The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel

The staff were incredibly kind, and the food was great. The room was clean and comfortable, the pool was warm, and the hotel amenities impressed us. We were celebrating our baby’s first anniversary, and when we told the front desk, they arranged for balloons and a ted bear to be waiting in her room. Such a thoughtful detail, and it made our day. It was a great experience, and we’ll definitely come back for a longer stay.

Our honeymoon felt special from the moment Ms. Diana Achazo welcomed us so warmly and professionally. The whole team took great care of us, and we’re grateful for the memories they helped create. At breakfast, Jackelyn gave us a helpful little tour of the buffet. The room was impeccable, with lovely attention to detail. Maria worked hard on housekeeping, and Val’s beautiful decorations gave the room a romantic touch. Nabeel and Nasser made the reservation arrangements seamless. Sheila, Naveed, and Ouimama at reception were friendly and efficient every time we spoke with them. The service was second to none, and it’s clear the team takes pride in what they do. Thank you all. We look forward to coming back soon.

Amjad, Thelma, Jackline, and Shashi made our meal at Vibe Restaurant at The Retreat Palm Dubai especially memorable. Their professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail were outstanding. They also arranged a beautiful birthday surprise for me, a thoughtful personal touch that meant a lot. From our arrival, the hospitality felt genuine, and the atmosphere was both elegant and inviting. The refined setting and kind service made for an unforgettable dining experience. Thanks to the whole Vibe team for making us feel so valued and cared for. We look forward to returning.

The room had its own problems. The air conditioning was hard to regulate, swinging between too cold and too warm, and the shower leaked onto the bathroom floor. At the spa, we were overcharged. We only caught it after paying, when we checked the menu and saw that the amount didn’t match the published prices. We came expecting a peaceful retreat, but the atmosphere made it hard to relax. The main pool was too small and crowded with children screaming and splashing, even though there was a separate kids’ area. The spaces for families and guests seeking quiet weren’t kept separate. Guests were also smoking on the beach, which was advertised as non-smoking, and staff didn’t intervene. The food didn’t fit the wellness image either. Healthy choices were very limited, and the dining experience felt inconsistent with how the hotel presents itself. By our second day, we were so dissatisfied that we paid for a day pass at a nearby hotel just to find a peaceful pool. There’s nothing wrong with being family-friendly, but if a property markets itself as a retreat, guests looking for calm should be able to find it. That wasn’t our experience.