One&Only

Built with Moorish and Andalusian architectural style and techniques, this palatial hotel sits on a glimmering peninsula amid manicured gardens, fountains and pools. Understated elegance may have been their goal, but this opulent hotel is well-suited to Dubai’s over-the-top nature. Guests may choose from a vast array of well-appointed rooms, all boasting exquisite views, and featuring plush, Arabian-inspired interiors. Dining options at One&Only The Palm include the hotel’s four bars and restaurants, featuring fine cuisine of both Middle Eastern and international flavors and breathtaking views of the palm island and Dubai’s incredible skyline. It’s not necessary to leave the hotel, with a host of on-site facilities that include a colossal main pool, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness facility, private spa, and internationally-renowned beauty center, but those who choose to can do so via water taxi to the mainland, just a short ride away.

One&Only Desaru Coast is a secluded beachfront resort hidden within rainforest that fringes white sands and the lapping South China Sea. Designed by the award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, the property is comprised of 42 suites, two grand suites and one four-bedroom villa, all of which come with private plunge pools. There are also private homes available. Befitting the serene location, hotel amenities are focused primarily around wellness: the Chenot Spa (offering Western and holistic medicine practices as well as pampering treatments), the Pedi and Mani Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, a comprehensive fitness center with a specialist Pilates studio and a multi-court, a sea-facing yoga pavilion and a 50-meter infinity pool. Other hotel facilities include the KidsOnly club for youngsters and One Tribe space for teenagers, plus events spaces and conference rooms. In addition, One&Only guests have access to The Els Club Desaru Coast Golf Course nearby. For dining, guests can enjoy Mediterranean flavors at Ambara, Japanese cuisine at Hoshi, signature afternoon tea at Dusky Monkey, Malaysian-inspired drinks at Essential and Asian barbecue at Ember Beach Club, though there are also private dining experiences for those celebrating something special.

In your villa at the One&Only Reethi Rah, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a far corner of the earth. The resort, which first opened in 2005, makes the most of the Maldives’ reputation as a perfect palm-trees-and-beaches tropical escape. Each villa is situated for maximum privacy and comes with an overwater perch or private beach access. There are four restaurants and bars with world-class menus and drink lists, as well as 24-hour in-villa dining. The excellent ESPA offers a wide range of holistic healing and beauty treatments, and includes underwater treatment rooms, couples’ rooms, a relaxation lounge, saunas, steam rooms and a Japanese-style onsen. There is a full service fitness center, every imaginable type of water sport, including big-game fishing and private sailing cruises on a fleet of beautifully maintained wooden Maldivian dhonis, and an open-air, overwater yoga pavilion. If in the midst of all this, you still must stay connected to the outside world, all villas are equipped with high-speed broadband Internet access.

Evoking memories of Bedouin palaces, the One&Only Royal Mirage sits on an expansive plot of coastal land in Dubai. It features three unique environments: The Palace, Arabian Court, and Residence & Spa. The Palace area has beachfront rooms, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and a watersports center. The Arabian Court’s regal architecture makes for a majestic atmosphere, featuring rooms and suites with sprawling sea views, and three fantastic restaurants. The Residence & Spa features its own private reception, as well as Arabian-styled rooms, suites and villas in an ornate environment. Here, guests will also find the indulgent One & Only Spa, an Oriental Hammam, and designer beauty and hair studios. Guests may choose from an incredible array of eight different dining venues, featuring fine cuisines from all over the world, including European, Moroccan, and of course, Arabian. A beach bar, nightclub, and sports lounge make excellent spots for guests to enjoy a casual drink with friends or family. Among the vast selection of facilities available are a fitness center, a selection of pools, floodlit tennis courts, and putting green, and much more.