Dukes Dubai offer women royal treatment
The female-only Duchess Floor at the Dukes Dubai offers luxurious sanctuary in abundance
On the third floor of the five-star Dukes Dubai resort, located on the main trunk of the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah, there exists something rather special. For here is a designated ‘Duchess Floor’ – a separate space exclusively designed for female guests travelling solo or with girlfriends. It aims to provide, as Managing Director of Dukes Hotels Debrah Dhugga says, “a sense of sanctuary” – and it certainly does that. With its female-only public spaces and a private lift, it combines, says Dhugga, “the safety and security of a private residence, with elegant décor and bespoke facilities”.
And the Duchess Floor is beautiful indeed: each of those 20 stylish ocean-viewing rooms is adorned with Liberty Fabrics, silks, textiles and drapes; the first time, in fact, Liberty Fabrics have been incorporated within a hotel on this scale. It’s also rather practical: you’ll find a yoga mat, GHD hair straightener and blow dryer in every room. The views too, from those floor-to-ceiling windows, are quite something: the Dubai Marina skyline, the Burj al Arab and the azure blue Arabian Gulf; hallmarks of this unique east-meets-west melting pot, home to the world’s tallest tower and the longest manmade canal.
Thirsty? There’s a designated Duchess breakfast in the Champagne and Tea Lounge – and on Tuesday, AKA ‘Duchess Beach Day’, bubbly and cocktails can be brought directly to your and your friends’ sun loungers while you take full advantage of that year-round good weather. Oh, and there’s a complimentary pair of drinks with your name on them in the Dukes or Marina Bar during ‘Duchess Nights’ too. As Dhugga says, “As somebody who travels regularly either for business or for leisure with friends and female relatives, I could clearly see a gap in the market for a women’s-only area in a luxury hotel.”
Spa lovers will be properly thrilled, too, about the new Dukes Hotel Spa. Dreamworks’ 20th spa facility includes three couple treatment suites and a menu of Asian-inspired treatments, along with Dreamworks Spa’s own signature treatments, hot stone massages and bespoke facials utilising Summe cosmetics. Therapies include the Balinese Full Body massage, Four Hands Wave massage and Foot Anti-Stress massage, while eye sculpting treatments are also on offer.
Elsewhere, there’s the hotel’s own private beach to laze around on, indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, gourmet restaurants, bars, and a Champagne lounge and a Cigar and Coffee lounge. While beyond the hotel’s doors, the city’s largest leisure and retail hub, the Dubai Mall, is but a 15-minute drive away. It’s all a dream come true for those wishing to be treated like royalty.
Nightly rates at Dukes Dubai start from £240 per night for a Duchess Room or a Dukes room, including breakfast and taxes. For more information please call +91 4 455 11 11 or visit www.dukesdubai.com.
Duchess Beach Day is available on Tuesdays from 12pm-5pm and is priced at AED 130/ £25*.
*Based on today’s exchange rate.