Making choices to support our overall health and well-being is most effective when built into our daily lives, yet a dedicated wellness retreat may just be the nudge we need at times.
Thankfully for UAE residents, a variety of retreats targeting different well-being goals, from restoration to detoxing, are available in the region. Be it the middle of the serene desert or overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the beautiful settings can support relaxation goals, helping guests to switch off from their daily routines.
If you're in need of a well-being-focused break, here are six programmes to check out.
Three-day desert escape at Qasr Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi
The desert resort in Abu Dhabi has a three-day holistic retreat that includes personalised consultation with Ratheesh Krishnan, the hotel's resident wellness expert.
Once health needs and goals are determined, the package comes with three sessions of yoga or meditation, as well as four 60-minute therapies of choice. Some of the treatments on the menu include a four-hand massage, hot-stone session or Indian head massage.
The hotel is set within the Liwa Desert, about 200km away from downtown Abu Dhabi, making it an ideal place for relaxation. It has extensive wellness facilities, including a Moroccan hammam, ice room, heated jacuzzis and more. The retreat starts at Dh3,690.
anantara.com
Seven-day Ayurveda retreat at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
The five-star hotel on Palm Jumeirah has a seven-day wellness retreat that uses techniques from Ayurveda, an Indian alternative medicine system. Luxury accommodation aside, the week-long health journey begins with a consultation with a vaidya (Sanskrit for doctor) to determine specific health goals and concludes with a progress check at the end of the retreat.
The package includes daily 90-minute ayurvedic therapy and prescribed meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A detox drink and a bowl of fresh fruits are delivered to the room every morning, along with daily replenishment of herbal-infused drinks. Two 30-minute meditation sessions are on the cards too, and guests can participate in daily yoga sessions.
The package is available for guests who book a minimum of seven nights. Room rates start at Dh1,100 per night.
exoticadubai.tajhotels.com
Three-day retreat at Mandarin Oriental, Dubai
Spend three days at the luxurious hotel in Jumeirah for a wellness programme focused on detoxification, reducing fatigue and improving immune response.
The itinerary includes a 45-minute nutrition consultation, an hour of personal training, a 90-minute intelligent movement session as well as yoga sessions, spread across three days. The package also comes with daily plant-based meals at The Bay, the hotel's beachside brasserie. The package is priced at Dh5,500.
mandarinoriental.com
Three-day retreat at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi
The Dine Around Plus package is built around three days of enjoying the property's wellness and dining offerings. A daily 60-minute spa treatment of choice is on the cards, as well as daily yoga and personal training sessions. There are six treatment suites in the hotel, as well as two relaxation rooms. Spa products are provided by Parisian brand Maria Galland. The package also comes with unlimited access to the hotel gym, sauna, steam room and hot tub.
A daily serving of healthy treats and detox beverages is available, with guests served breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel's dining spots, including Kamoon that serves Middle Eastern cuisine. The package starts at Dh3,547.
rotanatimes.com
Seven-day weight-management programme at Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort, Ajman
The Ajman resort is known for its variety of retreat offerings, from a three-night detox programme to seven nights of restorative health treatments. For those looking to manage their weight, there's a tailored programme that can run up to 21 nights (minimum of seven).
Focused on creating a balanced lifestyle, the programme starts with a doctor consultation as well as an OligoScan, which is a detailed health check aimed at assessing mineral deficiencies. Other treatments in the package include ozone sauna, oxygen therapy and body-contouring sessions. There's also a 60-minute Swedish massage, a 60-minute hammam ritual and unlimited access to hotel facilities such as sauna, steam room and plunge pool.
Packages start at Dh950 per night for the weight management retreat.
zoyawellbeing.com
24-hour retreat at The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel
For those looking for a quick wellness getaway, this five-star property on Palm Jumeirah has a jam-packed 24-hour itinerary. There's a pre-arrival consultation to kick off the routine, followed by a welcome ritual of aroma and colour therapy on-site. The package comes with a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet at Vibe, the hotel's all-day-dining restaurant.
The day-long getaway comes complete with a 60-minute personalised spa treatment, in-room morning green detox shots, as well as yoga, breathwork, stretching and meditation sessions. Guests are served Rayya Nurti juice shots as well as an in-room night self-care routine. They also have unlimited access to the gym, sauna, steam room and hot tub.
Prices start at Dh1,699 for single occupancy and Dh2,525 for double occupancy. Guests will stay in the deluxe room with a sea view.
theretreatpalmdubai.com
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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.
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Brief scores
Toss India, chose to bat
India 281-7 in 50 ov (Pandya 83, Dhoni 79; Coulter-Nile 3-44)
Australia 137-9 in 21 ov (Maxwell 39, Warner 25; Chahal 3-30)
India won by 26 runs on Duckworth-Lewis Method
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Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
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THREE
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Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
