• The new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island at Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
    The new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island at Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the first hotel to open at Yas Bay.
    Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the first hotel to open at Yas Bay.
  • The entrance lobby at the newly opened Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
    The entrance lobby at the newly opened Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
  • The luxury resort has 545 guestrooms, including 59 suites.
    The luxury resort has 545 guestrooms, including 59 suites.
  • Rooms have an ocean-inspired color scheme and ocean, bay or pool views.
    Rooms have an ocean-inspired color scheme and ocean, bay or pool views.
  • Safety is a priority at the new five-star family resort.
    Safety is a priority at the new five-star family resort.
  • Osmo Lounge and Bar serves afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowners. It also has a lovely terrace option.
    Osmo Lounge and Bar serves afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowners. It also has a lovely terrace option.
  • The hotel's fully equipped fitness suite.
    The hotel's fully equipped fitness suite.
  • The hotel makes the most of its waterfront location.
    The hotel makes the most of its waterfront location.
  • Live cooking stations at Graphos Social Kitchen allow a level of interaction and theatre, in a socially distanced manner.
    Live cooking stations at Graphos Social Kitchen allow a level of interaction and theatre, in a socially distanced manner.
  • Socially distanced check-in with compulsory face masks, protective screens and a hand-sanitising station.
    Socially distanced check-in with compulsory face masks, protective screens and a hand-sanitising station.
  • Chefs at Graphos Social Kitchen, the upmarket food-hall style all-day dining restaurant.
    Chefs at Graphos Social Kitchen, the upmarket food-hall style all-day dining restaurant.
  • Rooms have some clever design features including sliding doors and concealed wardrobes.
    Rooms have some clever design features including sliding doors and concealed wardrobes.
  • Suites have a lounge, pull-out sofa bed and full-sized dining table creating a home from home.
    Suites have a lounge, pull-out sofa bed and full-sized dining table creating a home from home.
  • The sleek modern design carries through to the bathrooms.
    The sleek modern design carries through to the bathrooms.
  • More than half of the rooms at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island have balconies.
    More than half of the rooms at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island have balconies.
  • A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
    A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.

First Look: Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island opens at Yas Bay


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

The first attraction at Yas Bay has opened on Yas Island.

The waterfront five-star Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is now open for overnight stays.

Located in the hotly anticipated Yas Bay development, the new Hilton resort is a family-friendly waterfront property with 545 guestrooms, including 59 suites.

Making the most of its island location, the resort blends a marine-inspired palette with a sleek design that fuses simplicity and modernity. Right on the water's edge, the resort has a huge outdoor pool complex lined with palm trees and water features. On one side of the temperature-controlled outdoor pool is a relaxing area with a Jacuzzi for guests seeking downtime. The other side is perfect for families with a children's splash pool, play area and access to the kids club.

A floating beach club

The soon-to-open beach club will have a floating beach and island-like vibe. Courtesy Hilton
The soon-to-open beach club will have a floating beach and island-like vibe. Courtesy Hilton

A new beach club will also open here later in 2021. It will resemble an island surrounded by water and with its own beach floating in the bay. The beach club will be accessible for hotel guests via a walkway, and will also accept day visitors.

When it comes to dining, the hotel is home to Osmo – Lounge and Bar, where guests can have coffee, snacks, afternoon tea or sundowners. Graphos Social Kitchen is an all-day dining eatery that’s reminiscent of a stylish European food hall with a variety of international cuisine on offer. Live cooking stations dotted across the restaurant allow a level of interaction and theatre, all in a socially distanced manner.

At pool level, guests can dine at Capila – Pool Bar and Grill, where shisha will also be served. In the future, two new dining outlets will join the resort and guests also have direct access to the soon-to-open Yas Bay Waterfront Promenade, where there will be a host of cafes, restaurant and stores.

Visit Yas Island theme parks free of charge

Guest staying at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island can get free access to the theme parks on Yas Island. Courtesy Yas Island
Guest staying at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island can get free access to the theme parks on Yas Island. Courtesy Yas Island

Visitors checking in at the hotel will receive passes to Yas Island's theme parks. With one pass, per theme park, per day, guests can explore the nearby Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

The hotel will also be home to the first eforea Spa in the UAE, set to open in the next few weeks.

A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Victor Besa / The National
A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Victor Besa / The National

Rooms come with views of the Yas Bay, the waterfront, the pool or the plaza, and more than half of all rooms have private balconies for making the most of the vistas. Expect some clever design elements such as concealed interconnecting doors in the dressing room areas, pullback screens between bedrooms and bathrooms, and workstations on wheels that can be manoeuvred into guests’ preferred location.

Safety first

Each room also implements the Hilton CleanStay programme and is sealed shut after being sanitised. Throughout the resort, this emphasis on safety is visible with clear social distancing markers in place in public areas, face masks worn by all staff and hand sanitising stations throughout.

The resort implements high-tech, sustainable design with solar panels used to generate electricity. Lighting is automatically adjusted according to the time of day and water conservation comes courtesy of taps and shower heads that limit water usage without affecting pressure.

What else is happening at Yas Bay?

Yas Bay Waterfront in Abu Dhabi will also be home to world-class brands such as Siddharta Lounge, Bushra, Asia Asia and Lock, Stock & Barrel. Courtesy Miral
Yas Bay Waterfront in Abu Dhabi will also be home to world-class brands such as Siddharta Lounge, Bushra, Asia Asia and Lock, Stock & Barrel. Courtesy Miral

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island opened in January to a select group of VIP guests in town for the UFC event on at the recently opened Etihad Arena. Guests were able to walk from their room to the big event in less than five minutes, making the hotel on track to be a favourite with anyone attending any of the music, arts, culture, sporting or business events scheduled to take place at the entertainment venue.

Yas Bay Waterfront is an ongoing project by Miral that will soon see the opening of a walking promenade that will have around 40 cafes and restaurants plus retail outlets. Siddharta Lounge, Bushra, Asia Asia and Lock, Stock & Barrel are among some of the new outlets set to open in Yas Bay which will also be home to the new Yas Creative Hub.

Stays at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island are start from Dh665 per night, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi; www.hilton.com

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

Super Rugby play-offs

Quarter-finals

  • Hurricanes 35, ACT 16
  • Crusaders 17, Highlanders 0
  • Lions 23, Sharks 21
  • Chiefs 17, Stormers 11

Semi-finals

Saturday, July 29

  • Crusaders v Chiefs, 12.35pm (UAE)
  • Lions v Hurricanes, 4.30pm
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos

Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km

Types of policy

Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.

Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.

Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.

Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

What%20is%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%3F%20
%3Cp%3EDungeons%20%26amp%3B%20Dragons%20began%20as%20an%20interactive%20game%20which%20would%20be%20set%20up%20on%20a%20table%20in%201974.%20One%20player%20takes%20on%20the%20role%20of%20dungeon%20master%2C%20who%20directs%20the%20game%2C%20while%20the%20other%20players%20each%20portray%20a%20character%2C%20determining%20its%20species%2C%20occupation%20and%20moral%20and%20ethical%20outlook.%20They%20can%20choose%20the%20character%E2%80%99s%20abilities%2C%20such%20as%20strength%2C%20constitution%2C%20dexterity%2C%20intelligence%2C%20wisdom%20and%20charisma.%20In%20layman%E2%80%99s%20terms%2C%20the%20winner%20is%20the%20one%20who%20amasses%20the%20highest%20score.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

The%20specs
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

SPECS
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Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
 
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
 
Don’t be afraid to negotiate

It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
 
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
 
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.