The best summer daycation deals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

We’re deep into summer and hotels across the country have plenty of daycation deals for those looking to relax poolside, beachside or in a hotel day room, perhaps.

Whether you're in the capital or keen to soak up some Dubai sunshine, this round-up details what's on offer.

Additionally, if you want to turn those days into nights, check out our guide to the season's best hotel stays .

Abu Dhabi

W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island

Known for its rooftop pool with amazing views over the island, W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island's daily Daydream at Wet Deck package is perfect for whiling away summer days. As well as being able to dip into the temperature-controlled swimming pool, you’ll get sun lounger access at Wet Deck and your Dh150 entry fee back to spend on food and beverages.

Monday-Saturday, Dh150; www.wabudhabidining.com

Emirates Palace Beach Club

Emirates Palace has it’s own private shoreline plus two swimming pools to enjoy. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

Want to spend a long summer day at one of the most regal hotel’s in Abu Dhabi? The Emirates Palace Beach Club has it’s own 1.3 kilometres of private shoreline plus two swimming pools, one with a lazy river that’s ideal for chilled-out summer days. Even better, you can beat the heat with 10-hour access to your own deluxe garden terrace room, ideal for a post-swim nap, a spot of lunch or a place to escape to the shade between sunbathing sessions. You’ll also get half your fee back to spend in resort credit.

Daily, Dh600 per adult, Dh300 for children under 12; www.mandarinoriental.com

WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton

The WB Abu Dhabi has a huge pool, complete with a dive-in movie theatre. Photo: Hilton

The first Warner Bros hotel in the Middle East is open this summer for day visits alongside all your favourite film and TV characters. Relax at the family-friendly pool, where there’s a splash zone and dive-in movie screen for children to enjoy, and get access to the hotel’s first-class gym, to help keep your fitness goals on track. Children can also head to the Kids' Club for daily entertainment and you’ll receive credit to spend on dining experiences at any of the hotel’s restaurants.

Daily, Dh250 per adult or Dh500 for a family of four on weekends, Dh150 per adult or Dh300 for family passes on weekdays; reservations via spa.thewbabudhabi@hilton.com; www.hilton.com

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

For five-star service coupled with amazing views, head to Fairmont Bab Al Bahr where you’ll get a comfy sunbed plus Dh100 resort credit per person to spend during your visit. Even better, children under 12 enter free of charge so you can bring the whole family along.

Daily, Dh149 on weekdays, Dh199 on weekends; www.fairmont.com

Anantara Eastern Mangroves

Nestled by Abu Dhabi’s natural waterways, Anantara Eastern Mangroves offers a poolside daycation with a difference. As well as being able to dip into the chilled infinity pool and lounge on luxury sunbeds, you’ll also get to enjoy views of the mangroves and take part in some leisurely bird spotting with several species calling this stretch of land home. Day guests also get their entire entry fee back to spend on food and drinks.

Daily, Dh150 per adult; reservations via emlifestyle@anantara.com; anantara.com

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

Shangri-La is giving guests credit back to spend in the resort this summer. Photo: Shangri-La Qaryat, Al Beri

With a one kilometre-long private beach and lush gardens, Shangri-La Qaryat, Al Beri comes with views of the Khor Al Maqta creek and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This summer you can bring the whole family to spend the day at the hotel’s infinity pool. There are two options to choose from, depending how much credit you want back to spend on food and beverage at the resort, and best of all — children under 6 swim for free.

Daily, Dh195 (with Dh170 credit), Dh295 (with Dh250 credit), www.shangrila.com

Dubai

Caesars Palace at Bluewaters Dubai

The Neptune Pool and Bar at Caesars Palace at Bluewaters Dubai comes with views of Ain Dubai, comfortable sun loungers, a private beach and all-day access to the sprawling swimming pool. As you relax, peruse the food and beverage menu as you’ll have your full entry fee back to spend on eats and drinks.

Daily, Dh280 weekdays, Dh380 on weekends; www.caesars.com

Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort

Make like an A-lister this summer and head to a private island for a day of beachside lounging, ocean breezes and excellent food and drinks. Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is the first to have opened at the ambitious project off the coast and is welcoming day guests. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city and the ocean, before unwinding in the palm tree-surrounded infinity pool.

It’s not the cheapest daycation package, but this is a private island we’re talking about and your fee includes speedboat transfers plus Dh350 in credit to spend on spa treatments or dining. Children can enter for half-price and enjoy unlimited dining and drinks throughout their visit.

Daily, Dh750 for adults, Dh325 for children aged 5-11, free for children under 5; www.anatrara.com

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

Spend a summer day lounging in the heart of the DIFC. Photo: Four Seasons

If a day lounging in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre appeals, then Four Seasons is the place to go to. Head straight to the rooftop for sun-seeking sessions with a view, or get comfortable beside the hotel’s glass-walled pool surrounded by some of the city's most-loved skyscrapers. And, technically, it won’t cost you a dirham, as you’ll get your full entry fee back to spend on the poolside menu.

Daily, Dh300; www.fourseasons.com

Address Beach Resort

Grab your friends for a luxury daycation at the world's highest infinity swimming pool in Dubai. Photo: Zeta Seventy Seven

For the ultimate Dubai-style pool day, and plenty of bragging rights on the 'Gram, gather six friends and head to Zeta Seventy Seven, at the Address Beach Resort. The highest outdoor infinity pool in the world, as verified by Guinness World Records, welcomes guests over the age of 21 to take a dip nearly 300 metres above the city. As well as having access to this sweet spot with awe-inspiring vistas, you’ll also get a fully air-conditioned cabana complete with a TV, Bluetooth speakers, a coffee machine and a private bathroom and shower. Food and signature beverages are also part of the deal, so get ready to settle in for the duration.

Daily, Dh7,777 for up to seven people; www.addresshotels.com

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai

The Centara Mirage Beach Resort in Dubai has a family daycation deal including lunch and a hotel room. Photo: Centara

Families should make a beeline for the Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai this summer where daycation passes are available until the end of September. Get access to the hotel’s expansive swimming pools and water parks including the lazy river, water slides and cliff jumping points. There’s also a rope climbing course for budding adventurers. Adults can unwind by the pool while children head to the Camp Safari Kids' Club, while teenagers can enjoy the Ezone. Lunch is included, served at Thai restaurant Suan Bua, and you’ll also have access to a superior room for post-swim naps and showers.

Weekdays only, Dh350 excluding taxes for two adults and two children, additional guests from Dh100 per person; www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Rixos The Palm Hotel and Suites

All-inclusive staycations are popular, but why not give an all-inclusive daycation a try? Rixos The Palm Hotel and Suites is offering exactly that this summer with visitors having access to the resort’s temperature-controlled swimming pool and private beach, as well as the Jungle Gym and fitness activities in the outdoor wellness area. Little ones can go to the Rixy Kids' Club, where they’ll have their own mini pool. All food and drinks are taken care of with access to the breakfast and lunch buffets (non-alcoholic package) at A La Turca, plus unlimited soft and house beverages at I-Chill Beach Lounge for those seeking afternoon poolside drinks.

Daily, Dh399 per person on weekdays, Dh499 on weekends; www.accor.com

Vida Emirates Hills

Residential favourite Vida Emirates Hills is offering pool passes this summer at cut-price rates and all of your fee back to spend on food and beverages. Grab a lounger or a cabana and soak up those rays beside the sparkling infinity pool with views over the lush green neighbourhood, plus all of your entry fee back as credit to spend on food and drinks.

Daily, Dh120, Saturdays have a limited F&B menu; www.vidahotels.com

10 summer hotel deals in the UAE worth checking out - in pictures

The biog

Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.

The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.

As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau

He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.

If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah

Green ambitions

Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

Teachers' pay - what you need to know

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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Gareth Cox: Sporting week in pictures, as Covid-19 makes its presence felt

• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain

• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister

• Could the UAE drive India's economy?

• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it

• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture

• The National announces Future of News journalism competition

• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo

Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm

Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km

On sale: December

Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

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

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THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

The best summer daycation deals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

From a private island getaway to a day spent in palatial surroundings, these beach and pool offers appeal to all budgets

Abu Dhabi

W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island

Emirates Palace Beach Club

WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Anantara Eastern Mangroves

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Caesars Palace at Bluewaters Dubai

Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

Address Beach Resort

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai

Rixos The Palm Hotel and Suites

Vida Emirates Hills

10 summer hotel deals in the UAE worth checking out - in pictures

The biog

Green&nbsp;ambitions

The five pillars of Islam

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

While you're here

Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Teachers' pay - what you need to know

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

On Women's Day

On Women's Day

Red flags

The specs

While you're here

The specs

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

While you're here

THE SIXTH SENSE

Green ambitions