Every dusk as the sun sets over the spectacular Arabian Gulf, the concierge at Sofitel Dubai The Palm light twinkling candles to welcome the night and bid farewell to the day. With a touch of the dramatic, and in elegant French style, the concierge places lit candles in their candelabra, glass orbs, and cages to add a special sparkle to the evening. The ritual is an old Parisian tradition that started in 1667 when the first Lieutenant General of the Paris police Nicolas de la Reynie initiated the public lighting ceremony to safeguard pedestrians in the city. Paris then became nicknamed the ‘Ville de Lumiere’ or ‘City of Lights’.
Nothing epitomizes that holiday feeling more than relaxing by the pool. Take time to unwind in style surrounded by lush palm trees, linen parasols, and frond-decked cabanas at Sofitel Dubai The Palm’s circular swimming pool, with views over the crystal clear Arabian Gulf. Just a stone’s throw from the poolside lies more than 500 meters of private, golden beach. Refresh your sunbathing session with fresh juices, cocktails, Arabic and Oriental snacks at the Maui Beach. Whether relaxing by the pool or on the beach, the refined fresh salads, sandwiches, and refreshments served under the restaurant’s gazebos are just a short flip-flop from you.
Take a stroll along the secluded shore or swim in the balmy waters: whatever your choice, you’ll be rewarded with calm repose.
For the more adventurous visitor, a wide range of water-sports are on offer throughout the winter months. From water skiing to fishing excursions, the dedicated sports center has a diverse array of activities, offered from its purpose-built base on the shore.
Keeping fit is easy with the hotel’s two tennis courts, excursions to Dubai’s award-winning golf courses and the well-equipped So Fit health club and gym. Extensive gym equipment and experts on hand to guide you through your workout will ensure you burn as many calories as you like, in a safe, regulated, but energy-packed environment.
The Sofitel Dubai The Palm has everything for the younger visitor, especially at the Amura Kids Club, the perfect place to let your little ones run wild. The Kids Club hosts a range of fun, friendly activities daily; including Polynesian juggling, drum playing, arts and crafts, and lots of other projects, all supervised by qualified, attentive staff. The hotel is also a stone’s throw from Aquaventure water park – one of the city’s most fun-packed destinations. Thrills galore await all families who venture into the park, with its record-breaking slides, spread across 42 acres.
If that’s tired you all out, relax, rejuvenate and revitalize at So Spa, the hotel’s 2,500 meters of peace and tranquility. The spa is one of the largest in Dubai, with 28 individual rooms; a sauna; steam room; and four outdoor cabanas offering traditional Tahitian wellness treatments. These outdoor cabanas are perfect for anyone who wants to relax in a lush, idyllic Polynesian setting, with a view of the spectacular nightly sunset. There are separate male and female salons, offering hairdressing, the finest French beauty treatments, rejuvenating massages, manicures and pedicures and a host of other exclusive therapies.
The simplicity of nature has been brought to the fore at Sofitel Dubai The Palm, which has been laid out in the style of a Polynesian village. One of the resort’s most attractive features is its ‘living wall’, designed by renowned French botanist Patrick Blanc. Stretching for 950 square meters adjacent to the main hotel lobby, the wall provides a breath of fresh air for guests and visitors: the sheer volume of greenery living vertically along the wall boosts oxygen levels in the corridor. Keep your eye out for the Polynesian Koru plant, whose spiraling tendrils embody new life and growth.
Take your taste buds on a gastronomic tour of global cuisines in one of 7 restaurants at Sofitel Dubai The Palm. From a live cooking station beamed to diners via live video feed, to dining a midst the masterpieces of Paul Gauguin and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, or discovering traditional Chinese tea rituals, this tranquil resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah has it all. Experience an exhilarating, plate-trotting journey from Italy and Europe to China and Arabia, all from the comfort of this Polynesian-themed oasis in Dubai.
Imagine soaring like a bird over Dubai, seeing the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest tower – and iconic Palm Island below you. It would be an exhilarating way to explore the Emirate and would certainly impress friends and family back home. Challenge yourself to a sky dive and experience the thrill of leaping from a plane thousands of meters above the shore, with the warm wind whipping past you at 210 km per hour. The best time of year to take your leap of faith is from September to May, when weather conditions are perfect. Take your challenge from Skydive Dubai, situated right on the Palm Jumeirah with its own 260,000 meter shoreline drop zone. Spectacular views and the thrill of adventure await all who dare take to the skies.
Visitors to Dubai will be dazzled by Sofitel's brand new, Polynesian-inspired resort and spa on The Palm Jumeirah.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm's unique design is the work of Mahnaz Liaghat, Design Director of MIRK and one of Dubai’s top designers. In this exclusive interview with Alice Johnson, she explains the inspiration behind the resort's Polynesian concept – and reveals the secrets of how she has created a lush, green, vibrant environment that invokes the feel of a traditional Polynesian village.
Discover the symbolic meanings of the Koru, Gecko, Tiki, Turtle, Butterfly and Tiare flower motifs that appear everywhere throughout the resort. Peace, freedom, energy, connection, life and new beginnings... just some of the ideas behind Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa.
Over to Mahnaz and Alice...
Q: What is the concept behind Sofitel Dubai The Palm's Polynesian theme?
A: Originally, we discussed both Mediterranean and Polynesian themes – the whole concept of the culture, art, effects, the space and everything. But everyone voted for the Polynesian theme. We thought Polynesia could provide an experience that is a little bit more unique.
By focusing on a Polynesian theme you can tell a great story and make every feature relevant to that. That's what we've done, and I think it’s really successful.
Q: What did you find out about Polynesian culture while working on the design concept?
A: We looked closely at what’s important in Polynesian culture. We found out that it's about going back to basics and living simply and honestly. It's about water, stone, nature, flowers – the essentials of life.
For instance, the green wall we created within the hotel emphasizes the natural side of life. When you visit, you can touch wood and stone and breathe fresh air, as if you're in the midst of pure nature.
Q: How did you apply the Polynesian concept to the hotel?
A: We were wondering: how do we make a six-story building look like an island resort? One of the things we did was to play with light. If you walk down a corridor, you'll see that the light shines through openings – there's no direct light, just that soft, filtered light which you experience in woodland. Do you remember what it's like being a child in the woods, with sunlight coming through the trees? I do. It's that feeling which we tried to recreate inside the hotel.
So there are no chandeliers, of course, because in nature there are no chandeliers. The way you turn on the lights – and the way they're indirect, rather than harsh direct lights – make you feel like you're walking through the woods.
Similarly, in the rooms, all the finishes and materials are designed to make you feel like you're relaxing in nature. We took natural stone and laid it out in big tiles, nothing fancy. It's all about simplicity and going back to basics.
Q: Can you explain the symbolism behind the Polynesian motifs you have used?
A: The symbols have very deep meanings. Let's take the geckos as an example – you'll see that the gecko theme runs throughout the hotel. In Polynesian culture, geckos are very important as they symbolize lasting happiness. When people build houses, they place geckos at the foot of the building for good luck. So when you see a gecko motif in the resort, you should feel that sense of lasting happiness come over you... And you really do, it’s unbelievable. Symbols like these show you a whole new dimension to life.
There are also Tiki symbols. When you see these, you know that bad spirits are being banished from the place. If you place the Tikis in a row, you also get a sense of rhythm that enhances the effect. We took that and applied it to some of the doors. It's like saying: "Behind this door, there are no bad spirits – just endless happiness. So come in and have fun!"
Q: How do you know when a design such as this is successful?
A: I have been designing for 30 years and I have learned one thing about people and their experience of design. Design is silent. A design is successful when all the elements come into play and interact with one another naturally. You shouldn't need to notice the design – you just feel good in this space, you just enjoy it.
Good design appeals to all the senses. Light, warmth, scent, touch... everything has to be in harmony. And it has to feel like a place where you can breathe. By the living wall, for instance, the oxygen being produced by the plants is really noticeable. Even when the air conditioning is not on, you feel like it's there.
Good design has more than three dimensions. And I think that we've been really successful in going beyond the three dimensions of a normal building.
You know what? Whenever someone steps into one of the rooms, they immediately love it. They love it because it satisfies all of their needs as far as design goes. They don't even have to think about it, they can just relax. This, to me, is a complete and successful design.
Q: What is so special about the spa at Sofitel Dubai The Palm?
A: Okay, the spa is amazing. I spent a lot of time thinking about the spa, and what people do at spas. Really, it comes down to rejuvenation and moving up to a different level of experience. That's why I've used the butterfly motif.
The butterfly starts life as a caterpillar in a cosy cocoon, then transforms into a beautiful creature. That's what happens when we visit the spa at Sofitel. At the entrance, you'll see an over-sized sculpture we've designed to represent the three stages of transformation of the cocoon. Closed, a little bit open, then just about to open and release the butterfly.
What comes to mind when you think of a butterfly? The wings, not the antennae or tail. You think of bright colours and amazing shapes. So that's what we've used on the walls of the spa. You'll see that the artworks are large and lively and brightly colored... just like the butterfly.
Even on the ceiling, you can see there are waves symbolizing flying and constant transformation. So in the spa, like in the rest of the resort, you feel like you're in nature, surrounded by butterflies and waves and fresh air. To be honest, I think our spa is unique in the world.
Mahnaz Liaghat’s designs are subtle, sometimes eye-catching, but never intrusive. Her magical touch can be found throughout the resort, from the lobby through the nature-bound corridors to the unique, unobtrusive details dotted around the luxurious suites.
Take a step back into nature at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, a unique, Polynesian-style resort on Palm Jumeirah. Refresh and rejuvenate at its world-class spa or simply let the world pass by in one of its open-air Cabana-style spa treatment areas. Wherever you choose to relax, Mahnaz Liaghat’s unique interior designs will delight, inspire, complement and encourage peaceful rest. Her "silent" designs provide the ultimate resting place away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city – a perfect retreat for any well-earned break.
Maori design is said to involve an ‘active relationship between traditional and contemporary practices’; and the arresting designs have been popularized in modern times by tattoo enthusiasts.
To learn more about Polynesian design, one should look at the countries that ‘Polynesia’ encompasses. The region actually comprises more than 1,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean; including New Zealand, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Easter Island, Samoa, Hawaii and Tonga.
Polynesians are known as great navigators – a necessity for island-dwelling natives – and travel between islands for trade was common. As well as being excellent navigators, crossing the Ocean with skill, the people were fabulous artists. Art decorated even the most simple of objects, and both wooden and stone objects featuring decoration were thought to hold more power.
Many symbols representing natural and organic aspects of Polynesian life can be found in the art and on objects from the area. These include sea animals such as the turtle, shark and ray; land-dwellers such as the butterfly and gecko; and plant-life such as the Tiare flower. The turtle exemplifies deepness, a resting place, land, the earth and healing – among other aspects – while the ray symbolizes flying, freedom, the ocean, love, goodness and energy. The butterfly symbol stands for magic, freedom, lightness and a carefree spirit, while the gecko conveys connection with the beyond and extra-sensorial perception. The Koru symbolizes new life, a new start and growth, while the Tiare flower stands for new beginnings, love, peace and beauty. Perhaps one of the most recognizable of Polynesian symbols is the Tiki – a protector-type physiognomy, often used by the Polynesians in wooden sculptures that mark boundaries or sacred sites.
Polynesia is home to all these powerful symbols, evoking the spirit of a culture. For this reason, these unique images can be found scattered around the Sofitel Dubai The Palm resort – truly natural island chic in the heart of the Middle East.
Magnifique hotel would not be complete without Magnifique corporate facilities to match – so important for high-profile meetings, seminars and conferences. The high-quality amenities at Sofitel Dubai The Palm have been carefully designed and formulated with business people in mind; with the knowledge that practical resources are just as important as a welcoming ambiance. With a choice of five meeting rooms up to 950m2, the hotel has a location to suit every corporate occasion; from major board meetings and conferences to sophisticated product launches. A podium, comfortable seating, overhead projectors, video equipment and breakout rooms are just some of the features offered in each and every meeting and conference space.
The glittering Arabian Gulf is home to delicious Fruits de Mer – the fruits of the sea. Fresh from the sea and straight to your plate, you can enjoy the wealth of the oceans at Moana Restaurant, Sofitel Dubai The Palm’s signature seafood and fish restaurant. Moana’s exquisite menu features only the most delicious ocean fare sourced from sustainable stocks. Head to the restaurant’s unique Raw Bar for the finest, freshest selection of sushi, sashimi and ceviche; and relax with your choice on the open-air terrace surrounded by relaxing water features.
In 1891, Paul Gauguin left Europe behind for French Polynesia, to escape "everything that is artificial and conventional." Seek your own solace amongst the Impressionist’s work at the oasis of art that is Manava – the all-day restaurant at Sofitel Dubai The Palm, offering a unique selection of international cuisine. Meaning "welcome" in Tahitian, Manava boasts a dedicated room for Gauguin’s masterpieces – carved into its very structure – and a second room dedicated to Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Surround yourself with Art Nouveau at this oasis of art, and indulge in its sumptuous buffet surrounded by masterpieces, to the sound of gently flowing water.
