The world’s most elite travellers have a new secret hideaway to call home in Dubai, with the launch of Per Aquum Desert Palm’s Layali.

The just-unveiled villa, designed by Isabelle Miaja, takes Arabian luxury into strikingly imaginative territory. The three-bedroom 845-sq-m villa hides amongst tall palm trees in the tranquillity of Desert Palm’s lush estate.

Oasis within an Oasis

Just 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Desert Palm is one of Dubai’s better-kept secrets with Layali taking its 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, guests are greeted by fountains, waterfalls and a 60-sq-m swimming pool adorned in cool blue mosaic tiles.

The large courtyard evokes the sanctuary of a modern riad. Mashrabiya screens over the pool and all around the walls of the courtyard cast intricate shadows onto the pool blue and courtyard’s white tiled expanse.
Across the courtyard, the glass-enclosed Great Room features a 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 stately 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.

For gourmet nibbling, guests can choose their epicurean favourites from the villa’s fully stocked bounty of freshly baked breads, house-smoked meats, fish and fromagerie, as well as afternoon mezze. Decadent ice creams chill in the freezer, while waters, beers and wines are provided to be enjoyed with compliments. A bespoke leather cocktail-making set and Layali-created cocktail recipes cater to spirited sundowners.

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 villa’s rooftop terrace or the Great Room’s balcony.

Luxury on Reserve

Layali guests enjoy complimentary limousine transfer on airport arrival and departure, 24-hour stays (subject to availability), priority reservations for fine dining restaurant Rare and the acclaimed treatments at Lime Spa, as well as a private six-seat buggy for their own use to traverse the estate.

Upon booking Layali, guests are contacted to select the wines and Champagnes they desire to have stocked in their private wine fridge, to prepare any personalised luxuries and to pre-book butler service and other exclusive on-request indulgences.

Layali booking enquiries may be made with the Desert Palm reservations team at +971 (0) 4 323 8888 or reservations.pdes@peraquum.com. - TradeArabia News Service