Sofitel, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Feels like... Alicante, Spain
Brand new five-star hotel overlooking a golden beach? Check. An outstanding seafood restaurant with a menu to diet two weeks ahead for? Check. A luxury suite with spectacular views overlooking the sea? Check!
What more could a girl celebrating her birthday ask for? Well, a spa treatment, a meal with friends and four birthday cakes – that’s what. I’d hinted to my husband that I wanted a weekend away in Europe as a treat.
I’d spent lots of time in Spain’s seaside resort Alicante when I was young and loved every moment, so I was hoping for a business-class ticket tucked away in my birthday card. Instead there was a reservation at the Sofitel’s newly opened hotel in the UAE’s capital and, paella and flamenco-dancing aside, there really wasn’t much difference.
Driving past the Grand Mosque and along the corniche we began to feel the holiday vibe, and the hotel, once we found it – it’s tucked away from the seafront – was gorgeous. The high ceilings, modern design and luxurious fittings (yes, it was another suite with a huge bathtub and flatscreen TV) could have easily been from a five-star establishment in the Mediterranean.
As soon as we dumped our bags we headed straight for the outdoor pool and jacuzzi where the ambience – along with the guests – was pure European chic. We sunbathed among the beautiful people until sundown, when after a quick shower it was time to celebrate at La Mer, the fabulous seafood restaurant run by Chef Paul Wieser.
Overlooking the sea, the restaurant is understated elegance, with the coolest chairs I’ve ever seen outside a design museum, and an exotic menu laden with freshly caught prawns, and succulent scallops served with orange and beetroot cubes.
At La Mer, you can order à la carte or choose your own creature from the sea at the ‘fish market’ and have it cooked to your exact order. My husband went for his usual lobster, which he had grilled, with a vinaigrette sauce – declaring it delicious – while my children had battered fish and prawn tempura along with giant chips. I went for a green salad with a side order of mashed potato – a weird but wonderful combination – which left just enough room for dessert.
My family insisted they wanted a chocolate pudding, which we saw the diners on the next table tucking into, but I have never been one for chocolate, even if it was oozing a gooey yummy-looking filling. Luckily I held off ordering that or my usual lemon sorbet because a huge strawberry birthday cake suddenly arrived complete with a sparkler in the top and my name written in icing. I squealed, thrilled, and then went for the sugar rush, indulging in two giant helpings. Well, it was my birthday!
Extremely happy, we made our way back to our suite with its panoramic corniche views and sat watching the stars until it was time for bed.
The next day we headed for the beach, which was very reminiscent of Alicante, though the sea was decidedly warmer. Finally, we headed home, grateful for our ‘Spanish-style’ staycation.
It’s great to know there’s a hotel with Euro elegance right on our doorstep, and we can’t wait to go back.
Rooms from Dh520. For reservations call 02 813 7777 or email H7507@sofitel.com. Visit www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-7507-sofitel-abu-dhabi-corniche/index.shtml.
Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Feels like... Larnaca, Cyprus
“That’s an Arabian fox cub, Dad,’’ shouted my eight-year-old excitedly.
“No, it can’t be,’’ piped up my 13-year-old. “Foxes? In Abu Dhabi, huh?’’ she sniggered.
I wouldn’t have believed it had I not seen a little animal sneak away from beyond the perimeter fence of the Mafraq Hotel.
“Your kid could be right. Some people have spotted foxes in this area,’’ a guest who overheard my daughter confirmed.
It was late evening and we were relaxing by the lovely pool at the Mafraq Hotel in Abu Dhabi, a five-star property situated about 30 minutes from the city centre in a quiet area of the capital.
The colourful twinkling lights on some of the trees gave the pool area an ethereal feel. I looked up and, for the first time in many months, saw stars. Living in Dubai, a brightly lit city, one often misses these natural pleasures and now at Mafraq, nursing a cold drink, the weekend was turning out to be just perfect.
In many ways the Mafraq Hotel is an oasis in the midst of grey buildings. The atmosphere reminded me of Larnaca in Cyprus – lots of open spaces, few high-rises, and a quiet and calmness that was all pervading. And there are foxes in Cyprus too. Though not Arabian ones.
An ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend, the Mafraq boasts 250 rooms and very helpful staff. Used as we are to seeing high-rises in Dubai, the fact that the hotel has just three levels was a welcome novelty.
Solitude and silence in small doses can be rejuvenating and the weekend we visited, the hotel was pleasantly tranquil. We were given a lovely deluxe room on the ground floor, which had a door that opened out to a patio with a splendid view of the turquoise pool and the sprinkling of date palms around it.
The next morning I woke up early and sat outside sipping a cup of tea. The air was cool, a soft breeze was blowing across the pool and the sun’s rays shimmered on the water. Listening to birds chirping and watching them flitting around the date palms was amazingly de-stressing – again something one misses when living an apartment life in the city.
Breakfast at The Olive Branch restaurant included continental and regional favourites, and the children couldn’t stop stuffing themselves silly with delectable sweet treats.
Next we explored the hotel. There was a small gym, an indoor badminton court, a squash court and a table tennis room. Inevitably we made our way to the pool where the kids had a whale of time.
The excellent chicken biryani prepared by executive chef Shibu Bhagadethan was the highlight at lunch. He took time out of his busy schedule to prepare some delicious grilled chicken for us and, when we could eat no more, he slipped off to return with a selection of pastries.
“You must try them,’’ he said. And he was right – they were iresistible.
Then we adjourned to the games area. After some table tennis with the resident champ, a Sudanese gentleman named Abdullah, it was time to catch an afternoon nap.
The evening began leisurely but soon picked up pace as the hotel started filling up with weekend guests. We enjoyed a candlelit dinner by the pool and the ambience was just perfect. The kids were out of our hair busy poking around the fence hoping to spot more animals. Soft music was playing while a three-course meal was served. Leaning back, I looked up at the twinkling sky. Ah, if only all weekends were like this.
Rooms from Dh255. Call 02 659 6666 or email mafraq@emirates.net.ae. See www.mafraq-hotel.com.
Ritz Carlton DIFC
Feels like… London, England
The decor is uber cool, the design ultra-modern and the location is fantastic so it’s no wonder Dubai’s Ritz Carlton reminds me of the luxurious hotels in Canary Wharf, London’s trendy financial district.
There, guests at the iconic steel and glass hotels overlook the capital’s Canary Wharf Tower and have Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant on their doorstep. Here, the Ritz Carlton stands in the shadow of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and counts the gastronomic greats of The Gaucho, Caramel, Roberto’s and Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s as its neighbours.
But while there are a clutch of five-star retreats in the heart of London’s East End, the Ritz Carlton is the only hotel in DIFC.
That means it doesn’t have any competition and could have got away with being a bland so-what type of hotel. But the clever people behind this spectacular Ritz Carlton didn’t want a vanilla offering, simply vying for the well-heeled but hardly inspiring business traveller clientele.
That’s why they’ve made their suites and family rooms an opulent French art deco affair with sumptuous furnishings – all silk, suede and leather with accessories in gold, silver and duck egg blue – and marble bathrooms complete with sunken bath and flatscreen TV.
We had a two-bedroom suite that was bigger than the average penthouse back in London, and could have spent the entire stay there, watching movies – in the bath, in the mirror above the bathroom sink (which made our children happy to brush their teeth for ages!) and on one of the giant plasma TVs: one in each bedroom and in the living room, which had dining and study areas, but we wanted to explore.
So we headed to the 13th Floor Club Lounge, which offered complimentary canapés, drinks and a concierge to cater to our every whim. That meant marshmallow sweets for my five-year-old daughter, doughnuts for my 10-year-old son and a little bit of peace and quiet for me and my husband.
Rested, we headed to an area of the hotel that would not exist in its London counterpart – an outdoor swimming pool on the roof top. What would be the point when the British weather is 90 per cent drizzle and grey clouds compared to Dubai’s sunny-all-year-round climate? We adults soaked up the rays, while the children splashed up and down working up an appetite.
Luckily we were all ravenous by the time we hit the No5 Lounge & Bar. We opted to sit outside on the terrace – the temperature hadn’t yet hit sizzling – and it meant we could relax to the sounds of the resident DJ while my husband ordered mouth-watering sushi, sashimi, lobster and Wagyu beef tartar.
Being a vegetarian, I ordered the delicious aubergine with ricotta rolls, grilled halloumi bruschetta and stuffed mushrooms, while the children tucked into tapas before dancing along to the disco to the amusement of the other guests.
Full, we strolled back upstairs to our suite and tried to convince our children to go to sleep while we flicked through the multitude of TV channels. Eventually, I decided there was only one thing to do when staying in such a swanky hotel and that was to watch TV in the bath. After an hour’s soak – just enough to catch up on Sky News – I fell into a deep slumber.
After a lie-in the next day, we went for a full-on English breakfast with scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, toast, baked beans and cups of tea, followed by a visit to the spa.
I’d opted for the East Meets West Signature Massage, which used aromatic oils and various techniques to tackle the knots in my shoulders and neck. During 80 minutes my therapist massaged my tired limbs and made me feel so relaxed I almost fell asleep.
I left in a Zen-like state, grateful that I’d come for a mini-break at the Ritz Carlton. At the end of our stay we all felt like we’d been on a holiday more exciting than visiting London - after all we’d experienced all the glamour without having to take an aeroplane and without a drop of rain in sight.
Rooms from Dh1,725. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC Signature Massage, 80 minutes, Dh620. For reservations call 04 372 2555. For spa bookings email difcspa@ritzcarlton.com.
Acacia Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah
Feels like... Turkey
As I drove up the coast heading out from Dubai the scenery began to change from expanses of brown sand to wadis with a smattering of greenery. It’s only a 90-minute drive, but Ras Al Khaimah feels worlds away from the city of gold. This makes it the perfect hideout for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Nestled in the northern part of the UAE bordering the Omani enclave in the mouth of the Gulf, RAK is an inexpensive, family-friendly getaway that boasts natural beauty – rugged mountains, windswept sand dunes and white sandy beaches.
I checked into Acacia Hotel, a four-star property located adjacent to the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone. From one-bedroom apartments to luxurious suites and rooms offering stunning views of the pool area or the majestic Hajar mountains in the distance, I was spoilt for choice. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Turkey, a country that straddles two continents, gazing at the magnificent mountain ranges that hem it on every side.
First I needed to attend to my grumbling stomach. I went to Al Nakhla restaurant for lunch; it was packed with guests and day-trippers from around the UAE who come to enjoy the brunch and theme nights.
The buffet was impressive, catering to all tastes. Meat lovers had a choice of beef roulade, lamb and shredded strips of chicken with pepper and onion. From the ocean the pan-fried kingfish with basil mango sauce made its way to many a diner’s plate. There were butter- roasted vegetables, rajma masala and other treats for vegetarians. The dessert corner was laden with all the usual suspects – crème brûlée, chocolate pudding and cheesecake. I admit I gorged until I was full.
I lounged around the pool all afternoon and enjoyed the breathtaking views of the sinking sun as it spread vivid colours across the horizon. As it got darker it became chilly, I moved camp to the traditional Arabic tent, which also serves as the shisha area. The sky was remarkably clear so I sat on a cushion by the entrance and gazed up at millions of tiny lights scattered across the heavens. I had dinner at Nakhla and capped off the evening with live music at the club.
My Saturday began with a healthy breakfast, perfect fuel for aqua activities. I put on my flip-flops and headed out. Guests at Acacia get access to the beach at Bin Majid Beach Resort, just a five-minute drive away.
When it grew warmer I decided to tour the city. I took in the sights and sounds of the charming Old Town, visiting traditional souqs where the smell of spices and Arabic fragrances filled the air. Walking along the narrow lanes felt as if I was wandering through bustling Turkish bazaars haggling for bargains. The atmosphere was magical.
Still in the mood for Turkish delights, I hit the spa for a relaxing Mountain Retreat treatment (Dh950). The package, which included a body and soul hammam, Swedish massage and Ozone Signature Facial, offered two-and-a-half hours of pure indulgence.
The thorough scrubbing and full-body deep-tissue massage helped me work up an appetite for a barbecue dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Every day – from Arabic to barbecue, Indian, Italian and Asian nights – the chefs show off their culinary skills by bringing something different to the table.
After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday I claimed my spot on a lounger by the beach in the company of Khalid Hosseini’s latest offering And the Mountains Echoed. This isn’t your typical pool-side read but I can lose myself in a book anywhere, anytime. Reading was interspersed with dipping into the azure waters.
All good things come to an end; I left Acacia feeling relaxed and ready to bounce back to the daily grind at work.
A standard room costs Dh250 including breakfast; one-bedroom apartment Dh499 including breakfast. For reservations call 07 243 4421; email reservations@acaciahotelrak.com; or visit www.acaciahotelrak.com.
Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa
Feels like... Playa del Carmen, Mexico
With its stunning seaside location, five-star facilities for all the family and relaxed holiday vibe, it’s no surprise that the Furjairah Rotana Resort and Spa has been called the ‘jewel of the UAE’, and compared to the Mexican Riviera.
Nestled between the Hajar mountains and the Gulf of Oman on a golden arch of beach, the Palazzo-style hotel is a luxury playground for national and international tourists who love to dive, play watersports or simply soak up the sun.
It’s supposed to be less than a two- hour drive from Dubai – although it took us double that, mainly because we didn’t realise the hotel was not in Fujairah but at Al Aqah – and so is perfect for a weekend away as well as a longer stay. We arrived late, hot and very bothered from getting lost but were quickly checked in and guided through the landscaped garden to Waves, the à la carte restaurant on the beach.
Gazing at the stars twinkling over the still water and sipping on a refreshing mocktail, our stress vanished. The temperature was in the high 40s outside but the only thing sizzling inside was my husband’s enormous steak. We were all ravenous and my children devoured plates of freshly cooked seafood while I ate spaghetti pomodoro and wished for guacamole, the place reminded me so much of Mexico.
Dinner over, we explored the hotel. Our room was quite basic compared to the opulence we’ve grown used to in Dubai but was very similar to a hotel we stayed at in Playa del Carmen. Like there, the Rotana also has cabanas overlooking the sea as well as a Padi- certified diving course available. So up early the next day I booked myself an outdoor massage and our 10-year-old in for a mini diving course.
He’s been desperate to learn to dive since watching the videos of his dad diving among wrecks, sharks (yes, really) and off the coast of Mexico. So with me nervously pacing by the pool, he had a one-on-one lesson. He was a natural, and once I was confident he wouldn’t drown I went for my massage.
There’s nothing better than having your weary body kneaded and pummelled to the sound of the waves lapping the shore. The last time I had such a treat, I was in Playa del Carmen when my son had a chocolate massage in the next door cabana. He laughed because he’s so ticklish, then he tried to lick most of it off. Here, he was bigger and braver and, diving lesson over, ready for his next adventure with his daddy: parasailing.
My little girl and I watched from the beach, terrified at first, as they jumped onboard a boat and took it in turns to be hoisted into the air in a parachute-style canopy. “Please be safe, please be safe,” I chanted over and over until they were back on the boat and headed to shore, grinning and slapping each other on the back.
It was time for us all to have some fun in the water now, so we jumped on board a banana boat and shrieked as we bumped and flew over the waves, clinging on, until the very end.
Exhausted, we decided to eat lunch at Sharkey’s, the beach bar, before cooling off in the main pool with its swim-up bar. Having fun can be exhausting so we decided to take a nap on the sunloungers while our two children checked out Flipper’s kids’ club. They declared it ‘fantastic’ and begged to go back the next day to see their newly made friends.
That night we decided to dine in Waves again as we liked it so much. This time my husband and the children feasted on lobster, while I asked the chef to make me more delicious pasta. Stuffed, we waddled off to our room and fell into one of those deep sleeps you only get on holiday.
Energised the next morning, we were a little more adventurous and played beach volleyball, then went for a scream-inducing ride across the waves on the doughnuts before the kids went for a final time to Flipper’s and we topped up our tans.
The weekend had flown by and it was time to head back to Dubai. We didn’t want to leave, but at least there was no airport check-in or long-haul flight. In under two hours – we didn’t get lost this time – we were home and totally relaxed from our down-Mexico-way-style break.
Rooms from Dh416. For reservations call 09 244 9888 or visit www.rotana.com/rotanahotelandresorts/unitedarabemirates/fujairah
