The Palms was built a few years ago as the five star sister hotel to Breezes. It is very small with only six villas so it offers the exclusivity and personal attention which the grander and larger Baraza hotel may not. It has a more traditional, less Arabic ambience to it.
The suites are smart with a terrace, two day beds and a small spa bath. Inside there’s a sitting area (with TV and DVD player) which is open plan into the bedroom. Behind the bedroom is a large dressing room and sizeable bathroom (with separate toilet/bidet). The spa bath is functional but not super-stylish but perhaps I am being picky.
It doesn’t take kids under 16 years (though curiously each villa has a second bedroom with a single bed, and shower room so an older child could share with you. Go figure!)
However what is particularly nice about Palms is that each villa has its own private ‘banda’ right on raised beach area behind the main beach, with steps directly down to the main beach. Here are two loungers, coffee table and a double day bed which is screened on three sides for privacy and also protection from the winds. (I am actually writing this sitting on my banda day bed!) This is a really nice feature of The Palms – which Baraza doesn’t have. I suspect that a lot of people simply hang out at their banda for much of the day. The staff bring you sundowner cocktails and nibbles to your banda or morning coffee if they see that you have headed down there. Nice touch!
However overall I still prefer Baraza next door to The Palms, except perhaps at the peak of high season…
