lifestyle and culture

We believe long weekends are meant to be spent lounging by the pool and enjoying views of the surrounding landscape, so for the upcoming three-day holiday we are booking into Sandy Beach Hotel, Fujairah.
Why head all the way there when we have plenty of resorts to choose from in Dubai? Well, it’s always good to have a change of scene and the hotel also boasts two new features, a stunning infinity pool and a mini waterpark.

Perfect for families, the new watering hole is positioned in front of the original swimming and offers Instagrammable views over Snoopy Island which is a divers paradise thanks to its impressive marine life. Note, that the hotel offers PADI courses from experience programs and entry-level courses to PADI Professional courses and TecRec diving.

The mini waterpark called Splash Pad is ideal for keeping kids aged 5-12 cool in the heat while providing them with hours of entertainment while you work on your tan. There are also six restaurants and bars for the whole family to enjoy.
As well as making the resort extra family-friendly, the Sandy Beach Hotel is planning on renovating it’s 98 rooms as well as it’s 10 chalets.
Day passes are priced at Dhs130 for adults, and Dhs80 for children and the room rates start at Dhs450 on weekdays and Dhs600 on weekends.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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With the long weekend officially confirmed, why not spend extended days off work somewhere a little bit special.
From the nearby Maldives to the sunny shores of Europe, we have uncovered three resorts that all have something in common – complete privacy. Whether you want to hire out a whole island with 50 rooms or stay in one of the chicest suites on the French Riviera, the three gems listed below guarantee an unforgettable stay.
Island living

First and only multi-island resort that consists of three hotels – SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives – has introduced a Buy-Out Package package where for a cool $35,000 net per night (Dhs128,560) you get to enjoy private access to all of the 50 rooms. You’ll be treated like a true celebrity on your very own island surrounded by the Indian ocean and the stay also includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in resort restaurants throughout the stay, non-alcoholic drinks during meals, exclusive return speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport and variety of signature group bonding activities with a private coach. Now that’s a castaway scenario we can get on board with.
Wellbeing escape

Those in need of a physical and mental resent shouldn’t look any further than SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain. The luxe getaway has made it extra safe for its guests to enjoy the best treatments in the world without leaving their residence. Divided into three types – Garden, Premier and Penthouse – the residences range from 300m² to 500 m² and including facilities such as fitness rooms, treatment rooms, hammams or sauna. All the residences also boast spacious gardens and terraces with glass infinity pools. The Penthouse residences feature a private Hammam, a cinema room and a spacious wellness room. Inside the residences, you can enjoy everything from a massage, to therapeutic treatment, a Vinyasa yoga lesson on the private terrace, and even a healthy cooking lesson. Residences at SHA Wellness Clinic can be booked from €2,000 (Dhs8,700) per night.
Live like a royal

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo held a special place in the life of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, so much so that there are two stunning suites named after them. The Suite Prince Rainier III includes two bedrooms, a large main lounge with a bar area, a smaller lounge and a library, a dining room and an office space as well as a glass-walled sauna that opens onto the Mediterranean sky. But the piece de resistance is the split-level terrace overlooking Place du Casino. The first level is home to a heated infinity-edge swimming pool measuring while the lower level terrace offers unrivalled views over Place du Casino. To make you feel like a true royal, you will have a dedicated team of private Clefs d’Or and access to bespoke treatments in a private beachfront tent on Monte-Carlo Beach. Suite Prince Rainier III is available on request, at a rate of €35,000 / €45,000 per night depending on the season.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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New brunches in Dubai are constantly coming and going, but we often don’t think about how much goes into the planning and execution of a new launch.
When we’re enjoying ourselves with our best friends it’s easy to forget about the weeks, months and years of work that goes into launching a good brunch.

In the case of Secret Parties’ latest launch at the Palazzo Versace in Dubai, it was two years in the making.
The Palazzo Versace was on director Chris Wright’s venue bucket list for years prior to its launch just a few weeks ago.

“We’ve always wanted to work with the Palazzo Versace, it’s one of the best hotels in the region, so for Secret Parties to be associated with it is amazing,” he tells Emirates Woman.
After numerous meetings over the last 12 months to make the new brunch “perfect”, Secret Palazzo Versace Brunch received the green light.
“We have our own brand guidelines we have to stick to, so the mix of the Versace brand and Secret had to blend properly, which is why it took almost a year to put together,” he explains. “The wait was absolutely worth it and this is one of the best parties in the region.”

The vibe
The new brunch is certainly an absolute spectacle, combining classical music with some of the chart’s top hits, brunch-goers are treated to live entertainment with Dubai opera singer Joseph Terterian alongside an electric violinist.
As for the food – it’s just as good as the entertainment. Taking place in the Palazzo Versace restaurant Vanita’s, guests enjoy a hearty four-course menu with dishes including arancini, sea bass, roasted beef tenderloin, a cheese board, succulent desserts and more.
It’s safe to say this luxury brunch has EW‘s stamp of approval – you really do get the whole package with live entertainment and great food, all you need to do is provide yourself with fantastic company.
The details
The Secret Palazzo Versace Brunch runs every Friday from 1pm to 4pm, with packages starting at Dhs345 for soft drinks; Dhs445 for house drinks; Dhs545 for sparkling; and Dhs699 for the champagne package.
If you’re wanting to go the full nine yards, there’s also a staycation package on offer for Dhs1,700 which is for two people. This includes a one-night stay at the hotel, two brunch passes, a premium breakfast the following morning and access to all hotel facilities during your stay.
EW‘s final verdict: This new brunch is a must-try.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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In case you needed a reminder that you live in one of the greatest cities in the world, Dubai has just been voted to have the world’s best tourism experience.
A favourite among new residents and visitors, the camel riding and desert BBQ experience has come out top in the Tripadvisor’s 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

OceanAir’s premium red dunes and camel safari with BBQ at Al Khayma Camp beat four other contenders to the top spot. The winner was determined by reviewing millions of ratings from travellers around the world over the last 12 months.

According to Dubai Tourism’s Annual Visitor Report 2019, 41 per cent of international travellers had Dubai safari as part of their itinerary, and the proof is in the pudding. From thrilling dune bashing, a close encounter with camels, traditional Bedouin dining under the stars and mesmerising natural beauty, even we had a whole new appreciation for the golden sands that surround us.
The second best travel experience in the world went to pizza and gelato cooking class in a Tuscan farmhouse in Florence, Italy. It was then followed by a luxury small-group canal cruise in an open-air boat in Amsterdam, with Discover Berlin’s half-day walking tour and a Northern Ireland highlights day trip including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin, Ireland rounding off the edit.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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After seven years of incredible success, one of our favourite Dubai restaurants is going global.
Downtown Dubai-born La Serre – which opened in 2013 – isn’t just opening in one new city, but three – Riyadh, London and New York City.

The exciting plans were unveiled by the French brasserie’s operator, Lincoln Hospitality, who confirmed the first new La Serre establishment to open will be in the Saudi Arabian capital early next year in the King Abdullah Financial District.
Later in 2021, La Serre will be heading to Europe with a third restaurant opening in London’s exclusive area of Knightsbridge. Shortly after, La Serre will hop over the Atlantic Ocean to New York City, meaning all three restaurants will have opened by the end of next year.

Discussing the expansion of the Dubai-based French brasserie, Ralph Homer, CEO & co-founder of Lincoln Hospitality Inc., said it was an “extremely” exciting move for the La Serre Brand.
“We are extremely excited to export the La Serre brand internationally,” he said. “After years of success here in Dubai, this is the next natural step for us.”
This news comes after another DIFC hotspot announced it was also opening in London next year – Gaia is set to open its doors in Mayfair in the second quarter of next year.
While it’s exciting to see restaurants fly the flag for Dubai globally, there’s still nothing quite like the originals, particularly when they have lunch offers that you just can’t turn down.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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