From Burj Al Arab to Qasr Al Sarab: 10 hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that are temporarily closed

As coronavirus restrictions in Dubai have eased off in recent weeks, most hotels have reopened facilities, with many swimming pools, beaches and restaurants now welcoming guests.

With flights in and out of the country currently suspended, UAE residents have been quick to book a staycation or a pool day. Yet, while many hotels across the country have reopened with enhanced hygiene policies and social distancing measures in place, several of the country’s most renowned hotels remain closed to guests.

From the world-famous Burj Al Arab to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, you can count these hotels out when it comes to booking your next local getaway.

1. Burj Al Arab

One of the world's most famous hotels is temporarily closed for reservations. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is not open to guests, and neither are the restaurants and leisure facilities. The National has reached out to the Jumeirah group for more information on when the hotel will reopen, but online bookings are unavailable throughout June. The first available date guests can book a stay is Wednesday, July 1.

According to a pop-up notice on the Jumeirah website, only a selection of the hotel group’s “most popular restaurants, beaches and pools are operational, in strict accordance with health and safety regulations from the Ministry of Health and Prevention”.

If you’re keen for a Jumeriah hotel stay, you can still check-in at Jumeirah Al Naseem, Al Qasr, Zabeel Saray or the Creekside Hotel.

2. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Dubai’s Bab Al Shams has closed its doors to guests in what it is calling a precautionary measure. Those looking to escape to the sand dunes on the outskirts of the city, are currently unable to do so as bookings at this classic resort are suspended until further notice. The hotel – which is a sister property with The Meydan Hotel – has also closed its restaurants, spa and swimming pool.

"We have chosen to use this time to carry out essential works and maintenance at both properties, so that when we reopen, we will continue to provide seamless five-star experiences to higher standards for all of our guests," says Ziad Sleiman, hotel manager at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. The hotel will reopen in July, but the exact date is not yet known.

3. Armani Hotel Dubai

Dubai's Armani hotel, located in the world's tallest building, is closed for guests until further notice. Courtesy Armani Hotel Dubai

The only hotel in the world's tallest building has temporarily paused all guest reservations. That means that sleek interiors designed by Giorgio Armani at the Armani Hotel are currently off-limits to travellers. Bookings on rooms are suspended until at least September, and only residents can access the hotel. Popular restaurants, including Armani Hashi and Ristorante, in the Burj Khalifa hotel are also temporarily closed. Online reservations are unavailable for stays before Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

4. The Meydan Hotel, Dubai

Every year, the eyes of the world are on the Meydan Hotel as it steps up to host spectators at the world’s richest horse race during the Dubai World Cup.

While we are temporarily closing our doors with a heavy heart, we know that this is the right decision

This year, the sporting event was postponed in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Since then, The Meydan Hotel has closed its doors to guests.

The hotel's manager explains: "These are incredibly difficult times for us all. While we are temporarily closing our doors with a heavy heart, we know that this is the right decision to ensure the health and safety of our community." The hotel is set to reopen soon, with reservations being accepted for stays in July, and the Qube Sports Bar inside the hotel having already reopened on Monday, June 15.

5. Park Hyatt Dubai

This sprawling hotel inside Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has closed its doors stating that “the safety and well-being of our guests and colleagues is always a top priority.”

No bookings can be made for stays at the hotel, which has long been a favourite with UAE residents thanks to its beautiful design and secluded location near the Dubai Creek. All restaurants, bars and recreational facilities are also closed during this time. According to the Park Hyatt Dubai’s website, room reservations can be booked for stays from Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

6. W Dubai – The Palm

The achingly cool W Dubai The Palm is temporarily closed. Home to stunning palm views, the party-vibe hotel is temporarily not accepting in-house or day guests. Popular restaurants Akira Back and Massimo Botura’s Torno Subito are also closed as is the hotel’s Wet Deck and Away spa.

Judging by the hotel's "camera deckchair", it's all quiet at W Dubai for the moment. But with its Facebook page boasting "Fabulous views are always on the cards, watch this space for a reopening date," it doesn't look like the new-found quiet will last too much longer and there is talk of an end of July reopening.

7. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort (villa bookings still available)

This popular seafront destination on Saadiyat Island is closed to almost all guests until further notice. All guest rooms, restaurants, the spa and the 440 metre-long beach and swimming pools are shut. However, reservations can be made for stays in the resort's private luxury three or four-bedroom villas, but only for bookings longer than two nights and with the understanding that the resort and its facilities remain closed. There is no confirmed reopening date for the hotel yet, but bookings for regular rooms reopen on the website for stays from Saturday, August 1, 2020.

8. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

The five-star Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the Empty Quarter is temporarily closed. Courtesy Anantara

If an escape to the remote Empty Quarter deep in the Abu Dhabi desert was on your mind, you’ll have to hold that thought for a little longer. That’s because Anantara's Qasr Al Sarab – perhaps the most renowned desert escape in Abu Dhabi – is currently closed. According to Anantara, the move is “part of our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our guests and team members.”

However, the wait isn’t going to be too long as the hotel is planning to reopen to guests in late July, in time for Eid Al Adha.

9. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

Shortly after it opened, the W Yas Island closed again after staff on the UAE Tour that were in contact with guests at the hotel tested positive for Covid-19. That was in February, and the hotel was shut down for a 14-day quarantine period. For now, the 499-room hotel remains temporarily closed with no confirmed reopening date, but bookings are being accepted for stays from Thursday, July 30.

10. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts

One of the UAE's most unique locations, Sir Bani Yas Island is home to some of the country's most fascinating wildlife and three resorts. For the moment, the wildlife have the island all to themselves as Anantara's resorts are closed to visitors. There's no confirmed date for when bookings will reopen at Al Yamm Villa Resort, Al Sahel Villa Resort or the Desert Islands Resort and Spa, but a spokesperson advised The National that island stays will be possible in time for Eid Al Adha, expected to start at the end of July.

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?

George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.

Hunting park to luxury living

Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

The design

The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.

More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.

The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.

The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.

A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.

Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.

Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.

Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.

From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.

Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.

Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.

On Women's Day

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Whiile you're here

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Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
150 tonnes to landfill
50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

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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