Dubai – The Perfect Spa Weekend at Palazzo Versace
Dubai – The Perfect Spa Weekend at Palazzo Versace
Where? Palazzo Versace
Exactly? Dubai
Why? Post London fashion week I was in need of a bit of pampering and relaxation and as if by magic the perfect invite landed into my inbox. ‘Would I like to spend three days at the spectacular Palazzo Versace in Dubai, experience the indulgent treatments and review the state-of-the-art, brand new spa?’ I didn’t need to give it a second thought…Dubai here I come!
Here’s my photo diary of the perfect spa weekend at Palazzo Versace…
The Hotel
The Palazzo Versace is an elegant, luxury hotel and spa owned by the world renowned fashion label, Versace. Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palazzo, every inch of this perfectly styled hotel emulates the resplendent ethos of the opulent fashion house.
Situated only 15 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport and 8 minutes from downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa, the location is ideal for those who want to venture into town yet relax in the serene Dubai Creek area.
Above and below: Bonnie wears silk jumpsuit by Bedouin, a Dubai based label available at OwnTheLook.com, watch by Longines.
What to wear in Dubai
Staying in fashion hotel can be daunting, especially in a style conscious city like Dubai. For an Islamic country it’s reasonably liberal here when it comes to dressing, but there a few rules, mainly to be conscious of revealing too much skin in public places.
The style of Dubai is high octane glamour and the Versace Hotel is no exception. Take inspiration from the original fashion illustrations on the walls of the hotel. Make sure you pack all of your bling jewellery, designer hand bags and heels, this destination is your one passport to wearing it all at the same time. If you are heading clubbing or to a beach club then you still can channel sexy beach style. But Ibiza this is not, just make sure you have enough cover up for getting to and from your locations.
Dubai is a holiday destination but it is also a busy working city, so take some smarter attire for dinner and if you’re heading into the malls during the day, where the air con is fierce.
The Decor
With neo-classical, decadent interiors, lavish high ceilings, perfectly groomed gardens, chandeliers a plenty and fashion illustrations as art works, this hotel is a fashion shoot waiting to happen. So I decided to take full advantage…
The foyer is a stunning, bright open space, with opulent high ceilings, grand windows to let in the light and mosaic tiled floors featuring the Versace Medusa head logo.
Above: Bonnie lounging around in the glass chandelier corridor wearing white lace dress by The Jetset Diaries.
The Rooms
There are 215 immaculately designed luxury rooms and suites, as well as 169 residences. Each designed with baroque silks, in a soft pastel palette. Balconies look out over the pools and Dubai Creeks swaying waters beyond. Everything you can want for is provided, from in room phone chargers to a very well appointed walk in wardrobe and dressing area, complete with adjustable lighting around the mirror so you know how your make-up looks from day to night. How very fashion!
Above: me posing on the interior staircase of the presidential suite and below the suites own private pool, it also has it’s own gym room.
Bathroom goals!
Above: Bonnie wears Kate Spade jumpsuit at Enigma Restaurant, the hotels Turkish kitchen.
The Spa
Set over 1000 sq metres the brand new spa at Palazzo Versace houses 7 private treatment rooms, steam rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, rain and mist showers and hammam rooms. Beautifully styled in the hotels signature mosaic with soft, mood lighting, it is the epitome of relaxation.
Heated tiled beds in the relaxation area.
The spa menu is full of delicious treatments, I opted for a hammam massage for my first day, which is taken in the purpose built steamy hammam room. And on the second day I tried out the royal rose facial, which left my skin soft, toned and glowing for days.
For those with a limitless budget, there’s always The Ultimate! This is the mother of all treatments, it takes 7 hours and 30 minutes, a Maserati car comes to pick you up, if you aren’t staying at the hotel, you have breakfast at Giardino Restaurant followed by a hammam and ceremonial massage, then lunch at the hotel. This is followed by a full afternoon to blow drys, manicures, pedicures all accompanied with champagne of course. But be warned, all this indulgence comes at a cost, of around £900 to be precise!
Eating and drinking
There are 8 bars and restaurant offerings at the hotel from breakfast at Giardino filled with exotic palm prints and delicious healthy buffet style servings, through to Enigma for fantastic Turkish food and Vanitas which offers fine dining and a chair for you expensive handbag… more on that later. But whatever time of day there’s are more than enough options food wise.
Above: The Gazebo shisha lounge by the pool.
Vanitas fine dining restaurant has a predominantly Italian menu, with an amazing range of homemade pastas served at lunch time. Each dish is perfectly styled and bursting with flavour.
Our waitress brings over a tray of desserts, so we had one of each!
They make you feel so special here that even your handbag gets it’s own seat.
The occasion dining rooms are beautifully decorated in Versace purple.
The girl gang from the press trip. Thank you Cosima (centre right) for looking after us all so well!
And a couple of post dinner drinks at Q’s bar which plays live jazz.
Above and below: Playing around in the grand foyer. Bonnie wears top by The Jetset Diaries, skirt by La Mania, bag by Louis Vuitton and shoes by Alexandre Birman.
Bye bye Palazzo Versace, I can’t wait to come again soon!
Next stop Ferrari UK road trip…
Wow, what an amazing experience. I would love to go to Dubai!
What a GORGEOUS place! I love all your outfits, too! My cousin often travels to Dubai for her job – I might have to hitch a ride sometime!
This place looks amazing! I’ve just got back from Dubai myself and each time I go there I love to discover new places like this!
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Oh my! You are not kidding. That spa looks absolutely stunning. I would LOVE to go here one day.
This is so much luxury. Ah can i get five minutes in that spa? Wow. That peacock on the wall is magnificient. I’d probably spend a whole day taking pictures here
You look awesome! I love all of your outfits. The interior design is so intricate and luxurious. The fine dining restaurant is super stylish too. I wish I am one of your friends. I would like to stay here someday.
How luxurious! I’ve never been to Dubai but I’ve heard of the luxury hotels there and this is definitely one of them. It would be so awesome to be able to stay and dine in such a place while you’re on vacation.
That is one luxurious hotel! I sit here wondering how much it would cost for a night’s stay. The chandelier is one of a kind and the hotel room made my jaw drop! Beautiful. Stunning. Awesome.
OMG girrrll this is sooooooo beautiful! Love your looks! Love the scenery! Love everyting!
The Palazzo Versace is such a gorgeous palace! As a matter of fact, I don’t think I would ever want to leave! Oh, and I would have also had one of each of the desserts, they looked magnificent!
Oh my goodness, absolutely stunning! I have always wanted to visit Dubai, and believe me, this post pushed me even closer! The Palazzo Versace is what dreams are made of :)
This is really great! Delight in a relaxing day at our spa located at Palazzo Versace Dubai. Enjoy plunge pools, saunas and hair & make-up salon in our luxury hotel!
Now this place looks amazing!! This is the perfect spa weekend!
Omg these pictures are so beautiful and you look gorgeous
This is a great destination! I would love to visit it – I am in great need of some pampering at such a luxurious place! :) Thank you for sharing all those great tips about visiting Dubai. You look amazing, by the way! I love your photos!
Wow the Palazzo Versace looks stunning! What beautiful decor inside and out.
That’s a perfect, elegant place to spend a spa weekend! Beautiful interior, and love the luxurious details in decor.
Awesome place, I love the delicious treatment and the girl on the floor. No, the delicious treatment picture only. More pictures please.
The Palazzo Versace may be one of the hotel anyone would dream of staying! It looks really luxurious and elegant that you’ll feel like a princess there.
You look absoluetly gorgeous my love, I am totes loving that Palazo jumpsuit
I think this is the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever seen. Wow .. lucky you! I was in awe of the spa treatments .. the room (especially the bathroom) .. and the amazing food. Would love to go to Dubai one day
Oh my everything looks so luxurious! <3 And the fact that it's right in the middle between the Airport & the Downtown is even more amazing and makes it worth it!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing and luxurious place! I would absolutely love to spend a few days, or forever, there!
So beautiful! I love your pictures of everything! I would love to experience that type of trip!
Omg! This looks beautiful and I love the Scenery too! I want to go there such a luxury place.
As I am a huge fan of this Italian fashion brand I definitely should visit Palazzo Versace! What a luxury place in Dubai! Worth visiting when I have enough money haha!
You are definitely travelling in style! Id love to go to Dubai one day, must be an amazing experience!
Oh my gosh! This place is stunning! So Jealous!
This does look amazing and like a fantastic place to visit.
Dubai is always a love <3 Surely my next travel destination is Dubai x .
Nice pictures. I think it was a great travel. I love Dubai. See you next there!
Me too x