But this slice of paradise exists cheekbyjowlwith the war-torn, lawless border region of Somalia, and last month the two worlds collided, with deadly consequences.
Situated on Grace Bay Beach, cheekbyjowlwith less impressive properties, The Palms' 72 suites offer balconies, iPod minis and full kitchens with Viking appliances, but just about everybody seems to gravitate to the 15, 000-square-foot spa.
In danger of falling on to the assembled mass, and after some heated communication between the CBI chief and the man in the roof - now joined by a friend - the PM was bundled off into a side room to deliver his speech cheekbyjowlwith the invited guests, and the constant interruptions of mobile phones, TV cameras, photographers, and noises off.