Eid Al Adha is right around the corner, with the UAE's next public holiday predicted to fall on June 16. For many employees across the country, that will mean enjoying time off until June 19.
Staycation deals are available, with prices starting at Dh375 a night. Here are 14 options to check out.
A floating stay on Dubai's Queen Elizabeth 2
Enjoy a night at sea in the city’s only floating hotel, where guests can walk through history. Take part in the complimentary heritage tour to find out about events that shaped the ship in its yesteryear. Complimentary breakfast for two at Lido Restaurant is also included, as well as 20 per cent discount on afternoon tea.
From Dh499, excluding taxes; www.qe2.com
Island vibes at Anantara Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah
Children have their own pool, plus a kids and teenagers club with supervised activities. The half board UAE resident's package is bookable over Eid and includes daily breakfast buffet, plus dinner as well as an extra 10 per cent off on dining and spa treatments when staying in a Premier Room. If you want to sleep in the overwater villas, rates are upwards of Dh9,000 per night.
From Dh2,340, excluding taxes; www.anantara.com
Pocket-friendly escape at Marriott Hotel, Al Jaddaf Dubai
This is a staycation that won’t break the bank. One of the first hotels to open in Al Jaddaf neighbourhood promises a fusion of old and new with views over Dubai Creek and proximity to modern marvels like Burj Khalifa. This Eid, there's 20 per cent off room rates and food and beverages, including the hotel's Eid buffet. Breakfast is also included. Enjoy a dip in the pool with a view, or unwind at Lavana Spa. There's also a free shuttle service to Dubai Mall and Festival City for retail therapy.
From Dh392, including taxes, book before June 14; www.marriott.com
Family fun at Millennium Place Barsha Heights, Dubai
Conveniently located, this four-star escape is well placed for trips to The Palm Jumeirah or Mall of the Emirates. This Eid, families can book an extended stay with an offer that includes early check-in from 9am and late checkout until 5pm, depending on availability. Complimentary breakfast is included, as is an extra bed for children, and two tickets for Dubai Parks and Resorts where you can explore Legoland, Real Madrid World or Motiongate. Back at the hotel, there are four swimming pools, a rooftop terrace and five restaurants, including The M One and the Level Social Lobby Lounge, where guests will get 20 per cent off food.
From Dh375 per night, excluding taxes; www.millenniumhotels.com
Adults-only hideaway at voco Monaco Dubai
Stays at the adults-only resort on The World Islands start with a 35-minute boat ride across the Arabian Gulf. The hotel's buzzing social scene is centred around its mammoth swimming pool and Lagoon Pool Bar. The party venue hosts daily DJ sets and has its own 700-metre private beach, plus plenty of dining and nightlife spots. Rooms and suites come with private balconies and ocean views. Cool down with a visit to Raining Street, the world's only climate-controlled walkway, where the temperature is always a pleasant 27 degrees. If you're not a party animal, sunrise and sunset yoga sessions take place on the beach and there's retail therapy available at the hotel's boutique stores.
Minimum two-night stay over Eid, with rates from Dh1,512, including taxes; www.ihg.com
Short breaks at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
Located in Downtown Dubai right next to the Museum of the Future, where hotel guests get priority access, the twin tower skyscraper is offering travellers 15 per cent off bookings of three nights or more, with children under 12 staying free. Soak in the rays at the temperature-controlled pool, unwind at Talise Spa where there's 20 per cent off treatments and dine at Mundo, The Agency or Azuro Pool Bar. Stays also include guaranteed late check out until 4pm.
From Dh589 per night, excluding taxes; www.jumeirah.com
A suite stay with shopping at Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Book a two-night stay in a suite at Rosewood Abu Dhabi and you'll get a Dh250 gift card to go shopping at the adjoining The Galleria Mall. Abu Dhabi's most stylish mall that also has plenty of family entertainment such as Vox cinema, National Geographic Ultimate Explorer and Caboodle for the smaller ones. The hotel has a stunning 25-metre swimming pool, a fitness centre and eight restaurants and lounges. Suites are spacious, starting at 78 square metres and are beautifully decorated with Arabian Gulf views. Guests also get access to the Manar Club lounge, and there's a luxury spa where parents can unwind while children have fun at the Rosewood Explorers kids club.
From Dh2,250 per night, excluding taxes; www.rosewoodhotels.com
Seaside holidays at Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is always popular during public holidays and this five-star resort on Al Marjan Island is ideal for families looking for beach vibes. It's the only resort on the island with two waterfronts. The Home for Eid package includes a stay in a superior room, which can sleep up to two adults and two children, plus daily breakfast. Unwind by the hotel's two swimming pools or at the luxury La'mar spa and enjoy a variety of leisure activities on the beach while the children check out the pirate-themed kids club.
From Dh1,250 for a two-night stay, including taxes; pullmanmarjanisland.com
Coastal vibes at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
One of Abu Dhabi's prettiest coastlines, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island overlooks protected dunes and crystal clear waters. The beachfront hotel is offering up to 40 per cent off room rates over Eid Al Adha, with stays inclusive of breakfast, daily yoga sessions and access to the kids club. There's also 20 per cent off dining experiences with choices including Italian inspired Mare Mare or Levantine Tean. Recently opened Sal Saadiyat Island is the place to go for adults-only ocean-surrounded beach club vibes.
Stays from Dh1,522 with free-to-join Jumeirah One membership, excluding taxes; www.jumeirah.com
A palatial stay at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Recently refurbished, the palatial Waldorf Astoria towers above Ras Al Khaimah's shoreline. Stepping inside, elegant vibes abound not least in the lobby's golden six-metre clock which reflects the rich history of grand clocks in Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world while paying homage to its Arabic roots. Rooms and suites are beautifully furnished and have views over the ocean, and there's nine restaurants and bars to choose from, including the hip Lexington Bar and Grill and Japanese restaurant Umi. A private beach, multiple swimming pools, endless manicured gardens and a children's water park also await travellers this Eid, along with 20 per cent off room rates plus complimentary dinner and breakfast.
Stays from Dh1,350 per night with honours discount, excluding taxes; www.hilton.com
Celebrate Eid at Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort
Located on the UAE's popular east coast, this art-inspired haven has the Hajar Mountains as an impressive backdrop. Unwind by the pool as the waves crash on to the rocks or visit Willow Stream Spa for a wellness treatment. There's also hiking excursions and water sports, and all rooms offer sundowner-perfect balconies with sea, marina or mountain views. This Eid, there's a special dinner menu at Copper Lobster and a family-friend Eid lunch at all-day dining restaurant Canvas. Discounted drinks are available at Lava Beach Club throughout the first three days of the Eid holiday.
Bed and breakfast, from Dh1,000 per night, excluding taxes; www.fairmont.com
Affordable elegance at Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain
Only an hour's drive from Dubai, Umm Al Quwain is famed for its natural scenery and has a protected mangrove coastline and pristine shore. Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain has offers over the Eid holidays that include a half board package with breakfast and lunch or dinner at Origins restaurant. The pet-friendly hotel is great for families with a kids club and shaded children's pool. Plus, there's a large main swimming pool and spa, lush gardens and a private beach.
From Dh598, excluding taxes; www.vidahotels.com
Book an Arabic getaway at Bab Al Shams, Dubai
Something of an institution in Dubai, this desert retreat is running its Bas Summer Ever campaign and it's available over Eid to UAE residents. The rate includes 10 per cent off rooms plus complimentary daily breakfast and 30 per cent off on other food and beverage spends at the hotels outlets which include Anwa, Zala and one of the UAE's first alcohol-free bars. Falconry shows and camel rides are complimentary and there's a daily resort credit of Dh250 to spend on spa, sports or leisure activities. Recently renovated rooms have upscale Arabic-inspired decor and views of manicured gardens, towering palm trees and desert dunes. Travellers will need to show a valid Emirates ID at check-in to qualify for the discounted rate, which includes complimentary stays for children under four, and for those aged 4-11 when sharing their parents' bed.
From Dh1,553 per night, excluding taxes; www.babalshams.com
Take the kids for free to Centro Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Children can stay, play, dine, and kart for free on Yas Island when staying at Centro, which offers a three-star stay in comfortable, contemporary rooms. The lobby has a convenient co-working space, there's an outdoor swimming pool and well-equipped gym. Dine at C-Taste or venture next door to sister hotel Yas Island Rotana, which has six additional restaurants and bars. The Eid offer is for two adults and up to two children under 12 and includes tickets to one of the island's theme parks. Take your pick from Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, Yas Water World or Sea World Abu Dhabi. The island's and its offerings are now being promoted by its newest ambassador Ryan Reynolds.
From Dh1,565, including breakfast and park tickets; www.yasisland.com
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
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.”
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate
Schedule:
Friday, January 12: Six fourball matches
Saturday, January 13: Six foursome (alternate shot) matches
Sunday, January 14: 12 singles
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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'O'
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
