments such as massages, baths and foot rituals.

Although the property is located in central Dubai, this package makes you feel like you could be anywhere you want to be.

You can opt for total privacy or make the most of facilities the hotel and its surrounds has to offer.

I would say this package is a must-sell to honeymooners or those celebrating special occasions - anniversaries and birthdays etc. Failing that, Dubai residents seeking a 'getaway from it all' experience should also be targeted, not to mention couples living in the region that fancy an indulgent weekend break in Dubai.