Hotels report surge in iftar and suhoor bookings as Ramadan tents return to UAE

Bookings for iftar and suhoor meals at hotels are substantially up this year in Abu Dhabi as many Ramadan traditions return for the first time since 2019.

Hoteliers in the capital said they received a rush of reservations for the holy month, which is the closest to normal since the pandemic began.

Companies have begun making bookings for team iftars again, said Fabrice Ducry, general manager of Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas.

“Bookings have been even better than usual years,” he said.

Ramadan decor at the poolside area of Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas. Victor Besa / The National

“People have decided to plan even more ahead. We have had in the past two years very last minute [bookings] and surprisingly now this year for Ramadan, people want to make sure they have their tables.

“In past years, companies were not keen on entertaining during Ramadan, even for small gatherings. This year we can see companies have decided to do this, to come for iftar.”

Group bookings are also up in other properties.

“At Al Seef Heritage Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, we are already seeing a number of bookings — particularly group bookings — at Sabaa cafe,” said Remco Werkhoven, cluster general manager of Hilton’s three properties in Al Seef — Al Seef Heritage Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef and Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Seef. The cafe is popular for its view of an iftar cannon.

The outdoor iftar at Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef’s Skafos restaurant is also seeing “great interest”, he said.

Some restrictions remain in Abu Dhabi. The green pass requires people to show proof of vaccination or a recent PCR test to gain access to public places.

Social distancing also remains and masks are mandatory indoors. Hotels capacity is limited to 90 per cent and Ramadan tents are only allowed at licensed entities.

But it is very different to previous years during the pandemic, said Mr Ducry.

“Last year we did a small offering for Ramadan. But I have to say it was very low-key because there were so many restrictions for table size as well, as we were not able at all to create any atmosphere or create the sense of Ramadan,” he said.

Ramadan decor at the lobby of Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas. Victor Besa / The National

“I can’t say there are any restrictions in place that affect the spirit of Ramadan this year.”

While some rules have been lifted, authorities have urged people to remain cautious during the holy month to ensure cases remain low.

Abu Dhabi has advised people to limit iftar and suhoor to family members who live in the same house when possible this Ramadan.

In an interview with The National, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokeswoman for the UAE's healthcare sector, said daily Covid-19 cases had dropped substantially and there was a sense of normality after two years but that did not mean that people should become lax about safety measures.

“Covid is still out there, and maintaining safety measures is still very important,” she said.

UAE malls decorated for Ramadan - in pictures

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)

Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg

Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
not be younger than 25 years old
not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Fixtures:

Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm

Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm

Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm

The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto

Price: From Dh39,500

Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder

Transmission: Four-speed auto

Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km

Expert input

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“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra