Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort Review
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax”
Dubai is one of those places you can always turn to when you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine, luxury hotels, and a stay that feels like a proper escape. And when it comes to beach resorts in the city, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort is probably one of the most recognizable options on Palm Jumeirah.
Known for its overwater villas, lagoon-style pools, and Thai-inspired design, the resort feels surprisingly tucked away from the busy side of Dubai while still giving you easy access to the city’s main attractions. It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a relaxing getaway, a couples trip, or even a longer stay where you want a mix of beach time and city exploring.
But after seeing this hotel all over social media for years, I was mainly curious whether it actually lives up to the photos, and whether it’s worth booking over some of Dubai’s other luxury resorts. So in this review, I’m sharing what the experience was really like, including the rooms, pools, beach, food, atmosphere, and a few things to keep in mind before booking.
Oh, and one more thing before we start… if you’d rather stay in the middle of the city with direct Burj Khalifa views, Address Sky View might be a better fit. Or, if you want something completely different, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Resort offers a much more remote desert resort experience far away from Dubai’s skyline.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying at Anantara the Palm is worth it while we cover all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the location:
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
There are quite a few room options to choose from depending on your budget, who you’re traveling with, and whether you want direct beach or pool access. We decided to book a Premier Deluxe Lagoon Access Room because being able to walk straight from our terrace into the pool just sounded way too fun not to — and honestly, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the stay.
During my stay at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, I stayed in a Premier Deluxe Lagoon Access Room, and overall, I really liked it. The rooms are spacious, clean, and decorated in that familiar Anantara style that feels elegant but still comfortable. But the biggest highlight is definitely the direct lagoon access. Being able to step straight into the water from your terrace makes the experience feel much more special compared to a standard hotel pool setup.
The only small downside for us was that our room stayed in the shade for most of the day, so we didn’t get much use out of the tanning beds on our terrace. That said, it was still incredibly warm outside, especially in the afternoons, so it wasn’t a huge issue. Rooms on the opposite side seemed to get sun pretty much all day, so this really depends on where your room is located.
The resort also has a few overwater villas, which are probably the most iconic rooms on the property. They sit above the ocean rather than the lagoon pools, so you can’t jump straight into the water from your terrace like you can with the lagoon access rooms. The views are beautiful, though, and if staying in an overwater villa has always been on your bucket list, they’d still be a really cool option. Personally, I’d still go for the lagoon access room again.
Another nice touch is that you can book special occasion setups, including a “birthday surprise” where they decorate the bed before arrival. Just keep in mind that these extras are pretty expensive — the setup was around 600 AED during our stay.
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
There’s really something for everyone at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Of course, the pools and beach are the main attractions, but there’s so much more to keep you busy. If you're into water activities, you can try your hand at diving or enjoy a variety of other water sports.
For a more relaxing vibe, the spa and wellness offers everything from soothing massages to beauty treatments. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, trust me, you won’t get bored here—there’s plenty to keep you entertained throughout your stay.
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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