Staycationers take note, there's a new beach resort in Umm Al Quwain that's worth adding to your visit list.
Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain has opened its doors in the UAE's least populated emirate. Nine minutes from the emirate's thriving coastal mangroves, the beachfront hotel is family-friendly, pet-friendly and has a host of water sports on offer.
Travellers can soak in the sunshine at the hotel's private beach or refresh at the large infinity pool at the first resort under the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand.
By the shore, there's a wide range of water sports are available and there are tennis courts on-site for those who want to work up a sweat.
The family-friendly resort has a children's club with an outdoor playground and a children's pool, as well as plenty of child-friendly water sports available to book.
Four-legged friends welcome
Animal lovers can also bring their pets along. Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain has designated pet-friendly rooms and specific areas throughout the resort where dogs are welcome.
When it comes to dining, guests can check out the second Origins outlet in the country, the first is at Vida Emirates Hills. This all-day restaurant serves wholesome, organic dishes and has a large al fresco dining area, as well as a beautifully designed interior. Stage2 is a low-key lounge serving hot and cold beverages while Social is the resort's rooftop bar which comes with amazing views of Umm Al Quwain.
The 135 rooms at Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain have views of the water, so guests can fall asleep to the sounds of the waves. All rooms are stylishly designed with complimentary Wi-Fi and there's also 24-hour concierge services available.
Private chalets on the beach
If you want to truly feel like you've escaped the big city, the eight chalets located on the beach offer uninterrupted views of the sea and amazing sunset vistas.
The two-bedroom villas have a large living room and private outdoor terrace so there's plenty of space for the whole family to unwind.
Less than an hour from Dubai, Umm Al Quwain is stretched across a narrow peninsula and is best-known for its rich coastal mangroves which are home to various birds and marine life, including pink flamingos.
To celebrate the opening of Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain, the hotel has 40 per cent off its all-inclusive packages which start from Dh548 per person. This includes meals and house drinks from noon until 11pm.
Vida Beach Resort , Al Khor Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Moalla, Umm Al Quwain; vidahotels.com
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
Results
5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud
6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission
Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1
Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2
Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision
