Sponsored: Got visitors in town and want to do something that feels like Christmas but still feels very ‘Dubai bucket list’? Here’s a great option…

We’re officially feeling festive already – and if you, like us, fancy a celebratory Christmas meal in the run up to the season, a great option is to book in for the Palace Downtown’s beautiful festive high tea.

The hotel itself is on our ‘take visitors to’ list for its enviable location and for the fact that it feels very Arabian thanks to its plush decor that reflects the region (rather than looking like it could be a five-star hotel in any city in the world).

The high tea runs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 6pm and costs Dhs160 – it includes an extensive afternoon tea buffet and tea infusions. And then, on December 24, 25 and 26 the high tea is Dhs190. If you fancy making that one of your Christmas Day meals, it will still feel very ‘treat yourself’ but just without the high prices of other festive day feasts.

Plus, the high tea is in the Al Bayt lounge in the lobby. Which means you can either sit in this beautiful room:

Or on this terrace (from which, yes, you can see both Dubai Opera and the Burj Khalifa):

Oh, and check out how beautiful the Palace Downtown’s ‘tree of presents’ is this year (puts our scraggly old tree to shame):

Plus, there will be a live harpist at the high tea to help boost the opulent mood:

Food wise, expect a range of interesting savoury options, as well as a selection of festive sweet treats. The fact it’s a buffet means you needn’t wade through sandwiches you don’t like, and can just eat as many of your favourites as you want. Here are some pics of the spread…

  

Ok, now we’re hungry…

Palace Downtown, Downtown Dubai, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs160 per person (Dhs190 on December 24, 25 and 26). Tel: (800) DINING. More info on website.