The Palace, The Old Town emerges in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Palace is managed by Sofitel Luxury Hotels and forms an integral component of Emaar's mega project. The luxury hotel offers direct views of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world and is surrounded by the Burj Dubai Lake.

Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, general manager of The Palace, The Old Town, added: "We are pleased to open at a time when much attention is being focused on the Downtown Burj Dubai development and the emirate in general.

"As a unique luxury hotel within Downtown Burj Dubai, The Palace combines the charms of an Arabian palace with the intimacies of home. The hotel will appeal to leisure and business visitors alike and it is our utmost priority to ensure that the needs and comforts of all our guests are met. "

The landmark hotel carries 242 beautifully appointed deluxe rooms, including 81 suites all with balconies overlooking the lake or The Old Town Island. Each floor is equipped with a 24 hour guest relations station and a personal butler service has been assigned to every room to ensure maximum luxury and privacy.

Three outstanding fine dining options feature at The Palace, each boasting an unmatched cuisine and setting. The Argentine Grill, Asado adopts a cavern-like interior style and hinges on the open grill concept, where premium meat cuts are cooked at the centre of the restaurant. Ewaan is located in the main lobby and is the all-day-dining lounge that serves a Mediterranean buffet.

In November 2007, The Palace's signature fine dining restaurant, Thiptara will open right out on the lake. Open exclusively for dinner only, guests will sample the restaurant's fine Royal Thai cuisine while enjoying striking views of the Burj Dubai and lake.

The same month will see The Palace achieve another first for Sofitel with the opening of the first LeSpa in the Middle East. The 1,000 square metre spa accommodates separate facilities for men and women and will offer guests of the hotel traditional Hammams, Monsoon showers, specialised treatment suites, a gymnasium and Carita beauty salon and barber shop.

The Old Town Island, primarily a residential development is an attraction in itself offering a host of dining and entertainment facilities for guests. Water taxis docked at the harbour frontage can transport hotel guests to the Burj Dubai, the Souk Al Bahar - an Arabian-influenced waterside shopping market and The Dubai Mall - one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations.