Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites — Hotel in Dubai

The Rixos is a lovely hotel with great views, great pools and a great beach. Our room was very spacious and felt luxurious and was kept spotless by the cleaning team. Even though the hotel was great we felt it was the staff who made our stay feel amazing. The staff were super friendly, very attentive and was always happy and smiling. I also wanted to give a shout out to Wilson, Abdullo and Janaka at the non alcoholic bar by the beach who kept our drinks constantly topped up and we’re on hand for anything we asked for making sure we was feeling relaxed at all times. I was also getting phone calls from guests services or texts from the hotel managers all asking me how our stay was and if I needed anything, nothing was too much trouble. A small negative was check in, we arrived at around 9am and check in was between 12-3 if I remember rightly, we left our phone number at reception as they said they will call or text when our room was ready so we sat by the pool which was great but they didn’t contact us so we went to reception around 5 and apparently our room was ready ages ago, it was only an issue as all our stuff was in our luggage so didn’t feel totally relaxed until we could get in the room, especially after travelling all night. We loved the all inclusive buffet which yes can get a bit repetitive but that would be the same anywhere you go but the Rixos tries to mix it up with speciality nights and they also have a section where you can choose from a lot of meat and they cook it for whilst you wait. The chef was brilliant as well as my wife wanted just a bowl of mixed berries which he made up specially on request for breakfast. The Rixos is very easy to navigate and wherever you go once again the staff always smile and say hello making you feel extremely welcome. Me and my wife went in March 2025 which was in Ramadan so we was a bit concerned about restrictions in ,around and outside of the hotel with regards to eating, drinking and clothing but we found everything to be very relaxed with regards to tourist's, no one made us feel awkward or unwelcome as all the shops and restaurants were open for business around the Dubai marina and the Burj areas, not sure about the Old part of Dubai though. The Rixos is on the farthest part of the palm so to get anywhere it takes about 15 minutes just to get off the palm, we used Uber all the time which was super easy and the cars arrived within minutes, also they where very reasonably priced. The best thing was uber was a fixed price before you departed and you tipped on the app with the preset tip system which means you didn’t need cash. Everyone spoke English everywhere we went, only one person on the whole trip tried to speak to me in Arabic but then spoke perfect English so getting about was super easy. The best thing about the Rixos and Dubai is there was so much to do, one day you would be on the amazing sandy beach, the next day you would be on the top of the Burj, then back on the beach or by the pools then at the Dubai marina or at the mall, everything was an uber ride away or even the metro system if you wanted to save a little cash. Apart from the hotel our highlights was stroking penguins at Ski Dubai and going to the top of the Aura Sky Pool which is a must, the views are breath taking. The malls are so big you will get lost in them but there are loads of signs to get about and be prepared to spend as there is every store imaginable. I could waffle on more with what we did but you need to discover some things for yourself. A final note is the staff should be commended for their amazing attitude and how hard they work to make everyone’s stay and annoyance and memorable one, thank you Rixos...

Pros:

The hotel is huge and beautiful, with a luxurious feel throughout. We stayed in the family suite, which was spacious and perfect for our baby, providing plenty of room for crawling and exploring.

The service from most staff was excellent—there were so many staff members, all willing to help.

The food was overall very good. The buffet restaurant was fantastic, and the patisserie, where you could simply pick up and request anything, was a lovely touch. The steakhouse restaurant was superb, though the Italian restaurant wasn’t to our taste. The baby food selection and the availability of a baby NutriBullet were thoughtful additions.

The pools were excellent, and being assigned two double outdoor bed loungers for the duration of our stay was a huge convenience.

Cons:

Steakhouse Reservations: It felt odd that we couldn’t book the steakhouse on certain days. When we tried to make a reservation on a Thursday evening, we were told they only had availability on Sunday, which seemed unreasonable. For an all-inclusive hotel, it’s fair to expect to dine at a restaurant of your choice without waiting several days. The restaurant didn’t seem overly busy, so perhaps it’s too small, or an additional option is needed. While we’ve experienced wait times at other all-inclusive hotels (e.g., in Cancun), they managed it better by providing a buzzer system. That said, we ended up walking in and were accommodated in an awkward space, which felt like an afterthought.

Location: The hotel is at the far end of the Palm, meaning it takes around 20 minutes just to reach the mainland. This can be inconvenient, especially when traveling with kids. While this isn’t something the hotel can change, it’s worth noting for families considering staying here.

Family Suite Reception: The family suite building has its own reception, but it felt underutilized—possibly just an office. It would have been convenient if this reception allowed for at least check-outs.

Buffet Restaurant Accessibility: While the family suite building has its own buffet restaurant, accessing it can be inconvenient for those with strollers or wheelchairs. The main entrance has a staircase, so you have to take a long-winded ramp route instead. Because of this, we ended up using the larger buffet restaurant in the main building most of the time.

Holiday Rep Communication: Shortly after check-in, we received a message from a holiday rep asking us to meet them in the lobby. It wasn’t clear who they were or what their purpose was—whether they were there to sell excursions or explain hotel services. We were tired, so we declined to meet that day. The rep simply thanked us and didn’t follow up or try to reschedule. It would have been helpful if they provided more clarity or left a note in the room about their purpose.

Overall: Rixos Hotel Palm is brilliant, and I would absolutely return. The chilled-out vibe was refreshing compared to the typical showy atmosphere you often find in Dubai. While it’s on the pricier side, the quality of the experience justifies the cost. There are minor inconveniences, but the positives far outweigh them. Highly recommended for families looking for a luxurious yet relaxed stay.

P.s All the staff were fantastic but we have had outstanding service from Akil. He was extremely friendly and his service was excellent. He would always go above and beyond to ensure we had everything we required during our...

We recently spent a family holiday at Rixos The Palm Dubai, and while there were many positives that made our stay enjoyable, there were also a few areas that could be improved to better cater to families and guests looking for a more balanced experience.

Pros:

The hotel was spotlessly clean, and the staff throughout were attentive and welcoming.

Our suite had breathtaking views, which really elevated the overall experience.

One of our highlights was having a kabana by the pool each day, with towels laid out and ready for us – a small touch that made a big difference.

The kabana service staff were outstanding, always checking in and ensuring we had everything we needed.

The buffet restaurant was fantastic, with a huge variety of fresh and delicious food that kept every member of the family happy.

There were plenty of sunbeds available around the pool, even during busy times, which is often a rare luxury.

A major bonus: unlimited complimentary access to Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, which added fun and great value to our stay.

Cons:

While we genuinely enjoyed our time, a few things let the experience down:

The children’s entertainment was quite disappointing. There was little engagement or structure, which made it hard for younger guests to feel included.

Evening entertainment was held in an outdoor area, which, while nice in theory, was hot, uncomfortable, and lacked refreshments. A great improvement would be to dedicate even just one hour in the air-conditioned bar to host a mini disco, family bingo, or a fun holiday quiz – something simple and inclusive.

The main bar area was very loud every evening – fine for one or two nights, but it became tiring night after night. The only alternative for a quiet drink was outside (with fans if you were lucky) or to remain in the buffet restaurant, which closed by 10pm and was quickly cleared.

No boat transfer service was available to the Marina, which felt like a missed opportunity. Even when we asked about hiring a private boat, we were told we'd have to travel to the Marina first, which defeats the point entirely.

The cocktail quality was poor – watery and lacking any real flavor, which was disappointing in an otherwise premium setting.

Our minibar contained only soft drinks, with no alcohol unless requested. While complimentary beers were sent when asked, we were told that anything else would incur a charge.

We were unable to dine at any of the à la carte restaurants, as they were fully booked during our stay. Thankfully, the buffet restaurant was excellent, but future guests should book specialty restaurants well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Final Thoughts:

Rixos The Palm Dubai offers a luxurious setting, excellent food, and standout service, particularly around the pool area. However, the evening and family entertainment options were lacking, and quiet spaces to relax in the evening were limited.

With a few thoughtful adjustments – especially around entertainment and atmosphere – this could easily be a perfect family resort. We’d consider returning, but would plan more carefully and hope to see improvements in...