The first NH Collection in the Middle East captures the essence of what every successful Dubai resort treasures.
Breezy atmosphere, a come-as-you-are approach to dining and an infinity pool with peerless skyline views.
After Hilton, voco, Radisson and Marriott opened resorts in Palm West Beach to acclaim late last year, NH Collection is the growing neighbourhood’s newest arrival.
Here, The National checks in to NH Collection Dubai The Palm to see how it’s settling in.
The welcome
We arrive by car and the sharp right turn off to the entrance is a little tricky to spot, so eyes peeled if you plan on doing the same.
Once at the entrance, the valet team swiftly swap my car for a QR code on my phone – a nice touch that prevents both waste and having to hold on to flimsy bits of paper for dear life.
Staff at the front desk are cheery; I'm checked in and on my way in a matter of minutes.
The neighbourhood
For the last couple of years, Palm West Beach has been the epicentre of Dubai nightlife. As newcomers rub shoulders with stalwarts of The Palm, such as the Five, Fairmont and Dukes, there has been a flurry of restaurant and bar openings.
Guests can tuck into modern Italian cuisine at Loren or Cucina for lunch, make a beeline for the beach at clubs such as Eva or Ula and wile away the evening at shoreline party venues such as February 30 or Koko Bay. All are a short stroll away from the NH.
For shoppers, Nakheel Mall is under 10 minutes’ walk away.
The room
I'm staying in a superior apartment with a sea view. The hotel has 532 rooms, 306 of which are studios and apartments. Having spent years dipping in and out of Airbnbs on short trips to Europe and Asia, it’s bliss to be able to check into a one-bedroom unit knowing there are no horrors, no noisy neighbours and no erratic key box instructions waiting for me.
It combines five-star standards with the flexibility of a short-term let, and I love it. Plus, how many Airbnbs let you order room service at four in the morning? Exactly.
The apartment is well-equipped – from toaster to gas oven, TVs to chopping board – and has a kitchen-diner, living room, comfortable bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms and a decent-sized balcony overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
In keeping with industry trends worldwide, it’s good to see sustainable amenities offered. Water is served in glass bottles; shampoo and shower gels are in refillable bottles; and toiletries are vegan and wrapped in recycled paper or cardboard.
The scene
The hotel adopts a “lifestyle” decor, meaning it’s more playful than traditional resorts, with large street art murals on the walls, jaunty furniture and eccentric artworks.
It has five restaurants and cafes, including a rooftop bar, a 45-metre infinity pool, a spa and an excellent gym.
The children’s club also keeps little ones aged four to 12 entertained and a beach club is on the way – and while the property doesn’t sit on the shoreline, the sands are only a short skip away.
The hotel has its own water plant, solar panels are used to generate hot water and condensed water from the air conditioning system is used for irrigation. Soon, NH will have its own hydroponic farm and operate a community market.
The food
There are no Michelin-standard venues here like many resorts on The Palm offer, but that doesn’t detract from the solid fare throughout.
Seen, the rooftop bar, sits by the outstanding infinity pool – which is undoubtedly the best in the neighbourhood, so be Instagram ready. It can be accessed by day visitors with a Dh200 minimum spend, depending on availability, including a lounger and towel. Salads and bar snacks are offered alongside a concise drinks menu.
Seven Sports Bar is a dream to watch the big game in – it’s busy but not heaving, every table has clear views of a screen and the menu offers proper pub grub. The burger and bangers and mash deserve particular praise.
Te Lounge is a coffee shop in the lobby; Maiora offers international buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and Revo Cafe is a quieter corner serving terrific a la carte breakfast and healthier dining options.
Staff provide the courtesy and efficient service one would expect from a brand of this standing.
Highs and lows
The rooftop pool is Palm West Beach’s best, no question. It’s sunset-facing, has an affordable entry price for a rooftop infinity pool and is not overrun with influencers.
Lows are minimal, if any. However, those looking at longer stays may run out of dining options after a week or so. Thankfully, NH is close to a plethora of restaurants, and apartments are well-equipped for anyone wishing to rustle up something of their own.
The insider tip
Forgo the breakfast buffet and head to Revo Cafe, where only a handful of other guests mill about. It makes for a much more relaxed affair, and no rows about who took the last waffle.
The verdict
Apartments offer elevated B&B experiences while hotel rooms provide an excellent option for staying in the heart of the city’s vibrant social scene.
The bottom line
Rooms start at Dh900 plus taxes per night, with breakfast. Studios start at Dh9,500 per month; one-bedroom serviced apartments start at Dh27,550 per month.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Racecard
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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AIR
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
The five pillars of Islam
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
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The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
Paltan
Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
