Leave the bustling city (and work emails) behind and escape to the tropical paradise that is Sofitel Dubai The Palm for a weekend you won’t soon forget. Once you arrive at the gigantic hotel, you’ll be led by a beaming member of staff to The Sofitel’s endless grounds which are home to six swimming pools and a 500-metre stretch of pristine beach.
As we hunted for loungers we were struck by the main lagoon-shaped pool and commented immediately on its hidden nooks due to their prime book-reading potential, as well as the gently sloping entrance that allowed for hippo-esque submersion rather than a full-blown dip. Once we arrived at our loungers and prepped our towels for our return – we were given freshly unwrapped towels to ensure our safety – we gleefully made our way over to the pool, book in hand. The main pool is perfect for families and singletons alike; its huge size meant playing children didn’t disturb those looking for a more peaceful day, while the shallower slopes made for a great spot to sit and chat.
We couldn’t resist exploring the resort’s grounds and are so glad we did; there are five other pools in the area including children’s pools complete with slides and smaller, quieter pools with cascading waterfalls perfect for an afternoon ‘gram. To give you an idea of Sofitel’s size, there are maps at every turn (and thank goodness for that, as we’re about as good at directions as a cotton ball).
After exploring the area, we placed our order via QR code at the Maui Beach Bar and enjoyed a crisp Caesar salad and neatly stacked club sandwiches at our loungers (because did you even daycation if you didn’t get club sandwiches?). We also enjoyed refreshing mocktails; the virgin passionfruit mojito is a front-runner for best-ever beachside beverage.
As the day sank into the sea we tried to soak up every last ray of sunshine to prolong our day at Sofitel’s luxe location. With lush gardens perfect for sunset strolls and swimming pools so large we could have perched atop a flamingo (inflatable, obvs) and still not bumped into anyone, all for the unbeatable price of Dhs100, Sofitel The Palm definitely sits firmly on our list of best daycations in the city.
- Pool and beach access is Dhs65 weekdays, Dhs100 on weekends. You receive 30 per cent discount on food and beverages. Private cabanas cost Dhs100 on weekdays, Dhs210 on weekends. To book your day pass, visit Sofitel Dubai The Palm’s website BOOK HERE.
Photos: Supplied
