Latest news with #ShaunKilla-designed
What's On
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
10 bucket list UAE staycations every resident should do
From glamping spots that unroll along the Ras Al Khaimah mountains to ritzy resorts that have become statement pieces in Dubai's skyline, here are 10 tried-and-tested UAE staycations we think every UAE resident should do. The splashy new one: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai Completing the oceanic-inspired trilogy Jumeirah first began creating with Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Shaun Killa-designed resort resembles an avant-garde superyacht. Inside, the facilities mirror the wow factor, with almost a dozen restaurants ranging from haute Japanese fare at Kinugawa beach club to a taste of the Italian dolce vita at Rialto and Mediterrasian dining with a view at Kira. The three-floor Talise Spa offers next-level wellness and rejuvenation, while the Marsa Marina and promenade is a lovely spot to watch the yachts bobbing on the water. Insider tip: Splash out on a suite to get access to the exclusive adults-only Iliana pool club. Rates from Dhs1,575. The family one: Sandy Beach Resort, Fujairah A firm favourite with long-standing UAE residents, Sandy Beach Resort has long been the base of choice for families seeking a no-frills beach retreat, party people descending on the sand for the regular Snoopy Beats music festival, and watersports enthusiasts alike. Facing Fujairah's famed Snoopy Island, its stripped-back approach is part of the charm, and after checking in to one of the rooms or bungalows, head straight to the shorefront for a dip in the infinity pool, snorkel around Snoopy Island or sundowners with your toes in the sand. Insider tip: If you're serious about discovering the underwater world, head down to the Sandy Beach Dive Academy where PADI courses start from Dhs1,100. Rates from Dhs445. The nature one: Anantara Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi Sir Bani Yas island makes for the sort of stuff staycation dreams are made of, with its beautiful beaches, expansive desert and nature reserve home to 14,000 animals. There's three Anantara resorts to choose from on the island. The wallet-friendly Desert Islands offers a traditional hotel experience and is best suited to families looking for a solid base to enjoy the island's best bits. Luxurious beach escapes are best enjoyed at Anantara Al Yamm resort, a 30-key all-villa sanctuary designed like a sleeping village. While recently reimaged Al Sahel resort with its pool villas overlooking local wildlife offers a unique safari-style staycation experience. Insider tip: The wildlife drive is a must for an out-of-Africa experience of spotting cheetah, giraffes, ostriches and Arabian Oryx. Rates from Dhs575. The desert one: The Ritz-Carlton, Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah One of two luxurious Ritz-Carlton resorts in RAK, this desert retreat blends Bedouin traditions with five-star luxuries to create a retreat that feels worlds away from the city. Set amongst the beauty of a protected desert reserve, picturesque scenery and rich local heritage backdrop villas that come with private pools and gourmet dining that includes a seasonal Zuma pop-up and signature restaurant led by a Michelin-pedigree chef.. When you can tear yourself away from your villa, the desert activities range from horse riding and camel treks to wildlife drives, archery and stargazing. There's also the unique sensory Rainforest spa experience, where 16 different hydrothermal stations offer deep cleansing, muscle relaxation and stress reduction. Insider tip: Snag bicycles when you check-in and enjoy a sunset cycle along the track that wraps around the whole resort. Rates from Dhs1,862. The adventure one: Jais Explorer Camp, Ras Al Khaimah Picture this: a weekend out in the wild with a group of your closest friends or family exploring the mountainous area surrounding you. Wild goats are your neighbours, dinner is cooked up by your crew on the barbecue, and after toasting marshmallows you'll bed down in bunk beds in cosy containers out in the wild. That's what you'll find at Bear Grylls Explorer Camp, where your rustic retreat also means learning survival skills from lighting a fire to keeping calm under pressure. Insider tip: The camp operates seasonally, so May is the last month to make the most of unleashing your inner adventurer. Rates from Dhs400. The gourmet one: Atlantis The Royal, Dubai This glittering example of all-out Dubai luxury has become an international hospitality headliner thanks to its dazzling architecture, opulent interiors and expansive leisure offering. But it's the culinary array that makes it stand out. Some of the world's finest culinary minds have assembled at Atlantis The Royal, including Heston Blumenthal, Costas Spiliadis, Nobu Matsuhisa and Gaston Acurio. Soon, they'll also be joined by another culinary icon – New York's impossible-to-get-into Carbone, cementing the resort's status as the ultimate foodie destination. Insider tip: Don't miss sundowners at Seascapes, a secret bar on the beach where you can enjoy cocktails with your toes in the sand. Rates from Dhs2,271. The wellness one: Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort, Ajman Priding itself as the region's first fully integrated wellness retreat, Zoya is Ajman's answer to an array of health and wellness concerns. Fusing holistic wellness with best-in-class medical practitioners, but yourself in the safe hands of the experts who can devise programs based on your goals, be it weight management, health optimisation or anti-ageing. The minimalistic space has been designed with peace and relaxation in mind, whether you're here simply to chill out in the natural surroundings or embark on a six-night detox program complete with body composition analysis, IV drips and massages. Insider tip: Their 'wellcation' package is the best place to start for those unsure of what they need, with full-board dining, oxygen therapy and a 30-minute massage included. Rates from Dhs470. The heritage one: The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah In the UAE's cultural capital, The Chedi Al Bait embodies Arabian splendour. The 65-room hotel in the heart of the city is spread across seven heritage houses, each lovingly resorted as part of an ambitious preservation project. The former homes of distinguished local families have been enhanced with luxury touches befitting of a five-star hotel, while keeping the brand's historic design DNA. The resulting hotel is a refined take on traditional Emirati hospitality, where guests can take a trip through history at the museum, cosy up with a book in the library, and be pampered at the traditionally-inspired spa. Insider tip: Book one of the Khalid Ibrahim suites with a private plunge pool for the ultimate heritage-inspired sanctuary. Rates from Dhs579. The romantic one: Naama Beach Villas & Spa, Fujairah Unrolling against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Naama Beach Villas & Spa is upping the luxe for romantic retreats in Fujairah. The 44 villas are all finished in calming shades of caramel and cream and all come with private pools and jacuzzis – and even a steam room or sauna depending on your villa category, so you don't have to leave your digs should you not wish. Further relaxation awaits at the inviting main pool which gazes out to the sea, or the ESPA where wellness lovers can enjoy treatments like a salt stone massage. Insider tip: Those looking to up the ante can enhance their stay with a private dining experience in the gardens, by the beach, or served in-villa. Rates from Dhs4,140. The unique one: Casa Mikoko, Umm Al Quwain Part of the rustic, Zanzibar-inspired Kite Beach Centre is Casa Mikoko, a glamping experience of five chalets nestled within the UAQ mangroves. The chalets all come with thoughtful amenities like a tea and coffee bar, hairdryer and slippers, so it mirrors a hotel-style experience. Three of the five come with their own plunge pools, serving as a delightful spot to start the day. And all boast an African-inspired aesthetic and views over the calm waters that gives staycationers a tropical and instant on-holiday feel. Insider tip: Book one of the chalets with private pools and live like you're staying in the Maldives with an Instagrammable floating breakfast. Rates from Dhs1,200.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
13 tips for a luxury holiday to Dubai
Recently, Dubai added a new jewel to its crown of luxury resorts — the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. The super-yacht inspired property made waves two years ago when one of its under-construction penthouses sold for $115m (£88m). Eye-watering price tags aside, this Shaun Killa-designed hotel complements its siblings, the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sail-like Burj Al Arab to form a striking architectural troika in the Gulf. Sitting pretty on its own private peninsula, the Marsa Al Arab features 386 lavish rooms and suites, a marina, a 3,500 square metre spa, private pools and 11 restaurants. A family suite starts at AED 11,700 (£2,466) per night, but the Presidential and Royal Suites offer next-level luxury — we're talking Bentley transfers, butlers and private plunge pools. Of course, Dubai isn't new to this game. Nearly 25 years ago, the all-suite Burj Al Arab set the gold standard, earning its seven-star stripes with perks like helicopter transfers and a fleet of Rolls Royces. Read more: How to save money on a holiday to Dubai So while Dubai may offer plenty of charms for the budget traveller, when it comes to luxury indulgence and bucket list experiences, Dubai delivers. Here are 13 superlative experiences for those with credit cards with no limits: Fancy relishing poached scallops with green melon, blanched kumquat, lemon gel and roasted almonds, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016? Or how about a seared Chilean sea bass with a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial? These are just two of 18 dishes featured in a curated "champagne and cuisine" menu set to take off this May for business class flyers on select Emirates routes. Fine dining at 40,000 feet might be its latest perk, but Emirates has always set high standards for its elite passengers with privacy doors, an onboard shower spa, mood lighting and a lounge bar. Be it beachside escapes on the Palm Jumeirah (the largest man made island in the world), edgy futuristic towers in Downtown or Arabian opulence in central Dubai, where you splash your cash depends on your definition of decadence. Check out the pink-hued Atlantis, The Palm for AED 45,805 (£9,644) underwater suites, beach clubs and celebrity-chef restaurants (Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa among them). Its bolder cousin, Atlantis The Royal, ups the ante with 795 plush rooms, 92 pools, including a 90-metre sky pool, and 17 dining venues by chefs including Heston Blumenthal and Ariana Bundy. Its Royal Mansion is a declaration in OTT luxury — a four-bedroom, two-level penthouse with a private foyer, terrace and a 12-seater dining room. Be it the Italian flair of the Bvlgari Resort, the discreet elegance of The Lana (Dorchester Collection) or the Arabesque bedouin villas at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai hotels provide the perfect setting for a champagne lifestyle. Dubai's love for bling spills into its world-class dining scene. Quirky creations like the gold-infused charcoal ice cream at Scoopi Café and AED 5,000 gold-laced karak tea at Boho Café can liven up your Instagram and the ultra-upscale Nusr-Et steakhouse (charismatic butcher-chef Nusret Gökçe aka Salt Bae's brand) serves up bling with golden tomahawk steaks worth AED 5,000 (£1,053). Try a lavish breakfast at on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa or a floating breakfast at Zeta Seventy Seven's sky-high infinity pool. For a blowout brunch, go for gourmet glamour at Traiteur, Park Hyatt ( AED 895) or the champagne-fuelled Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi (AED 795). Read more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets Ossiano's 10-course tasting menu (AED 2,600) with its underwater dining is your stop for a show-stopping dinner. For 'intimate dining experiences' see the 27-seater FZN by Björn Frantzén's AED 2,000 set menu, KRASOTA's 8-course AI-powered meal marrying haute cuisine and visual arts (AED 1,830) and Michelin-starred Tresind Studio's Indian degustation menu (AED 1,095). Nothing exudes luxury quite like sailing the Arabian Gulf on a private yacht. Go all out with Xclusive Yachts' fully crewed, bespoke experience, with prices ranging from 40,000 dirhams (£8,418) to 150,000 dirhams for superyachts. One of the most opulent available for charter is the 150-foot Behike, which features a spacious lounge, elegant dining area, a sky lounge and a sun deck with a jacuzzi. The Sunseeker Superyacht offers views from a 40m tri-deck vessel. At AED 995 for three hours, guests enjoy an omakase sushi experience, free-flowing bubbly, live music and unlimited drinks. A trip to Dubai Mall is a retail haven that knows how to pamper its VIP customers. The Fashion Avenue has invitation-only lounges with personalised services, while Level Shoes offers access to limited-edition collections with complimentary champagne. For the ultimate VIP experience, the Platinum Lounge provides dedicated butlers, limousine pick-ups and private fitting rooms. Dubai Mall has expanded to include The District — a new arena with 60 luxury boutiques and restaurants adding to its already impressive lineup of over 1,200 outlets. Desert safaris aren't all about dune bashing and belly dancers. Add a glamorous touch by going on a VIP Desert Safari in a ruggedly stylish Land Rover Defender. Spotting Arabian oryx, gazelles and other desert dwellers, a falconry show and a camel ride are all part of the AED 13,300 (£2,799) tour which ends in a secluded, lantern-lit oasis with a private six-course feast under the stars and opportunities to try shisha or henna or stargaze with an astronomer. The Nest Experience by Sonara is a sunset-to-sunrise glamping affair that includes sundowners and lounge access, soft archery, camel trek and breakfast, beginning from AED 2,380 per tent. On the other hand, the popular desert party destination Terra Solis offers a beautifully designed pool lodge with amenities you'd find in a five-star hotel. For a (rather steep) price, you can ring in the new year with envy-inducing extravagance. Sign up with luxury hotspots around the Burj Khalifa to enjoy breathtaking vantage points of the legendary NYE fireworks with packages that combine dining, panoramic views and unparalleled service. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk's Presidential suite package worth AED 150,000 (£31,568) and Dubai Opera's AED 100,000 private dining experience with fireworks views, premium meals and spectacular entertainment set records for most expensive celebrations last year. In a city where even the police cruise in Lamborghinis and taxis use Teslas (TSLA), high-performance cars are everywhere. Feel the adrenaline behind the wheel of a Ferrari (RACE), Maserati or Porsche ( and hit the UAE's roads on a self-drive tour. Providers like VIP Rent A Car or Paddock charge from around AED 300 to AED 4,500 per day depending on the car. Sightsee with a touch of altitude with a private helicopter tour over the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands and other Dubai landmarks. Helidubai's charters start at AED 1,780 for 30 minutes. Prefer to turn heads on the ground? Cruise past Dubai's most iconic venues in a GMG Gucci stretch limo from Skye VIP Limousine, complete with designer interiors, party lights and a premium sound system. At Madinat Jumeirah, a 5-star waterfront resort, a simple boat trip turns extraordinary with the 'Afternoon Tea and Beverage' package (AED 1,480). Glide through serene waterways on a private, lavishly designed abra with bubbly and bites. Five Hotels & Resorts' 9H-FIVE is a private jet that can be hired for around AED 47,000 per hour. With plush seats, LED-lit interiors, a dining table for eight, a king-sized suite with a shower, caviar and champagne, this flying nightclub delivers a haute experience. Ain Dubai is the world's highest observation wheel. Buy a VIP Plus experience (from AED 2,800), for an entire private premium cabin. You get access to the Seaview Lounge and eight digital images per person. Read more: The hidden cryptocurrency investing risk no-one is talking about How rising house prices can impact your finances The most popular stocks for investors in February
