1. THE GAME OF LOVE
The beauty of Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai is its offer of a wide variety of experiences, be it a night in one of its snow-kissed ski chalets or an evening of fine-dining in one of its elegant restaurants. For Valentine’s Day, however, romance is at the forefront, with the hotel’s The Game of Love offer creating a travel journey that allows guests to fall in love with different cities and cuisines on an eventful tour through the hotel.
Starting off with a day curled up in a poolside cabana, set up for two, the evening will then whisk you away on a trip to the Alps, with drinks and the chef’s choice of canapés at the Aspen Ski chalet, with a backdrop of Ski Dubai’s snowy piste; dinner with serious Spanish flair follows at Salero, where tapas for two will incite the art of sharing; your main course will then be served under the stars on the terrace by the pool for pure, unadulterated romance; before climaxing with decadent after-dark desserts at Noir Cocktail Lounge & Bar. Lastly, bed down in a luxurious Aspen Pool Chalet for the ultimate in cherished moments.
2. REIGNITE ROMANCE
Relax into romance this month, at the beautiful beachside resort of Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi’s first and only all-inclusive, all-exclusive hotel. Some well-deserved downtime comes in the form of a two-hour pampering session for two at the award-winning Turkish-inspired Anjana Spa, where serenity and seclusion are order of the day. The Anjana Spa Valentine’s Day offer features a 60-minute massage, complemented by refreshing drinks and pastries post-treatment, all in the privacy of the spa’s elegant VIP room, where the private sauna and Jacuzzi certainly up the five-star ante. Surely the most blissful way to celebrate with your beloved?
3. URBAN AMORÉ
Waldorf Astoria DIFC in Dubai has really captured the idea that romance means different things to different people, celebrating with a variety of experiences. Its Romance Stay packages offers guests a one night-stay per couple, with a bottle bubbly on arrival, a romantic six-course dinner at Bull & Bear (think oysters and sea urchin risotto), and a two-hour Be My Bubbly Valentine treatment at the SPA, which includes an aromatic bubble bath, a full body massage in the spa’s exclusive quartz bed suite, as well as bubbles to drink and chocolate treats to eat.
4. HEALTH & WEALTH
Melia Desert Palm Dubai has launched a new variety of Wellness Retreats to enable guests to focus on some ‘me time’ throughout 2020. The retreats combine fitness, nutrition, personal training, spa and other rejuvenating experiences for the ultimate holistic holiday. The One Day Recharge package includes breakfast and lunch at Epicure, a 30-minute mini facial at Samana Spa, a 90-minute full-body massage, access to the pool, and either horse-riding, yoga, Pilates or a personal training session, followed by a delicious dinner at RARE.
5. MAKING WAVES
A favourite hotel in the heart of the capital, known for its awe-inspiring design and extraordinary architecture, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl is loved for its splendour. Although perfectly located to both business and high-end shopping districts, its Weekend Splash offer means you won’t want to leave the hotel. The package allows guests to enjoy the beauty of all that the hotel on site, with a free upgrade to a Deluxe Room, late check-out until 6pm, Saturday brunch at Italian trattoria, Verso, where food means family, and access to the hotel’s 50-metre infinity pool, with its stunning views over the Arabian Gulf. This really is the five-star equivalent of capital gains.
6. TAILOR MADE
With customised treatments at the heart of its ethos, Rémede Spa at St. Regis Abu Dhabi has perfected the art of results-driven excellence. Alongside an impressive reputation for the calibre of its experiences, it also garners prestige as the Middle East’s first and only Rémede spa, as well as the largest spa in the UAE capital, sitting at 3,200 square metres. Cocooning guests in warm whites, golds and creams, the spa soothes as it welcomes you, while gilded mosaic walls, corridors flanked with candles, and pale mottled marble floors instil an air of tranquil elegance. Sunlight gushes in through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Relaxation Room’s sweeping views over the Arabian Gulf increase the sense of space inside the sanctuary. The 11 treatment rooms, including a Couple’s Room and VIP Suite that are named after fruits such as Citrus and Orange, are equally soothing, wherein masseuses conjure up all manner of tailored treatments to tend to every knot, worry or whim, where no two massages or facials are the same.
A 60-minute bespoke massage begins with a consultation to identify one’s needs, followed by a warm paraffin foot treatment to aid blood circulation and soften skin. The rest of the hour is tailored specifically to your requirements, where long, measured strokes knead every knot and deft hands stretch out tired muscles, all utilising tried and tested techniques alongside a specially-customised oils, such as Japanese oil by Elemis. It’s an hour very well-spent, as one emerges anew and energised, left to languish over green tea and dates as you waken from your reverie. The Jacuzzi, under an urelian domed ceiling and hugged by shimmering aquamarine tiles, is beautifully designed, while the gentle trickle from the waterfall wall is the sound of pure escapism. A sauna and steam room do wonders for detoxification, concluded with a circulation-enhancing blast from two cold rain showers. With a commitment to curating exceptional experiences unique to the individual, Rémede Spa masterfully balances the desire for bespoke amid beautiful surrounds.