Escape to paradise: luxurious beach hotels for ultimate relaxation
There's nothing quite like escaping to a luxurious beachfront retreat, where the sound of waves, indulgent spa treatments and world-class hospitality create the perfect setting for relaxation. Whether you're seeking a tranquil wellness escape or a lavish family-friendly getaway, Best At Travel has rounded up a selection of stunning resorts to inspire your next holiday.
Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius
Following an extensive refurbishment, Shangri-La Le Touessrok offers a fresh, contemporary design. Nestled on Trou d'Eau Douce, it boasts six secluded beaches, uninterrupted ocean views and a private island retreat at Ilot Mangénie.
Golfers can enjoy complimentary green fees at Ile Aux Cerfs and Anahita Golf Club, while guests can indulge in premium dining, complimentary aqua sports and heartfelt Mauritian hospitality.
Raffles The Palm Dubai
A palatial retreat on Palm Jumeirah, Raffles The Palm Dubai is synonymous with grandeur and indulgence. Featuring Dubai's largest swimming pool, a private cinema and 24-hour butler service, it ensures unparalleled luxury. Club room guests enjoy exclusive Raffles Club Lounge access, with three daily food offerings and evening aperitivi.
Exclusive Club Level offer: stay for seven nights, pay for six. Complimentary half board, Club Lounge access & benefits, plus children under 12 stay free.
Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
Atlantis The Royal Dubai sets a new standard for luxury with its architectural design and 17 world-class restaurants, including venues led by celebrity chefs such as Heston Blumenthal and Nobu Matsuhisa.
For relaxation, Awaken Wellness offers a Hammam Sensorium, while Cloud 22, a 90m rooftop infinity pool club, provides panoramic views. Guests also receive complimentary access to the world's largest waterpark at Aquaventure World.
Special offer: save up to £200 per person, complimentary access to Aquaventure World and The Lost Chambers Aquarium.
Cap Maison, Saint Lucia
An intimate five-star boutique resort, Cap Maison offers private villa suites, many with rooftop pools. Guests can enjoy fine dining at The Cliff at Cap or Caribbean flavours at The Naked Fisherman Beach Bar & Grill.
The Champagne Zipline delivers bubbly via zipline to a private oceanfront table, while adventurers can explore the walk-in wine cellar or set sail on a private 46-foot resort boat.
Special Offer: save up to 20 per cent.
Banyan Tree Dubai
Located on Bluewaters Island, Banyan Tree Dubai boasts a 500m private beach, moments from Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye). Guests enjoy half-board dine-around at seven restaurants and relax in three outdoor pools, including an adults-only pool.
Wellness seekers can embrace daily yoga, meditation and the Rainforest hydrotherapy experience, while the exclusive I-Dom Bed (Infrared Dom) enhances relaxation.
Special offer: save up to 35 per cent, plus a complimentary upgrade to half board (three-course set menu), AED 150 spa credit per room and complimentary Ain Dubai tickets.
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Synonymous with timeless luxury, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah provides a serene escape with panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. Families will love the Kid's Club, shaded kids' pool and Once Upon a Brunch Saturdays, while guests can unwind in spacious sea-facing rooms featuring marble bathrooms and signature bedding. Indulge in award-winning spa excellence and luxurious facilities designed for ultimate relaxation, elevating every stay into a rejuvenating retreat.
Special offer: save up to 40 per cent, plus children stay free on an all-inclusive basis.
The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius
Set against the Unesco-listed Le Morne mountain, this all-suite retreat, inspired by the summer homes of the Astors, features 172 suites, each with private terraces or balconies. Guests enjoy legendary butler service, signature St. Regis Timeless Rituals and Exquisite Experiences designed for modern tastemakers.
Special offer: save up to 30 per cent, plus complimentary half board.
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
Set on a private island, Pangkor Laut Resort is a tropical sanctuary where luxury meets nature. Guests can unwind on Emerald Bay, a secluded beach with powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters.
The award-winning Spa Village offers traditional wellness treatments, while dining showcases fresh seafood, Malaysian specialities, and international flavours. Whether indulging in a sunset cruise, rainforest trek, or a private dining experience, every moment feels indulgent.
Special offer: save up to £350 per person, plus enjoy a 50-minute couples spa treatment per stay.
Turn inspiration into reality
Best At Travel brings dream holidays to life with expertly curated escapes tailored to your every need. With exclusive offers on the world's finest luxury and spa resorts, their UK-based travel experts – trusted for nearly 40 years – ensure every detail is seamlessly planned.
Rated 4.9 on Trustpilot, their commitment to exceptional service makes holiday planning effortless and as an Atol-protected operator, they provide complete peace of mind. Open seven days a week, their team is always ready to craft your perfect getaway.
Call 020 3813 9306 or visit bestattravel.co.uk today and let the journey begin.
Offers correct at time of publication and subject to availability. Visit Best At Travel website for the latest, most up-to-date pricing.
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The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
‘We're here to disturb the algorithm' – inside Dubai's surprising art scene
It's 6am and I'm trying to decide whether it's the heady scent of jasmine or the jet lag that's got me so lightheaded. Probably both. I've woken up at ridiculous o'clock and managed to locate the button to automatically open my curtains from the giant bed at the Jumeirah Al Arab – whilst taking in the scenery of pure white sand, sunbeds as far as the eye can see and discreet workers who are beavering away at the day's maintenance. The mighty seven-star Jumeirah Burj Al Arab looms in my vision on its man-made island opposite my balcony. Dubai loves a superlative: tallest tower, fastest lift, deepest pool, highest dancing fountain – and I begin my quest to discover its burgeoning art scene with the biggest breakfast. The Al Arab dining experience is something to behold, and for a city known for its belt-busting brunch experiences, that's saying something. Saffron croissants, check. Sushi, check. Shakshuka, check. Somewhere between a third coffee and a bite of za'atar bread, I notice the tables filling up with glamorous families in their matching baby'n'me Prada twin sets. Rather than gawp, I push my sunglasses firmly into position and prepare myself to explore Dubai 's art scene. My first stop is Alserkal Avenue, Dubai's edgy, creative lung. Wedged inside Al Quoz, a district that still bears the marks of industry, it comprises gritty warehouses, greasy mechanics' garages and large cranes suggesting exciting new developments. Crucially, it's a world away from the Gucci tracksuits and Tesla showrooms that I expected to find here. Founded by Emirati patron Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, the Avenue is a defiant snub to the city's luxury obsession and has gone from strength to strength since it opened with just one gallery, 'Ayyam', in 2008. Now there are seventeen galleries and a hip crowd of Gen Z-ers wearing paint-stained Dickies and Crocs, who flaunt multi-coloured hair as they zip around on scooters. The vibe here is ultra-cool, and lunchtime brings an edgy gaggle of workers who patiently queue at the vegan café for their Ethiopian pour-over coffees. I find Chafa Ghaddar in her 8th Street Studio. Lebanese-born, she relocated to Dubai seven years ago and has found that the rhythm of life here suits her. She talks me through her work whilst offering me one of her mum's delicious homemade chocolates that she regularly ships over from Beirut. Known for her contemporary fresco work – a medium steeped in history which she distils through a contemporary lens – her work offers an interesting insight into the female perspective. Next, I drop into Rami Farook's studio. Part personal museum, part existential garage sale, Farook's works include self-portraits scrawled on plywood, scuffed zines from 2006, found objects and fake ads. 'This,' he says, motioning around, 'this is Dubai. Not the malls.' I'm in town for Dubai's official art week, Art Dubai, where the vibe is much more formal. Headquartered at the Madinat Jumeirah, where even the air feels curated, my comfortable-for-the-35-degrees sundress stands out like a sore thumb against the gallerists' blanket uniform of 50 shades of black. After silencing my imposter syndrome, I make my way through the vast showcase of work. I found an affinity with the digital section, which launched in 2022 and showcases works which are radical, virtual and visionary. It has rapidly established itself as one of the most ambitious experiments of its kind: a curated space that not only embraces the aesthetics of the online world but wrestles seriously with the ethics, politics and implications of living within it. Speaking to Caroline Spinks, the mind behind the Espace Gallery, the British-born curator is firmly embedded in the UAE's creative ecosystem. Her work with Ralph Khoury (aka Ginger Potter) isn't just about presenting digital art, it's about asking what happens when the simulation becomes more real than the thing it imitates. 'We're not here to entertain,' she tells me, sipping black tea from a paper cup. 'We're here to disturb the algorithm.' I nod in agreement, but I am distracted by a very real-looking butterfly on the screen behind her; not an insect at all, but a computer file. Venturing further into the abyss of interactive art, I was bestowed a personal affirmation from a chip-infused ceramic bird at the Inloco Gallery stand. Iranian-born Mohsen Hazrati's "Fãl" project was inspired by the fortune-telling parrots found in Iranian markets in his parents' era, brought up to date thanks to AI. Keen to try, I was able to type a question, scan my bird and receive an answer – a digital divination based on the poems of Iranian poet Hafez. Intriguing? Indeed. Enlightening. Sadly not. After my whirlwind visit, I'd say that the art scene in Dubai seems to be mixing tradition with disruption to great effect. This was reinforced by one of the artists I met, who said: 'Dubai is not a blank slate. It's already full. We're just adding layers.' During my visit, I felt I'd got under at least some of those layers and was enchanted with the city's mesmerising confidence. When asked, 'So, did you get it?' I'd answer, yes. I think I probably did. Sara Darling was a guest of Visit Dubai and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I made £30m in Dubai and was blown away by the architecture, the riches and how safe it is - but this is why after just two years I HAD to leave
An entrepreneur has revealed why he quit Dubai after living there for two years and making an incredible £30 million. Charlie Morgan moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2023, as a 'business decision' more so than a personal one, thanks to Dubai's lucrative tax-free earnings. The businessman, who coaches people online to make money, was a fan of the area at first. In a video on his Youtube channe l, he praised Dubai for promoting a healthy lifestyle, with its strict laws on heavy drinking. Pornography and the use of drugs is also outlawed on the gulf, as well as gambling, which Charlie said 'is a good thing'. He explains: 'If you struggle with any bad habits, then you know it's illegal to do them and you will have to face the book of law if you do partake in stupid things.' The businessman also enthused about how 'safe' Dubai is, and has never seen an example of violence or crime in the two years he was resident there. He said: 'It is so safe, you feel incredibly secure, even in rowdy pubs or rowdy bars. There's no fighting, there's no swearing.' However, his cons outweighed the good, and Charlie has revealed all the reasons he eventually decided to break up with Dubai. Charlie said Dubai is 'so safe, you feel incredibly secure, even in rowdy pubs or rowdy bars. There's no fighting, there's no swearing.' However, his cons outweighed the good 'Impossible' to settle Charlie started by revealing how it's 'impossible' to put down roots in Dubai. He said: 'Living in Dubai feels like a holiday or in an Airbnb because in order for you to have a healthy life, you need to have people love and you need to have a social life and you need to have a love life. 'You need to have a family life and stuff like that.' He continued: 'The issue with Dubai is everyone plans to leave. It's a revolving door of a city which means that people come and people leave.' Charlie added that up to 95 per cent of people he knew in the city had planned to leave at some point. Air quality Charlie explained how 'nobody talks about the air quality' and how you can 'smell' the pollution in the summer months. He said: 'You can taste it. In the morning, your throat congests. 'You'll wake up in the morning with stuff in your nose that you will have to blow out of your nose, like you've got a cold or something. 'In the summer and even in the winter you can see it. I used to live on the Palm [Islands] and I would be able to see buildings a mile or two away from me. 'And in the summer, where the pollution is so bad that you can't see the buildings a mile or two away, there's just this thick layer of polluted fog that surrounds the city and it's really unpleasant.' Construction Dubai's construction sector has seen strong growth over the last decade. But the noise of workers erecting striking new structures and houses eventually got to Charlie. He revealed he lived on a quiet street, but those living in apartments complained about the 'relentless' noise. Charlie said: 'If you live in an apartment block or a high rise, there's always someone changing windows and drilling, and that's a huge problem.' Dating With more men than women in the region, Charlie admitted he struggled to find a partner in Dubai, and found the dating market 'difficult'. The number-savvy businessman attributed it to the 'type' of woman that is 'attracted' to the UAE and its lifestyle. He explained: 'I hate to use the words "market" and "dating" in the same phrase, but Dubai does attract a certain type of woman. 'You're less likely to find a wholesome, maternal figure in Dubai, when you think about the kind of girl who is attracted to Dubai.' Water He went on to reveal how the water is undrinkable and you always have to consume filtered or bottled water instead. The problem with bottled water, he said, is the sodium has been removed from it - and he claimed it's left those in Dubai with an electrolyte deficiency. 'So all the electrolytes in the water are removed from all the drinking water,' he said. 'What happens is you end up dehydrating yourself because these electrolytes hydrate you.' To counter this, Charlie took Himalayan pink salt by using a funnel so he could have electrolytes. Heavy traffic In Dubai, driving or public transport is the typical way to move around, with Charlie highlighting how it is difficult to walk or cycle anywhere. He said: 'It's very much a car-dependent city, which is fine if that's your thing, but I wouldn't mind it if the driving experience was actually okay. 'The driving experience is not great if you want to have a car there, it is very much every man for himself, and there's lots of traffic all the time.' With heavy traffic on the roads, Charlie said journey times could be doubled or even tripled at rush hour. 'The main thing I like about Europe is I can walk out my door now,' he said as he compared home life to the Gulf. 'I can walk to the supermarket if I want to go to the supermarket. 'I can walk to a park, I can walk to the pub, I can walk down to see my friends.' Unclear tax rules Despite many assuming earnings are tax free in the UAE, Charlie said the rules are actually 'totally unclear'. He added: 'For example, there's a 9 per cent corporation tax and I've spoken to many accountants and lawyers that are experts in UAE law and taxation, but no one really knows who has to pay it and what it's for.' Charlie continued: 'I don't like tax jurisdictions that don't have clear-cut rules, because then, before you know it, you're liable for a fine.' Dubai's aesthetic The professional criticised Dubai's entrepreneur aesthetic and how 'everyone looks the same' and 'conforms' to the same identity. 'Everyone wears the same stuff.', he said. 'It's weird, everyone conforms to this identity that I don't really like. 'Prime example, I saw a large group of entrepreneurs at an event, but it wasn't an event that I was attending and there was 40 or 50 of them and they all looked identical.' The professional criticised Dubai's entrepreneur aesthetic and how 'everyone looks the same' and 'conforms' to the same identity He added there is a tendency for people to almost 'morph into this one single high-value human being.' 'In these cities in Europe, there are individuals, people are very bold with their fashion or what they wear, or how they look, or how they speak,' he added. Isolation Charlie went on to reveal how he struggled with isolation while in the capital, and how you 'can't just meet your mates down the pub'. He said: 'Dubai is incredibly isolating and social circles are incredibly hard to break into and they're very cliquey. 'I had a good group of friends in Dubai, a couple of different groups that I would play football with or go for dinners with, and I met some amazing people in Dubai that honestly I'll be friends with for the rest of my life. 'But there's no sense of community in Dubai, none.' And, although he went on networking dinners, Charlie branded them fake, insisting they are merely just a 'transaction'. Time Charlie had a team that was dotted around the world - from South Africa and Europe to the USA. This meant he and his colleagues were working across multiple time zones and his team would start later in the day. 'I found myself working until 11pm and then naturally waking up at 11am or 10am and finishing at midnight', he recalled. 'Now I'm back in the UK, I'm back to my usual schedule of waking up at 5:30am or 6am and then I finish work at like 6pm or 7pm.' Nature Despite living on the beach, surrounded by palm trees, Charlie said Dubai lacked nature and green spaces. He said: 'It was quiet and peaceful and there were birds and crickets and stuff but it still lacked nature, no green space.' However, Charlie did praise the UAE for its beautiful canyons and deserts, but stressed how it's not integrated. While admitting city chiefs are working on addressing the problem, Charlie said: 'You can't just walk through a field or be in some meadows or something'. Police authority Finally, the entrepreneur addressed the well-documented police authority in Dubai and how 'significant' it is. He said: 'The government is obviously autocratic, which means it's not a democracy. 'I don't know quite how they run it but this issue is the final con, that everyone lives in constant fear.' He went on to clarify how he and others constantly had a 'slight fear' in the back of their minds that they would do something wrong, end up arrested and 'put away in jail'. He added: 'I never did anything wrong, but a lot of people I spoke to over there shared this same sort of fear and you'd hear all these stories aren't probably true about p**sing off the wrong local and getting imprisoned.' He went on to clarify how he and others constantly had a 'slight fear' in the back of their minds that they would do something wrong, end up arrested and 'put away in jail' While praising Dubai's leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he said because the police and government have 'full control' there's less accountability. He added: 'You just need to be aware that there are real consequences to your actions'. Are you thinking of moving away from the UK to somewhere you don't have to pay any income tax?
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers go wild for new viral Dubai chocolate product in stores THIS WEEK – but will be limited to just 3 each
Read more on where you can find Lidl's Dubai chocolate spread CHOC JOY Shoppers go wild for new viral Dubai chocolate product in stores THIS WEEK – but will be limited to just 3 each Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIDL'S highly-anticipated Dubai Style spread has finally hit the shelves - and it's sending customers into a spin. So much so, the bargain retailer has been forced to place a shopping limit on the exotic treat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Lidl's Dubai Chocolate Cream Spread is £4.99 Credit: Lidl The Della Sante Dubai Style Chocolate Cream spread combines the flavours of the insanely popular chocolate but in spreadable form. That means you can slather it on toast, pile it onto pancakes, dip fruit in it or even spoon it from the jar. The sweet and salty pots cost £4.99 or £3.99 for Lidl Plus members, which is far more expensive than the store's other chocolate spreads. However, the price tag is not deterring customers, and the shop has implemented a strict three-jar-only policy. One shared a snap of the toast topping on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group. Followers flocked to the comment section to tag friends and family in the post. Lidl has said it will be available "while stocks last" - so you may want to get in quick. When Lidl launched its Dubai-style chocolate bar back in March, shoppers were queuing outside shops to get a taste. The Sun spotted a queue outside the Gosport, Hampshire, store at 8am with shoppers eagerly waiting for the doors to open. Chocolate fans have been going crazy for supermarket dupes of the expensive Dubai chocolate bars and they've been going viral on social media. Lidl's version was the cheapest when it was brought out at £3.99. Foodies race to buy new Dubai chocolate Easter egg in popular supermarket - the 'filling is crazy' and it's selling FAST Before it arrived in stores, the chocolate bar had been available on Lidl's TikTok Shop. It wasn't around for long though as it sold out in a mere 84 minutes. Numerous supermarkets and bargain stores have been jumping on the Dubai-style chocolate trend. One of the most-anticipated was the M&S version, which it turned out was a new take on the viral Big Daddy chocolate bar. The Big Daddy Pistachio is on the pricier end, costing £8.50 for a big 280g bar. Similarly posh supermarket Waitrose also released a version for £10. Despite the price, it was so popular the retailer had to impose a two-bar limit on shoppers. Sainsbury's started selling a Lindt version of the Dubai-style chocolate for £10. Iceland is selling two different bars: the Nelino Dubai-Style Chocolate (£2 for 62g) and Bolci Dubai Chocolate (£5 for 100g). Bolci's Turkish-made treat is also available at Morrisons. Meanwhile Home Bargains is selling Dubai Chocolate Cookies for the bargain price of £1.25.
