What’s better on a lazy summer day than to step into a cool pool of water straight out of bed? If you’ve visited Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa you’d know what I’m talking about.
Recently a friend and I experienced a relaxed day at one of the 260 lagoon view and access rooms at the luxurious resort on the Palm Jumeirah. The oriental architecture combined with ultra-modern interiors carried a festive mood then and strangely we felt relaxed, yet excited at the same time. Another friend had posted pictures of the lagoon — complete with a shopping boat that rows in between the rooms selling snacks and beverages — from one of the top rooms during her stay and the place had looked extremely exotic.
After being welcomed and photographed, we sat in a Thai tuk tuk to be taken to our Premium Lagoon Access room — a mere 100 feet away, but we wanted the experience. Soon we were out on to the deck, the blue waters of the lagoon shimmering in the afternoon sun, beckoning us. There are three such lagoons in the resort, spread like a giant swimming pool among the rooms where guests can take a dip or swim without bothering a hot walk to the main pool or the lagoon beach.
But it was time for a spa treatment and mine was planned in-room. The hour-long treat was enough to banish the weeks-long woes and I snoozed as able hands wore away the stress. The hotel also boasts a luxurious spa (which has indulgent summer offers until September 30).
Relaxed, we spent the rest of the evening on the deck before the lights came up highlighting the pagoda roofs.
Hungry after the fun afternoon we headed to Mekong, the Asian cuisine restaurant. What had attracted us to the restaurant were the rickshaws. The resort has gone all out to create a Thai wonderland in Dubai with quaint rickshaws, waterways, parasols, giant tiger paintings and bird cages hanging from the roof at the restaurant. Sadly we hadn’t reserved earlier and had to suffice with a regular table, which had a hand-carved wooden top.
Sated after a tasty Thai meal, we returned to our favourite spot: the deck by the lagoon, watching the shimmering waters by moonlight.
The resort is presently running a summer stay longer special starting from Dh1,155 per night. Visit dubai-palm.anantara.com or call 04-5678888 for more information.
