Arrival/Check-In: After a long morning and early afternoon of sightseeing in Dubai, we checked into Room 337 at One&Only Royal Mirage. We were promptly escorted to our Superior Gold Club suite, which included a dedicated butler and access to the private club lounge. Gold Club check-in is through a side entrance on the third floor, a discreet arrangement that is popular across Dubai and the Gulf. Our luggage arrived immediately and we settled in quickly, since we were scheduled to leave at 4 p.m. for a desert safari that evening.
Guest Quarters: The suite was stunning, evoking an old-world atmosphere with rich dark wood furnishings and an unmistakable Arabian aesthetic. To the right of the entrance was a dining area with a well-stocked minibar. A large sitting room featured numerous comfortable chairs and a sofa arranged around a coffee table. Sliding doors opened onto a balcony with impressive views of the Gulf; because it was a holiday weekend, many yachts and boats were anchored nearby, and guests on board were enjoying music and sunshine.
The adjoining room served as the master bedroom, furnished in the same elegant style and centered around a king-sized bed. The oversized bathroom offered double basins set in marble, an LCD television, a walk-in overhead shower and a deep soaking tub — an ideal place to unwind after a day of touring.
Additional room amenities included an iPhone docking station, a 40-inch HD LCD television with satellite channels and a DVD player, providing modern comforts alongside the suite’s classic design.
Services/Amenities: Staying on the third-floor club level meant personalized service and convenient access to club facilities. Breakfast was served each morning in the club lounge, and our butler and concierge assisted with planning daily activities. After several busy travel days, we took the second day mainly to relax on the beach, which is just steps from the rooms.
For dinner one evening we met a friend and dined at the Beach Bar and Grill, located beyond the pool and right on the waterfront. The restaurant has a warm, lively atmosphere and attentive staff, offering steaks and seafood with sea views.
We also used the resort’s shuttle boat to visit the One&Only property on The Palm, where we lunched at 101 Dining Lounge and Bar. Seated on the dock, we enjoyed the outdoor setting while watching a wedding shower brunch and the steady flow of boats arriving and departing. Locals frequently favor spots like this as well as the Jetty Lounge, which is accessible from the One&Only Royal Mirage dock.
TOP TAKEAWAYS
◆ Pack effective sun protection. We bought an inexpensive sunscreen at the airport that didn’t perform well and resulted in a beach burn.
◆ One&Only Royal Mirage is a beautiful seafront resort set on approximately 65 acres of well-maintained grounds.
◆ The resort is adjacent to the base of Palm Jumeirah, making it convenient for boaters to dock and for guests to take short ferries to One&Only The Palm.
One&Only Royal Mirage
Al Sufouh Road
Jumeirah Beach
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
tel 971 4 399 9999
oneandonlyresorts.com