From brunches and games to men’s spa days and free workshops, here are our top picks on how to spend this weekend in the UAE.
Global Village
Global Village is wrapping up their 21st edition on April 8 and this weekend try out some of their best activities before the village closes for the summer. The weather is cool enough for you and your family or friends to enjoy a night or two exploring this gargantuan exhibition.
Some of our recommendations this season include the Sky Coaster, Haunted House, Escape Hunt, pottery in the Egypt pavilion, caricatures in the Spanish pavilion and a bioscope cinema experience in the Indian pavilion.
Timings 4pm to 12am (gates close at 11.30) Cost Dh15 per person for entry
Friday brunch at Khayal
The new Friday brunch at the cosmopolitan Khayal Restaurant, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi is on our must-try list this weekend. Guests entering Khayal can take a seat inside or alternatively, grab a spot outside on the terrace area that offers stunning views of the hotel’s landscaped gardens and pool area. With 15 cooking station, six of them being live and interactive, packed with dishes that will excite your taste buds.
Location Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi Cost Dh199 per person with soft beverages, Dh299 per person with house beverages and Dh499 with house beverages and Angel bubbly; Dh75 for children aged 6 to 13 years and free for children younger than 6 Dates and timings Fridays 12.30pm to 4pm Contact 02 201 4000
Test your skills at Burjuman
The mall is hosting the ‘60 Seconds to BurJuman’, an adventure game involving tests of dexterity and skill, and everyone is invited to take part. Open daily from 4pm to 10pm, customers can pit their wits against an array of challenges, which they have just 60 seconds to complete. There are seven, 60 second challenges to get through and participants can test their skills as many times as they like.
Location Main Atrium on Level S1, near Attibassi Café on Level S1 and near The Children’s Place on Level S2, Burjuman Mall, Dubai Dates Daily till April 15 Timings 4pm to 10pm
Aperitivo Nights at Frankie’s
Saturdays are a great day to try Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill at their JBR venue. For Dh75, Frankie’s Aperitivo offers two selected beverages and shared canapes, from 5:30pm to 9pm on Saturdays.
Location Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill, JBR Cost Dh75 for the Saturday offer Dates Saturdays Timings 5.30pm to 9pm
Shopping for less
We all need a restocking of our closet as the weather changes and who would not want reasonable options to do so. We have a whole range of shopping guides for people who want to get value for less money. From buying second hand designer bags to shopping at these stores, read our UAE on a Budget section for more.
Interior design workshops for free
The leading home and garden channel HGTV, is bringing together two of the country’s leading experts in interior design and Feng Shui, Aisling Young, a top Dubai based interior design blogger, and Iman Hassan, one of the most influential Arabic Feng Shui consultants and reiki masters. The free workshops include topics ranging from coffee table designing and putting together a cohesive look to techniques in creating positive energy flow in the home. There will also be loads of family activities that everyone can enjoy from DIY strength challenges, ‘tweets for treats’ twitter vending machine dispensing heaps of great gifts, plus arts & crafts and face painting for the kids The Dubai edition is coming soon, so don’t fret if Abu Dhabi is too far for you.
Location Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Cost Free Dates April 6, 7 and 8 Timings 4pm, 5pm and 6pm Details
Gaming at Porter’s
Open all day and totally free of charge, Porters games area is the perfect spot for those looking to add a little competition to their pub visit. Friends can fight to pot the black at the full-sized pool table battle for the bull’s eye in a dynamic darts match or gather a group for a pong tournament.
Location Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi Cost Free to access games or game area Dates Daily Timings Sunday to Wednesday from 4pm to 2am, Thursday to Saturday from 3pm to 3am Contact 02 495 3936
A spa day for men
In finding gifts or treats for the man in your life or your best friend, a top-to-toe spa detox ritual at the Palace Downtown Dubai trumps every other option you see. Men are often ignored in spa, relaxation and pampering days and we intend to set that right. The ritual begins with a nourishing Ayurvedic scalp treatment, followed by a stress-relieving organic Salt of the Earth scrub. Next, a volcanic hot stone, deep tissue body massage that incorporates the world’s first luxury seaweed body oil transports you to a tranquil oasis. A purifying detox facial, full of vital vitamins and minerals, concludes this distinguished treatment. Just reading that made you feel good, admit it.
Location The Palace Downtown Dubai Cost Dh1,500 for the 150 minute treatment Dates and timings Book in advance Contact +971 4 428 7805 Email spamen@thepalace-dubai.com
Movie: Going in Style
Our movie pick of the week is the star-studded Going in Style. Watch the trailer here.
Staying in?
Not up to braving the crowds in Dubai?
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