A touch of luxury at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray 🌴

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray sits on the western crescent of Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island that curves out into the Gulf off Dubai's coast. The building takes its cues from Ottoman palace design, with domes, arches and hand-painted detail running through the public spaces. A private stretch of beach faces the open water, and the gardens between the pools and the sand give the grounds room to breathe. You are away from the city traffic here, yet the Marina skyline stays in view across the bay.

Rooms carry the same palace styling as the rest of the property, with carved headboards, marble bathrooms and generous floor space. The Talise Ottoman Spa is one of the largest in the region, built around a traditional hammam and an indoor pool under a domed ceiling. Outdoors there are several pools, the private beach and a row of restaurants covering Turkish, Italian and Pan-Asian menus. Breakfast is not part of the room rate on this deal, so add it at booking if you want it.

The hotel sits at the quieter end of the Palm, so most of Dubai's draws are a short drive rather than a walk. Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal is about 1.2 km away, and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis is roughly 3.9 km along the island. Ski Dubai, the indoor slope inside Mall of the Emirates, is around 7.8 km off. The Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped tower that defines the coastline, sits about 7.9 km from the door.

Couples and families who want a beach-and-spa base with space to relax, rather than a city-centre address. Good for travellers who like grand surroundings and plan to mix pool days with the odd trip into Dubai.