Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites Dubai: From Quiet Gardens to Loud Fun
©Sigurd Magnor Killerud
In the high-stakes theater of Dubai’s hospitality scene, where every lobby competes to be the goldest or the tallest, Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites has quietly staged a revolution of a different sort. It is not just a resort; it is a sprawling, sun-drenched manifesto on the power of all-inclusive liberty.
While other five-star destinations provide a stay, Rixos provides a sanctuary where the traditional boundaries of a holiday—the schedules, the checks, the constant debates over where to eat—simply dissolve into the Arabian Gulf.
Situated on the very tip of the Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent, the property occupies a privileged geographical vantage point. To the left, the futuristic silhouette of the Dubai Marina skyline shimmers like a mirage; to the right, the endless, tranquil blue of the open sea. This balance between the energy of the city and the peace of a sanctuary reflects the resort’s core philosophy: a place that adapts to your mood, your pace, and your personal sense of time.
A Living Map of Vibes
The brilliance of Rixos lies in its atmospheric zoning. The resort is designed like a living organism that breathes differently in every corner. It does not ask you to adapt to its schedule; it offers a dozen different states of being simultaneously.
For the restless soul, there is the Jungle Gym. This is a far cry from the sanitized, fluorescent-lit hotel gyms of the past. It is a tactile, outdoor arena of wood, hemp, and salt air—a place where you can lift weights or master a pull-up while watching the tide come in. It is fitness as a form of play, a theme that carries over into a relentless calendar of masterclasses, from high-energy cardio to the mindful flow of beach yoga.
©Sigurd Magnor Killerud
But walk a few hundred yards toward the water, and the energy shifts. You will encounter the legendary poolside fruit bar, a Rixos hallmark that feels like a visceral gift to the senses. Here, the clinking of ice is replaced by the rhythmic thwack of knives against rind as chefs carve towering displays of chilled dragon fruit, passion fruit, and watermelon. It is a small, luxurious theater of refreshment that serves as the perfect punctuation to a morning spent relaxing.
Suites and Sanctuaries
Rixos understands that luxury is personal, and nowhere is this more evident than in the configuration of its 316 rooms and suites. The resort rejects the cookie-cutter approach, offering a menu of living experiences:
The Wellness Suites: Designed for those who view the water as a necessity rather than a view, these rooms offer direct access to the pool, allowing for a seamless transition from sleep to a morning dip.
The Family Penthouses: Sprawling architectural feats that provide the rare luxury of secluded togetherness, with enough space for every generation to find their own corner.
The Secluded Garden Rooms: For the guest who wants to be on the Palm but feels as though they are in a private Mediterranean estate, surrounded by lush greenery that dampens the sounds of the world.
©Sigurd Magnor Killerud
A Masterclass in Family Dynamics
While many resorts treat children as guests to be managed, Rixos treats them as a sovereign nation. The Rixy Kids Club is perhaps the most sophisticated family facility in the region. It is not just a room with some crayons; it is a dedicated ecosystem featuring a private pool, a specialized children’s amphitheater for magic shows and talent quests, and the Rixinema, where the latest animations are screened in a theater designed specifically for smaller frames.
By creating a world where children are genuinely engaged—whether through archaeological beach digs or building masterpieces at Brickland—Rixos grants parents the ultimate luxury: the guilt-free escape. While the kids are at the Rixy Disco, parents are free to rediscover themselves in the hushed, marble halls of the Anjana Spa.
An Ottoman Legacy in a Modern World
The Anjana Spa is where the brand’s Turkish heritage takes center stage. This award-winning sanctuary is a temple to the Ottoman Empire’s bathing rituals. To enter the Turkish Hammam here is to step out of Dubai’s fast-paced timeline and into a centuries-old tradition of steam, exfoliation, and deep, resonant silence. The spa—reserved for those 16 and older—acts as the resort’s quiet pulse, offering a sauna, steam bath, and a hydrotherapy pool that serves as the perfect reset button for the nervous system.
Gastronomy Without Borders
The all-inclusive nature of the resort reaches its crescendo in the dining rooms. This is not about mass-produced buffets; it is about a curated culinary journey.
Bodrum stands out as the emotional heart of the evening. Specializing in Mediterranean seafood, it blends the freshness of the catch with the warmth of live musical performances. There is a specific, unrepeatable magic to sitting here as the sun dips below the horizon, the music swelling just as the first course arrives. Toro Loco satisfies the primal urge for a world-class steakhouse experience, while L’Olivo captures the refined, romantic essence of an Italian trattoria. Even the Istanbul Patisserie in the lobby offers a moment of pause, serving traditional Turkish sweets and expertly brewed coffee that anchors the resort in its cultural roots.
The After-Sun Alchemy: Gin Rituals and Night Vibe
©Sigurd Magnor Killerud
As the sun dips below the horizon, Rixos The Palm transforms from a sprawling beach playground into a sophisticated circuit of nocturnal escapes. The transition from salt-skin to evening elegance is anchored by a curated beverage program that elevates the standard all-inclusive experience into something far more artisanal. The evenings standout gem is undoubtedly its trio of house-infused gins, meticulously crafted to mirror the colors of the Dubai sunset. Guests can choose between the playful, nostalgic notes of the Lollipop infusion, the tart and floral depth of the Hibiscus, or the mesmerizing, botanical mystery of the Blue Tea variant.
The venues provide the perfect ambiance for the hours after sunset, allowing you to migrate from the poolside heat to a series of atmospheric settings. Whether you are seeking a quiet, starlit corner for a meditative drink or a vibrant social hub to toast the evening, the resort ensures the night feels as expansive and liberated as the day.
The Unscripted Rhythm
The ritual of a day at Rixos is less of a schedule and more of a temptation to follow your own internal compass. You might choose to begin at first light with aerial yoga, finding your balance suspended in the air as the cool morning mist rises off the Gulf. This meditative start flows into a leisurely alfresco breakfast at A La Turca, where the air is still fresh and the coffee is hot. After a restorative morning massage, the day gravitates naturally toward the water. Here, the luxury lies in the effortless pacing: a platter of chilled, freshly carved fruit delivered to your lounger and a dip into the pool the moment the sun calls for a refresh.
As the afternoon mellows, you might find yourself drawn back to the Anjana Spa for a second sanctuary of steam and stillness, or perhaps you’ll retreat to the cool quiet of your suite to simply watch the tide change. The evening emergence is a more glamorous transition, beginning with the sophisticated Italian flavors of L’Olivo Ristorante.
©Sigurd Magnor Killerud
As the stars take over, the night finds its heartbeat at the Nargile Lounge. In this picture-perfect setting, you can settle in with exotic shisha, organic teas, and signature beverages—a final, fragrant chapter to a day lived entirely on your own terms.
Reclaiming Your Time
Rixos The Palm is about the removal of friction. It is the luxury of leaving your worries at the gate. It is the freedom to spend four hours at a long lunch, to try a new water sport on a whim, or to spend the entire day hidden in a garden cabana. It is a place that does not just host your vacation—it gives you the keys to the island and invites you to write your own story.
All photos by Sigurd M. Killerud
- Our stay was hosted -
Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites Dubai
Plot 40 East Crescent - Palm Jumeirah
Dubai
United Arab Emirates