The welcome
Although the driveway is crowded, the initial welcome from the doormen is assured. Inside at reception, I’m asked to take a seat while my check-in is prepared, which I never like doing. I’m then told that because the hotel is fully booked, I’ve been upgraded to the royal suite.
The neighbourhood
First opened in 1998, the hotel has a prime spot on the beach in front of JBR. The first wing is closed for renovation, and a brand new six-storey wing, which looks identical to the old one from the outside, opened earlier this year. The property has extensive private grounds and direct access to the beach.
The room
My room is on the top floor, has 220 square metres of space and offers two bedrooms, a kitchen, large living and dining areas, three balconies and a large bathroom with a double-size shower and Jacuzzi bath. The views of the beach are great and, like most of the other rooms, it offers a sense of peace, quiet, and privacy, away from the tourist hordes.
The service
The service in the restaurants and executive lounge is warm and gracious. The electronic operation of the window blinds, sound and TV system in my room is not very straightforward and I could have done with someone to show me how to use everything. Pillows ordered from the pillow menu arrive swiftly. When I return at sunset – the best part of the day – several staff are “turning down” my room, but I ask them to leave.
The scene
I see mostly European and Russian holidaymakers, typically staying for more than a few days; I meet several repeat visitors who love the hotel and its location. It’s also popular with Emiratis conducting meetings in the restaurants and executive lounge. Blue Jade, where I have dinner, is surprisingly quiet on a Friday night, but the choice of restaurants in the area must lure most visitors outside the hotel to eat.
The food
Blue Jade is a pan-Asian restaurant with a Vietnamese chef. We enjoyed the Vietnamese soup (pho) (Dh70), rice paper rolls (Dh70) and Szechuan aubergines with tofu and black bean sauce (Dh60) and black pepper beef (Dh145).
Loved
Going for a swim in the sea in the morning before the crowds arrive, and the spa, with its Moroccan theme, including keyhole doorways, polished marble floors, reflecting pools and mosaics. Having a massage here, rather than at one of the cheaper spas in the area, is a time-saving treat.
Hated
Apart from the lobby majlis, the decor of the hotel is rather bland and forgettable, with a beige, brown and cream colour scheme and generic-looking furniture. The executive lounge is on the ground floor rather than the top floor, and food is served via a buffet, which makes it feel less special.
The verdict
With all the new hotels in the city, including the Ritz-Carlton DIFC, most people seem to have forgotten about the original Ritz-Carlton Dubai, but for a weekend in the best location, where you can leave the car in the garage and forget about it, this place is hard to beat. Just don’t spend all weekend in your room.
The bottom line
Double rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai (
www.ritzcarlton.com
; 04 399 4000) cost from Dh2,700 per night, including taxes.
rbehan@thenational.ae
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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
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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
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
