lifestyle and culture

Have some leave days to spare? Why not put them to good use at one of the top hotels in the city.
Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai is bringing back the popular ‘One Hell of a Daycation’ offer that will see you bask in the glorious sunshine, cool off at the expansive pool before digging into a memorable two-course lunch at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen.

Go for a starter and a main, or if like us you have a sweet tooth we suggest skipping the starter and just sticking with a main and dessert.
On the menu you have a fine choice of as tuna tartare, Chantenay carrot soup and Caesar salad to start with, while the mains on offer include truffle and mushroom risotto as well as crispy skin salmon.

To finish you have an option of a classic sticky toffee pudding, apple crumble or passion fruit cheesecake – if only we could have all three.
The daycation deal, which is as good for the soul as it is for your stomach, is available from Sunday to Wednesday with all-day access to the pool and a lunch seating any time between midday and 3pm.
Priced at Dhs249 per person, contact 04 556 6466 for bookings.
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As Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex turned 39 yesterday, it’s safe to assume she would have been enjoying the day with her husband, Prince Harry, and their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in Los Angeles, where they are currently residing.
While they’re on the other side of the world, all of the senior members of the royal family made sure to make a public celebration of Meghan’s birthday.

Posting to their official social media channels, the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William and Kate Middleton all sent public happy birthday wishes to the 39-year-old royal.
From the Queen’s official Instagram account, The Royal Family, a photo of the monarch and Meghan from their first outing was shared along with the caption, “Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very happy birthday!”

Meanwhile, on the Clarence House and Kensington Royal Instagram accounts – the official channels for Charles and Camilla and William and Kate – solo photos of Meghan were shared along with simple happy birthday messages.

These public posts come just days ahead of the release of the tell-all book, Finding Freedom, which is set to lift the lid on the journey to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s exit of the royal family and will also detail the reported tensions between the couple and the rest of the family – particularly between them and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
A few claims in the book include details about Meghan and Kate’s alleged feud. “Though it was not necessarily her responsibility, Kate did little to bridge the divide,” the book’s authors, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, write about the Duchesses’ relationship.
As for brothers Harry and William, it details how the Duke of Cambridge gave his younger sibling “warnings” about Meghan, not wanting to him to be “blindsided by lust”.
Whilst Finding Freedom is most certainly high-anticipated to finally get the truth behind the couple’s journey to stepping down from royal life, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson has categorically denied the pair contributed to the book.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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This weekend it’s all about lavish staycations, a bit of retail therapy, DIY flower arranging and some seriously good sushi.
Staycation like a VIP

Live a night like an Oscar-winning star at the Rove Downtown Hotel that has curated a movie-lovers package for you and 19 of your nearest and dearest. The Ultimate Movie Staycation takes over an entire floor comprising of 10 Rover rooms with access to a private movie screening from the Reel Cinema’s catalogue. Enjoy popcorn and soft drinks (alcoholic beverages come at an additional charge) with your film of choice followed by breakfast the next morning. The offer is available throughout August and September and priced at Dhs2,999 inclusive of taxes and fees. It is valid for up to 20 guests, with additional rooms on offer at Dhs195 per night. Email on events@rovehotels.com or phone +971 4 561 9099 to book.
Forever bunch

It’s always feels like a sad day when you have to throw out a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. For centrepieces that last forever and feel just as good as the fresh variety, if not better, look no further than the recently launched flower brand Fridas. Brought to you by creators of Florette, the dry arrangements look extremely fashionable and there is a selection that arrive in their very own pots. The high quality dried and preserved flowers, that are both long lasting and sustainable, will easily enhance any space. If you want to flex those creative muscles then go for the Florist Collections that allows you to take the arrangement apart to create your own selection of smaller bouquets to dot around your space.
Campfire favourite

Transport yourself back to childhood of sitting by the fire and roasting marshmallows on the flames with a one-off special at Black Tap. The limited-edition S’mores CrazyShake® infused it’s ice-cream with a campfire marshmallow flavour. It’s decorated in crisped s’mores and topped with whipped cream and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Available in limited quantities between August 7– 10 across Dubai venues, it will be priced at Dhs69 at Jumeirah Al Naseem, Rixos Premium JBR and Intercontinental Dubai Festival City venues.
Look sharp

Tailoring might be the furthest thing from your mind during the summer heat, but hear us out. With more of us heading back to the office and events being allowed to resume, it’s the perfect time to invest in a great blazer and pristine trousers. COS is keeping the summer heat in mind with it’s newest collection of relaxed tailoring, featuring collarless linen belted jackets and unstructured shirt dresses that offer a relaxed take on elegance. Head to your nearest store to discover more timeless must-haves.
Desert escape

Looking to get away from the tall building and busy Sheikh Zayed road? Luxury desert resort Bab Al Shams has curated a number of offers that will see you relaxing in style, surrounded by golden sand dunes. Rates start from Dhs799 per night inclusive of complimentary breakfast, 20 per cent savings on dining and desert activities. If you book two nights, you will save 15 per cent on your stay with breakfast. Those who wish to escape for three night will benefit from a 20 per cent saving.
Weekend reset

Located in Jumeirah, The Hundred Wellness Centre (open from Saturday to Thursday) has launched a day pass for you to unwind in a calm space. Priced at Dha230 per person, the pass includes a private Pilates session with Head Pilates Instructor Walid Tebarki for up to four friends, followed by a nutritious meal in the health-focused café, providing a wholesome rest and re-set for the week ahead.
For you and your bestie

Need a weekend away with your BFF? Grosvenor House Dubai has joined forces with Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa to launch an indulgent spa and stay promotion that has all the ingredients you need for a fabulous escape. The Ladies First package includes a complimentary breakfast, bottle of prosecco and sweets on arrival and a welcome gift from luxury skincare brand Elemis when you book a Deluxe Room, Premier Room or Deluxe Suite until September 30. Starting from Dhs850 a night, you will be treated to a host of spa experiences at Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, as well as access to the landscaped gardens, sparkling temperature-controlled pool and pristine white sandy beach, as well as the varied dining choices.
Date night

If you’re looking to spoil someone special in your life to an elegant yet laidback dinner out, look no further than Nassau by celebrity Chef Silvena Rowe that has reopened for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy the finest Mediterranean cuisine while gazing towards the golf course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Vegan style brunch

Love Parties Hidden Brunch at the Treehouse & Tesoro, Taj Hotel Dubai, has introduced a vegan friendly menu. The brunch kicks off with the breads and dips, moving to the starters, such as sweet potato fries, mushroom sliders, edamame and quinoa tabbouleh. main course feel like a feast in themselves, expect Cajun spiced avocado, pasta Arabiatta, Thai green curry, sweet and sour tofu and more. leave some space for dessert that includes berry trifle, tropical fruit skewers and walnut brownie. Taking place every Friday from 1-4pm, prices start at Dhs325 for soft beverages, Dhs375 for house drinks and Dhs450 for the bubbly package.
Sushi fill

Known for fresh sushi, creative salads and buttery wagyu steak, 3FILS located in Dubai’s Jumeriah Fishing Villageis back in business. To keep up with demand, the venue has expanded it’s seating area and now also hosts artwork from Mawaheb to showcase the local talent of people of determination in Dubai. Make sure to stop by it’s sister venue BRIX next door, serving up contemporary sweet treats.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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Leading tourist destinations and airlines are making significant efforts to encourage holidaymakers to book, and CROSSROADS Maldives – a multi-island destination in the Indian Ocean – is going the extra mile.
With two of its fabulous resorts back up and running – SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives – it has recently introduced PCR exit screening without having to travel out of the resorts and visit a testing facility.

Thanks to its well-equipped clinic with a doctor and nurse based at The Marina at CROSSROADS, you can completely unwind knowing that you’ll have everything you need to safely return to Dubai. The test can be carried out at the clinic or in your villa and then will be sent to Male for analysis.

Priced at $162 (approximately Dhs595) per person, reports will be received via email and delivered straight to your door.
Right now, CROSSROADS Maldives is offering a ‘Stay 3 Pay 2’ package, allowing you to purchase vouchers that can be redeemed any time before October 31 2021 – ideal for those who are still unsure of when they can travel. The package also includes a free night stay for each consecutive two nights booked.  Complimentary activities such as Sunrise Yoga, Coral Propagation Programme, Aqua gym and cocktail class are offered at SAii Lagoon Maldives.
The Maldives lifted all COVID-19 travel restrictions on 15 July, requiring only a health declaration form from international travellers, without mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival.

Since August 1 passengers coming into Dubai have to obtain a negative PCR test before flying. Test requirement is applied to anyone flying into Dubai, whether as a tourist, resident, or connecting passenger.
Those coming from these 29 countries will need to have an additional test done upon landing in Dubai and self-isolate until they receive their results.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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