While most of us are stressing over what colour mobile phone-covers to get our better halves for Valentine’s Day, some people are looking to create fairytales and memories to last forever. This year, Dubai has some of the most legendary Valentine's offers one could imagine, with even more outrageous price-tags. Here are a list of the top four experiences we’d try if, of course, we had the moolah.
All prices are per couple.
1. Anantara Dubai for Dh399,000
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort says it’s offering the most “enchanting” Valentine’s experience this year, where you get to be “the King and the Queen” of your own love story. Taylor Swift should definitely try this one.
You can expect to start your V-Day extravaganza with a private helicopter ride over Dubai’s landmarks, before being chauffeur-driven to the resort, checked-in to your exclusive luxury beach villa that will be stocked with gourmet food and premium bubbly and then be treated to a romantic couple’s Turkish hammam treatment at Anantara Spa later in the afternoon.
Just like Demi Moore in Hollywood blockbuster Indecent Proposal, you too will find in your villa’s wardrobe a pre-ordered couture dress for the lady and a bespoke suit for the gentleman. If your jaw hasn’t dropped as yet, there’ll also be a special team of professional make-up artists and hair stylists working together like an MI5 special joint unit to create a new, spectacular, you.
On the evening, your personal butler will serve up pre-dinner canapés and bubbly cocktails, as you are serenaded under the stars. You will then enjoy a five-course dinner in the privacy of your villa or in any of the resort’s restaurants, if you so wish, and finally to round off the perfect evening, you’ll be taken for a romantic cruise around Palm Jumeirah on a private yacht.
Wait. It’s just only started.
The next morning will begin with a lazy bubbly breakfast in bed. Then, as you relax before your late check-out, your personal butler will pack your suitcases and chauffeur you off to the airport to fly Emirates Business Class to the Maldives, where you will enjoy a two nights stay in an over-water-villa at the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
Here you will dine on the first evening in the resort’s underwater restaurant and on the second day you can relax on the beach or in the privacy of your villa, pamper yourself to a lavish couple’s spa treatment at the Anantara Spa, followed by dinner on the beach. Upon your return to Dubai you’ll take home a special photo album of your entire experience.
And we thought The Bachelor was over the top.
For bookings visit www.anantara.com
2. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah for Dh100,000
The Waldorf Astoria has chosen to put its premium suite up for grabs for Valentine’s this year. It’s allegedly the largest suite in Dubai. The offer includes a one night stay in the Royal Suite complete with panoramic sea views of the Dubai skyline and iconic Palm Jumeirah.
Your experience will begin after being picked up in a classic chauffeured Bentley, before being greeted by a personal concierge and escorted to a private elevator, located in the exclusive VIP arrival area adjacent to the lobby. Stepping out into a luxurious foyer, you can take a moment to look out over the Arabian Gulf, as one does, from the foyer balcony and prepare to experience the grandiose volume of the suite, which will be decorated with flowers and a romantic Valentine’s set-up.
This exclusive package also includes sparkling diamonds for the lady, a bespoke VIP Couples Massage at Waldorf Astoria Spa, a professional hair and make-up appointment and a tour of Dubai by helicopter, breakfast on the deck of a private yacht and an unforgettable tour of Dubai from the sea.
When evening falls, enjoy a seven course dinner and grape-pairing at the Italian signature restaurant, Social by Heinz Beck – a three Michelin star chef – including foie gras, lobster, truffle and caviar.
The experience is priced at Dh100,000 per night and is available from February 11 to 15, 2016.
For bookings contact 04 818 2222
3. Four Seasons Jumeirah for Dh40,000
If you’ve got an extra 40k knocking around in your bank account, you may (or may not) want to put that towards a tailored yacht experience that will see you sail the Arabian Gulf with your Valentine.
According to the hotel management, you can tailor your experience from private musicians, welcome drinks and even the route you set sail on – of course – all negotiable depending on how much you’re willing to cough up.
While there is no specific departure time, you can book the boat for four to six hours. You will be the only couple on board and you will have a personal chef and butler to attend all your needs. If you’d like to make it into a bigger celebration, a maximum of six people can be on the yacht at once with additional costs.
You will receive bouquets and chocolates, while personalized robes and slippers can also be arranged upon request.
For bookings contact 04 270 7777
4. JW Marriott Marquis for Dhs19,999
Sweet dreams are made of suites. Or so the JW Marquis believes. The Sweet Dreams Penthouse Suite offer is essentially an exclusive private dinner for two served in the Marquis’ penthouse suite.
Going for Dh19,999 per couple, it includes an overnight stay in the penthouse suite and a limousine pick-up and drop-off. The menu features a gourmet feast of Aquitaine caviar, foie gras, scallops, winter truffle, vanilla poached lobster and 21-days dry aged rib eye loin. Everything will be prepared by a private chef and served by a personal butler.
Since there are only two penthouse suites, there are only two exclusive luxury experiences available.
For bookings go to www.marriott.com
