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Palace DowntownvsRaffles Dubai
Both Raffles Dubai and Palace Downtown are praised by those who travel for a living. On balance, Raffles Dubai is preferred by most professionals compared to Palace Downtown. Raffles Dubai has a TripExpert Score of 94 with accolades from 13 reviewers including The Telegraph, DK Eyewitness and Concierge.
Palace Downtown
Concierge
Rough Guide
Star Service
Travel + Leisure
The Telegraph
Condé Nast Traveler
Lonely Planet
Old Town Island, Downtown Dubai, Dubai 9770, United Arab Emirates
From $261/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Free Breakfast
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
Concierge "Editor's Note: This property was the Sofitel The Palace The Old Town until fall 2008.
The "Old Town" is actually brand-new—a hotel, condo, and shopping complex built in Arabian..."
i
When to go: November through March, to avoid the desert heat.
Rough Guide "One of the flagship properties of the vast Downtown Dubai development, this opulent, Arabian-themed “city-resort” offers a surreal contrast to the nearby Burj Khalifa."
Star Service "As an integral part of the Downtown Burj Dubai development, this hotel serves as the home base for a mix of leisure and business guests who bask in the shadows of Burj Khalifa." Full review
Travel + Leisure "From the razzle-dazzle entrance lined with towering palm trees to the pretty petal-filled pool in the lobby, The Palace hotel has no shortage of Arabian splendor." Full review
The Telegraph8.0
"The Palace Downtown has more soul than many other Dubai hotels and the 242 spacious rooms and suites feature Middle-Eastern touches in the form of carved-wood panelling and rich fabrics." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "It sounds like a gimmick, but the architectural contrast is pleasing, and many of this hotel’s 242 rooms have breathtaking views of Dubai’s latest monument to hyperbole." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"A successful blend of Old World class and Arabic aesthetics, the Palace appeals to those with refined tastes." Full review
Raffles Dubai
Frommer's Concierge
Fodor's
Insight Guides
DK Eyewitness Rough Guide Star Service Condé Nast Traveler
Oyster Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
Sheikh Rashid Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
From $327/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Frommer's "This pyramid-shape luxury property is attached to Wafi City shopping mall and merges Asian style with an Egyptian aesthetic." Full review
Concierge "The external kitsch conceals some of Dubai's largest, most stylish hotel rooms, all 248 loftlike in feel with oversized terrace balconies."
i
When to go: November through March, to avoid the desert heat.
Fodor's "The crowning glory of Wafi City's ancient Egyptian design theme, this majestic glass pyramid houses a classy 5-star hotel." Full review
Insight Guides "Spectacular hotel housed in a giant pyramid, with a mix of quirky Egyptian theming and cool Asian designs, plus superb facilities including huge gardens, a gorgeous spa and some excellent restaurants and bars."
DK Eyewitness "The Middle East’s first Raffles combines warmth and luxury with impeccable service."
Rough Guide "Rivalling the Park Hyatt for the title of Dubai’s finest city-centre hotel, the spectacular new Raffles takes its cue from the Egyptian theme of the Wafi complex next door."
Star Service "The unique design approach incorporates the Earth's various moods of wind, fire, earth and water, which, if guests watch closely, are clearly apparent throughout the property. " Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The external kitsch conceals some of Dubai’s largest, most stylish hotel rooms, all 248 loftlike in feel with oversized terrace balconies." Full review
Oyster Kid-Friendly
"Spacious, light-filled interiors are sumptuous yet understated, tastefully displaying a blend of Middle Eastern and Asian design influences." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture, the pyramid-shaped Raffles Dubai houses 248 luxury guest rooms and rises 19 stories above the city." Full review
