Christmas and New Year's Eve are just around the corner, but if you've yet to finalise your plans, these all-inclusive staycations might pique your interest.
With options to eat, drink and even party to your heart's content, these all-inclusive stays are ideal for the holiday season, whether you're seeking an end-of-year celebration to remember or a family-friendly festive escape.
From luxury guaranteed at the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to non-stop action at Dubai's first 24-hour all-inclusive hotel, here’s a shortlist of staycation deals still available to book this Christmas and New Year.
Non-stop fun at Hotel Riu Dubai
Dubai's first 24-hour all-inclusive hotel has a minimum stay policy of two nights over Christmas, and three nights from December 31. That means guests can settle in for a proper mini-break at the Deira Islands hotel. The all-inclusive concept here means no matter what time of day or night it is, you'll be able to get something to eat or drink somewhere in the hotel.
Beachfront Hotel Riu has 800 rooms, its own mini water park, two children’s pools and three large swimming pools for adults. Food, drink and activities on site are included in the room rate, so you can have a merry festive season without having to worry about what your final bill might read.
Rates start from Dh2,032 for a two-night stay over Christmas, Dh4,987 for a three-night stay at New Year; www.riu.com
Fireworks and festivities at Rixos The Palm, Dubai
Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites, Dubai, is gearing up to say goodbye to 2020 in style. The hotel boasts a one-kilometre private beach, rooms that overlook the Arabian Gulf and 11 restaurants and bars, so there's plenty of eating and drinking to be done. There are also four temperature-controlled swimming pools where staff will pass by with cold face towels and fruit kebabs.
The hotel has villas that can sleep up to eight adults, as well as private deluxe rooms. It's already fully booked for Christmas, but if you want to ring in the New Year here, you can still do so. To celebrate, the hotel is hosting a Rouge Party inclusive of canapes, a dinner and free-flowing drinks. Outside there's live music, entertainment and fantastic views of the midnight fireworks to help guests say goodbye to 2020.
All-inclusive rates over New Year from Dh3,000 per room, per night; www.rixos.com
A Ras Al Khaimah Christmas at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
An action-packed family-friendly festive stay is on the cards at the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. And if you book the all-inclusive package, you won't need to spend any time worrying about your final bill, no matter how many festive treats the children get through.
The resort has a children’s club with a climbing wall, arcade games and a huge outdoor playground. There's also a Pirate Boat Aqua Zone, water trampoline and inflatable bouncy castle to keep everyone busy. Unwind on the 650-metre private beach or at one of seven swimming pools. Festive staycays include breakfast, lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, with seasonal specials being served, as well as selected beverages.
All-inclusive rates over Christmas from Dh1,608, including taxes; www.hilton.com
Unwind at the Occidental Sharjah Grand
For a family-friendly all-inclusive stay in Sharjah, try the Occidental Sharjah Grand. This four-star hotel has a private beach, large swimming pool complete with a water slide and a sandy children’s playground. Included in your all-inclusive rate are all meals with daily breakfast, a buffet lunch and dinner with a selection of local and international cuisines. Hot and cold drinks at the lobby bar and in-room dining are also included, as is a daily minibar refill of soft drinks.
By the pool, you can order drinks and snacks from 10am until 7pm. Top tip: upgrade to a sea-facing view for as little as Dh50 to make the most of the water vistas and have a view of the fireworks. All-inclusive guests also get 35 per cent off watersports when paying in advance this festive season.
Rates start from Dh853 over Christmas and Dh2,112 on New Year's Eve; barcelo.com
Christmas spirit at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's most famous all-inclusive resort is in high demand over the festive season, so you'll need to be quick if you want to snap up one of the remaining rooms. Festive afternoon teas, Christmas Day brunch and a New Year's Eve party with dinner, a live saxophonist, dancers and a performance from Chris Willis – best-known for his Gettin' Over You track with Fergie, David Guetta & LMFAO – are also included.
Located in what is one of the capital’s most scenic spots, the hotel has its own water park, several swimming pools and a gorgeous shoreline with access to Saadiyat Island’s crystal-clear waters. There are eight restaurants and bars to choose from, and activities are also included in the rate, with paddle-boarding, tennis and bicycle hire on offer. Relax by the beach – there’s a bar where you can get complimentary refreshments all day long – and have your pick of the swimming pools, from a chill-out infinity spot or a fun-filled aqua park.
Limited availability with rates over Christmas from Dh1,350, and Dh1,500 on New Year's Eve; supplements for in-house guests opting to dine at a la carte restaurants on Christmas and New Year's Eve; rixos.com
Deck the halls at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
While it's not strictly an all-inclusive package, the Anantara Eastern Mangroves festive package comes with daily breakfast, and your choice of either Christmas Eve dinner, Papa Noel's Christmas brunch or dinner on Friday, December 25. You can also have drinks included for a supplement of Dh150 per person, making it almost an all-inclusive deal.
There are festive decorations all over the hotel, including an impressively large tree surrounded by glittering presents, and the mangroves outside make for a perfect post-Christmas lunch stroll.
Rates start from Dh1,150 excluding taxes on Christmas day; www.anantara.com
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.”
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
SPECS
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QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
