Are you tired of the usual rip-off Valentine’s Day dinners? You end up paying a thousand dirhams for a half dead oyster, stare at your date through half-shut Garfield eyes most of the night and then eventually drag yourself (and your self-esteem) home humming ‘where is the love’. To save you from a dinner in hell, Guides has thrown together a few alternative options to make your Valentine’s Day a little more bearable.
1. Couple’s therapy (of the Spa kind)
Talise Spa
Why? Because it’s one of the best spas in town. If you and your other half fancy a little more than just the regular dinner and beverage repertoire the award-winning Talise Spa is offering the ‘Be My Valentine’ experience.
What you get The package starts with the renowned 90-minutes Royal Couples Massage, day beach access and a healthy lunch for two designed by Talise Executive Wellbeing Chef Gabriele Kurz.
Cost Dh2000 per couple Timings 9am (best timing) Bookings +971 4 366 6818.
Emirates Grand Hotel Spa
Why? Because it’s the affordable version. So, if Talise is not within your budget (we don’t support over spending) try the Emirates Grand Hotel Spa, which also offers a Valentine’s couple treatment.
What you get For Dh500 you get a 75 minutes experience, which includes a 15-minute aromatherapy steam bath, followed by a 60-minute full body aromatherapy massage. Cheao and cheerful. Sorted!
Cost Dh500 Timings 10am to 11pm Bookings +971 4323 0000
2. Home and Away
Zaya Nurai Island
Why? Valentine’s Day falls on the weekend, which is perfect to nip off to somewhere fancy, but without the headache of booking flights or making lengthy travel plans. And Zaya Nurai Island lets you do just that.
What you get You can celebrate Valentine’s as you stroll along pristine white sand beaches hand in hand in front of your private beach house. The ultimate private dinner is served in your room in the form of a gourmet picnic hamper with a bottle of chilled bubbly. The deal includes dinner, a night’s stay at the resort and a deliciously healthy breakfast the next morning.
Cost Dh5000 per couple Timings Overnight Bookings +971 2 506 6222
Banyan Tree’s Sense of Romance
Why? Because the Banyan Tree is made for love. It’s an experience that you won’t forget in a hurry. Be careful if you're not ready to commit though. We hear proposals seem to roll off tongues here.
What you get You and your loved one can revel in the privacy of your own villa on the beach. Indulge in a romantic setting while enjoying your bottle of bubby. You arrive to a romantic room setup with a daily in-villa breakfast for two.
Cost Dh1700 (Beachfront pool villa) Timings (14 Feb) Bookings +971 7 206 7777
3. The Golden Abra
Why? Because it’s novel. Treat your Valentine to an unforgettable evening on an exclusively designed love boat, at the Madinat Jumeirah.
What you get A relaxing time that lets you soak it all up while you glide through the tranquil waterways of Madinat Jumeirah Resort for an hour and a half with bubbles, delicious canapés, chocolates and beautiful flowers. The boat leaves from Mina A’Salam Hotel, so don’t be late.
Cost Dh950 per couple Timings 3pm to 4.30pm (14 Feb) Bookings +971 4 366 8888
4. Love Cruises
Why? If the open seas is your thing, but an abra just won’t cut it for your Valentine, try out its posher cousin – the Ocean Picnic Cruise - put together by our friends at the Dubai Marina Yacht Club.
What you get Enjoy a gourmet culinary experience on the high seas where your journey begins with bubbles upon arrival followed by a picnic hamper with "gourmet goods" on the deck. The package includes a three hour cruise on board the luxury yacht Athena, a bottle of bubbly, a picnic hamper with “luxury items”, two hot main courses, unlimited house beverages and a dedicated captain and hostess. If you fancy dinner instead, you can ask for the Ocean Dinner Cruise, which comes with the same goodies and the same price tag.
Cost Dh7000 per package Timings Depending on package Bookings +971 4 362 7932
5. Desert Fairytales
Why? Because Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa transports you (without actually having to get on a plane) into the middle of a desert fairytale.
What you get Enjoy a royal treat, a bottle of grape and indulge in a delicious set menu served by your personal butler whilst listening to a violinist playing romantic tunes that echo across the sands of Arabia. The hottest package includes a one night stay for two including breakfast, tent and table set up, Dh1500 worth of jewellery from Depapillon, a 4-course meal with a bottle of bubbly, a bouquet of roses and a one hour couple massage.
Cost Dh11,000 Timings 8pm onwards Bookings +971 4 809 6194 Address Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Al Qudra Road, Dubai
