Travel: Dubai's Rixos resort offers the height of hospitality

Jumeirah Beach is the place to be to soak up Dubai’s drama.

With many claims to fame (the world’s tallest building and biggest shopping mall, to name just a few) Dubai was voted the best travel destination in the world for 2024, according to TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024.

After being on the rise (literally, just look up at those skyscrapers) for the past 40 years – the city has firmly established its reputation for glitz and glamour, but also for its blend of culture, history, luxury hotels, shopping and forward-thinking entertainment. With this in mind, it was time to put the emirate to the test and find a new reason to fall in love with Dubai.

There is an overwhelming amount of hotels and luxury apartments to choose from when it comes to a holiday to Dubai, it can be challenging to know where to start when booking your trip. And believe me, hotel does matter when it comes to this desert destination. There was one hotel brand in particular that stood out during the search – Rixos.

Having been awarded a variety of gongs, such as the Leaders in Hospitality Award, Rixos felt like the place to be. And better yet? The different Rixos venues made the holiday more than just a destination – it offered two unique experiences.

Rixos

Starting the holiday by checking into Rixos Premium, which features breath-taking floor-to-ceiling window views of the Arabian Gulf – and yes, you will gasp when you see them. The hotel is a stylish urban hotspot in the heart of Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence (aka JBR); otherwise known as the place to be if you’re keen to be among the drama of Dubai: think beach days, restaurants and bars aplenty.

The hotel boasts more than 400 stylish rooms, a private beach and nine award-winning dining outlets. And with such a central location, it’s understandable why many choose to rest their heads in the hustle and bustle of the JBR area.

After a day of soaking up the sunshine and exploring the hotel (which you could easily set aside a full day to do and still have more to discover), it was time to make the most of an evening in the city. Conveniently under the same roof, we enjoyed an evening at STK JBR for their famous Ladies Night experience.

It was definitely an upmarket, chic, high-energy venue that served up delicious bites and beverages – worth a reservation if top-rated steak is your thing.

Checking out of Rixos Premium was a tough pill to swallow. It was hard to say goodbye to the gleaming, ultra-modern approach the hotel takes to hospitality but knowing something extra special was waiting just a 20-minute drive away made this a lot easier.

We travelled by car to the next hotel, Rixos The Palm Hotels & Suites. If you’re unfamiliar with Dubai, The Palm was built in the early-21st Century and is renowned for its upscale existence and luxury living – it’s, for me, the area that puts Dubai to the top of the destination list. In such a prestigious location and hotel destination (not to mention pricy) in general, it was hard to believe there was a hotel offering an Ultra All-Inclusive package.

Resort-inspired

Dubai is exciting when it comes to hospitality, the buzz of travelling to a new restaurant on the other side of the city each night is for some, but not everyone – so a hotel, with an almost resort inspired feel and everything just a stone’s throw away, is unique. And perfect for families, too.

It was hard to decide where to start: the swim up bar enjoying bespoke cocktails and sunshine? The gym? The stunning stretch of beach that overlooks Dubai’s famous skyline? The opportunities were endless; luckily it didn’t all need to be conquered in just a day. I soon realised I would not need to leave this venue until it was time to go home, but still felt a sense of freedom, which is important when it comes to the all-inclusive concept.

It was big enough to feel as if you were enjoying Dubai as a destination and soaking up some culture with the shops dotted around the hotel – but at the same time weren’t exhausted by the thought of travelling here, there and everywhere.

Stunning view from the observation deck of The Palm Tower.

As the perfect spot for adults and families alike, it would be tricky to make a call on the best part of Rixos The Palm; the culinary experience, the impeccable service, the opulent room or the ability to feel utter relaxation and excitement at the same time.

Whether it’s your first time travelling to Dubai or you’ve previously frequented the emirate, it’s safe to say you will always be astounded by what it has to offer. The temptation to try something new each time you visit remains.

So, whether that is a hot air balloon ride, a desert safari, an evening at the mall or a stay at one of the best all-inclusive hotels in the world to soak up some well earned R&R – this is your sign to book a flight to Dubai.

But beware, the blues will hit you when you arrive home.

P.S. Rixos The Palm is a luxury multi-concept resort located on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeriah. Not only does it offer guests a choice of more than 11 restaurants and bars but it is the first of its kind in Dubai to offer an ultra all-inclusive package – contrary to the classic bed and breakfast widely offered across the destination. With a mesmerising culinary offering available including a steakhouse, an Italian, a buffet-style concept and many more – you’ll be spoilt for choice.