Per Aquum, the innovative luxury resort, spa and residence management company has announced their expansion into the Middle East with Desert Palm, an exclusive enclave of resort and villa accommodation set amidst its own polo grounds.
Following the success of its barefoot chic resort, Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives and picturesque boutique hotel The Fortress in Sri Lanka, both previously recognized for Conde Nast Travellers Hot List, Per Aquum’s Desert Palm is presently under construction and is set to open in August 2007.
Already taking reservations, Dubai’s upcoming hot sport is located just 20 minutes outside of Dubai, on a private estate that was originally created as a haven for owner, UAE national, Ali Albwardy‘s personal enjoyment of polo. The estate itself features four polo fields, riding school, stabling facilities for over 300 horses and 90 residential villas set within vast, beautifully groomed gardens, landscaping and water features.
The resort will feature 24 ‘naturally modern’ guest rooms and villas designed by IMA Interiors, Singapore. These include13 beautifully appointed Polo Rooms with balcony views over the main polo fields and estate grounds; four one-bedroom Pool Villas with private pool, six three-bedroom Pool Residences, and one contemporary inspired presidential suite, Villa Layali with Private Pool.
With fresh produce flown in from around the world, Desert Palm will offer unsurpassed culinary delights. Signature restaurant Rare will showcase succulent cuts of premium beef from around the world. In Vintage guests can enjoy meticulously sourced wines from the Old and New Worlds, while Epicure will offer a deli café experience with international all day dining delicacies offered in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. International newspapers, fresh juices and specialised gastronomic delights will be sourced, including specially imported luxury foods that are difficult to find within Dubai.
An innovative Spa will complete the experience. The architecture, interior design and treatments will be brought to life through the colours and textures of the Arabian landscape while inspired therapies from Asia and Europe will be infused with signature therapies designed by Per Aquum’s award winning Spa Collection.
Capitalising on Per Aquum’s extensive expertise within the tourism sector, Mr Albwardy’s vision for Desert Palm is to create the ambience of a congenial, select club with the feeling of residing in a private home or estate. Mr Albwardy is already acknowledged as the leading polo patron in the region with his Dubai Polo Team having last year won both the two most prestigious and world renowned high goal events in England, namely The Queens Cup and The Gold Cup. The property will also provide an avenue for him to showcase his passion for polo and his priceless antique and art collection gathered from around the world.
General Management Couple, David and Jacqueline O’Hara will oversee the pre-opening phases of this property and will continue management of the resort on opening. Their move to Dubai follows a successful start with Per Aquum as Management Couple for Dhoni Mighili in the Maldives. They will bring strong operational and strategic direction to Desert Palm ensuring this visionary resort exceeds guest expectations and that the property represents a unique and intimate boutique experience in Dubai that is in marked contrast to other luxury accommodation options in the area.
In addition to the resort experience, Desert Palm will accommodate private catering, and under Per Aquum’s experienced direction, Desert Palm will showcase Dubai as a key destination in the world of international polo hosting key polo tournaments such as the Cartier International Challenge Cup. The grounds, facilities and style of venue also make it a perfect choice for high-end product launches, conference and incentive groups, special occasions and major events.
Owned by UAE national Ali Albwardy, Desert Palm is part of Albwardy Investments, a holding company formed by Mr Albwardy in 1976 to oversee a collection of investments within the leisure, food, trade and industry sectors. With a current annual turnover exceeding one billion dirhams, the individual companies within the group are completely autonomous units with their own dedicated management team. Companies currently within the Albwardy Investment portfolio include Nestlé Food Service, Spinneys Dubai LLC, Albwardy Marine, The Kensington Plaza Hotel London, The Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel Dar es Salaam and The Zamani Kempinski Resort Zanzibar.
A Universal Enterprise, Per Aquum Resorts • Spas • Residences is a specialist luxury resort, spa and residence management company that offers a different kind of company ethos: one that is passionate, visionary, imaginative and naturally modern. Each property embodies regional tradition and combines luxurious fittings and furnishings in a culturally sensitive way. No two properties are alike. Literally translated, Per Aquum means ‘through water’, and the vision of the company is to develop and manage properties in desirable locations using naturally modern, ecologically responsible design. Per Aquum currently manages properties in Maldives, Sri Lanka, Dubai and Seychelles and is looking at additional locations in the Indian Ocean region, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco and the Middle East.
