• The St Regis Abu Dhabi is offering an Eid stay and brunch package from Dh1,269. Courtesy Marriott International
    The St Regis Abu Dhabi is offering an Eid stay and brunch package from Dh1,269. Courtesy Marriott International
  • The Chedi Al Bait in Sharjah has Eid availability with rates from Dh720. Courtesy GHM Hotels
    The Chedi Al Bait in Sharjah has Eid availability with rates from Dh720. Courtesy GHM Hotels
  • Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers Eid stays from Dh1,661. Courtesy Hilton
    Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers Eid stays from Dh1,661. Courtesy Hilton
  • Stay at Studio One Dubai this Eid from Dh350. Courtesy Studio One
    Stay at Studio One Dubai this Eid from Dh350. Courtesy Studio One
  • Caesars Palace Dubai offers an ultra-luxury Eid staycation for the whole family with rates from Dh5,320. Courtesy Caesars Palace
    Caesars Palace Dubai offers an ultra-luxury Eid staycation for the whole family with rates from Dh5,320. Courtesy Caesars Palace

Last-minute Eid staycations: 5 UAE hotels you can still book for the holidays


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

The Eid holidays are right around the corner and, with international travel still severely restricted, many people are staying put for the occasion.

With so many folks looking to staycation, a lot of the best deals have been snapped up and several hotels are already fully booked. If you don't have anything planned for the next few days but are craving a change of scenery, here are five staycation offers still available to book over the Eid holidays.

And, if you do still want to travel overseas, click here for 13 destinations within six hours of the UAE that are welcoming visitors this Eid.

Old-world charm at The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah

Escape to Sharjah for an Eid stay in one of the emirate's most upscale resorts. The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah offers a quiet locale, away from the bustle of the emirate where traditionally crafted, spacious rooms boast local Emirati designs.

For relaxation, the spa spans 500 square metres and has a plethora of treatments to choose from. UAE and GCC residents can take advantage of a promotional rate that includes daily breakfast at The Restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Slow down the pace and explore Sharjah's older neighbourhoods and the nearby traditional bazaar Souq Al Arsah, the oldest in the UAE.

Available on Tuesday, May 11; Dh720 excluding taxes; Corniche Street, Sharjah; ghmhotels.com

Couple goals at Studio One Dubai

Head to Studio One Dubai for the Eid holidays for a couples' stay where you're free to do as you please. The "Stay-cay Your Way" package includes an overnight stay in a room that comes with a comfy king-size bed, mini library, in-room yoga mat and a 42-inch smart TV for epic movie nights.

Guests will also get complimentary breakfast for two, early check-in from 10am and late check-out until 6pm to make the most of their visit, plus Dh150 per couple back in vouchers to spend at Larte or The Void.

Available on all dates over Eid; from Dh350 plus taxes (best rates on Tuesday, May 11); Dubai Studio City; studionehotel.com

Brunch and stay at The St Regis Abu Dhabi

With the Eid holidays continuing over the weekend, why not combine a Friday brunch with a staycation in the capital? The towering St Regis Abu Dhabi is located right on the Corniche, meaning amazing views are guaranteed from every room or suite.

This Eid, you can check in to a superior room with city views and enjoy the hotel's private beach, temperature-controlled swimming pools and Remede Spa. As part of your stay, you'll also get Friday brunch at Terrace on the Corniche, where you can feast on a lavish assortment of international dishes.

Guests also get late check-out until 3pm giving you the option to sleep in the next day if you stay over on Friday, or check-out post-brunch if you reserve to stay on Thursday.

Available on Thursday, May 13, and Friday, May 14; Dh1,269 for two, excluding taxes; Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi; marriott.com

An elegant escape at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy Hilton
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy Hilton

One of Ras Al Khaimah's most popular resorts still has availability over the Eid holidays. The palatial Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers 350 metres of private coastline, two temperature-controlled swimming pools, one for adults only, water sports, tennis courts, a huge spa and gorgeous gardens, perfect for an evening stroll. There are also nine restaurants and bars to choose from.

This Eid, book the Express Saver rate and you'll stay in a King Classic Room with complimentary breakfast, plus early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). Join Hilton's Honors programme to get the best available rates.

Available on all Eid dates (best rates on Tuesday, May 11); from Dh1,661 plus taxes; Vienna Street, Ras Al Khaimah; hilton.com

Family fun at Caesars Palace Dubai 

Caesars Palace Dubai. Courtesy Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace Dubai. Courtesy Caesars Palace

If you're not on a budget and are looking for a way to spoil the whole family this Eid, Caesars Palace Dubai could be for you. The beachside resort on Bluewaters Island offers a stay in its two connecting Julius Family rooms, with a private balcony overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Breakfast for the family is served daily at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, and children will be kept busy at the Empire Club for under 12s or with free activities for teens.

There are also complimentary daily tickets to Laguna Waterpark and The Green Planet, Dubai's indoor tropical rainforest. The hotel's 450-metre private beach, four temperature-controlled infinity pools and Qua spa make sure there's always something to do and, while the children are busy being entertained, adults can enjoy daily complimentary sundowners at Havana Social Club.

Guests can also request late check-out and early check-in to ensure you get your money's worth.

Available on all dates over Eid; from Dh5,320 per night in two connecting bedrooms;; Bluewaters Island; caesars.com

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Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

Results

2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m

Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m

Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m

Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m

Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m

Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m

Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m

Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.

'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5