Score a good deal this season

Hotels and hotel apartments in the UAE have launched special packages to cater to all budgets this Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) as they attempt to extend the high volumes of business seen in 2011.

Dubai posted the region's highest hotel occupancy at 80.4 per cent in the first nine months of 2011, a growth of 2.4 per cent in that period, according to a recent survey of four- and five-star hotels by TRI Hospitality Consulting, an independent consultancy that tracks and analyses hotel data.

Continuing trend

And industry experts predict the trend will continue until the end of the DSF. "We expect to be 100 per cent full through January, and visitors are advised to make their room reservations as soon as possible," Salim Touma, General Manager of the Coral Boutique Hotel Apartments, said in a press statement. Quoting a study by Visa International, he said visitors would come from around the Gulf, as well as from the UK, US, China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India and France.

As the biggest retail event in the region, the DSF features retail discounts as well as a range of competitions, big-prize raffles, fireworks, fashion shows and entertainment for all ages. It has attracted millions of visitors each year since its inception in 1996, largely driven by a tourism sector that works together to make the emirate one of the best-value winter destinations around the world.

The emirate accomodated eight million hotel guests in 2011. Dubai hotels played host to 6.64 million guests in the first three quarters of last year, up by 11 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2010, figures from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing show. "The stellar performance of Dubai's tourism industry is a testimony to the aggressive promotional and marketing drive that the department has been pursuing to enhance the number of tourists to the destination by tapping established and emerging markets across the world," Khalid Ahmad Bin Sulayem, DTCM Director-General, said in a statement.

This year, airlines have already launched special all-inclusive deals to Dubai for the DSF. In the Indian market, for example, Emirates airline launched a special package priced at Rs19,995 (Dh1,384) including airfare from Mumbai, four-nights' accommodation, buffet breakfast, airport transfers and meet and assist on arrival. The Indian carrier Kingfisher is offering all-inclusive DSF fares from Rs14,800 (Dh1,024), while Jet Airways has put together a four-night deal from Rs22,240 (Dh1,539) onwards.

Hotel packages in Dubai are available to fit all budgets, with per-night rates starting from upwards of Dh500. The Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of the cultural district, is offering rates starting at Dh599. General Manager Habib Khan said in a statement that the property created special packages to suit budgets of families on holidays this DSF. "DSF is one of the best events in Dubai [and] itattracts holiday makers from around the globe keen on grabbing a bargain," Khan said.

New options

With several new accommodation options across the city, there will be yet more good deals for visitors during the DSF. Hilton Hotels & Resorts launched its third property in the city in December, the 364-room Hilton Jumeirah Hotel Apartment, adjacent to its Jumeirah Beach property. Also in December, Landmark Hotels & Suites's new four-star Landmark Grand Hotel was unveiled on Riqqa Road, which is close to popular DSF activities at the Night Souk.n

Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai: Special Merriment deal, valid until February 14, offers 25 per cent off best available rates of the day, inclusive of buffet breakfast, return airport transfers and free transport to Deira City Centre. Call +971 4 702 8899

The Address Dubai Marina: Deluxe room DSF Spa package priced Dh1,875 for single occupancy and Dh2,550 for double occupancy, including taxes. When a guest confirms stay in the DSF period, he is entitled to 110 minutes of pampering per night at the hotel's spa. Call +971 4 436 7424

Jumeirah Rotana: The hotel's DSF Family Weekend promotion is priced Dh350++ for two nights, inclusive of breakfast for two and one complimentary dinner for two. Call +971 4 345 5888

InterContinental Dubai Festival City: Superior room at the 498-room hotel priced Dh1,000++ (room only) or Dh1,100++ including breakfast. Call +971 4 701 1111

Dubai Marriott Hotels: Guests staying any night from Thursday to Saturday until February 20 at the five-star JW Marriott Dubai get 20 per cent off room rates, food and beverages at select Marriott restaurants and relaxing spa treatments. Rates from Dh850. Call 800-627 746 88

Grand Millennium Dubai: A two-night stay at the is priced Dh1,660 until February 5, including a spacious deluxe room for both nights, and an Arabic or Italian family-style meal. Also included is a one-off 30 per cent discount on the total bill in any of the hotel's restaurants and a one-time 20 per cent spa discount. Call +971 4 429 9999

Citymax Hotel, Sharjah: Ideal for those with family in Sharjah, this hotel is running a fantastic offer to coincide with the DSF, with a special price of Dh250 for double occupancy inclusive of all taxes and breakfast as well. Call +971 6 598 5000

Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa: The hotel, in the heart of Dubai's cultural district, has special rates of Dh799 for a family of four (two adults and two children below the age of 12) staying in a family suite, and rates of Dh599 for a stay in Heritage room for two adults and one child below 12 years. Breakfast and spa discounts included. Call +971 4 351 9111

Dusit International: Dusit Thani Dubai Hotel, Dusit Residence Dubai Marina and Pearl Coast Premier Hotel Apartments have special deals until February 29. Two-night packages comprise accommodation, breakfast, metro passes for two and other add-ons, subject to availability. Rates from Dh475++ per person in a two-bedroom unit at the Pearl Coast Premier Hotel Apartments, ranging to Dh1,000++ per person in a deluxe double room at the Dusit Thani Dubai. For more details visit dusit.com.

Food deals

Chinese New Year

Usher in The Year of the Dragon by treating yourself a fantastic Chinese treat. From January 22 to February 5 The China Club at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Creek is offering Chinese Master Chef Fu's specials for lunch and traditional Yum Cha feast daily with free flow of a variety of teas.

Price: Dh188 per person for special lunch

Call +971 4 205 7333 or 7444

Culinary Lunch

Give yourself a break from the boring Friday brunch and indulge in Reflets' devilishly tempting new Culinary Friday Lunch. Reflecting Chef Pierre Gagnaire's three Michelin-star standards, this four course delectable menu will both intrigue and excite.

Price: Dh250

Call: +971 4 701 1199

Orthodox Christmas

At Spice Island (pictured left), at Crown Plaza in Deira, enjoy traditional Orthodox Christmas food such as the rich roast turkey and all its delicious trimmings, creamy mushroom soup, slow cooked kidney beans, special lenten bread and luscious desserts in addition to Spice Island's Christmas buffet.

Prices: Dh179 onwards Call: +971 4 262 5555

Dim Sum Delight

Think weekend, think dim sum

Stay out of the kitchen this Friday and head to Dubai Mall's Ping Pong instead, for an all-inclusive family weekend treat with unlimited dim sum delights.Price: Dh132 for adults, and Dh65 for children aged 12 years or underCall: +971 04 339 9088

Tomahawk Challenge

Terra Firma Steakhouse at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City is challenging its more ambitious guests to devour two kilos of Tomahawk rib-eye steak, together with 300g of thick-cut chunky chips and 300g of béarnaise sauce, in 60 minutes. Those tough enough to beat the evening challenge will enter the hall of fame and receive a commemorative apron as proof of their victory.

Price: Dh690, or free if you complete the challenge

Call: +971 4 701 1127

Refined Italian

Take a gastronomic tour through Italy this DSF with a unique menu featuring a wide array of traditional antipasti classici with a modern twist at Roccoco, the Italian restaurant at the Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach. Enjoy pastas and risottos — authentic as well as new flavours — in a sophisticated setting.Price: Dh295 onwards

Call: +971 4 448 4860

— Staff Report