Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

[bungalow]

I have a 5/4 points redemption at the new Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah at the end of October, I know isn’t scheduled to open until September, but I have read elsewhere that some of the facilities are already open, bars, restaurants etc?
Anyway, I just wondered if any of the forums experts on Dubai/UAE had any up to date info or helpful feedback?

Also, has anyone any experience of Hilton should the hotel actually have a delay in opening? I’m hoping of course that there won’t be a problem and it opens on time, but in the event it doesn’t where does it leave me? Are they likely to offer somewhere else in the Hilton portfolio? Do they usually give reasonable notice of an issue? Points compensation? Or is it just “sorry, we’re shut”!

Any and all feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

I’m in a similar predicament. I would only accept WA Palm as a reasonable alternative. The existing Hiltons on JBR Walk are not IMO suitable lodgings. They’ve had staff hired for quite some time so I remain hopeful for early November when I travel. The Dubai destination forum on T-Advisor is quite active with ex-pats who live there so I suggest you post there too. Someone who regularly shops at Nakheel Mall on The Palm may be able to swing by and give you a first hand account. As noted on a thread last week about Hiltons in Dubai, I walked past it in March and both it and the Marriott looked fully finished so not quite sure what the delay is. For full disclosure, I do have a backup IHG booking (also on points like the Hilton) but I don’t really want to have to fall back on it.

[bungalow]

Agree with your JBR observations, I’ve actually stayed at “The Walk” and can’t for the life of me understand how they can consistently get 70,000 points a night, rooms are large but extremely dated, and the lifts and lounge are awful. I guess like you I should really make a back-up reservation, but my next preferred choice (Waldorf aside) would be the Conrad, which is nowhere near the Palm!
I do have a couple of nights on Dubai arrival at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, never stayed there before, but on doing some research I think a couple of nights is probably plenty!

And regards Waldorf Palm, were they to move us to there, would Diamond benefits still be applied, upgrade, breakfast? Plus no lounge access 🙁

Here’s hoping we won’t have to worry about it…

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

You won’t get lounge access at WA and I expect it’ll be a hell of a fight to get moved. I’d be disinclined to have your backup booking with Hilton as Hilton customer service would be able to see you have a backup option already. I’d prefer to appear utterly homeless without Hilton support to send me to the WA. The Conrad is a good hotel but how is it comparable to a beachside property. The rooms and general quality might be a step up, but it’s an entirely different proposition. Also I may be misremembering but I think Emirates house some of their staff near the Conrad and they enjoy access to its pool deck and leisure facilities. The last thing you need in autumn in Dubai is a tussle for space on a limited sun deck. All the more reason to go for a beachside property.

[Rob]

End of October is UK half term and everything decent will be full so your chance of getting moved to a beach property is slim.

[Carlos]

Stayed at the Conrad. Nothing really special but it was decent. Would I value it the same as WA prob not as it costs the same in points

[Tracy]

I have 3 reservations for Dubai for December now. Voco Dubai The Palm, until recently it was scheduled to open in December, looks like this has been pushed back to January so this probably won’t happen. I have this hotel booked too, should happen by December. If not, my back up is Intercontinental Festival City lol….

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Tracy wrote:

I have 3 reservations for Dubai for December now. Voco Dubai The Palm, until recently it was scheduled to open in December, looks like this has been pushed back to January so this probably won’t happen. I have this hotel booked too, should happen by December. If not, my back up is Intercontinental Festival City lol….

Festival City is my backup too. Worse places to be…

[blenz101]

I’ve got a staycation booked from the 10th of September to try out the new West Beach Hilton so if there is a problem I can report back well in advance. Nothing to indicate there is an issue currently though. Some of the linked bars are actually on the beach and have been open since December 2020.

There is an identical Marriott also due to open to open next door which I can’t believe isn’t under the same ownership. My best guess in the event of delay is they will prioritise getting rooms ready on one or other hotel and just walk guests 2 minutes to the mirror image property next door. You should get a near identical with just a different logo over the door.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

blenz101 wrote:

I’ve got a staycation booked from the 10th of September to try out the new West Beach Hilton so if there is a problem I can report back well in advance. Nothing to indicate there is an issue currently though. Some of the linked bars are actually on the beach and have been open since December 2020.

There is an identical Marriott also due to open to open next door which I can’t believe isn’t under the same ownership. My best guess in the event of delay is they will prioritise getting rooms ready on one or other hotel and just walk guests 2 minutes to the mirror image property next door. You should get a near identical with just a different logo over the door.

I need the 5 nights to retain Hilton Diamond though. Bonvoy Titanium long since secured. A staycation review would be much appreciated, thanks in advance. I’ll have lounge access so any sniff of lounge being not yet open would be useful to hear.

[blenz101]

Will drop a quick review in no problem assuming all goes to plan.

I don’t think they would have a problem honouring your nights / points either if there was Some kind of unexpected delay (typically the local authorities here using all the relevant permits). If my common ownership theory is correct they would check you in as a Hilton guest but bedrooms may just be in the identical building next door. Same could happen if slippage runs the other way to the Marriott.

Just seems far more likely (again subject to ownership) than moving guests up to the busy and more premium WA. The Hilton JBR or Walk is the closest equivalent beach front(ish) comparable and is pretty dated now and already runs near capacity.

Will let you know the lounge situation for sure as plan to use assuming it’s open and they have their alcohol licence.

[bungalow]

“The 608-key Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah along the entrance of the island is opening its doors on Wednesday, August 31…”

Official Press Release,
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g295424-i872-k14077450-Hilton_Palm_Jumeirah_opening_31_Aug-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html

[blenz101]

There is no way it is opening with its full bar and restaurant setup on the 31st. The only bar/restaurant so far is Jones The Grocer.

If any of the new venues were opening they would have been heavily promoted locally by now in Time Out etc.

McGettigans are already advertising their World Cup pop up in late November for example but not a word on this latest outlet.

Not a huge issue and it’s still out of season but be very interested to see if the lounge is ready.

[bungalow]

blenz101 wrote:

Not a huge issue and it’s still out of season but be very interested to see if the lounge is ready.

^^^ This ^^^, one of the main reasons I chose this hotel !

[blenz101]

https://whatson.ae/2022/08/first-look-hilton-dubai-palm-jumeriah/?fbclid=IwAR1c1q4jbZ4M5–WOsMvBqFWOD9inhhhS5WuASQXpugDlU-RNb5sCenxZM8#gallery-1

[dbbs]

blenz101 wrote:

https://whatson.ae/2022/08/first-look-hilton-dubai-palm-jumeriah/?fbclid=IwAR1c1q4jbZ4M5–WOsMvBqFWOD9inhhhS5WuASQXpugDlU-RNb5sCenxZM8#gallery-1

Thanks, it looks great! I’m sure there are a few of us that would be interested in a review if anyone does manage to stay or even just have dinner there soon.

[Carlos]

Looking forward to this one

[dbbs]

Carlos wrote:

Looking forward to this one

Hi Carlos. Did you get to Dubai in the end? You were looking DTs or Hilton’s to stay at…

[blenz101]

Will drop a review here after my stay this weekend, already been upgraded from a standard king to a suite as a Diamond.

There is now a note on the website about the beach and restaurants. Beach I presume the loungers aren’t yet in place and restaurants as per my previous comment there is no way they are launching them all out of season and has been no local adverting for what is eventually due to be based at the hotel.

Looking forward to it though!

[blenz101]

As I know there was a fair bit of interest in this brand new Hilton in Dubai following a stay for the past few days I’ve put a quick summary review together.

Location: The hotel sits as part of the new West Beach development on the trunk of the Palm Dubai. The development itself is a straight 1.5km promenade home to a wide range of hotels, stand-alone bars and restaurants. For those that know the area Dukes hotel sits at top end of the development and the infamous Five Palm hotel sit at the other end. Hilton West beach sits roughly in the centre over the development and is neighbours to another identically designed Marriott currently under development which is under common ownership. The hotel is resort size in proportion and as such there is no impact from surrounding properties.

Check in: I had booked a standard king room and was upgraded three days in advance to a sea view one bedroom suite as a Diamond member. Check in was a little slow with staff clearly inexperienced but none the less enthusiastic. I would have thought the hotel would have brought in experienced staff from other properties but they are all seemingly brand new. I checked in at 10.30am without issue and my room was ready.

The reception area itself is huge and in keeping with other common areas is finished to a very high standard with an art deco design theme throughout. Everything is well sign posted and there are plenty of staff to assist with luggage, valet service and hailing taxis etc.

Beach: There is currently construction in what appears to be an expansion to casual bar / restaurant Jones the Grocer on the beach and as such there are currently no loungers on the beach itself. There is a notice on the website to this effect. Each hotel on the strip generally has a roped off area on what is effectively a public beach and this hotel will no doubt do the same in the future. Given the weather is still very warm the chilled pool was always going to be my preference so this was no loss.

Pool: This is the real star of the hotel. The pool must be around 75 meters in length and has a large swim up bar in the centre. Pool staff are excellent, you are escorted to a free lounger which is made up for you, cold towels offered and staff constantly on hand to adjust the shade level. The swim up bar is standard Dubai prices for drinks although the food is very expensive (75 AED for a Shawarma, 100 AED pizzas) and only has one kind of draft beer which they ran out of on the Saturday. There were a lot of day guests using the facilities as Dubai residents are clearly also keen to try out the new property. Aquamats and inflatables are provided and restricted to one area of the pool. There is also a warmer hot tub area as well. Bar staff are also new to their role and currently following printed sheets when making mixed drinks but there are more than enough staff that there is never a wait.

Room: The one-bedroom suite was amazing with photos on the website being accurate (I do have photos but no idea how to share them). Views are stunning with large wrap around windows although the construction on the beach itself does mar it when looking directly down. A single lounger is provided on one of the two balconies but gets no sun and isn’t ideal for a couple. Toiletries are the standard Crabtree & Evelyn which felt a bit cheap compared to the standard of the property. Perhaps I am just used to getting them in a DoubleTree day room and expected more. Plenty of well thought out plugs and USB-C chargers, a desk, walk in wardrobe, stocked mini-bar, slippers and both bath and walk in shower with rainfall head. Everything was working and there were no teething troubles. I was also given a 7pm checkout on asking for a late checkout.

Lounge: This is located on the 13th floor and is open. Afternoon tea is 3-5pm and happy hour 6-8pm. The happy hour buffet is on the small side with little option get anything substantial, single dim sum, mini shawarma and mini pies. Drinks are served at your table (no free pour) with a choice of soft drinks, tea/coffee, beers and wine. Staff are currently pouring wine in 100ml free pour measures but were happy to pour double measures when asked. Lounge has great views as you would expect. The only breakfast is currently in the main restaurant but is free for Diamond members.

Bars / Restaurants: Currently open is the pool bar (zing), main restaurant and Factory by McGettigan’s (in soft launch, branch of the popular Irish bar chain). Claw BBQ (US style dive bar but with Dubai prices) opens this week. Trader Vics, Barfly by Buddha Bar and a Tiki restaurant are all due to open later in October but look complete and no doubt waiting for the tourist season to pick up. Breakfast is a good spread with everything you would expect (Western, Middle East and Asian) but unlike the Hilton JBR, West Beach is halal only currently so its chicken sausage and beef bacon.

Despite masks still being notionally required indoors in Dubai the hotel was not actively enforcing this (I think the last time I was told to put one on was the Apple Store who remain strict for some reason).

I hope that has covered most things for those considering staying or with a stay planned. Happy to answer any questions you may have though.

[Rob]

Thank you.

[HJ]

I’m staying here on a 5/4 over New Years. Does anyone know if they will charge the ridiculous ‘NYE Gala’ style supplement for a stay booked on points? Other hotels in the area do and cash rates are around £800 per night so feeling a little nervous about it! I couldn’t find any information on their website so would appreciate if anyone has any experience around this.

Reading through earlier comments they seem to be quite good with diamond upgrades – not sure if that’s because the hotel is new and when at higher capacity they might reduce them? I don’t have high expectations over NYE for sure

[blenz101]

Just spoke to them for you as nobody will have experience given they just opened.

No compulsory gala dinner for hotel guests.

I would strongly suggest you book one of the bars or restaurants in the hotel if you plan to eat or drink on NYE though. Will be almost impossible to get on or off the palm on NYE so don’t plan to leave.

Kylie is playing at the Atlantis if that’s your thing although the hotel doesn’t enjoy views in that direction. You will see the fireworks at JBR though.

[HJ]

blenz101 wrote:

Just spoke to them for you as nobody will have experience given they just opened.

No compulsory gala dinner for hotel guests.

I would strongly suggest you book one of the bars or restaurants in the hotel if you plan to eat or drink on NYE though. Will be almost impossible to get on or off the palm on NYE so don’t plan to leave.

Kylie is playing at the Atlantis if that’s your thing although the hotel doesn’t enjoy views in that direction. You will see the fireworks at JBR though.

Thank you! First NYE in Dubai so I’ll definitely look into that, much appreciated.