Travel may have taken a knock in 2020 thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but the upside has been that domestic tourism has flourished as people flock to local hotels in search of a change of scenery.
A recent survey by Dnata Travel, part of the Emirates Group, found that 91 per cent of respondents planned to travel around the country or “experience more of the UAE” in 2020 and 2021.
If you're in that majority, you might be interested to learn that despite the Covid-19 crisis, many new hotels are set to open here in the next 12 months. In Dubai alone, 79 hotels with a total of 26,168 rooms are on track to launch before the end of the year, according to a report from TopHotel.
From long-awaited megaprojects such as Atlantis, The Royal on Palm Jumeirah to the first Mama Shelter in Dubai, Vida's foray into Umm Al Quwain and the Address Fujairah finally opening its doors, here are 11 hotels that you'll want to put on your 2021 staycation radar.
1. The St Regis Dubai, The Palm
Located on the trunk of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, the long-awaited St Regis Dubai, The Palm, will open in May this year.
The hotel is connected to Nakheel Mall and will be home to one of world's highest infinity pools, located on the 50th floor, about 210 metres above ground. The hotel also has a rooftop viewing deck with vistas over the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina and the city skyline.
Set to open with 289 rooms and suites, plus 504 luxury apartments, all visitors to the hotel will get the signature St Regis butler service. The St Regis Beach Club, an extension of the hotel, will also feature an infinity pool along with a state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre.
Opening May 2021, rates to be confirmed. The St Regis Dubai, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; marriott.com
2. Atlantis, The Royal, Dubai
After postponing its original opening date from 2020, Atlantis, The Royal is one of Dubai’s biggest hotel openings for this year. Located right next to its sister hotel Atlantis, The Palm, the new twin-tower hotel is 43 storeys tall and has no fewer than 90 swimming pools.
It's also set to be home to a wealth of celebrity chef-backed restaurants, including Ling Ling by Hakkasan and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The elevated Sky Pool on level 22 is a 90-metre-high infinity pool, complete with a DJ booth, private cabanas and water fountains.
Guests checking in will also have access to Aquaventure, The Lost Chambers, Dolphin Bay and other facilities at Atlantis, The Palm.
Opening late 2021, rates to be confirmed; Atlantis, The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; atlantis.com
3. Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain, the least populated emirate in the UAE, is stretched across a narrow peninsula and is best known for its rich coastal mangroves. From February, there will be a new go-to destination in the emirate as Emaar is opening Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain.
Located on the shoreline, the hotel has private beach access, watersports and a swimming pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The Spa by Vida makes relaxing easy, and the rooftop lounge looks like a great sundowners spot. Children can enjoy playtime at Qix by Vida, and four-legged friends are also welcome in this dog-friendly hotel.
Opening February 2021, Rates from Dh288; Vida Beach Resort, Al Khor Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Moalla, Umm Al Quwain; vidahotels.com
4. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Having opened its doors to some lucky VIP guests in town for the UFC in January this year, Hilton's newest hotel in Abu Dhabi will officially open to travellers from March.
Located in Yas Bay, the five-star Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is a waterfront, family-friendly resort with gorgeous views over the Arabian Gulf. It has 545 rooms, including 59 suites, and a huge outdoor pool complex that includes a children's splash pad. There's also a grand ballroom, beach club, Hilton Fitness gym and an Eforea spa.
When it comes to dining, the hotel will open several new food and drinks outlets including Osmo Lounge and Bar, Graphos Social Kitchen and the Capila pool bar. All visitors checking in also get free Yas Island Theme Park tickets.
Opening March 2021, rates from Dh594. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; hilton.com
5. Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island
The first Radisson in Ras Al Khaimah will open on Marjan Island, the emirate's first man-made archipelago, in Q3 this year. The beach resort comprises two towers, with 408 hotel rooms in total, including 24 superior rooms, family rooms and suites.
It's situated right on the shoreline and guests will have access to a private beach and a huge infinity pool. For dining, there will be three restaurants to choose from, as well as a lobby cafe and bar.
Guests checking in to the newest Radisson Resort can enjoy impressive views of the Arabian Gulf from every room in the hotel.
Opening Q3, rates to be confirmed. Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah; radissonhotels.com
6. Mama Shelter Dubai
The quirky Mama Shelter brand is in seven countries and 13 cities, including Los Angeles, London, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. By Q3 2021, Dubai is set to be included in the line-up.
The boho-style glass-fronted hotel will combine design-led bedrooms with rooftop views, home-cooked meals and an "anyone is welcome" vibe. Located in Business Bay, the sleek hotel is 25 storeys high and has 197 colourful guest rooms. Each comes with luxury bedding, free films and smart TVs, organic toiletries and the occasional photo booth.
It will also be home to an all-day diner, rooftop bar, volleyball court and swimming pool.
Opening Q3, rates to be confirmed. Mama Shelter Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai; mamashelter.com
7. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences
The first SLS hotel in the Middle East, the loft-style SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences will be one of the tallest hotels in the emirate when it opens its doors later this year. No exact date has been revealed for the hotel's launch, but construction on the seventh SLS hotel in the world is complete and guests are expected to be welcomed during the second quarter of the year.
The 75-storey tower in Downtown Dubai has 245 rooms, all with unobstructed views of the city and Dubai Creek. On the hotel's highest floors is "The Crown". Encompassing levels 69 to 75, it will be home to several new dining and leisure outlets including Carna steakhouse, Mediterranean restaurant Fi'lia and the Sky Lobby & Mixology Lounge Bar.
It's also where the Ciel Spa and gym are located and where guests can enjoy two rooftop infinity pools, which are some of the highest in the world.
Opening Q2, rates to be confirmed. SLS Dubai, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai; slsdubai.com
8. 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
The first 25hours hotel to open in the Middle East will do so in Dubai in early 2021. This boutique-style property hails from Europe and has a laid-back, nomadic vibe that draws inspiration from the heritage of its destination.
The 25hours brand is all about telling stories and celebrating culture, so guests checking into the Dubai outpost can expect a luxury stay interspersed with Bedouin traditions, desert colour schemes and Arabian touches. The Hakawati Suite on the eighth floor spans 230 square metres and has some of Dubai's best city views.
Directly opposite Dubai World Trade Centre, the hotel has 434 guest rooms, creative communal and co-working spaces, a vinyl player and Walkman area, and four restaurants and bars, including a traditional Bavarian hops garden. The brand's first Stop the Water Spa will also open at 25hours Dubai, and there is also set to be an open-air cinema.
Opening Q2, room rates to be conformed. 25Hours Dubai One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai; 25hours-hotels.com
9. Address Fujairah Beach Resort
Located on the east coast of the Emirates, the Address Fujairah Beach Resort will open in March, giving travellers one more spot to escape to when seeking a staycation.
Located in a small town called Sharm, the 196-room hotel commands breathtaking views of the mountains and the sea. There's a luxury spa, two sea-facing swimming pools, fitness club and children's play area, plus a dive centre for those looking to make the most of Fujairah's amazing marine life.
The nearby beachfront promenade will be lined with restaurants and cafes, perfect for an evening stroll.
Opening Wednesday, March 31, rates to be confirmed. Address Fujairah Beach Resort, Sharm, Fujairah; addresshotels.com
10. InterContinental Mina Al Arab, Ras al Khaimah
The first InterContinental hotel to open in Ras Al Khaimah will be ready to welcome visitors in Q2. Located on the waterfront, the InterContinental Mina Al Arab will have 350 guest rooms and suites, a health club and spa, two swimming pools and several restaurants.
Covering an area of 43,770 square metres, the hotel is located on a headland surrounded by protected coastal wetlands with a sweeping beach on one side and a manmade waterway on the other. All of the guest rooms, suites and chalets offer views over the water.
There's also set to be extensive food and beverage options including a 150-seat, all-day dining restaurant, three more restaurants, two bars, a lobby lounge and an outdoor pool bar.
Opening Q2, rates to be confirmed. Intercontinental Mina Al Arab, Mina Al Arab Road, Ras Al Khaimah; ihg.com
11. WB Abu Dhabi
One of the most anticipated openings for 2021 is Hilton's new WB Abu Dhabi Hotel on Yas Island. It's the world's first Warner Bros-branded hotel and is geared towards those that can't get enough of Bugs Bunny, Batman, Tom & Jerry or Scooby Doo.
The hotel will have more than 250 rooms, spread across eight storeys and with uniquely decorated interiors celebrating Warner Bros' extensive film and television library. There will be signature WB restaurants, a spa, fitness facilities, a large ballroom and meeting rooms, as well as a family-friendly pool and Kids Club, and a shaded rooftop pool.
Opening Q4, rates to be confirmed. Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; wbworldabudhabi.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
THE DRAFT
The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.
Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan
Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe
Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi
Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath
Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh
Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh
Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar
Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%202%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Soudal%E2%80%93Quick-Step%20-%2018%E2%80%9911%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E2.%20EF%20Education%20%E2%80%93%20EasyPost%20-%201%22%3Cbr%3E3.%20Ineos%20Grenadiers%20-%203%22%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20classification%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenadiers%3Cbr%3E2.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%E2%80%93Quick-Step%20-%20ST%3Cbr%3E3.%20Nikias%20Arndt%20(GER)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20-%203%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
RACECARD
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Al%20Shamkha%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Khalifa%20City%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Masdar%20City%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Emirates%20Championship%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20Dh1%2C000%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Shakbout%20City%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C400m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
