1. Escape to the mountains
Escape to absolute isolation in the mountains of Oman, with a stay at the cliff-edge Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. Perched 2,000m above sea level on Oman’s famed ‘Green Mountain’, your escape will be filled with endless fresh mountain air, cooling canyon edge pools and thrilling mountain adventures, including a mountain climbing or zipline challenge with its new Jabal Activity Wall. In fact, the Best of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Experience package offers guests a room, half-board, one ‘dining by design’ dinner, a Jabal Activity Wall experience, Natural or Cultural Hike and airport transfers. Live big.
2. Glam-slam capital gains
With views of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, plumped perfectly on the banks of The Grand Canal, and a front row seat to sunrise views over Al Maqta Creek, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal really has landed the ideal location. See for yourself, with its ‘Intrigue You’ offer, that lets you stay for three nights and pay for only two, with daily breakfast thrown in too.
3. Getting hot, hot, hot
Starting at just Dhs249 a night, Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers’ ‘36-Hour Summer Staycation’ offer lets you indulge with breakfast, complimentary room upgrade, early check-in (as early as 6am, in fact!), late check-out at 6pm and 20 per cent savings on food, beverage and laundry. What all this means, is that you get to kick back in the lap of luxury at one Dubai’s newest hotels, with views over the city’s twinkling skyline and bucolic golf clubs. The hotel’s rooftop pool – the highest in JLT – makes for the perfect place to play lounge lizard, while evenings can be spent in good company at Paros, the hotel’s laid-back Mediterranean rooftop restaurant.
4. Get fit in five-star surrounds
Having just launched its four summer staycation offers, Dubai’s Bvlgari Resort is a gift that keeps on giving. This month, why not enter into the spirit of summer exercise with its B.Active two-night program dedicated to remise en forme (aka fitness program). Your stay starts with an early midday check-in, a special Workshop assessment to define your signature training program, a 60-minute Workshop training session, 60-minute Yoga class, and two 60-minute spa treatments at Bvlgari Spa. The perfect way to reconnect with the body and mind by redefining the concept of well-being in truly refined surroundings.
5. Refined relaxation
Make the most of calling Dubai home, with Mandarin Oriental Jumeira’s UAE residents offer this summer, that gives 15 per cent off the Best Available Rate for all nationals and residents of the UAE. Certainly one of Dubai’s most elegant destinations, days can be spent idling around the pool (there’s an underwater sound-system too), sun-basking on the private beach, dining at the critically-acclaimed Tasca or Netsu, all before checking into a cool and contemporary Mandarin Seafront Suite for a sublime sleep.
6. Love struck
It’s easy to ‘Fall in love with Anantara’ when its enchanting package offers couples a seamless and stress-free escape. Nestled in the heart of the green and pleasant waterways of Abu Dhabi, Anantara Eastern Mangroves is for those seeking a little slice of nature for the heart and nurture for the soul. The package includes a romantic set-up of rose petals awaiting your arrival, a bottle of wine, exclusive amenities, breakfast each day, a glass of bubbles and a candlelit dinner for two at Ingredients restaurant.
7. Fast times at Habtoor high
Put yourself in the driving seat with Habtoor Palace Dubai LXR Hotels & Resorts’ new summer package for super car lovers. Guests booking a Deluxe Room will not only get an instant upgrade to the next room category and breakfast in bed, but also a Bentley Bentayga at your disposal for six hours of sightseeing around the city. If you book a stay in an Empire Suite or any of the suite categories above, you can indulge in a unique supercar experience claiming a McLaren (570S Spider or 570 GT4) as your own for six hours of pure adrenalin fun. The Bentley package starts at Dhs999, while the McLaren package starts at Dhs1,699, with each including breakfast and early check-in/late check-out. Ready for the drive of your life?
8. Hyatt makes us happy
In a rather brilliant stroke of genius, Hyatt Hotels in Dubai has launched an exclusive ‘Stay & Dine’ offer that casts its net across all Hyatt hotels in the city, letting guests stay in one property with a choice to eat in multiple participating restaurants throughout Dubai. All you need to do is book a full-board or half-board stay at a Hyatt hotel and choose from one of 15 restaurants with, the best bit, two children under the age of 10 dining out completely for free. Food connoisseurs will love the choice of fine food, opting for Thai Kitchen or Boardwalk at Park Hyatt Dubai, The Locale at Andaz Dubai The Palm, Andiamo at Grand Hyatt Dubai, The Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Dubai, Market 24 at Hyatt Regency Creek Heights and loads more. Oh, and there’s complimentary early check-in and late check-out too, for those who really want to max out on this offer.
9. Outward bound
A real escape from city life, a stay at JA Hatta Fort Hotel is like a breath of fresh air. Its ‘Hatta Calling’ offer lets you book a stay in the great outdoors from just Dhs369, including breakfast, with 50 per cent off your third night stay. The perfect setting for adventure seekers, the surrounding Hajar Mountains provide the backdrop to a weekend of activity – think zip lines, mountain biking, nature treks, archery, airgun shooting, golf, target driving range, survival training, wall climbing, kayaking at Hatta Dam... If, however, you’re feeling lazy, the pool comes with some of nature’s best views.
10. Desert Paradise
Make memories at one of Dubai’s most serene desert hotels, Bab Al Shams. Nestled in the dunes, it is a true oasis of tranquillity away from urban buzz, surrounded by nothing bar blue skies and undulating sandy peaks. Serving up a cornucopia of wildlife, such as gazelles, camels, birds and geckos, this is nature at its most raw and beautiful.
The hotel’s ‘Savour Memories’ offer – Dhs800 during the week and Dhs999 on the weekends – includes a night in a Superior Room, breakfast and Dhs200 fully redeemable on F&B, 20 per cent off desert activities, a falcon show and a complimentary stay, extra bed and dine for one child under the age of 12. For those wanting to mix things up, you’ll also find fat-bike riding, nature walks, archery, desert drives and camel rides at the hotel.
11. Urban escapades
The epitome of a leisure-filled city break, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers guests the best of every world. Adjoined to a mall, luxury shopping, indoor skiing, Magic Planet, VR adventures and myriad eating-out options await, that is if you want to leave the hotel. For those that don’t, you can relax in refined contemporary surroundings, choosing between a snow-filled Aspen Sky Chalet, to an Aspen Pool Chalet and much in between. There is a spa, of course, and a spectacular infinity pool, six different restaurant destinations and, the best bit, the opportunity to dine in style at Vox@Kempinski with a private movie night. For summer, the hotel’s ‘Escape In Style’ offer gives a 30 per cent saving, daily breakfast, welcome amenities, early check-in and late check-out, 25 per cent off food and drinks during your stay and complimentary breakfast for two children under the age or 12.
12. Chill out this summer
Treat yourself to a staycation with pool access in Saadiyat’s favourite all-inclusive beachfront resort at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. Nice and close to the capital but far enough away to feel like a true urban escape, guests can unwind with the ultimate pool-cation, in a premium room or one-bedroom suite with pool access, or, for those seeking more privacy, a stay in a three-bedroom Executive Villa with private pool, or Superior Villa with semi-private lagoon-sized pool (and cosy garden, cabana, kitchenette, Jacuzzi and butler), allowing for an easy, breezy sun-kissed summer escape.
13. A beachfront urban gem
With thematic interiors, from impressive dome-shaped architecture and crystal chandeliers inspired by the Dolmabahçe and Topkapi palaces, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is quite the sight to behold – a true urban gem. Bury yourself in history and elegance with its ‘Stay For Longer’ offer, which gives guests spending seven nights or more the opportunity to avail a 30 per cent discount on the best available rate, with breakfast, room upgrade and 25 per cent off laundry services. Or, for those simply wanting to experience sublime relaxation, Talise Ottoman Spa is giving 50 per cent savings on treatments such as a Sultan’s Massage with rates starting from just Dhs290.
14. A culture of cool
One for the urbanites and cool crowd, W Dubai - The Palm is the go-to hotel hot-spot for anyone wanting energy from their city escape. Known for its futuristic designs and lively vibe, the hotel has recently re-opened its Away Spa, offering guests the chance to recharge, reboot and repeat. With its new ‘Amplify Your Game’ day-cation, guests can choose from Detox, De-stress, Go Deep and Reset, and sink into a 60-minute massage, which sates post-treatment cravings with one main course and drink at the AWAY Spa Beauty Bar, and access to WET, the beach and FIT (gym) for just Dhs599.
15. Pampering in paradise
A stay here will transport you a million miles away from the hub-bub of the surrounding city, as The Ritz-Carlton JBR is a beautiful inner-city spot that doubles up as luxury beachside bolt-hole. With its acclaimed The Ritz-Carlton Spa reopened, guests can happily nurture and nourish mind, body and soul once more, set to the most bucolic backdrop. Try the Spa-Cation, with a 60-minute spa massage, lunch or afternoon tea, plus pool and beach access, or try the Vitamin C Facial, which also dishes up a lovely 30-minute back or foot massage and complimentary pool and beach access.