We have just stayed at Rixos the Palm Dubai for May Half Term as a family of two adults and three kids ages 12,11, and 11. So what did we think?

Rixos The Palm Reviews

In summary we had a total blast at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites. We absolutely loved it. We loved it for many reasons but mainly because the staff were exceptional. Without exception each and every member of staff we spoke to were beyond helpful, from organising taxis, making drinks and cocktails, serving dinner, cooking fab grilled steaks, cleaning our rooms, organising an early checkout with breakfast and hot coffee – they were all amazing. So thank you Rixos.

So what else can we tell you about it…

Where is Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites?

Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites is located right at the end of the Palm, past Atlantis. Depending on traffic this can take approximately 30 minutes to get off the Palm. There used to be a water taxi that crossed back to Dubai but unfortunately this doesn’t run anymore. The location is quiet, right on the beach, safe and has fabulous views back to Dubai.

Room options at Rixos The Palm Dubai

2 bedroom suite at Rixos the Palm – Rixos The Palm Reviews

As a family of 5 we stayed in a two bedroomed suite which was incredible. Huge master bedroom with dressing area and large bathroom (including a shower and a bath) and double doors onto a balcony. Twin room with space for the third put up (and also access to the balcony), and a very large lounge with a huge dining table (which was utilised as an office space from time to time). There was also a third bathroom (my eldest daughter’s make up room) and an area for suitcase storage too – which to be honest was as big as some bedrooms I’ve seen at other hotels before!

Room Options

There are 5 different room options for 2 people, Deluxe, Deluxe with Sea View, Premium., Premium with Sea View and Wellness with its own plunge pool as well as swimming pool access.

Suite Options

There are also 10 different suite options for every budget, including a four bedroomed penthouse suite and five bedroomed suites with private pool. Something for everyone.

Booking.com

What is the Ultra-All-Inclusive Experience at Rixos the Palm Dubai

The Ultra-All-Inclusive experience at Rixos The Palm Dubai provides limitless dining at 11 food and beverage outlets, with its dine-around concept. There is all-day dining at buffet restaurants, A La Turca and Turquoise, plus a choice of a la carte dining at Italian restaurant, L’Olivo Ristorante, Toro Loco Steakhouse, and seafood spot, Aqua & More, plus a fresh fruit stall, Patisserie Istanbul, an ice cream stand and more.

There is also a fully upgraded premium beverage program that offers over 100 international brands, there was literally nothing that I could think of to order that I couldn’t get, and believe me the kids tried too.

How do you book the A La Carte restaurants at Rixos the Palm?

During your stay you will have access to 3 guaranteed a la carte bookings. You can book these on arrival but if you want to ensure times and your specific choices then do email Dine.dubai@rixos.com who will make these reservations for you beforehand.

I would recommend you check what night the themed nights are at the buffet restaurant A La Turca restaurant. When we were there it was Monday – Asian; Wednesday – Seafood and Friday – Steak.

What are the restaurants like at Rixos the Palm? – Rixos The Palm Reviews

We tried all five of the restaurants at Rixos the Palm, Dubai.

Turquoise

Turquoise was smaller of the two buffet restaurants (A La Turca is the other) and in the same block as our two bedroomed suite. It was definitely our favourite. The room was quieter, more relaxed and because of the smaller numbers we felt like the service was better and more personalised. We generally ate here for breakfast and lunch and did have dinner there a couple of evenings too.

Our favourite thing in Turquoise was the freshly grilled meats and fish cooked by the chef in front of you. My daughter loved being able to order (and eat) two fillet steaks for lunch!

Breakfast at Turquoise restaurant at Rixos the Palm Dubai

A La Turca

Larger, busier and a bit noisier than the Turquoise buffet restaurant, but with more choice. It’s also the restaurant that hosts the three themed nights over the week. When we were there it was Monday – Asian; Wednesday – Seafood and Friday – Steak.

L’Olivo Ristorante

Lovely service in the Italian restaurant and an opportunity for the kids to have pizza. We asked for garlic bread and even though it wasn’t on the menu, they ordered some to be made for us and it arrived within minutes. We really enjoyed the service and the food in here and whilst its the biggest a-la-carte restaurant I thought the atmosphere was lovely.

Aqua & More

Seafood restaurant by night, snack bar/salad bar by day. Lovely small restaurant right by the beach. I imagine in slightly less hot weather its lovely to sit and eat outside during the day, but for us inside was the only option. By day great chicken caeser salads, burgers, hot dogs etc, by night we enjoyed fish and prawn dishes with a brilliant mezze starter. Adults loved more than the kids.

Toro Loco Steakhouse

Our last night was at Toro Loco Steakhouse and it was everyones favourite. Just off reception, small and wonderfully themed. We all loved our steaks and the spectacular that is the grilled pineapple for dessert is a total treat. Order it and you shall see!

Swimming Pools at Rixos the Palm

There are 3 main swimming pools; an adult only swimming pool for lanes swimming; the main pool where you’ll find a swim up bar, cabanas to reserve, the snack bar, ice creams and fruit stall, and then our favourite, the pool next to which the bar doesn’t serve alcohol.

Now if you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I do like a glass of wine so why did we like the pool where no alcohol was served. The simple answer was that it was a lot quieter. It was easier to get a sunbed, there was more room in the pool and it wasn’t as loud. If you think that sounds boring then the other pool is for you. I really liked the fact that you had an option as to which one to choose.

Swimming pool towels were grabbed from a stand every morning and when you’d finished someone cleared them away. I also really liked that if there was just towels on a bed they were cleared away meaning people couldn’t abandon for hours and come back.

Beach at Rixos the Palm Dubai Hotel & Suite

The hotel sits right on the beach and there were always plenty of sunbeds to choose from. As with the swimming pool the staff continually came round to ask if you wanted drinks and I really loved the idea of giving you cool boxes stacked with water as soon as you sat down.

The beach also had swings and hammocks which were a real hit with the girls.

What age children does Rixos the Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites suit the best?

Rixos The Palm Reviews

At 11 and 12 our children now deem themselves too old for a kids club with an upper age limit of 12, and whilst they would embrace a teens club, and one that might focus on a cool place to hang out with other kids, they are over the kind of organised activities run by a what looks like at utterly brilliant kids club.

The kids club is fully covered, has its own water slides and stacks of air conditioned activity leaving you free to relax or take part in your own activities.

Examples of kids club activities here:

NB: Activities do change.

I’ve also seen some criticism of the hotel around there not being many places for families with older children to hang out in the evening.

With children our age, a late dinner and a couple of drinks with us in the bar later suited us perfectly, but where to hang out in the evening is something for those with older children to consider.

Onsite activities at Rixos the Palm Dubai

There are 4 bars and pubs, a spa, stacks of aerobic classes and live music too. If being kept busy is your thing there is something for you at Rixos. There is also some free paddle boarding you can do, other motorised water sports is payable.

What else to do when staying at Rixos the Palm Dubai

To be honest you could choose simply to stay on site and soak up all the activities provided, however if you do want to venture out there is soo much you can do. Here are Sarah’s 6 things to do in Dubai with kids.

Free passes to Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis with Rixos

One of the best things we did was a trip to Atlantis Waterpark, so good that we went back on our last day. What was even more amazing was that we got free passes from the hotel reception which was amazing as it would have cost £70 each, children over 8 being charged as adults.

It wasn’t too crazy busy when we travelled so we didn’t pay for extra beat the queue upgrades but we did find that heading to the slides. at the back of the park straight away meant we got loads of rides quickly before other people made there way there.

Fountains outside the Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa

The Dubai fountains are free to watch and run ever half an hour and are a not to be missed activity. There are several ways to see the fountains, you can stand by the lake and watch for a close up view. It can get busy but the atmosphere is great. Or book a meal at a restaurant with a fountain view surrounding the lake and enjoy dinner whilst watching the fountains.

Visit the Emirates Mall and the Dubai Mall

Both shopping centres are extraordinary with so much choice. We spent hours wandering around.

Is there a free shuttle bus from Rixos the Palm to Dubai Mall?

No there is not a free shuttle bus from Rixos the Palm to Dubai Mall but there is a free shuttle bus to Emirates Mall and from the Emirates Mall you can get the metro to Dubai Mall.

Costs

An Ultra-All-Inclusive stays a Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites start from USD 419/AED1,500 per night based on two people staying in a Deluxe Room and includes unlimited dining, a choice of 177 premium brand beverages, daily mini and maxi bar services, access to daily entertainment, kids activities and non-motorised watersports, and use of the wellness facilities at Anjana Spa.

For more details or to book an Ultra-All-Inclusive stay at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, please visit thepalmdubai.rixos.com or email reservation.dubai@rixos.com.

Where: East Crescent Plog40 Palm – Jumeirah – Dubai
Phone: 04 457 5555