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Time Out Dubai
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time Out Dubai
J1 Beach Dubai: 13 new restaurants to book immediately
A new beachfront destination has arrived in Dubai. After months (and months) of waiting, J1 Beach Dubai opened in 2024 and is now home to 13 licensed fine-dining concepts. From South of France export Bâoli to uber-elegant Italian Gigi Rigolatto, there is plenty of delicious cuisines to discover along the 500-metre shoreline strip. You might also like: J1 Beach: 9 luxe beach clubs to book next Have we officially piqued your interest? Good. Here are the best J1 Beach restaurants more than worthy of your next special occasion. The best J1 Beach restaurants in Dubai African Queen J1 Beach Dubai. Since opening its doors in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, African Queen is all about Med sophistication. Known for serving up Riviera classics, African Queen has attracted a fancy clientele and has drawn in some global icons. When it opened in Dubai at J1 Beach it instantly became a go-to place for Dubai diners to visit. Time Out Dubai even spotted Lindsay Lohan grabbing a bite to eat with her husband. The Dubai location features African-inspired décor (there are a lot of leopard and zebra patterns everywhere). The menu features French Riviera classics like salad Nicoise and pissaladiere pizza, as well as popular Dubai dishes a la burrata salad, lobster linguine and, of course, truffle fries. Open Mon-Thu 10am-midnight. Fri-Sun 10am-1am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (052 778 0760). Almayass by the Sea New restaurants in Dubai. Credit: Almayass With branches in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Riyadh, fans of Almayass are now able to dive into mezze-style dishes like manti, kabab karaz, kibeh karaz, sujuk flambe and warak enab with yoghurt. First jumping onto the Beirut foodie scene in 1996, the restaurant is known for serving up generations-old recipes with modern flair. Open daily noon-1am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, @almayass_dubai (04 214 5999). Bâoli Credit: Baoli Famous Cannes hotspot Bâoli has landed in Dubai and offers up a pretty stunning destination right by the beach. Here, you'll get modern Japanese cuisine with a hint of new Asian flavours. The jungle-themed restaurant can easily be described as having 'sanctuary aesthetics', but the vibes are anything but peaceful. The vibey and upbeat spot has amazing music blasting and well-dressed diners are on their feet dancing with sparklers in hand. Visit this J1 Beach destination on a weekend if you're in a party party mood and you definitely will not regret it. Open Sun-Wed noon-1am, Thu-Sat noon-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 558 6381). Check out our full Bâoli review here Chouchou J1 Beach Dubai. Launching its first outpost worldwide at J1 Beach at La Mer, Chouchou is a members-only beach house with a restaurant that serves upscale family-style French cuisine with a twist, while the beach house remains exclusive to members. The venue also includes a living room, a rooftop terrace, and its very own signature pool. Chouchou fits right into Dubai's sophisticated French dining scene with signature dishes like seafood towers with oysters and caviar, salt-crusted chicken, fish romanesco and sweet chouchou. Open daily from 10am-midnight. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1. (052 818 3203). Gigi Rigolatto New restaurants in Dubai. Credit: Gigi Rigolatto Gigi is all about elegant Italian culture. Promising a lively atmosphere, it appeals to both foodies and party enthusiasts. Inspired by iconic locations like Paris and Saint-Tropez, Gigi features a menu of classic Italian cuisine, highlighted by its 'Bellini Bar' offering both traditional and modern variations of the classic peach drink. The venue accommodates 240 guests, with 120 indoor seats and spacious terraces. Families are welcomed with the Gigi Circus, a kids' club packed with fun activities. A concept store offers over 40 international brands of beachwear and accessories. Open daily from 10am-1am. J1 Beach, La Mer (04 558 2067). Check out our full Gigi Rigolatto review here Gitano J1 Beach Dubai. Tulum-inspired eatery GITANO is a Mexican-themed spot that features traditional dishes as well as a 'Gypsy Disco' experience for guests. Founded by British-born James Gardner, the venue is kitted out with a modern jungle feel, branded with neon signs and of course, the iconic disco ball – a nod to its New York flair. Looking out over the beach and also with views of the Burj Khalifa, you can expect Latin American cuisine with a twist. Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (058 566 2320). INÁ (coming soon) J1 Beach Dubai. Credit: J1 Beach in Dubai welcomed its final addition in April 2025 and it's a total vibe. INA, meaning fire or flame in Nigerian Yoruba, boasts Dubai's largest open-flame grill and serve up fresh-high quality fish, meat, vegetables and grains in view of the guests. Blending open fire cooking with fine dining, the menu is a collaboration from Evgeny Kuzin and acclaimed chef Glen Ballis. Nodding to African heritage, the decor is definitely one for the 'gram, while the dishes will all be cooked on Dubai's largest open-fire grill. Open all year round, you can sit under the sun in winter or opt for a table under the climate-controlled canopy in the summer months. Open Sun-Thu 6.30pm-1am, Fri-Sun 6.30pm-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 570 4766). Kaimana Beach J1 Beach Dubai. Kaimana Beach in Dubai offers a Polynesian-inspired space with top dining and a vibey atmosphere. Created by chef Michael Collantes, a chef with deep roots in Hawaii, the menu blends Asian-Polynesian flavours with dishes like braised beef cheek loco moco and pulpo anticuchero. While the pool area is exclusively for adults, families with children can take advantage of the beach facilities, ensuring there is something for everyone. Oh and if you want to do a pool day, it's one of the few spots at J1 where sunbed prices are fully redeemable on food and drinks. Open daily from 10am-1am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 243 3555). La Baia Dubai J1 Beach Dubai. This restaurant and beach club is packed with an air of *that's amore*, from the stripy sunbeds to the fresh lemons on the tables. Serving up dishes from Southern Italy, the menu will include everything from Mediterranean seafood to artisanal pastas, stuffed zucchini flowers and some ultimate burrata creations. Inside the restaurant, there's even an exclusive dessert room, where you can admire the sweet treats taking centre stage (think tiramisu, Sicilian cannoli and of course, creamy gelato). Open daily from 10am-midnight. J1 Beach, La Mer South, (04 570 2482). LÚNICO J1 Beach Dubai. Lúnico brings Spanish fine dining and a late-night bar experience to Dubai's J1 Beach this autumn. Inspired by the moon's phases and natural elements, Lúnico offers a sensory journey combining exceptional Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, a dynamic bar program, and captivating music. Guests explore unique dishes like ceviche Gallego, Galician octopus, and vieiras with caviar, incorporating biodynamic ingredients inspired by lunar cycles. The bar serves signature drinks tied to the four elements and pre-Columbian traditions. Featuring indoor and outdoor seating with sea views, LED visuals, and an atmospheric design, Lúnico offers a transformative experience blending fine dining, culture, and entertainment. Open Sun-Wed noon-1am, Thu-Sat noon-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (050 277 6503). Ninive Beach Dubai One of the first Middle Eastern-inspired beach clubs in Dubai (and how has it taken this long to launch one?), Ninive Beach is already a very popular destination at J1 Beach. Designed to look like a stunning Morrocan majlis, the indoor/outdoor space features a turquoise tiled pool, rich earth tones and traditional textiles. All with a cool and modern twist. In addition to delicious Lebanese, Iraqi, Turkish and Moroccan cuisine, Ninive Beach also offers pool and beach access, chic sunbeds and Moroccan-inspired cabanas. The venue also hosts cool events and monthly DJ sets from global artists. Open daily from 10am-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 498 4200). Sakhalin J1 Beach Dubai. Created by famous Russian chef Vladimir Mukhinan, the beachfront spot Sakhalin is inspired by Sakhalin Island (Russia's biggest island). Here, you can expect a menu that features Russian, Mediterranean and Asian blends. Sounds complicated, but it works. Located at J1 Beach Sakhalin has views of the Arabian Gulf, a gorgeous terrace and a stunning centrepiece fountain under an illuminated roof installation made from shimmering light. The menu focuses mostly on seafood and features creative dishes made with top-notch ingredients. Definitely one not to miss. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (04 495 1600). Sirene Beach by GAIA (Credit: Supplied) With a menu created by Evgeny Kuzin and chef Izu Ani, the pair have branched out from the original DIFC restaurant for this beachfront project (so get expect something special). Bringing a range of dishes to the table, expect an extensive selection of fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and some classic cooking styles that will remind you of some top-quality home cooking. If you want to go all out on your Greek escape, get the whole gang together and book out a private cabana, the larger of which can accommodate up to eight guests (and some of the cost is redeemable too). Open Sun-Thu 10am-1am, Fri-Sat 10am-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeriah 1, (052 334 2787). Need a reservation in the meantime? New restaurants in Dubai that you need to visit right now From casual eats to fine dining, there's bound to be a new venue you'll want to try These are Dubai's best restaurants: 85 incredible places to dine in 2024 All the winners of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2024 25 of the best restaurants in DIFC: Reservations you have to make now Tried, tested and highly rated restaurants to try in Dubai's financial district
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches
BORED of the concrete jungle views over London when the sun is out? Well, here are our favourite destinations for a day trip, and they are all less than two hours away from the capital. 8 Sun Travel reveal our best day trip destinations from London Credit: Kara Godfrey 8 All of these towns you can get to in an hour and a half, or less Credit: Alamy Folkestone, Kent I could hardly talk about amazing seaside towns without mentioning my hometown of Folkestone. From being named a trending place to live by New restaurants and bars are popping up, including the new Med restaurant Cavella on the popular Harbour Arms, as well as the upcoming small-plate restaurant Pomus after success in Margate. Two new playgrounds including the huge adventure park Lower Leas Coastal Park are being renovated, with the town's unique funicular set to reopen next year. Read More on UK Beaches It has its own If you need entertaining, there is The Board Room for shuffleboard and darts, or the Harbour Screen with live shows and films (and some nearby live music). My top tips? Head to Burrito Buoy for a frozen margarita, grab a delicious pizza over at Brewing Brothers, and end your night at The Old Buoy pub. You'll be well fed and watered, and make a few local mates along the way… - Brighton, East Sussex When people think of beach day trips from London, Brighton comes to their mind immediately for good reason. Most read in Beach holidays Only an hour on the train, the seaside city has often been associated with YouTubers over the years. Yet the destination is loved for many reasons. From the narrow alleys with quaint shops, great ice cream spots and the iconic i360 with breathtaking panoramic views - Brighton really does provide something for everyone. Top 5 Beaches in the UK 8 Kara can't get enough of Folkestone in Kent Credit: Kara Godfrey The history is there too, with the iconic pier still open today and full of classic arcade games and the old pier - of which remains only still stand. The beach itself has pretty pebbles, a long-stretching promenade and pretty townhouses. Sit next to the pier just as And if that wasn't enough to draw you there - Brighton is super dog friendly, so is a great day away from the city for your four-legged friend - Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 8 Broadstairs is known for being a classic seaside resort Credit: Alamy Broadstairs, Kent You're spoilt for choice when it comes to a beach sunbathe in the historic Kent coastal gem, There's seven sandy coves to explore, all linked by clifftop paths that offer spectacular views across the English Channel. Among the most popular is the main beach at Viking Bay, but Stone Bay is a good alternative if you're looking to escape the crowds. It's as traditional a British seaside resort as they come with imposing Victorian buildings sitting alongside fisherman's cottages. Author Charles Dickens had a summer home at Broadstairs for more than 20 years in the middle of the 19th century and it had a significant influence on his writing, particularly the novel David Copperfield. The Dickens House Museum offers an illuminating insight into his life and works. But this is very much still a bustling, seaside resort with lots of family-friendly fun including arcades and rides. And it's becoming a bit of a foodie mecca too. Twenty Seven Harbour Street has stunning views and tasty treats cooked over fire. And a must-visit is Morelli's - it's been serving up traditional gelato since 1932. The fabulous Art Deco interior is beaten only just by the stunning sundaes - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 8 Lisa recommends popping into Morelli's ice-cream shop Credit: Alamy Rye, East Sussex The medieval town of Plus, if you go back as far as the 15th century, the sea came much closer to the foot of the hill the town is built on. It's the perfect place to spend a day out - taking an hour and six minutes on the train from If you fancy a morning on the beach, a bus runs from the town to the stunning Or you can for a six-mile circular walk from Rye to Back in the town after lunch, there are plenty of fantastic pubs to choose from, my favourites being the 12th century Mermaid Inn and the George In Rye, as well as the Globe Inn Marsh on the outskirts of the town. Equally, you could book a taxi and check out Tillingham vineyard in nearby Peasmarsh, with its Michelin Green Star wine tours and excellent pizzas. Make sure to save some time to rummage through the many, many antiques shops, as well as Knoops hot chocolate shop and the wonderfully old fashioned Britcher and Rivers sweet shop - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital) 8 Rye is one of the prettiest towns in the country and was home to the first Knoops Credit: Alamy Frinton-on-Sea, Essex I, like many others believe Frinton-on-Sea to be the more chilled out and luxe sister of Clacton. Slightly further up the coast Frinton in Essex has a huge sweeping beach that is lined with the classic brightly coloured beach huts - a mark of any beach day trip. The best part is that on the Greater Anglia route, you can get from London to Frinton in an hour and a half. The beach at Frinton is award-winning, having scooped up a Blue Flag award and Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice Award in 2024. You can easily walk from from Frinton to Walton-on-the-Naze too, it's an easy walk along the promenade and you get to see the clock tower on the way over. All-in-all, it takes around 40 minutes to get there. 8 Frinton is lined with beach huts along the promenade Credit: Alamy After such a walk, you might need to quench your thirst after a day of building sand castles and paddling in the sea, there is a pub called the Lock & Barrel. Down Connaught Avenue surrounded by independent shops, art studios and boutiques is the first and only pub in Frinton. For anyone wanting an ice cream, you don't find them along the beach front because they're not allowed. But there is a retro ice cream parlour called Pop-pins down the road - Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter For more days out, And here, 8 Sun Travel reveal our favourite beach day trip destinations
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shining a spotlight on the local impact of federal service cuts
Stand Up Lockport will make its public debut Tuesday with a Niagara County Town Hall event at the Kenan Center's Taylor Theater. The nonpartisan citizens group, formed in response to wide-ranging federal spending cuts mandated by the Trump administration, is aiming to raise awareness of the possible local impacts of those cuts and give a voice to the 'silent majority' of the local electorate. The town hall is part panel discussion, part Q&A. The panelists and their subject areas are: Michelle Roman, education; Alissa Ellman, veterans' services; Todd Vaarwerk, chief of public policy at WNY Independent Living, social services; and Carla Speranza, local government. The moderator is Jim Shultz, and the panelists will field general questions from him, specific questions developed by members of Stand Up Lockport, and questions from the audience. The discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Stand Up Lockport started in March with a conversation among five people, according to Shultz. The group has since grown to more than 100 people who have attended one or more meetings and/or joined in a local protest. Some, like combat veterans Luke Udell and Alissa Ellman, were drawn to Stand Up's centrist orientation. Turned off by the partisan bickering and blaming that permeate social media, they each found relief in face-to-face conversations with people focused on what unites, rather than divides, us. Udell was tipped off to Stand Up by chance as he rode his bike on Niagara Street one day in March and passed by a protest outside Republican U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney's district office. The retired Army officer stopped to check it out, and although he was skeptical at first, he said, he stayed and talked to enough people to feel 'reassured' it wasn't a partisan thing. When the group gave itself a name and started organizing meetings, he was in. Udell was, and still is, gravely concerned about funding cuts to the Veterans Administration as well as the overall tenor of the Trump administration. 'Coupled with real threats to services that people deserve, the attacks on our institutions, our democracy, I felt I had to do something,' he said. In their biweekly meetings over coffee, members of Stand Up Lockport discuss kitchen table issues — how family, friends, neighbors and this community may be affected by reductions in veteran benefits, Medicaid, SNAP, education and other aid — and getting updated on the latest developments in Washington, then considering what actions they can take locally. Ultimately, Udell said, their aim is 'to let our (congressional) representatives know, what's happening is not good.' For instance, the newly House of Representatives-approved 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' takes an ax to Medicaid funding, and the Congressional Budget Office has warned that more than 7.6 million people nationwide will lose their benefits over the next 10 years. Stand Up Lockport has determined that 54,000 residents of Niagara County — about 25% of the population — are Medicaid recipients. 'So now, every fourth person I see in the grocery store could lose their health insurance. That could be deadly,' Udell said. Alissa Ellman, a disabled Army veteran who was fired from her job at the VA office in Buffalo under a directive of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), derides the 'waste, fraud and abuse' excuse for gutting federal agencies and cutting services/direct benefits to citizens, and says bluntly that blame for the cuts belongs to the electorate. 'We have to take responsibility: it's our fault (Trump was elected). If this country fails, we failed,' Ellman said. 'The middle, what was called 'the silent majority' in the eighties, needs to speak up now. Our lives, our loved ones' lives, will be greatly affected by what's about to happen,' she said. 'We need to start talking about what we agree on: (protecting access to) Social Security, Medicare, benefits that people earned and deserve.' Stand Up Lockport gives Ellman a place to focus her energy. 'I am seething,' she acknowledged. 'But instead of posting on Facebook, I want to actually do something. I think other people joining (Stand Up) feel the same way.' Robert Barton said joining Stand Up Lockport was a way 'just to not feel helpless.' His wife Tiffany Barton, who found out about the nascent group, is now leading the 'action/protest' portion of its activities. 'I knew that we were heading into a dark time with this administration, and I'm tired,' she said. 'I can't wait around anymore… I have to try to do something.' Tiffany Barton said Tenney, who's on the record enthusiastically supporting President Trump and his administration, has been invited to the Niagara County Town Hall. She doubts Tenney will attend, though, so her hope is that fellow concerned citizens will and will get informed enough about the federal cuts and policy changes to address Tenney themselves.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans target a tax that keeps state Medicaid programs running
People wait outside of the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston. For years, states have taxed hospitals and other health care providers to draw down federal matching funds and help finance their Medicaid programs. Now, states may lose their ability to raise or implement new taxes. (Photo by) The tax and spending bill the U.S. House approved last week targets a strategy states have used to boost the Medicaid dollars they get from the federal government. The measure would cap or freeze the taxes states levy on medical providers, potentially leaving states with major holes in their Medicaid budgets. As a result, states would face the choice of either replacing the lost federal money with state dollars, scaling back services or providing coverage to fewer people. Medicaid is a joint state-federal program, primarily for people with low incomes. For the traditional Medicaid population — children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women — the federal government matches state Medicaid spending on a sliding scale, ranging from 50% for the wealthiest states to 77% for the poorest ones. Consider a state that gets half of its Medicaid funding from the federal government. If that state collects $100 million by taxing providers, it can use $50 million of the revenue to draw down $50 million in federal matching funds, which it can use to expand Medicaid coverage to more people. Then it can take the remaining $50 million in revenue and use that money to draw down $50 million in federal dollars to pay providers more for caring for Medicaid patients. Children's health services could see trims even under scaled-back Medicaid cuts Forty-nine states — all but Alaska — use the strategy. In 2018, the most recent year for which data is available, states relied on provider taxes to fund 17% of their Medicaid spending, up from 7% in 2008, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. As part of their effort to cut federal Medicaid spending by roughly $625 billion over the next decade, House Republicans have proposed capping the state provider taxes and freezing them in place, preventing states from raising them or implementing new ones in response to inflation. Under current law, states can levy taxes of up to 6% on tax providers' net revenue. The GOP measure also would add work requirements for Medicaid recipients, a step that would save money by reducing the rolls. A report from the Congressional Budget Office, the bipartisan research arm of Congress, says eliminating the taxes entirely could save the federal government hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. Many conservatives say the taxes are an accounting trick that allows states to draw down money from the federal government without having to front their true share of the Medicaid program. Some have even called the provider taxes a 'money laundering' scheme. 'States are gaming the system — creating complex tax schemes that shift their responsibility to invest in Medicaid and rob federal taxpayers,' Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a May 12 news release. Brian Blase, president of the Paragon Health Institute, a conservative policy group that is working with Republicans to formulate Medicaid cuts, described provider taxes as 'a way that states and providers can rip off the federal government.' 'States need to have some accountability for the spending in their programs,' Blase said. States that enshrined Medicaid expansion in their constitutions could be in a bind But advocates of these taxes, including state Medicaid directors and even the hospitals that pay the taxes, describe them as legal and legitimate financial tools that have helped providers cover essential services and states fund their Medicaid programs for years. The result of eliminating these taxes or freezing them, they say, will be hospital closures and service cuts. 'We don't like to pay these taxes, but the alternative is resources or access to care aren't there for that community,' said Jason Pray, vice president of legislative affairs at America's Essential Hospitals, an association representing about 350 hospitals. 'The state would more than likely have to then tax individuals to make up for that, to keep the services at the same level and keep the resources at the same level.' Blase said the provider taxes allow hospitals to make windfall profits from the additional federal matching funds that flow back to them, representing a type of 'corporate welfare.' But Pray said often hospitals in his association are losing money. By allowing states to boost payments to hospitals and other providers that serve Medicaid patients, he said, the tax enables hospitals to stay open in the long run, not garner a windfall. Pray also noted that in the past, support for the taxes has been bipartisan. 'Republicans for years have shown they support provider taxes and have understood the value of them,' he said. Republicans for years have shown they support provider taxes and have understood the value of them. – Jason Pray, vice president of legislative affairs at America's Essential Hospitals Edwin Park, a research professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, pointed out that some hospitals pay the tax and don't get much back, because they serve few Medicaid patients. The hospitals that benefit most are the so-called safety net hospitals that do care for many low-income patients, he said. Park said he is worried that once the strategy is off the table, states will have to cut their Medicaid spending to balance their budgets. Jay Ludlam, deputy secretary for North Carolina Medicaid, is worried about that, too. In North Carolina, Ludlam said, almost all of the tax revenue the state collects from providers helps pay for Medicaid services. 'The money goes to providers when they provide services. It's not special. It's just another way that states tax themselves and put money into the program,' Ludlam told Stateline. 'If it means that there's going to be less money in Medicaid … we'll have to cut eligibility, cut benefits, cut provider rates, in order to maintain the program.' Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Edwardian lido that people say is like ‘being in the Med' named one of the best in the UK
A UK lido is said to feel more like being in the Mediterranean after it underwent a multi-million pound renovation. Thames Lido in swimming bath. 5 A lido in the UK has been compared to like being in the Mediterranean 5 Thames Lido in Reading was left abandoned for 40 years Credit: Alamy 5 It has since become a huge complex with a restaurant and spa as well Credit: Alamy The design, with no windows overlooking the pool, allowed women to bathe in privacy. However, it closed back in 1974, and left abandoned for more than 40 years. A £3.5milllion project that started in 2014 introduced a new restaurant and spa facility as well as restored the pool . It then reopened in 2017, with the 25m swimming pool now heated and open seven days a week. Read more on lidos The on-site restaurant has ceiling to floor windows overlooking swimmers with Moorish and Med food. Serving food from breakfast to dinner, you can even book "swim and dine" packages that include both access and meals. Ranging from £35 to £45 each, it includes two dishes and full pool and spa access, with dishes including Turkish style eggs, grilled lamb and Visit on a Tuesday and you can bring your own bottle of wine for free. Most read in News Travel The spa is also raved about with some visitors saying its the "best massage they've had". Costing £85, they range from back massages and facials to a unique Hawaii "Lomi Lomi" massage. New £4million lido to open in UK next year And last year, Thames Lido was named one of the best outdoor swimming places by People have raved about the swimming pool too. One person said: "It doesn't feel like Reading at all - it's like a Mediterranean resort, being able to look out over the pool gives you a holiday feel even in mid-December." "As there are no windows to outside the Lido (other than slit ones to look out over the canal) it feels very enclosed, private and 'otherworldly'." Another agreed: "Amazed to find somewhere like this in the middle of Reading, like being on holiday." 5 Some of the designs are almost Scandinavian, harking back to the redevelopers roots Credit: Alamy A third commented: "The while vibe of this place feels more like you are in San Francisco or similar." To use the pool, it costs between £25 and £30 although includes a two hour session as well as access to the sauna, steam room and hot tubs. There is a membership scheme although there is a waitlist to join, and costs £50 to sign up, along with £78 a month. It's easy to get to, with the nearby Elizabeth Line connecting Reading to London in less than an hour. Another Banbury Open Air Pool, which dates back to the 1930s, reopened to the public earlier this week. In And 5 The pool is less than an hour from London thanks to the Elizabeth Line Credit:
