Best for: Culture connoisseurs
Al Ain Rotana
As I drove into Al Ain from Dubai and saw swaying palm trees instead of skyscrapers, I knew there was no better place to recharge my batteries than the stunning Garden City.
Meaning The Spring in Arabic, back in the day Al Ain was an oasis where caravans travelling between the UAE and Oman stopped to quench their thirst and replenish their supplies. It hasn’t lost its charm, and the cool weather and lush landscapes – owing to the natural springs that run through the city – make it an excellent spot to unwind.
To feel the pulse of the place, I checked into Al Ain Rotana. Located in the heart of the city – close to the business district and a hop away from tourist hotspots – the hotel serves as a retreat for visitors and locals alike to gather, dine at its restaurants and relax at the spa or by the pool.
I began at Zest, an all-day restaurant that serves international and local fare and has an impressive line-up of concept nights – from barbecue and steak to pizza and pasta and curry and tandoori.
I was then escorted to my room in the new Falaj wing that comprises four buildings, each housing four one-bedroom and eight studio units. My room had a tasteful modern design – sleek with a contemporary tiled floor and bold wall art.
The next morning I started my day with a leisurely stroll around the sprawling five-star resort, which consists of three wings – Falaj plus Wadi and Oasis – that are connected by a maze of walkways. The resort boasts rooms, suites, villas and chalets, two swimming pools – one dedicated to residents of the new Falaj wing – a shopping mall and a state-of-the art fitness club.
The air was filled with the sweet smell of flowers and sound of water trickling from the various fountains around the property.
After my walk I breakfasted at Zest then spent a few hours reading on my balcony before my spa treatment. Zen, the spa, boasts an impressive menu – hammam and massages as well as facial treatments. I opted for an aromatherapy massage and left an hour later, feeling invigorated and ready to party.
As the pool party got started I claimed my spot on the grass around the pool area (because I’d just had my massage I didn’t want to get into the water and wash off the oil) and nibbled on grilled sausages and salads while listening to resident DJ Freddy’s chill-out tunes.
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As dusk fell the music became more uptempo and I found myself swaying to the beat; in no time I was on the dance floor.
A few minutes later, still high on adrenaline, I went for a walk. After strolling for 10 minutes I saw a mud-brick structure to my left. The sight was visually arresting as parts of it were enveloped in darkness while others were bathed in moonlight. I crossed over to get a closer look and the guards told me I was at one of the UAE’s important historical buildings – Al Jahili Fort.
Built in 1891, the fort once served as a summer house for the Al Nahyan ruling family. Restored to its rightful grandeur, it is home to a permanent exhibition of English explorer and travel writer Wilfred Thesiger, locally known as Mubarak Bin London, who traversed the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) twice in the 1940s.
Back at the hotel, for dinner I savoured the exotic flavours at Trader Vic’s, a lively Polynesian restaurant and lounge. The decor and the little extras like waiters in Hawaiian shirts and the ‘Aloha’-inscribed goblets gave it a tropical vibe. Added to this sensorial feast were Latino tunes belted out by the resident three-piece girl band.
On my last day I visited historical places to get a dose of Emirati culture. There are plenty to choose from in this city, which was named a Unesco World Heritage Site for its oasis and archaeological areas that dot its landscape. I visited Al Ain National Museum and Al Ain Oasis.
Tired of walking around, I returned to the hotel and curled up with a book on a lounger by the pool. Before I knew it, it was 4pm and I had to check out. Al Ain Rotana proved to be a restful sanctuary. Like travellers of old, I left feeling revitalised.
To book Call 03 754 5111 or visit www.rotana.com
Room rates from Dh500
Best for: Nature lovers
Banyan Tree Ras Al
Khaimah Beach
With two cherubs under five and another one due to make its arrival into the world soon, my husband and I decided that it was now or never for a romantic mini break a deux.
Armed with barely more than a change of clothes and a couple of Kindles – who said romance is dead? – we set off from our Jumeirah home to our exotic destination.
Although the Maldives are theoretically only a few hours away, the airport shenanigans, the flight, not to mention the palaver of a sea plane or speedboat journey at the other end is a tad off-putting for a quick weekend break. Thankfully there’s an exotic alternative right on our doorstep and it’s every bit as romantic as the Indian Ocean resorts.
The Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach is a gorgeous coastal retreat only an hour along a largely deserted highway from Dubai, which is ideal for rapid relaxation and rejuvenation.
The feeling of Zen-like serenity began even before we checked in when a private abra arrived to glide us across a lagoon to the resort, and when we disembarked – see, who needs a Maldivian speedboat? – the sense of tranquillity had firmly replaced any leftover city stress we’d brought with us.
What makes this hotel so special is that every guest room is in its own building, designed to look and feel like a Bedouin-style tent.
With only 32 villas, the overriding feeling is one of exclusivity and there’s no sense of hierarchy or room envy as each villa is exactly the same, complete with a beautifully draped four-poster bed and rain shower wet room. And it doesn’t stop there – each villa comes with its own pool and private beach cabana positioned near the lapping Arabian Sea.
After a leisurely dip in our very own pool, with not an armband or inflatable dolphin in sight, we started to relax into our kid-free break.
As the sun started to set over the pristine beach in front of our villa, a couple of waiters arrived to set up a romantic table for two, and an impressive cooking station on our terrace ready for our private barbecue. A chef returned at around eight o’clock with cool boxes filled with three different salads, freshly caught seafood and mouth-watering chunks of meat.
For the next two hours, plate after plate of perfectly grilled delicacies were placed in front of us until we held our hands up in surrender, much to the chef’s mirth. Thankfully dessert was a platter of fresh fruit, which we picked at leisurely under the stars, while indulging in a considerable amount of high-fiving at being in such a fabulous location so close to Dubai – the decision to leave the kids at home may have been a factor in our upbeat mood!
The Banyan Tree has another hotel, Al Wadi, just a few kilometres away, in the desert of Ras Al Khaimah, and while this resort has more options in terms of dining and facilities, it’s the sheer escapism that makes the Banyan Tree Beach so appealing.
We’re all used to hotels in the UAE that offer a plethora of restaurants and dawn-to-dusk activities, but what’s so rare is a boutique hotel that offers nothing but relaxation.
Yes, there’s a lovely Asian spa on site where you can indulge in some much-needed pampering, but that’s where the activities end.
Although our stay lasted only one night, we felt like we’d had a week away and as any parent of young children know only too well, that’s a very rare feeling indeed.
To book call 07 206 7777 or visit www.banyantree.com/en/ras_al_khaimah_beach
Room rates from Dh2,320
Best for: Serentity seekers
Rixos The Palm Dubai
“Why this kolaveri, kolaveri kolaveri di…” For a moment, I couldn’t believe my ears. I strained to catch the faint tune wafting in through the open balcony door of our luxurious premium suite at Rixos – and, yes, it was unmistakably the song from the south-Indian film 3 that became a global hit after the Youtube video went viral.
It was around 11pm and there was a nip in the air as I stepped out on to the ocean view balcony eager to find out who was singing this song with a strong European accent at this hour. The sight that greeted me was an almost surreal one. In the pale moonlight, on the golden beach, with the twinkling lights of the Dubai Marina offering a spectacular backdrop, was a man belting out the Russian version of the Tamil hit song on karaoke to a small group of people who were dancing on the sands.
Then I realised earlier in the evening, while going for a stroll on the pristine private beach we – the wife, two kids and I – had seen hectic preparations going on for this party. Tastefully decorated tables were being given finishing touches and a sumptuous buffet table was being set up.
Seeing all the food had made us hungry and we’d promptly headed off for dinner at the L’Olivo Ristorante, the hotel’s fine-dining Italian restaurant.
“Welcome and let me show you to the best table in the house,’’ said our host, leading us to a corner seat in the simple but nicely decorated restaurant. She was not wrong. My 14-year-old daughter could only mouth “wow,’’ when she saw Dubai’s spectacular marina skyline at night. If the view was breathtaking, the taste of the food was even better. The brilliant chef, Francesco, and his team dished out an amazing variety of starters, including a delicious tomato basil crostini and foie gras garnished with granulated coffee followed by a sumptuous main course of tender chicken with lavender sauce and a to-die-for dessert of tiramisu.
“We really can’t have any more,’’ we had to tell the chef as he kept materialising with more and more delicious dishes.
Dragging ourselves back to one of the 231 plush suites, I stretched out on the king-size bed, while my daughters entertained themselves. The older one was delighted that internet was free and buried herself in her tablet, while the younger one was happy to watch Oggy and the Cockroaches on the 40in TV. “Look, there’s even a DVD player!” she shrieked, getting busy with the remote control.
The next morning, after stuffing ourselves at the sumptuous brunch at A la Turca restaurant, we headed for the pool, where the kids quickly slipped into the water and were soon splashing around. A couple of hours later, the younger one wanted to check out Rixy Club, the kids’ play area at the hotel, so to keep her happy we took her there. Apart from face-painting, there were lots of activities, including board and table games, to keep the young ones busy. There was even a movie area to watch the latest kids’ films. While she was in there, my wife and I checked into the luxurious spa for a traditional Turkish bath. Lying face down on the warm marble slab being scrubbed down, lathered and bathed was a blissfully relaxing experience and I decided I must repeat it at least once a month.
Dinner was at the fine seafood restaurant aptly named Salt. Saw, one of the finest service staff I’ve encountered, was eager that we began our meal by first tasting the different kinds of salts. On a platter he brought half a dozen flavoured sea salts including onion, pepper and paprika with slices of tomato. “Sprinkle a little salt on the tomato and enjoy it,’’ he said. My vote went to Paprika salt.
For starters, Saw suggested we go for baked mussels, which truly set the pace for what was to come.
Seafood lovers that we are, we ordered a mixed-grill platter and home-grilled potatoes with wild rice for the main course. The grills were lip-smackingly good and easily the best I’ve tasted in a long time. The faint aroma of the char grill and the flavour of a freshly squeezed lemon was enough to whet our appetites and we tucked into the succulent prawns, creamy sea bass and the massive juicy lobster. It was late in the night when we left Salt, promising to return.
“This is truly the best and most relaxing weekend I’ve ever had,’’ said my wife. I agreed. There was nothing to complain about. Then, just when I thought it couldn’t get better, I opened the room and found the most beautifully turned down bed, complete with rose petals sprinkled all over and a dainty box of chocolates left on the pillow. “Ooh wow,’’ gushed my wife. “This is amazing.’’
“All for you,’’ I said, pretending I had ordered that as well. Then I led her by hand to the balcony. “Music for you,’’ I said. I’d seen another party being set up on the beach and was sure somebody would be on the karaoke. I wasn’t wrong.
My wife was suitably impressed but now I’ve set a new standard I have to maintain. That’s why I’ve already decided to book Rixos for Valentine’s Day. Let’s just hope the karaoke and chocolates are included!
To book Call 04 457 5555
or visit www.rixos.com
Room rates start from Dh1,439
Best for: Value hunters
Traders Hotel, Abu Dhabi
The capital isn’t famous for its value options. Tourists and UAE residents flock here to visit the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the numerous cultural and high-octane entertainment possibilities and enjoy its many first-class restaurants, not because they think it will save them money. So my husband and I weren’t sure what to expect as we rolled up to Traders Hotel in Qaryat Al Beri, the four-star, more pocket-friendly sister of the Shangri-La – and according to its website, one of the best-value hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Situated between the two bridges, Al Maqta and Mussafah, and a short drive from the capital’s centre, Traders is built on the same complex as the Shangri-La. It’s a sand-coloured network of Arabic-style buildings that also features CHI: The Spa at Shangri-La and a pretty canal-wreathed souq. Tired and hungry from the rushed Thursday night post-work drive from Dubai, we were soon revived by the bright, effervescent interiors and friendly staff.
Inside our room, I perked up considerably at the sight of the fresh-fruit platter and tray of sweet treats that greeted us. One thing was clear... This ‘value’ option wasn’t going to mean compromising on excellent service or even those extra-special touches. Wolfing down a couple of crisp baklavas, we had a quick scout around the room. It wasn’t as opulent as the sort of set-up you might get in five-star hotels, but it was spacious, clean and comfortable, with all the amenities you could possibly need – from tea and coffee-making facilities to free Wi-Fi.
Every weekend Traders hosts a barbecue banquet on the little stretch of private beach, and as we stepped on to the sand the set-up looked truly magical. Cosy cabanas were filled with families talking and laughing on the water’s edge and inviting-looking tables with crisp white cloths and flickering lanterns dotted the beach front.
The air was filled with the tantalizing smell of food being sizzled al fresco, and we didn’t waste a second before scooting up to the buffet spread to have our fill. Decadent salads, artisan breads and gourmet-grilled meats, fish and seafood were a feast for both the eyes and stomach, along with vegetarian options such as rustic aubergine parmigiana, followed by a spoiling of sticky dessert.
The next morning, after an extravagant buffet breakfast of hot savoury dishes, pastries, fruit and freshly cooked waffles at the urban-chic Afyä restaurant, my husband went to sweat it out at the well-equipped gym and swimming pool, while I stayed in the room to luxuriate in the warm bubbles of the mammoth-sized bath (practically a plunge pool in itself).
We made the most of Traders’ location on the Shangri-La complex by booking into the upscale sister hotel’s famously decadent Pearls & Caviar brunch, after which I went off to make use of the luxurious spa.
I enjoyed a relaxing mother-to-be-massage at the hands of an expert therapist (it was the first time I’d come across a massage table with a removable centre especially designed for pregnant tummies), and continued unwinding with a walk beside the Venetian-style waterways of the souq, before meeting my husband again at the pool bar, where we capped off the evening with some poolside drinks.
While there may not be all the same flourishes of the more extravagant hotels, Traders not only has everything you could possibly want from a staycation, but it benefits from the facilities of its five-star sister, while being almost half the price. A night at Traders begins from a very reasonable Dh400, and as we hailed a taxi for our journey back to Dubai on Saturday morning, we not only felt relaxed, rejuvenated and well-fed, we were also rather smug at having found a hidden gem.
To book Call 02 510 8888 or visit www.shangri-la.com/abudhabi/traders
Room rates start from Dh400. The beach barbecue is Dh130 per person
