Light, space and attention to detail

Property finds In the first of our new series about the UAE property market, we cast a critic's eye over an apartment offered for sale

Fairmont North Residence, Palm Jumeirah

A one-bedroom flat in Fairmont Residence North, Palm Jumeirah, available through Cluttons Dubai.

Dh1.8 million. (Service charge: Dh25 per square foot.)

Seventh floor; 1,506 square feet; covered balcony; one bedroom with en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe; guest loo; fitted kitchen; communal gym, garden and swimming pool; access to private beach (coming soon); allocated parking space; 24-hour security; optional hotel-style services (extra charge).

"The ultimate in luxury? 1,506 square feet of pure luxury awaits the new owner of this absolutely spectacular one bedroom apartment... this is Palm living at its best."

The sense of space inside the apartment is impressive and the rooms are flooded with light. The cream-coloured walls give the slightly dull brown marble floors a lift. A nice touch is the deep, false cornice, which partially conceals the air conditioning grilles. Details like this - and the reasonably solid-feeling doors, decent door hardware, a good number of power sockets and high quality paintwork - are evidence that the developer has gone to some effort and expense. The floor plan divides logically into "living" space and "private" (bedroom, bathroom, walk-in wardrobe). But access to the balcony is illogical: from the living room it's through a standard door, whereas double sliding doors lead to it from the bedroom. The covered balcony (which faces the Golden Mile) is a true outdoor room, big enough for a dining table and a couple of easy chairs or triffid-sized pot plants.The kitchen, fitted with dark brown wood cabinets (not dream kitchen material but better than many) and solid granite worktops, opens across a breakfast bar to the living/dining room. A Siemens dishwasher and cooker are included. The walk-in wardrobe, with fitted shelves and drawers, is big enough for the things that real people have, including suitcases and sports kit. In the beautifully planted communal garden a free-form swimming pool is surrounded by gazebo-style sun beds. The gym, one level below, has a wide range of Technogym's latest machines. Outside it there's a second pool, to be shared with beach club members, and beyond that, once the hotel next door is finished, will be the beach.

The space - rare in a one-bedroom apartment - that includes a large walk-in wardrobe, as well as a bathroom big enough for a Jacuzzi-style tub, separate shower cubicle and two handbasins. The lobby exudes a calm elegance and the staff are very welcoming. The very attractive garden and pool and well-equipped gym.

The marble-lined corridors on each floor are narrow, rather gloomy and do a great job as echo-chambers. The drain in the kitchen floor was poorly fitted and looked damaged - the only obviously bad element in the apartment's finish.

To live up to the claim of "Palm living at its best" it's reasonable to expect a full sea view - however, that would come at significantly higher cost. With an asking price of Dh1,100 per square foot, and a better finish than many Dubai properties, this flat would seem good value in the present market. The growing number of amenities on the Palm and easy access to the rest of Dubai would suit an owner-occupier. For an owner not here all year round, The Fairmont has a letting service that would be a bonus. Cluttons Dubai, 04 334 8585, www.cluttons.com/dubai