And so, a sudden holiday — which, as luck would have it, coincided with the outbreak of yet another war in the Persian Gulf — made me think about a trip to this amazing place. Reports from friends were reassuring: despite the hostilities in neighbouring countries, life in Dubai remains a fairy tale. Good friends recommended the JA Palm Tree Court resort.

Nestled on the shores of the Arabian Gulf overlooking the famous Palm Jebel Ali islands, JA Palm Tree Court is surrounded by lush green gardens. Arriving at the hotel only in the evening, I was welcomed warmly and escorted to the spacious suite in Villa No. 1. From the balcony there were sweeping views of the sea, the beach, and one of the “fronds” of the man-made island. Floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant furnishings, tropical fruit, and delicate pastries…

Before going to bed, I went for a stroll around the grounds of JA Palm Tree Court. Peacocks roamed freely in the gardens; as dusk fell, they climbed onto the roofs of the seaside villas: against the backdrop of the sunset sky, the birds’ graceful silhouettes embodied the image of Eastern mysticism.

It must be said that the southern heat feels quite different against the backdrop of soft, green grass, blossoming trees and the murmur of water in fountains and streams. Antelopes graze on the golf course, whilst exotic birds flit through the gardens. The resort’s 800-metre private shoreline seems almost endless: white sand, the gentle murmur of the sea, tranquillity. An atmosphere of calm and exclusivity is evident in literally every detail.

Mornings at JA Palm Tree Court began with breakfast at La Fontana — the hotel’s main restaurant, where guests are offered a wide selection of dishes from around the world throughout the day: an English breakfast, American waffles, Indian dishes with beans, fish, meat, cheeses and fruit. It is clear that the resort caters to guests with all manner of preferences.

The cuisine at JA Palm Tree Court deserves a mention of its own. The resort boasts several restaurants and bars, each with its own distinct character. The White Orchid restaurant, decorated in an Asian style, serves signature dishes from South-East Asia. Adjacent to it is the White Orchid Lounge — a stylish relaxation area, famous for its cocktails, comfortable armchairs and live music. The Anchor Pool Bar is a space by the infinity pool with a relaxed atmosphere, where drinks, ice cream and milkshakes are served in the shade of the trees. The aforementioned La Fontana restaurant, with its panoramic view of the beach, also has a bar of the same name. Smokin’ Gun — a smokehouse-style burger joint located within the JA Shooting Club — offers a wide selection of burgers, steaks, milkshakes and chilled craft beer, as well as picturesque views of olive trees and ships passing in the distance.

In the morning, there are parasailing sessions on the beach. And then, whatever takes your fancy: beach volleyball, exploring the marine life of the bay, or the yachts at JA Marina. Just a three-minute drive from the resort is the JA Shooting Club. As it turned out, this is the only licensed club in Dubai with an indoor shooting range.

I couldn’t pass it up. The staff explained that owning firearms in the UAE is entirely legal, but strictly regulated by law. Weapons are purchased at annual fairs, and must be stored in special safes, the code to which must be known only to the owner (or his wife).

The club offers a wide selection of firearms. However, as a beginner, they selected a couple of the most suitable models for me: a Glock 45 pistol and a Steyr AUG rifle. Then they taught me how to hold, load and aim correctly, and gave the command: ‘Fire!’ The whole session lasted no more than 20 minutes. But the memories of this experience have stayed with me forever: I left the club on legs buckling with excitement and adrenaline, and I was bursting with the desire to return and try out the entire arsenal!

Among the active leisure options, the JA Equestrian Centre is particularly worth mentioning; it is located just a few minutes’ walk from the resort and boasts more than twenty magnificent horses and ponies. In summer, temperatures in Dubai reach 50 degrees, but, as the stables explained, the horses cope well with the heat: all the facilities are air-conditioned. In the indoor arena, qualified instructors give riding lessons for riders of all levels. I used to do equestrian sports, but this time I fancied something more relaxed, so we went for a horse ride around the resort grounds. The horses are well-trained, friendly and completely unafraid of cars and buggies.

I also recommend visiting the Animal Discovery Zone. It’s home to the sweetest rabbits and goats, and a huge tortoise has recently moved in. The special bird enclosures are home to vultures, eagles and owls; some of these winged inhabitants are native to the local desert. Feeding the animals is strictly prohibited — they have their own diet. However, even without ‘treats’, all the birds and four-legged creatures are happy to interact. Although the Animal Discovery Zone is aimed more at younger visitors, this mini-zoo will be of interest to everyone.

Dubai is famous for its numerous golf courses. That is why golf is practically a must-do at JA Palm Tree Court. One of the most iconic is the course, built to championship standards. Sports legends such as Tiger Woods and Ernie Els have trained here in the past. In addition, the complex features a mini-golf course designed for games with family and friends.

JA Palm Tree Court also features the Calm Spa & Salon wellness centre, offering over 40 treatments and a hammam, the Just Splash water park, the Pirates & Mermaids kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12… And an extensive entertainment programme for guests of all ages: from surfing to discos. It’s safe to say: JA Palm Tree Court does a brilliant job of providing a fabulous holiday for the whole family!

And I had a wonderful time at JA Palm Tree Court. Every part of the programme, put together especially for me by the resort staff, offered a balance of new experiences and complete tranquillity. Walks through the garden, swimming in the numerous pools and the sea, shooting, fine dining and premium service helped me to truly relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The high standards of service and the ability to create thoughtful experiences stem from the long history of JA Resorts & Hotels — one of the oldest hotel brands in the UAE. Founded in 1981, JA Resorts & Hotels can be considered one of the pioneers of Dubai’s legendary luxury holidays. The brand’s collection comprises nine distinctive hotels in the UAE, on the Indian Ocean coast and in Scotland, each with its own character. Yet a sense of generosity, authenticity and warmth is present throughout.

Learn more about JA Resorts & Hotels
Photo: JA Palm Tree Court