The Palace, The Old Town opens in Downtown Burj Dubai this summer

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The opening is Sofitel's major announcement at this year's Arabian Travel Market, the region's leading travel and trade exhibition.

'We will be participating exclusively and for the first time at the ATM this year,' says Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, General Manager, The Palace. 'As we have not yet formally announced the opening of our new luxurious property, the ATM comes at a perfect time and is the ideal platform for us to make this important announcement.

'Perfectly complementing the up-and-coming Downtown Burj Dubai development by Emaar Properties, The Palace embodies the exceptional standards set by the Sofitel brand in its design, facilities and service. We anticipate a very successful first ATM and are excited about establishing ourselves as a symbol of the region's luxury hospitality.'

The Palace forms the centrepiece of the Downtown Burj Dubai and offers unobstructed views of Burj Dubai. Palatial in every sense, the property recalls the '1001 nights' tales with its high vaulted ceilings, oriental sculptures and regal setting on The Old Town Island.

The 242 guest rooms and suites are spacious and tastefully decorated with balconies and direct views of the Burj Dubai lake and The Old Town Island. The 81 suites have apartments ranging from 700 to over 1,000 square feet while the Imperial Suite is over 5,000 square feet, boasting four apartments on two floors.

The hotel's three fine dining restaurants offer a world tour of gastronomy. Thiptara is a Royal Thai offering with an emphasis on Bangkok-style seafood and awards diners breathtaking views over the lake. Asado, an Argentine Grill offers premium meat cuts cooked 'asador criollo', on an open grill in the centre of the restaurant. Complete with live music and dance performers, Asado provides an out of this world dining experience. Ewaan is an all day dining Mediterranean restaurant, while a Lounge Bar and Shisha area are also available for guests.

LeSpa at Sofitel features exclusively at The Palace for the first time in the Middle East. The 1,000 square metre leisure facility is completely dedicated to providing a haven for the well-being and relaxation of guests in a luxurious setting. Facilities include hammams, Jacuzzis, massages under a Vichy shower, Monsoon showers, five suites devoted entirely to massage, four spa rooms, a gym, relaxation area, beauty salon and hairdresser.

To enhance guests' memorable experience, The Palace provides additional services including a Butler assigned to every room, Guest Relation service on each floor, limousine service to the airport or main shopping areas and wireless internet access in all rooms.

The hotel's prime location on The Old Town Island allows for easy access to The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in the world with an amazing 'souk de l'or' and long walkway flanked by an aquarium and Olympic size ice rink. Guests can even enjoy a ride on the traditional abra service to Downtown Burj Dubai, relax on close proximity white sandy beaches and tee-off at a nearby golf course. The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club and Ski Dubai also remain favourable nearby attractions.

The Palace is Sofitel's second hotel in Dubai following the Sofitel City Centre Hotel and Residence Dubai; properties also exist in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and Taiz, Yemen. Eight new establishments are expected by 2009, including three in the United Arab Emirates and one each in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar and Bahrain.