1. PALATIAL ESCAPES
A new face on the staycay block, Palace Beach Resort Fujairah feels like a little slice of the Mediterranean in the Middle East, with its white-washed walls. Inside, it’s all contemporary chic in deeply calming muted tones and nods to natural beauty and Arabian heritage. Book the Summer Escapes offer and stay in a Deluxe Room or Suite and you’ll get 30 per cent off. Enjoy early morning beach walks, cool dips in the pool with its stellar beachfront views, some much-needed RnR at The Spa, and beautiful Arabic cuisine at Ewaan or coffee and sweet treats at Al Bayt.
2. VIEWS FOR DAYS
Palm Jumeirah’s always a gem for those who want to escape without really escaping, and this summer Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, is chanelling all the right ‘get from it all’ vibes. Its All You Need Staycation offer gives guests buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner with unlimited drinks, 20 per cent saving on food and beverages, a complimentary upgrade to the next room category and 2-for-1 on Indian Aromatherapy Massage at JIVA Spa. You could be sipping cocktails in your own private Jacuzzi with this view without ever needing leave Dubai. Now that’s a holiday we’re here for.
3. FROM CITY TO BEACH
Lined with palm trees, waterways and beaches, Madinat Jumeirah's hotel quartet packs a pretty punch for tropical urban escapism. Its Jumeirah Summer Escapes offer is a four-pronged package across Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Al Naseem. You’ll get 20 per cent discount off the Jumeirah Flexible Rate when staying four nights or more, $100 resort credit for suite bookings, unlimited Wild Wadi Waterpark access, use of the wellness facilities at Talise Spa and J Club, access to Sinbad’s Kids Club for junior guests, two-for-one happy hour at various venues and a whole load more.
4. AND... RELAX
If a summer holiday is a chance to declutter from daily chaos, there are few better places to put your mind at ease than at the achingly calm and contemporary Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah in Ajman. Chic interiors, sleek lines, manicured gardens, pristine pools and beach... There’s serenity at every turn. There’s also an 18-hole, par 72 Championship golf course close by, so book the Stay & Play offer and get two rounds of 18-holes, accommodation, daily breakfast at Vinesse restaurant, 15 per cent savings on food, drinks and The Oberoi Spa and return transfers to the hotels.
5. LET'S MAKE MEMORIES
A not-so-secret weapon up the Emirates’ sleeve, those in-the-know hit up Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort throughout the year, putting its palm-tree fringed pool and 1.5 kilometres of private beach to good use, whatever the weather. This summer, steal yourself away to enjoy the hotel’s selection of curated experiences as part of Hilton Global’s Making Memories campaign. Each experience is designed to encourage strong connections with loved ones, and include Dinner in the Sand, with a dugout table setting on the resort’s white sandy beach, with your own personal chef preparing a special three-course meal under the stars, complete with a glass of bubbly and a bottle of wine; Or a Private Villa BBQ, where you can sip sunset cocktails on the terrace, whilst the culinary team sets up a private BBQ by your pool with Latin-American, Arabic or Mediterranean food.
6. EAT YOUR WAY TO PARADISE
If eating fine food in equally fine surroundings floats your boat, you’ll love the new Eat With Six Senses... On Us! summer offer. All you have to do is transport yourself to the breathtaking Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman, book your accomodation for stays until October 14, 2022, and you’ll get a complimentary upgrade to Half Board, which includes breakfast as well as dinner. For dinner, you can choose three courses from the à la carte menus in Summer House, Spice Market or Zighy Bar, which also includes the Spice Market buffet and Indian Thali nights. If you over-eat, at least you know your thatched villa is just stumbling distance away.
7. BEAT THE HEAT!
There’s only one place to put the kids this summer and that’s in the pool! Make the most of early swims and sunset dips before at Jumeirah Beach Hotel with its Exceptional Summer Staycations offer. Stay from just Dhs800 and you’ll get daily breakfast, 15 per cent savings on drinks, access to the private chilled pools and beach, KiDS Club access, complimentary one-week J Club membership, use of Talise Spa facilities, a complimentary 30-minute treatment when booking a 60-minute treatment at the spa and children under 11, staying and eating for free at selected restaurants.
8. WHEN NATURE CALLS
With schools off, thousands of people beating a hasty retreat home or on holiday, now is the optimal time to make the most of a quieter Middle East summer. What better way than to put yourself in the hands of the experts at One&Only Spa at The Only&Only Royal Mirage to indulge in a little ‘me time’ with its new Nature’s Resonance by ESPA holistic experience. Curated exclusively for the spa, it invites guests to restore internal balance by immersing you in sound, vibration and nature. Each treatment is a sensorial immersion guided by the natural surrounds of the property and you can choose between a 30-minute sound experience, 60-minute body experience or a 90-minute face and body experience. Sounds like bliss.