Property of the Week: Dh22m Zabeel Saray villa brings Ottoman design to Dubai's Palm Jumeirah


Ian Oxborrow
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There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.

Each week, The National showcases some of the best homes on offer in its Property of the Week.

Here, we take a look at a villa at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Royal Residences on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah.

The impressive front to the Palm Jumeirah villa. Courtesy Knight Frank
The impressive front to the Palm Jumeirah villa. Courtesy Knight Frank

The key details

The villa, spread across more than 4,400 square feet, comes with five bedrooms, four of which are on the first floor and are accessible by elevator or stairs, and six bathrooms.

It comes fully furnished and is on the market with Knight Frank for Dh22 million.

What's the story?

Palm Jumeirah is home to a vast selection of villas that come in all shapes and sizes; it really is a who's who of architects and interior designers.

But like with our last property of the week, at the The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, there is another way of living beyond the "build it, style it, curate it" concept that is extensive among the fronds.

Here, the owner gets to live within the grounds of one Dubai's finest hotels in what Jumeirah describes as "Turkish-inspired living in lush gardens".

And those gardens are indeed lush, providing secluded private island vibes with a fresh looking lawn and, what else on the Palm Jumeirah, but palm trees! The greenery provides a natural boundary between homes for added privacy.

Inside, there's a calming mix of soft purples, white walls and twinkling chandeliers. It's certainly in keeping with the level of opulence you'd expect at one of Dubai's most prestigious addresses.

The views from the property, meanwhile, are among the most sought-after in the city, with the Dubai Marina and Bluewaters Island in direct eye-line from the rear terrace and garden.

Residents can make the most of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray's facilities, including the fine-dining options, award-winning Talise Ottoman Spa and 59-metre infinity pool, if a larger pool than the one within the villa's boundaries is required.

The villa's grand hallway. Courtesy Knight Frank
The villa's grand hallway. Courtesy Knight Frank

What the brokers say ...

How does the ownership work given it is in the grounds of a Jumeirah hotel?

The property is 100 per cent freehold ownership with full property title deed.

How many Royal Residences are there? Are you living among hotel guests?

The Royal Residences is a collection of 38 villas divided into three different clusters: Seafront Royal Residence, Lagoon Royal Residence and Beach Royal Residence.

The Seafront Royal Residence villas face the Palm Jumeirah itself and the Arabian Gulf, the Beach Royal Residence homes look out towards the Dubai Marina and the Lagoon Royal Residence villas are clustered around a man-made lagoon at the centre of the development.

The interior has had a lot of attention ...

The finest Turkish marble, wood and ceramic imported from Western Anatolia have been used in the exterior and interior design of the villas, which feature sloping tiled roofs, tall columned entry arches and ornate staircases among other fine details.

Why would a buyer opt for the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray ahead of a more private residence on Palm Jumeirah or elsewhere?

This villa has been fully remodelled with high-end luxury furnishings.

Warmth is a signature element of the villas, which take their inspiration from the lavish guesthouses that Ottoman nobles provided their visitors. Rich ivory and gold finishes complement the finest silk fabrics and plush carpeting, along with beautiful chandeliers and accents that give the homes a sense of grandeur. All of the kitchens are fully equipped and there are private sun terraces where you can entertain guests while enjoying the spectacular view.

Anne Ogilvie, associate partner at Knight Frank

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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

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