Desert Palm PER AQUUM introduces Dubai’s newest luxury villa experience

1000 608 Daniel Fountain
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The recently unveiled Desert Palm PER AQUUM‘s Villa LAYALI is ready to welcome guests.

The three-bedroom 845-sqm villa hides amongst tall palm trees in a location of the hotel’s original royal villa. The property’s original award-winning designer Isabelle Miaja brings her artistry to the new Villa LAYALI, evoking the Arabian avant-garde aesthetic that has set Desert Palm PER AQUUM apart since its opening in 2008.

Just 15 minutes from the spires of Downtown Dubai, Desert Palm PER AQUUM is one of the UAE’s better-kept secrets. The verdant resort hotel feels a world away from the urban energy and bustle. Set in a 160-acre polo estate, nature prevails and sophisticated design attracts the discerning.

Villa LAYALI takes the hotel’s intimate experience to an even more refined level. Guests arrive via a private entrance, strolling a Jordanian stone pathway adorned by water features and manicured hedges. Entering through high gates to the villa gardens and beyond to the inner luxuries, you are greeted by fountains, waterfalls and a 60-sqm swimming pool adorned in cool blue mosaic tiles.PER AQUUM Dubai

Across the courtyard, the glass-enclosed Great Room entreats with its solid oak floor, private palm enclave, elevated terrace and impressive views of the championship polo field. The long oval marble table of the dining area sets a chic tableau, perfect for dinners created by a private chef. The adjacent kitchen comes extravagantly equipped, from its own wine fridge to a breakfast bar complete with leather bucket seats.

Other fittings include a timber and brass writing desk, the globe candle lanterns of the courtyard and high-tech enhancements throughout. Ceiling-mounted BOSE speakers can be found in every corner of the villa, and personal remotes control mood lighting and sound to tailor the experience.

Natural light illuminates all three bedrooms, which overlook gardens of bougainvillea. Plush beds, fine linens and a menu of pillows beckon the deepest sleeps. Bedrooms connect to spa-like bathrooms with freestanding Bagnotec stone bathtubs, separate indoor and outdoor rain showers, twin stone basins and fog-free mirrors. REN and Eminence organic amenities add seductive aromas and soothing elixirs, while the bath salt menu offers an array of choices for sumptuous evening soaks. Tile patterns and bathroom textures add artistic touches, from minimalist Arabian patterns to bold, modern radial geometrics to classic marble.

During Dubai’s October to April polo season, the equestrian action takes place just metres from the villa. Its guests enjoy a VIP viewing platform from the Great Room’s balcony.

Daniel Fountain / 06.05.2016

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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