One&Only The Palm

O&O properties have faded service-wise after Covid, which is disappointing given their reputation.

While One & Only used to be consistently excellent, I've noticed their service standards have slipped since the pandemic. Staff turnover has affected most luxury brands, but it's particularly noticeable at properties that built their reputation on personalized service. When people ask about the best Dubai hotels, I find myself hesitant to recommend O&O properties the way I used to.

I'm looking at One & Only The Palm as one of the best options in Dubai for the ultimate experience.

After researching Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Raffles The Palm, Four Seasons, Bulgari, and others, One & Only The Palm keeps coming up as a top contender. I need the best possible hotel for experience, food, service, rooms, and wellness during my two weeks in Dubai with my dad, and this property seems to deliver on all fronts consistently.

I was shocked they made my guests pay again for prepaid spa services that were supposed to be a gift.

While I was generally pleased with the services, there was a major system failure when I scheduled massage and facial treatments as a gift. Despite prepaying through their link, they charged my guests again at the spa. The poor communication and double-charging left me embarrassed, especially since I might never have found out if I hadn't followed up.

Amazing place for a quiet and luxurious stay — the service is top level without being overwhelming.

The rooms are beautiful, the beach is very clean and calm, and somehow they manage to provide exceptional service that feels natural rather than stuffy. It's perfect if you want to relax and enjoy Dubai in a more private atmosphere rather than the typical glitzy scene.

The spa's sauna is closed to men from 1-6 pm, which is incredibly inconvenient and unheard of.

While the property itself is lovely and the staff super responsive, I was planning all day to use the steam room only to discover at 1pm that it was closed to men until 6pm. This policy seems backward — why not just take appointments instead? Also, being at the very end of the Palm means long transfer times with unpredictable construction delays.

It exudes exclusivity and is often credited with being Dubai's most romantic resort.

The property has built a reputation as the emirate's premier romantic destination, with guests happily paying honeymoon-level prices for the exclusive atmosphere and intimate setting. The resort consistently delivers on its promise of sophisticated luxury away from Dubai's more commercial hotel scene.

One of the best hotels in Dubai — the pool is amazing and it's not crowded like other hotels.

The property strikes the perfect balance of luxury without the chaos you get at most Dubai resorts. The pool areas are genuinely peaceful and well-maintained, and you never feel like you're fighting crowds for space or service.

This is the definition of quiet luxury — tucked away at the very end of the Palm where you can truly exhale.

The location feels genuinely private and exclusive, the kind of resort where nothing is rushed and everything flows naturally. Our butler handled every request smoothly, the poolside service was excellent, and the spa matched the calm, polished feel perfectly. We left to spend time at Burj Al Arab and honestly wish we hadn't — One&Only set such a high bar for privacy and heartfelt service that it was impossible to top.

We had a perfect 4-night stay — the service, food, spa, and pool were all 10 out of 10.

My host Brendan was incredibly attentive, arranging everything from spa bookings to restaurant recommendations without any hassle. The room was spacious and modern with stunning Dubai skyline views, and I loved having butler service available by text. The intimate scale means you really get to know the staff, and nothing ever felt rushed or stressful.

We stayed here for our honeymoon and it felt like staying in the Alhambra Palace — sophisticated, elegant, and completely peaceful.

The Moorish-inspired atmosphere was exactly what we hoped for, incredibly sophisticated without being stuffy. Our butler Delly was thoughtful beyond belief, sending us celebration wine and arranging late checkout perfectly. The three pools are stunning and the private beach never felt crowded, even with the beautiful turquoise water right there. Everything from the fresh breakfast ingredients to the yoga and pizza-making classes felt genuinely special and memorable.

I will remember this hotel forever — such a uniquely serene and beautiful experience.

From the moment we arrived, we were looked after with such care and consideration. It's a small boutique hotel where you really get to know people, nothing is rushed, and everything is completely stress-free. Our host Sujith made every moment special, and the stunning resort design combined with the peaceful atmosphere created something truly memorable.

My wife and I spent 10 nights in a Junior Suite with Pool and were blown away by the service.

Having a suite with its own pool meant we got host service with Ian, who made sure we wanted for absolutely nothing throughout our stay. The four restaurants all offered fantastic food, the in-room dining was magnificent, and the breakfast buffet was enormous. Every area from the beach to the grounds is maintained daily, and they even have rabbits and falconers with owls and hawks as unique touches.