If you haven’t yet firmed up your travel plans for the next few months, it may be time to book a staycation – there are plenty of attractive hotel deals and packages to take advantage across the UAE.
Here are some of the best to book now:
Major savings at Marriott
Marriott International is offering discounts of 25 per cent on hotel stays at more than 250 of its properties across the Middle East and Africa. Until September 25, guests who book through Marriott Bonvoy, the company’s newly revamped loyalty programme, can save as much as 25 per cent on the best available room rate, including complimentary breakfast. It’s a great opportunity to check out one of Marriott’s latest properties in the UAE, W Dubai – The Palm.
Check-in to a Jumeirah hotel for less
Jumeirah is also running a UAE residents' offer that includes discounts of up to 25 per cent. If you’ve always fancied a night in the Burj Al Arab, take advantage of 20 per cent off the best available suite rate. Additional benefits include use of a private cabana on the Burj Al Arab terrace, and pick-up and drop-off in a Rolls Royce Phantom.
You’ll also get 15 per cent off room rates at Jumeirah Al Naseem and Jumeirah Mina A‘Salam. At Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the residents' package includes a 20 per cent discount on your room rate, with unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark, the private beach and kids' club.
Staycationers can check in to Jumeirah Emirates Towers for 20 per cent less and get access to Talise Fitness Gym and Talise Spa, while Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is offering discounts of 25 per cent on room rates, as well as access to the Aviation Club gym and a one-week complimentary gym membership, granted upon check-out. The UAE residents' offer is valid until December 20.
Retreat to The Palm for a wellness break
For a wellness break close to home, look no further than the Palm Jumeirah. Positioned as the Middle East’s first holistic well-being resort, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery is home to the Raya Wellness Centre, which offers a series of all-inclusive packages designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Until September 30, the property is running an offer for UAE residents that includes accommodation in a classic sea-view room, healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner, an in-body analysis and mini consultation with a wellness expert, and a morning yoga session, for Dh599 for two people.
Guests booking via theretreatpalmdubai.com can also receive a free genetics test. Once the results from a painless mouth swab are in, wellness experts at The Retreat Palm Dubai will provide confidential and personalised recommendations for a healthier lifestyle.
Book a brunch, stay the night at the St Regis
Pair brunch at the St Regis Abu Dhabi with an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s superior sea view rooms. The Friday brunch at The Terrace on the Corniche is a hearty spread that includes seafood, sushi and fine grilled cuts, as well as dedicated dessert, cheese and chocolate rooms. Once you’re done, you can either make your way to the Nation Riviera Beach Club, which is set on a 200-metre stretch of private beach, with secluded cabanas, an infinity pool and swim-up pool bar – or head up to your room. At Dh1,220 for two people, the superior summer brunch overnight stay also includes either dinner on Thursday night or a New York breakfast on Saturday.
Immersive stay for children in RAK
If you're worried about keeping your children entertained over the long summer months, head over to Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, where the Little Hotelier experience is available for kids between the ages of 8 and 13. Youngsters will "work" a half-day shift, learning about the various people, roles and responsibilities involved in keeping a hotel running – from the concierge to the sous chef, front office agent or waiter. Dressed in their own hotel uniform, complete with name tag, the mini hoteliers will complete a training programme to learn the basics, before heading out to shadow senior team members.
Thrill seekers’ package at Rove Hotels
Rove Hotels has opened its sixth property in Dubai. To celebrate the launch, Rove At The Park, located in Dubai Parks and Resorts, is inviting guests to stay for only Dh199 per night, which includes two tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts. Rove At The Park offers 579 rooms, including interconnecting family rooms to cater to families and larger groups. Guests have easy access to more than 100 rides and attractions across Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park.
Low room rates at JA Hatta Fort Hotel
JA Hatta Fort Hotel is inviting guests to take advantage of the quieter season with rates as low as Dh369, plus taxes, per night. You can enjoy cinema-in-the-pool experiences as classic movies play on a big screen, spot the animals that roam the grounds – including deer, goats, peacocks and even tortoises – and indulge in spa treatments. Activities such as zip-lining, wall climbing, mountain biking, archery, air-gun shooting and trail hiking are also still available, either early in the morning or late in the evening.
Bed and breakfast at the One&Only
The One&Only Royal Mirage has long reigned as one of Dubai’s best-loved hotels – and now’s your chance to experience it for yourself. The hotel is running a staycation offer where, for Dh895, you’ll get a room and breakfast, as well as free yoga and water sports activities, and complimentary family passes to Aquaventure Waterpark. The rate also includes 20 per cent off at the hotel’s various dining venues and savings on spa treatments. If you’d prefer to stay in a suite, the hotel is also running a Suite Dreams package that includes 10 per cent savings on the best available rate, plus complimentary daily breakfast and dinner, in addition to a pass to Aquaventure Waterpark.
Get closer to nature at Sir Bani Yas
Treat the kids to a trip to Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island – and they’ll eat, stay and play for free. Rates for the property’s Happy Kids Happy Family package start from Dh1,260, with a complimentary stay for a maximum of two children when sharing accommodation with their parents. They can also partake in various activities, from archery to nature walks and kayaking to 4X4 adventures.
Head to the Hills
A newcomer to Dubai, Vida Emirates Hills is a 160-room property that offers expansive views of the golf courses at Emirates Golf Club and Address Montgomerie. The hotel, which opened this month, is offering a summer package, called The Hills Are Alive, which includes 50 per cent off the best available room rate, early check-in and late check-out, and complimentary breakfast.
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TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo
Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 28
Sector: Financial services
Investment: $9.5m
Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Company%20Profile
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
Five hymns the crowds can join in
Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday
Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir
Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium
‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song
‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar
‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion
‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope
The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’
There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia
The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ
They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
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
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.”