If you’ve been working from home for the past year and have had about enough of the view from your kitchen table, or would like to give your Zoom background a bit of a real-life boost, it may be time to take a “workation”.
With much of the global workforce no longer tethered to an office, hotels around the world are offering long-term packages that allow you to mix work with leisure in a new and exotic location.
Here are some of the places we’d like to decamp to:
Time in paradise on Sir Bani Yas Island
The Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island has launched the 30-night Time In Paradise package. For Dh45,000 ($12,253), you can swap your cramped home office for a sea-view room, while taking advantage of the resort’s business centre.
Access to the fitness centre is included in the package, to help you really hone that work-life balance, and you’ll get a choice of five 30-minute spa treatments or five mani/pedis at the award-winning Anantara Spa.
Also included in the package are 10 excursions or adventures, so instead of spending your evenings bingeing on Netflix, you can take in the island’s diverse animal population on a wildlife drive, embark on a nature or wadi walk, try your hand at kayaking and archery, or do a culture and history tour.
A long stay in the Seychelles
Hilton’s two hotels in the Seychelles are offering packages for those who want to “upgrade their work from home to work from paradise”. Digital nomads looking for a spot of luxury on their Seychelles sojourn will find themselves well catered for at the five-star Hilton Seychelles Notholme Resort & Spa.
Perched amid hilltops in the north of Mahe, the resort offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms and a peaceful library for when you need to really focus on the task at hand. Then there’s a host of free activities, including snorkelling and kayaking, for when it's time to unwind.
Available for stays of 10 nights or more, Northolme’s workation package welcomes guests to stay in one of the hotel’s Grand Oceanview Pool Villas, a tree-house style residence with panoramic views, a private infinity pool and an expansive terrace that tops even the swankiest of corner offices.
On those extra leisurely days, guests can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner, either poolside in-villa or on the beach, or one of the hotel’s famous floating breakfasts in their private pool, both of which are part of the package rate.
Nightly rates for Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa’s workation package start from $915 for stays of more than 21 nights, based on double occupancy.
Relocate to Zanzibar
As part of its Great Relocate package, Hyatt is inviting guests to “gather your work, your pets and your people” and spend a month or more at one of its properties around the world.
In addition to a much-needed change of scenery, the package includes private work areas, complimentary gym access, high-speed internet and an on-hand IT concierge, laundry services, airport or train station pick-up, twice-weekly housekeeping and a 25 per cent discount on onsite dining.
The offer is valid until December 31 for any stay longer than 29 nights. It is open to World of Hyatt members, or those who enrol for Hyatt’s loyalty programme on the spot, with prices starting at $1,000 per month, depending on hotel brand, location and room category.
We’d head to the Park Hyatt in Zanzibar, which sits on a stretch of beach in the heart of Stone Town and combines more than 140 square metres of flexible meeting and event space with an ocean-facing infinity pool, expansive spa and 24-hour in-room dining for when those impromptu Zoom meetings last longer than planned.
A Greek retreat
For a truly luxurious “work from hotel” experience, look no further than the Nana Princess on the Greek island of Crete. Set between pristine sandy beaches and rolling mountains, the resort consists of sea-view suites and villas, most of which have their own private outdoor pool, as well as in-room steam rooms and saunas.
With its Workation Package, guests will get complimentary access to office and meeting facilities, the use of office equipment, and soft drinks, tea and coffee throughout the day. You’ll also get a free dinner every Saturday, to celebrate the end of the working week, as well as unlimited access to the gym and fitness classes. The cherry on the top is a free weekly massage at The Royal Wellness Club, to counteract those cricks in your shoulders from hunching over your laptop all day.
Free time can be spent on the tennis or beach volleyball court, joining nature walks and cycling tours, or taking advantage of the 18-hole golf course that’s just 10 minutes away. Nightly rates at Nana Princess start from $398 per night in a deluxe junior suite.
Calling it in from the Caribbean
For a truly decadent escape from reality, head to the Caribbean. Set on a 400-metre-long stretch of beach on the west coast of Barbados, amid three acres of lush tropical gardens, the family-owned Cobblers Cove has introduced a long-stay offer on bookings of 21 nights or more.
Guests will enjoy a free laundry service, their own personal housemaid, a daily 30-minute water sports session and one lunch at the hotel’s Sea Shed beach bar. In addition, the mini bar will be re-stocked daily with your choice of soft drinks and snacks. You’ll also be gifted a canvas tote bag and seersucker bath robe, so you look the part as you roam your new home. Most importantly, the hotel promises that its Wi-Fi is “super speedy”.
For bookings of 21 days and over, room rates start from $350 for single occupancy in a Garden Suite. Barbados launched the Welcome Stamp Initiative in 2020, inviting international travellers to “work from home” on the island for up to a year.
Work from Windjammer
For an alternative island getaway, you could stay on St Lucia, where the all-inclusive Windjammer Landing has created the Work from Windjammer package.
This includes secure, high-speed Wi-Fi, a personal concierge, daily housekeeping service, on-site laundry and a fully equipped in-room kitchen, for when you need to at your most productive. Then there's nightly entertainment, a kids' club, non-motorised water sports and access to the resort’s six pools, five restaurants, spa and fitness centre, for when you want to kick back. Prices start from $293 per room per night.
The hotel is also offering complimentary antigen testing to any guests staying at the resort for a minimum of five nights.
"Over the last few months, we have seen a growing trend in extended bookings, with people looking to work from the resort,” says Michael O’Sullivan, general manager of Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in Saint Lucia.
“In light of this, we have launched a new Work from Windjammer package, which is tailored for families with working parents or elder siblings. Our villas lend themselves perfectly to these sorts of holidays, where family members can work from home using spare rooms as offices and still spend quality time together.”
Total reset with SHA
If you really want to reboot your life, ditch the work altogether and sign up for the 28-day Life Reset programme at Spain’s famed SHA Wellness Clinic.
A pioneer in integrated medical and holistic wellness, and one of Europe’s leading medical resorts, SHA has created the Life Reset programme to offer a holistic, multi-layered approach that combines physical, cellular, psychological, mental and spiritual aspects.
Highlights include bioenergetic electromagnetic mapping, neurocognitive stimulation sessions, stress management, sleep tests, osteopathy and acupuncture. A full nutrition plan is also included in the programme. Rates start from $22,000.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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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.”
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
HAJJAN
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About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
