Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort Review
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax”
Dubai is one of those places I always come back to when I'm looking for guaranteed sunshine, luxury hotels, and a trip that feels like a proper escape. When I was invited to a wedding in India, I knew I wasn't looking forward to the long flight from Amsterdam, so instead of flying there in one go, we decided to spend a few days in Dubai on both the way there and the way back.
On our way to India, we stayed at Address Sky View in Downtown Dubai so we could explore the city and enjoy the unmatched Burj Khalifa views. On the way back, however, we were looking for something completely different. After a busy couple of weeks, a beachfront resort where we could simply relax before flying home sounded exactly like what we needed.
We'd stayed at several Anantara properties before, including Qasr Al Sarab in the UAE, Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman, Niyama Private Island in the Maldives, and Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas, so we already knew the level of service we could expect. Still, every Anantara resort has its own personality.
While looking for a resort in Dubai, I kept coming back to Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Between the overwater villas, the lagoon-style pools, and the Thai-inspired architecture, it seemed like exactly the kind of place we were looking for.
So, did it live up to our expectations?
In this review, I'll share what our stay was really like, from the rooms and restaurants to the pools, beach, and a few things I'd keep in mind before booking.
The Location
Getting to Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort from Dubai International Airport is fairly straightforward, with the drive taking around 40 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis are easy to find in Dubai, and during our stay, there were always plenty waiting outside the hotel as well. Located on Palm Jumeirah, the resort feels a bit more removed from the busy city side of Dubai, which honestly adds to the relaxing atmosphere. At the same time, you’re still close enough to major attractions, with Atlantis The Palm only about a 10-minute drive away.
One thing to keep in mind is that staying on Palm Jumeirah does mean getting into Downtown Dubai or other parts of the city can take a little longer, especially during busy traffic hours. But if you’re planning a more resort-focused stay with the occasional city outing, the location works really well.
The resort itself is also quite large, so depending on where your room is located, getting around can involve a bit of walking. Buggies are available throughout the property and are especially helpful when arriving or leaving with luggage. However, because the resort gets busy, the waiting times can sometimes be longer than expected.
During our stay, we ended up walking a few times, which normally wasn’t a problem, but on checkout day, we waited around 30 minutes for a buggy that never arrived, and eventually had to drag our luggage through the heat ourselves. When we mentioned it at reception, the explanation was simply that checkout time tends to be very busy, which is fair, but definitely something worth keeping in mind if you’re traveling with multiple suitcases or visiting during the hotter months.
The Rooms
I'll be honest: before arriving, I was convinced I'd end up wishing we'd booked one of the resort's famous overwater villas. Instead, I left thinking we'd actually chosen the perfect room.
We stayed in a Premier Deluxe Lagoon Access Room, and being able to walk straight from our terrace into the lagoon pool ended up being one of my favorite parts of our stay. It made the resort feel much more relaxed, as we could hop in for a swim whenever we wanted without having to head to one of the main pools.
The room itself was spacious, spotless, and decorated in Anantara's signature style, with warm wood tones and elegant touches that felt luxurious without being over the top. There was plenty of space to unpack, a comfortable bed, and a nice bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate rain shower. Overall, it had everything we needed for a relaxing few days.
The only small downside was that our terrace stayed in the shade for most of the day, so we didn't get much use out of the sun loungers. That said, it was still incredibly warm outside—especially in the afternoons—so it wasn't a huge issue. From what we could see, rooms on the opposite side of the lagoon seemed to get sunshine for much longer, so if spending time on your private terrace is important to you, it might be worth requesting a sunnier location.
Of course, the overwater villas are the resort's most iconic accommodation and one of the main reasons people book Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. They sit over the Arabian Gulf rather than the lagoon pools, so while the sea views are beautiful, you don't get the same experience of stepping straight from your terrace into the water. If staying in an overwater villa has always been on your bucket list, they're still an amazing choice. But if you asked me which room I'd book again, I'd choose the lagoon access room without hesitation. Having direct access to the pool throughout the day ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire resort.
Since we were celebrating my partner's birthday, I decided to surprise him with one of the resort's birthday setups. When we walked into the room, the bed had been decorated with balloons and flower petals, there were towel swans waiting for us, and a birthday cake had been left in the room. It was a really nice touch and made the celebration feel a little more special. Just keep in mind that these packages aren't exactly cheap — I paid around 600 AED for ours.
The Restaurant
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has a nice variety of restaurants, offering different dining experiences across the property. There are several dining options, including an Australian restaurant, a Thai-inspired eatery, and a Mediterranean spot. The resort also offers packages that include two meals a day, which is a great deal if you're planning to stay within the resort for most of your meals.
The breakfast buffet deserves a special mention, it’s honestly one of the best I’ve experienced at any hotel. There’s just so much to choose from! The options are pretty standard, but it’s the massive variety that makes it stand out. When it comes to the other restaurants, though, I have to say they were just okay… not bad, but not anything special. We went to the Australian restaurant once, and while the meal and service was fine, it was on the expensive side, and nothing about the experience really stood out.
Personally, if you prefer staying in the hotel (and I’m usually one to try everything around), I think getting the buffet option included in your package is a solid choice. Especially if you're traveling with a group or family and want to avoid overspending on meals. It's a great value for the variety and quality you get!
Small Note: something I wasn’t aware of before my first trip to Dubai is that they aren’t allowed to serve alcohol before 12:00 PM. So, if you’re dreaming of a mimosa or champagne with breakfast, you’ll need to wait until after noon. It’s not a big deal, but it's good to keep in mind to avoid any surprises.
Also, if you’re celebrating something special, you can treat yourself to “Dining by Design”, a private dining experience Anantara offers across all its hotels. For our dinner, they set up a table right on the beach - it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for something extra special during your stay!
The Amenities
We never really had to think about whether we wanted to spend the day at the beach or by the pool because the resort has both. Some days we'd grab a lounger by one of the lagoon pools, while on others we'd head to the private beach instead. There's also a larger infinity pool with a swim-up bar, so even on busier days it never felt like everyone was in the same place.
If relaxing by the water isn't enough for you, there are plenty of activities to choose from as well. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards, go diving, or book one of the other watersports available at the resort. We mostly came here to unwind, but I liked that there were enough options to keep you busy if you wanted a break from the sun.
And then there's the spa, which is exactly where I'd head if Dubai became a little too hot for an afternoon by the pool. Between the beach, the different pools, the wellness facilities, and the activities, I don't think you'd have any trouble spending a few days here without feeling like you need to leave the resort.
If this is your kind of vacation, you might also like my collection of favorite luxury hotels for every occasion. I've grouped the hotels I've personally stayed at by the type of getaway they're best suited for, making it easy to find similar resorts for your next vacation.
The Verdict
I really enjoyed my time at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. We stayed for 3 nights (4 days), and I have to say, for me, that was enough. This place is perfect for a family holiday where you can relax while the kids have fun. If I’m being honest, I’d classify it as more luxurious than your regular all-inclusive — it has all the amenities to keep everyone entertained and relaxed.
My only point of critique would be that I felt there wasn’t enough staff when it came to services like the buggies and room service. The wait times for check-in, check-out, and getting around the resort did get a bit long, but I think that’s just due to how busy the resort can get. Overall, if you're looking for a great family-friendly spot or just a place to relax for a few days while sipping cocktails, it’s definitely worth the stay.
Let’s quickly summarize my experience:
What I loved & what to know
What it does well:
Great for families
Relaxing resort rather than flashy
Beautiful beach and pool areas
Breakfast options like no other
Things to keep in mind
There are a lot of families with children
Food, drinks, and extras can add up quickly
The atmosphere feels more like an “all-inclusive” resort than a quiet luxury-style escape
More family-friendly than a romantic getaway
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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