ACCOR has unveiled its most luxurious hotel in the region – The Palace, The Old Town, which is scheduled for opening in September, on The Old Town Island, Downtown Burj Dubai, the flagship development by Emaar Properties.
The Palace is managed by Sofitel Luxury Hotels and forms an integral component of Emaar’s mega project. The luxury hotel offers direct views of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, and is surrounded by the Burj Dubai Lake.
“As a result of significant market research and new internal strategies, Accor group has positioned Sofitel as a luxury brand of hotels worldwide,” says Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East. “The Palace opening comes at an opportune time for our regional development plans and will certainly be the benchmark for the Sofitel Luxury Hotels brand in the Middle East.”
Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, general manager of The Palace – The Old Town, added: “We are pleased to open at a time when much attention is being focused on the Downtown Burj Dubai development and the emirate in general.
“As a unique luxury hotel within Downtown Burj Dubai, The Palace combines the charms of an Arabian palace with the intimacies of home. The hotel will appeal to leisure and business visitors alike and it is our utmost priority to ensure that the needs and comforts of all our guests are met. “
The landmark hotel carries 242 beautifully appointed deluxe rooms, including 81 suites all with balconies overlooking the lake or The Old Town Island. The rooms bear an authentic design scheme that uses pleasing colours, motifs and silks to bring forth a distinct Arabian flavour.
To ensure the highest levels of comfort, the beds have been harmonised by Sofitel’s exclusive MyBed concept. Each floor is fitted with a guest relations station and a personal butler has been assigned to every room to ensure maximum luxury and privacy.
The Palace’s perfectly proportioned architecture, with meandering walkways, courtyards, high vaulted ceilings and terraces lends itself to the enchanting ‘1001 Nights’ tales. Rich colours, regional textures, iconic arches and terraces have been blended to form a palatial archetype that befits royalty and stays true to the hotel’s Arabian heritage.
Three outstanding fine dining options feature at The Palace, each boasting an unmatched cuisine and setting. The Argentine Grill, Asado adopts a cavern-like interior style and hinges on the open grill concept, where premium meat cuts are cooked at the centre of the restaurant. Ewaan is located in the main lobby and is an all-day-dining lounge that serves Mediterranean food.
In October, The Palace’s flagship restaurant, Thiptara will open right out on the lake. Open exclusively for dinner only, guests can sample the restaurant’s fine Royal Thai cuisine while enjoying striking views of the Burj Dubai and lake.
The same month will see The Palace achieve another first for Sofitel with the opening of the first LeSpa by Sofitel in the Middle East. The 1,000sqm spa accommodates separate facilities for men and women and will offer guests of the hotel traditional Hammams, Monsoon showers, massages under a Vichy shower, spa rooms, a gymnasium and Carita beauty salon and barber shop.
Sofitel Luxury Hotels is expanding its presence in Dubai and the region with nine upscale hotel openings planned for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Syria and Pakistan.