With summer temperatures still upon us, one of the best ways to beat the heat this month is to be poolside.
And plenty of hotels across the emirates are encouraging visitors to do exactly that, with a host of daycation deals available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah throughout August.
From a day spent luxuriating in a cabana at the world's highest outdoor infinity pool to an all-inclusive family escape in Abu Dhabi, here’s a selection of some of the best daycation deals available this summer.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi
For a very UAE experience, why not while away a summer's day lounging poolside at a palace? Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental has two sprawling swimming pools, one on the east and one on the west side of the hotel. Each comes with plenty of sun loungers, Jacuzzi jets and poolside bar service. The lazy river is a good way to unwind – hop on a ring and let the current spin you around the pool, passing under waterfalls and jets. For children, there are two water slides and the AquaFun Park, an inflatable obstacle course in the Arabian Gulf just beyond the hotel's stunning private beach.
Dh300 per adult, Dh100 per child aged four to 12; mandarinoriental.com
Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Ras Al Khaimah
Make a day of it at Rixos Bab Al Bahr with the hotel’s "Daycation Playcation" package.
Nestled on Ras Al Khaimah’s Marjan Island, this all-inclusive resort has a private beach, four outdoor swimming pools, a dedicated children’s pool and an aqua park, meaning there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
Visitors also get access to the Rixy Kids' Club and Teens' Club, and the deal includes lunch and free-flowing drinks at Seven Heights restaurant. Those who want to make a night of it can extend their stay until 11pm and enjoy a buffet dinner, evening entertainment and unlimited drinks.
Dh500 per couple, Dh125 per child. Extension passes from Dh400 per couple; rixos.com
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
Enjoy a summer "spa-cation" at ultra-luxury Nikki Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai. The stylish beach club is inviting visitors to pamper themselves with a 60-minute body massage at Nikki Spa. Dedicated therapists will use Clarins oils to complete the treatment and visitors can also use the ice fountain, vitality pool and relaxation lounges. Afterwards, there’s a healthy two-course lunch at Cafe Nikki to enjoy, plus pool and beach access at the resort.
Dh650 per person; dubai.nikkibeach.com
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Enjoy an all-inclusive daycation on one of Abu Dhabi’s most picturesque shorelines. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island has a summer offer that includes access to the resort’s private beach and temperature-controlled swimming pools, including a thrilling wave pool. Start with breakfast at Turquoise, then enjoy some sunshine before heading to People’s Restaurant for lunch accompanied by sea views. Fitness fans can make use of the state-of-the-art gym and children can head to the Rixy Kids' Club for supervised play. All-inclusive drinks are also part of the deal.
From Dh695 for adults (weekdays), Dh895 (weekends), half price for children, free for children under three; rixos.com
Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
A budget pick that's great for families, Crowne Plaza Yas Island's Pool & Beach Day passes come with access to the hotel's 25-metre, temperature-controlled swimming pool, perfect for getting some laps in or simply lounging poolside. Guests can also visit Cyan Beach, the island's newest shoreline. Passes include Dh200 credit to spend on food and drinks at the hotel's Sundowner Pool Bar and even better, children under five can visit for free.
Dh200 for adults and Dh100 for children (weekdays), Dh275 for adults and Dh140 for children (weekends); ihg.com
Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island
For a change of scenery, head to Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah where the UAE's first Radisson Resort is offering summertime day passes that include cashback to spend on food and drinks. Guests will also have access to the coastal resort's three swimming pools and parasol-lined beach. There's Dh50 credit for adults to spend on drinks or meals and Dh25 for children aged six to 11. Children under six eat and drink free of charge.
Dh150 for adults (including Dh50 in credit), Dh75 for children aged six to 11 (inclusive of Dh25 credit); radissonhotels.com
Address Beach Resort Dubai
For a day of indulgence, head to Address Beach Resort's infinity pool – the world's highest outdoor infinity pool at 294 metres up, on the 77th floor. Settle down on a private cabana with views of the glistening pool and the city skyline beyond. Complete with air-conditioning, the cabanas are the ideal place to unwind poolside, even at the height of summer. Each accommodates up to four adults and packages include a private bathroom, television, Bluetooth speakers and a comfy seating area.
Dh2,777 per cabana; email; DineAtBeachResort@addresshotels.com
Anantara Downtown Dubai
Who says you need to be by the coast to enjoy a pool day? At Anantara Downtown Dubai, visitors can spend the day lounging by the water at the hotel's temperature-controlled swimming pool, which comes with epic views of the city's skyscrapers. Passes also come with credit for food and drinks at Nine7One restaurant or spa credit. There's also 15 per cent off all spa treatments for day pass visitors.
Dh150 for adults, Dh75 for children (weekdays); Dh200 for adults, Dh100 for children (weekends). Offer includes Dh100 credit per adult (weekdays), and Dh150 credit per adult (weekends); anantara.com
Fairmont The Palm, Dubai
On popular West Palm Beach, Fairmont The Palm Dubai is open to guests who want to make the most of the resort's palm-surrounded swimming pools for the day. It has an adults-only pool and dedicated family pools, plus the hotel gives visitors access to a private 800-metre white sandy beach with views of the Arabian Gulf. Even better, guests will get the entire cost of their pool pass back to spend on food and drinks at the resort's pool and beach outlets.
Dh200 per adult (weekdays), Dh250 per adult (weekends); fairmont.com
Erth Abu Dhabi
The futuristic-looking Erth Abu Dhabi is a great place to go this summer to cool down. Head to the recently opened Al Waryah Pool and Beach where there are two oasis-shaped swimming pools, both temperature-controlled, as well as a 350m private beach with beautiful ocean views. Day passes are available until August 27 and include cash back to spend on food and drinks. If you think you'll be visiting more often, the summer membership is only Dh399 per month and comes with unlimited access.
Dh199 per person, including Dh100 credit to spend at Asrah restaurant, Dh99 for children aged three to 12, with Dh50 in credit; erth.ae
Aston martin DBX specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Top speed: 291kph
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: Q2, 2020
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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.”
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
