Sofitel The Palm

About this project

The Project

Nestled within the tranquil groves of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, Sofitel The Palm Dubai is a luxury resort that features 361 guest rooms and suites, and 182 fully-serviced apartments.

Sofitel The Palm Dubai has been modeled on a Polynesian village, fresh with green foliage, cabana-style fittings and flowing water features that greet guests as soon as they step inside. It is the brainchild of Mahnaz Liaghat, CEO, Mahnaz International Design & Planning and formerly the Design Director of Mirk.

According to Mahnaz, the client intended the resort to be a place of rediscovery and enchantment. “Our challenge was how to make a six-storey building feel like a Polynesian resort,” said Mahnaz. “More importantly, we wanted to showcase a new way of defining ‘luxury’ through the experience the resort provided. In keeping with the ‘less is more’ ethos, we have designed the resort incorporating natural materials, such as stone and wood.”

The hotel lobby carries guests through to the resort outside. The ceiling is designed as a cabana and features extensive use of American ash. In addition, simple water features and vertical walls of floral plants immerse guests in a lush, vibrant environment.

Furniture and fixtures have been carved out of natural dark woods, predominantly stained American ash, raw stone and pale onyx. The use of stained American ash continues in every room, helping to create a peaceful and serene setting.

Other noteworthy elements in the hotel include the checkout counter with its sculpted American ash wood trunks and lift lobby, which combines wood and reeds with indirect light. Finally, as the crowning glory, the ballroom uses curved American ash in its ceiling, designed to represent the bottom of a canoe – an integral part of Polynesian culture, which represents changing life, travel and adventure.

For more information on AHEC projects visit http://www.americanhardwood.org/