“A tailored experience specifically for women travelling alone, with a focus on comfort, service, style and quality.” DUKES Dubai
Fancy some traditional British hospitality right here in the UAE? Newly opened Dukes Dubai offers guests classic elegance with a slice of quintessential hospitality on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. While the emphasis maybe on tradition there is nothing formal or stuffy about this establishment, this large charming hotel features a collection of over 500 rooms, suites and long-term apartments with something extra special for the lady traveller.
Akin to it’s sister property in London, Dukes Dubai offers an upmarket experience that embraces the past but still provides guests with a first-rate modern day experience. The Duchess rooms on the fourth floor proffers solo lady travellers or those travelling as a women only group, a dedicated private floor where only female guests and members of staff are permitted.
Each of the twenty sumptuous Duchess rooms are furnished with a range of beautiful Liberty art fabrics from the famous Liberty of London store. The renowned distinctive and ornate patterned fabrics are a combination of vibrant colours, rich velvets and pretty florals. Various designs adorn the cushions and throws in perfect contrast to the crisp white bed linen in the comfortable rooms and suites. Large well equipped bathrooms, many with sea and skyline views, are stocked with toiletries from independent British family perfumer Floris, the brand made famous for creating the scent worn by James Bond.
Female staff are on hand to attend to any Duchess room service and housekeeping requests, guests can also enjoy a private ladies only breakfast in the brightly coloured Champagne and Tea Lounge on the third floor. Also the venue for the hotel’s traditional afternoon tea, The Lounge is open every afternoon from noon. A delightful menu of finger sandwiches, hot beverages and bubbles, miniature cakes and scones with jam, cream and a very moorish lemon curd is on offer, totally worth a visit if you are a fan of high tea. The food is delicious and plentiful complimented by an extensive selection of teas and everything is served on bespoke personalised William Edwards china inlaid with delicate pastel floral patterns.
Other dining options include the Great British Restaurant (GBR) with it’s menu of British classics. This is not your standard all-day dining venue but a classy monochrome affair that serves everything from a tasty full English breakfast to seasonally inspired dishes and favourites like pea soup, cauliflower cheese, fish and chips and a rather indulgent walnut whip available for lunch and dinner.
Fancy a Martini? Dukes Bar, acclaimed in London as a favourite of 007 creator Ian Fleming has been reinvented above GBR. Gentlemen can indulge in an after dinner tipple and cigar in the Cigar & Whisky Lounge on the third floor where ladies are welcomed too. Steak lovers can feast at the Beachfront American style steakhouse and bar, West 14th and for those who enjoy Indian cuisine the spacious Khyber restaurant is due to open on the fifteenth floor.
An abundance of good old fashioned British charm and attention to detail is reflected throughout, from the magnificent Swarovski chandelier in the lobby to the framed photographs of London scenes on the bedroom walls. Extra touches include welcome notes held by cute ceramic dachshunds, you can even spot more of these canine statues living on shelves below austere vintage paintings in the reception area.
Outside the large pool is located adjacent to a strip of private beach with a popular lazy river ride, once fully operational later this summer additional amenities will include an indoor pool, a spa and the recently opened Toni and Guy Hair Salon. Guests will even be able to hitch a ride around Dubai in one of two London black cabs.
Dukes Dubai offers an all round refined experience from arrival to departure, the hotel is tasteful in every way with courteous and helpful staff. Visitors to Dubai have a new stylish option to consider and residents can enjoy a staycation with just the right amount of British luxury to satisfy even the most discerning guests.
The Nitty Gritty
Location: Oceana, Palm Jumeirah, PO Box 120015. Dubai
Telephone: 04 455 11 11
E-mail: info.dubai@dukeshotel.com
Website: www.dukesdubai.com
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 12 noon
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The Good……..
Ladies only floor
Large Pool with lazy river
Free Wi-Fi
GBR restaurant with great British menu
Warm and friendly staff
The Not so Good…..
Pool and beach shared with Oceana residents
I was invited to review Dukes Dubai for Ohlala Magazine Abu Dhabi. All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2017. All rights reserved. First and last photos used with courtesy of www.dukesdubai.com
An edited version of this article first appeared in Ohlala Magazine Abu Dhabi – July & August 2017
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