Latest news with #resort
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who gets the friends in a divorce? For many, the answer stings.
In Netflix's The Four Seasons, newly divorced Nick (played by Steve Carell) goes on vacation with all his old couple friends and his new, much younger partner — only to discover that his ex stealth-booked at the resort next door so she could keep an eye on them. I mean, I didn't blame her for a second. As a divorced woman, I was miffed in the first place that the selfish ex-husband still got the friend group — for his first postdivorce vacation, no less, while the ex-wife he left was stuck flying solo. Anne should have at least 'won' the friends! Navigating the awkwardness of postdivorce friendships is something that pretty much every divorced couple has to go through. The split doesn't just involve your partner; it can also mean a reshuffling — or total loss — of a once-shared social life. So, we asked divorced people how they navigated the murky waters of post-split friendships. Who got which friends? Was there drama? Hurt feelings? And, perhaps most telling of all: What happens when one person moves on romantically? We also brought in relationship experts to help make sense of the etiquette, emotions and expectations involved when divorce changes not just your relationship status, but your entire social circle. Winning over friends postdivorce Licensed marriage and family therapist Ciara Bogdanovic says that huge friendship shifts are common post-split. 'Divorce can deeply affect a person's social circle, especially when many friendships were created as a couple,' she tells Yahoo. 'Friends may feel unsure how to navigate loyalty, awkwardness or divided alliances.' No surprise there. What does feel like a surprise to some? The pressure to choose. 'Some friends may feel like they need to 'pick a side,'' says therapist Thomas Westenholz, who specializes in emotionally focused therapy (EFT). 'Oh, I picked a side!' Kate, from Wisconsin, tells Yahoo of her friends' divorce. 'I started out as friends with one (the husband) and ended up on the other's side for life.' She had gone to college with the husband, but after he left his wife and kid and quickly remarried, Kate rallied to support her suddenly single mom friend and hasn't looked back. Erin, from Mississippi, says she's had to pick sides too. But, 'interestingly enough, over time, it's all flown back together where I'm back to being friends with both parties,' she says. 'Time really can heal. It's possible.' She says neither of the exes is hurt that she's remained friends with them both. 'I went to their daughter's wedding, and that was the first time I'd seen them in a room together in 18 years. They got along well!' Bogdanovic says the idea that friends should have to choose after a divorce is a myth. It doesn't have to be this way: As Erin's story shows, friends of a divorced couple can and do continue their friendships with both individuals. Bogdanovic advises divorced folks to 'initiate time together one-on-one' with friends post-split, to ensure they get the message that you want the friendship to continue. Licensed clinical social worker Jessica Plonchak agrees that the idea of 'who gets who' is not a healthy approach to take. 'The healthier way to handle shared friendships should include allowing both parties to acknowledge the awkwardness and give them some space to decide their comfort levels,' Plonchak says. In most cases, she notes, couple friends will gravitate more toward one person naturally, whether that's because of shared interests or overall time spent together. 'Whatever the situation is, it is important not to impose loyalty on anyone and create a sense of guilt,' Plonchak adds. 'True friendships only last when both sides show respect and maturity.' Losing friends who can't handle the change As for the person divorcing, the friendship changes 'can feel like a second layer of loss; they are grieving not only the relationship but the friendships as well,' says Bogdanovic. And if friends don't 'choose' their side, they can feel further abandoned. Renée Bauer is a divorce attorney who has seen this dynamic play out both professionally and personally. 'When I was getting divorced ... I found a lot of my friendships that were tied to my husband disappeared,' Bauer says. 'It was a lonely time.' That meant pushing herself to make new friends on her own. Ann, from Ohio, says she and her ex reverted back to their individual premarriage friend groups only, so she no longer keeps in touch with friends that originated on his side. 'His friends were mostly shit anyway,' she says. 'I should have known.' Sarah, in Canada, says that her divorce caused her to lose many friendships and even relationships with family members. She tells Yahoo that her ex 'told lots of people I cheated on him.' That was a lie, she says: 'I left him because he was verbally and mentally abusive.' After her ex accused her of cheating, their friend group approached her about it, 'and I told them my side,' Sarah says. 'Others never even asked me about it, just wrote me off as a friend. I figure those people weren't my friends in the first place.' A lot of my friendships that were tied to my husband disappearedRenée Bauer Another Sarah, in Maryland, says that when she went through a divorce, she slowly lost all of her close friendships. 'Most of my closest friends from childhood and really, really long relationships started to really wither away in the years after my divorce,' she says. 'I think it's hard for our closest people to watch us go through these huge, mega shifts.' She says she felt 'a lot of judgment from my friends who were mostly newlyweds.' Ultimately, even Sarah's closest friend 'was like, 'I don't relate to you anymore,'' she says. 'And that kind of led to my entire friend group falling apart.' She adds that her ex-husband was very outgoing and charismatic, so people tended not to look beneath the surface when it came to what ended their relationship. 'There was the outward perception that he's this nice guy, and I got the 'evil bitch ex-wife' thing, which is such a common label,' she says. When a new partner enters the chat — or the group vacation If there's one thing that can complicate postdivorce friendship dynamics, fast, it's a new partner. Of course, divorced folks are going to start dating again eventually, but sometimes it happens way faster than their friends — and certainly their ex-partner — may be comfortable with. So it's important to be sensitive, patient and err on the side of overcommunication. 'Introducing a new partner into established group dynamics can put your friends in an uncomfortable position,' says Bogdanovic. Westenholz adds that it 'can feel jarring, especially if the friend group is still adjusting to the divorce. It's not necessarily a betrayal, but it can be perceived as tone-deaf.' He advises having an open conversation with your friends ahead of time about your new partner and gauging their comfort levels about meeting this person. 'Some friends may feel forced to adjust to new dynamics they didn't sign up for,' Bogdanovic points out. 'It's helpful to give your friends a heads-up, gauge their openness and accept that not all group traditions will continue in the same way. People need time to adapt, and that's OK.' Remember: True friends will last 'Some friendships may fade' postdivorce, says Westenholz, 'but others can deepen in new, more authentic ways.' Today, Sarah in Canada is so grateful to be on the other side of her divorce and friend group transformation, despite the loss of many friendships. 'My circle is small, but oh so valuable,' she says. 'I've really had to rebuild a friend group for myself in the past few years after the fallout of all that,' Maryland Sarah says. And she's better for it. After all, the friends who find us during a period of huge transition and are able to listen, empathize and stick around, those are the ones we deserve.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Europe's cheapest holiday hotspot revealed - where families can grab three-course meal for just £67
Narrowly beating Bulgaria's Sunny Beach, Marmaris, a popular resort town on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, has been crowned the best value holiday hotspot in this year's annual Post Office Family Holiday Report. Already a popular choice for British holidaymakers looking to score a bargain break, Marmaris is known for its sandy beaches, charming old town and lively nightlife. Conducted in collaboration with holiday operator TUI, the report looks at the costs of 16 European resort destinations, comparing the price for a total of 10 tourist items, including an evening meal, suncream and a range of drinks. For gold-medalling Marmaris, the sum of these items came to £128.99. Visitors to the resort are able to secure a three-course family meal (including wine) for as little as £67.67. Also well-priced are cups of coffee (£2.01), and insect repellent (£2.61). In Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, the second most affordable destination listed by the report, the total cost was £129.47 – helped by the reasonable prices of bottled beer (£2.35) and a cup of coffee (£1.88). Portugal's Algarve came third place for a second year running, making it the cheapest Eurozone destination. Fourth-place Paphos continues to close the gap though: the Grecian destination was only £1 cheaper, at £144.44. Once again, Ibiza was rated the most expensive resort of all 16 surveyed, with a total cost of £242.79 – almost double that of Marmaris. Despite a price increase of 10.3 per cent since July 2024, Turkey's weak lira – which reached a record low against the pound in March 2025 - has undoubtedly contributed to Marmaris's popularity. In fact, the report found that for the top two destinations – both non-Eurozone – prices were 10 per cent lower than their Eurozone competitors. Head of Travel Money at Post Office, Laura Plunkett, said: 'The collapse of the lira makes Turkish resorts like Marmaris a natural choice for families. 'However, visitors should be aware that while sterling is worth a third more than last July, local prices have increased dramatically because of the currency's collapse.' Indeed, Post Office Travel Money found that prices had risen in 13 of the 16 destinations, once the prices were converted into sterling. The biggest price hike was found in Majorca, where the total cost had increased 21.4 per cent, to £201.68. By contrast, two Greek destinations, Lanzarote and Crete, recorded 2.1 per cent and 7.8 per cent falls respectively. Research conducted for the Family Holiday Report found that over three-quarters (78 per cent) families are planning trips abroad this year. However, 74 per cent admitted to busting their budgets by 42 per cent on their last holiday – spending an average of £323 extra than their £766 budgets. Food and drink were a prevailing cause of this overspending, with over 90 per cent spending an average of £378 on eating out, buying drinks in bars and restaurants, and shop-bought food. Parents surveyed also admitted that pressure to provide 'holiday treats' for their children had encroached on budgets. Nine in ten parents spent an average of £39 on ice creams, with other holiday extras, such as theme park visits (£60) and beach gear (£49) also causing financial strain.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
a day ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Discover Dar Al Masyaf's Malakiya Villas: The Haute Couture Staycation Right Here In Dubai
Fit for royalty, the Malakiya Villas invite guests into an exclusive realm that feels impossible to leave… There is an overwhelming feeling when wandering around Jumeirah Madinat Resort that you have stepped into an UHNW traveller's very own fantasy land. Situated on 2km of private, pristine shores, Madinat Jumeirah is designed to resemble a traditional Arabian town and comprises no fewer than four ultra-luxe hotels, myriad world-class restaurants, and even its very own souk – Souk Madinat. Specialising in resorts-with-a-resort, its hotel offerings include the bold and modern Jumeirah Al Naseem, the palatial Jumeirah Al Qasr, the waterside retreat Jumeirah Mina Al Salam and eternally elegant Dar Al Masyaf – each a miniature universe with its own distinct identity, where the common denominator is haute hospitality. Perfectly contained and expertly manicured, guests can spend days meandering Dar Al Masyaf alone – whether exploring its lush pathways, hopping onto abras to navigate its Venetian-esque waterways, listening to the early morning call of its resident peacocks or watching the sun set on its white sands, which happen to boast the best view of the Burj al Arab in all of Dubai. It is, without doubt, Dubai's inimitable magic kingdom, and home to seven royal Malakiya Villas – the jewels in the crown that speak to the uppermost echelon of seasoned travellers and luxury-living connoisseurs. These ultra-plush villas have been recently refurbished, with one concept front of mind throughout the year-long redesign: haute couture. Crafted with the same level of poetic detail as couturiers conceive their collections, stitch by stitch and sequin by sequin, so have the Malakiya Villas been meticulously considered; the creative vision of Dubai-based designer Sahar Alyaseer. The chicest haute couture is never showy, and the same rings true with Sahar's aesthetic – each villa is understatedly grand, without shouting its opulence from the rooftops. Generous windows allow the city's signature sunshine to spill into the downstairs reception rooms, where the colour palette riffs on nuance to the nth degree – tones of twine, nacre, seashell and taupe blend effortlessly to create warm spaces that feel equal parts homely and heavenly. The Malakiya mantra? Seclusion, discretion, and tailor-made service. The Villas' designs do, however, also speak to their provenance – Sahar conceived each space to reference the resort's Arabesque design, but the design codes remain simultaneously relaxed and refined, immediately making each guest feel embraced by the Malakiya way of living. Helping you settle in? A team of dedicated butlers to curate and personalise your stay from scratch. Yearning for a platter of delicious local delicacies for an afternoon snack? A tray of dates, walnuts, shelled pistachios, and candied apricots will appear in a jiffy. Missing traditionally British menus? A complete afternoon tea service can materialise upon your dining table in the time it takes you to wander from the beach and shake off your sandals at the door. A private yoga session in your garden space? No problem. Perhaps you have a special moment to celebrate… simply request for the living room to be filled with a sea of bobbing balloons, each tethered to a polaroid picture of a special memory. If Cinderella were to stay anywhere, she would be most impressed by the slight of hand of the butler team – almost imperceptibly, they can make miniature dreams come true. Featuring either two or three bedrooms, ranging from range from 275sqm up to 640sqm, each outpost also comes complete with a private plunge pool, private terrace, cabana, and its own kitchen. While the three bedroom villas are more than spacious for a full family escape, the Royal Malakiya Villa – spanning 1,014sqm – is fit for a royal court, set upon three levels and boasting its own rooftop terrace. The villas' marble-clad bathrooms feature Jacuzzi baths worthy of a queen, while further living spaces including elegant dining rooms and studies that allow for plenty of quiet, blissed-out contemplation. If you are bringing the whole family, then there are many pursuits to entertain young and old beyond your intimate villa space. Pierchic, French Riviera, Al Nafoorah, Shimmers, Pai Thai, and renowned Rockfish are just a few of Jumeirah Madinat's most beloved restaurants, while children can attend its imaginative kids clubs, and exercise addicts can steal away to the J Club Fitness Centre. Dar Al Masyaf's award-winning Talisa Spa and exclusive adult-only infinity pool that reaches out across the ocean are two of its most tranquil sanctuaries, and the resort also offers direct private access to Souk Madinat Jumeirah, for a spot of local shopping. Complimentary airport pick up and drop off will make your visit all the easier, but if you can't quite face ever leaving? You don't have to. The Malakiya Villas are also available for long-term rental – perfect for extended business trips, or those with incurable wanderlust, who simply need a wondrous place to pause.
Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hospitality Net
Niyama Private Islands Maldives Unveils THIS IS NIYAMA – Evolved and More Tantalising than Ever
Niyama Private Islands Maldives is proud to reveal its THIS IS NIYAMA transformation with fully refurbished villas and facilities, heightened levels of luxury, new experiences that immerse guests in all the beauty of the Maldives, and a newfound sense of freedom - an invitation for guests to live life on their own terms, unscripted and unbound. Since its unveiling in 2012, Niyama has made its mark on the Maldives with its bold playfulness. Now, it ups the ante, as effortless luxury is draped with the avant-garde, the surreal, the one-of-a-kind. The new Niyama showcases the stylish and thoughtful evolution of the resort's villas, restaurants, and leisure facilities across the twin islands of Play and Chill, infusing each with an energy uniquely Niyama. Evolved accommodations: a new aesthetic The resort's accommodations are now enhanced with a lightened palette, all-new furnishings, high-design comfort and sleek technology. Expanded interiors offer more room to relax and reconnect. The beach villas, spacious playgrounds where guests are free to simply be, now glow with the colours of the sunset, while high-tech toys include espresso, popcorn, and entertainment, all at the touch of a button. Overwater villas, meanwhile, swirl in shades of blue and turquoise as the sky and ocean merge into one. Days drift with the tide, bringing sightings of makanaa, reef sharks and the sea turtle that calls the lagoon below home. Each villa blends seamlessly with its surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening directly onto the beach or a private sundeck, and outdoor bathing quintessential to the Maldives, allowing guests to flit from one setting to another, free to roam at will. Evolved culinary journeys: from the treetops to the ocean depths Dining in the treetops reaches new heights at Nest, the resort's avant-garde restaurant with the sizzle of teppanyaki and spice of Southeast Asia. Redesigned and relandscaped to fully immerse guests in the wild, lush jungle comes alive at dusk with the faint glow of lights and the call of birds. Six metres below the ocean's surface, Subsix unveils the world's first underwater Nikkei tasting experience, each of five courses as surreal as the setting, corals dappled by sunlight and reef sharks and sea turtles circling above. There is also Dune, the ultimate beach chill, with chic lounging by the pool by day, a new menu with the fire of the Maldives a highlight, and cocktails and shisha until sunset. Then there is sunset at the Surf Shack, a hideaway on the very western tip of Play now expanded, where the roar of the surf, the beats of the DJ, the warmth of rum, and fellow free spirits all come together to create pure magic. An active lifestyle: on guests' own terms At Niyama, guests are free to follow their desires, each moment as energised or laid back as they feel in the moment. With world-class waves breaking right on shore (a left-hander), a pro in residence, and epic surf safaris unlike anywhere else, Niyama offers the Maldives' most luxurious way to surf. The new marine centre, meanwhile, features hands-on conservation activities for guests, a way to leave their mark on one of the most beautiful places in the world, led by the resident marine biologist. The kids' club has also evolved, featuring a splash park in a clearing of the jungle, a climbing wall, slides, and trampolines. Daily schedules are packed with snorkelling and sailing with dolphins, with gourmet lunches and mini-spa treatments in between. CHILL. PLAY. THIS IS NIYAMA. Hotel website
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Marina Bay Sands Sky Resort to Redefine Singapore Luxury Travel
Each week we bring you insights into one of Asia's most dynamic economies. If you haven't yet, please sign up here. Audrey Wan hangs with the high rollers as Singapore breaks ground on a swish new resort. Anders Melin finds a fortune in cardboard cartons, and Bernadette Toh carb-loads at one of Singapore's hottest new dinner spots.
