More stories

  • in

    Immerse yourself in nature at Al Maha’s luxurious resort in Dubai

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Man
    2 hours ago

    IN PARTNERSHIP: If you’re looking to switch off and reconnect with nature, we know exactly the place where you need to go.
    Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, visit Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort for the perfect escape.
    Now the cooler weather has arrived, it’s the perfect time of year to spend more time outdoors and this luxury resort, situated in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, is the ideal place to do that.
    Encouraging everyone to shape up the mundane everyday routine, Al Maha has created 12-hour special daycation packages with every detail taken care of from start to finish.
    With pickup and drop off arranged in the resort’s 4X4 vehicles, the schedule includes a 45-minute scenic wildlife experience with gazelles and Arabian Oryx, followed by a Bedouin-inspired sport including archery, camel trekking during the golden sunset hour to embrace the picturesque views that the venue has to offer.

    Accompanied by unending vistas of the desert, guests can experience a delectable breakfast. During the day, visitors can experience a lavish three-course lunch at the resort’s signature restaurant, Al Diwaan. With the option of dining alfresco or indoors, guests can experience utmost tranquillity while enjoying the getaway with their loved ones starting at Dhs750 per person.
    For a more relaxed day excursion, guests can opt for the Spa Indulgence package priced at Dhs750 and inclusive of a selected spa treatment and lunch and pool package for Dhs575 with access to the Timeless Spa and a scrumptious meal at Al Diwaan.
    For a sunbaked sandscape, guests can opt for a full-board staycation for a 360-degree elevated experience. Starting at Dhs4,400 per person, the package includes three meals and two desert activities. To experience epicurean cuisine at its finest, guests can opt for a floating breakfast option, private dinner and dune dining at an additional cost.

    Guests can turn their staycation into a holistic journey by opting for the Spa Indulgence package priced at Dhs4,800 per person with mind, body and soul services for ultimate serenity.
    To make any occasion special, the intimate getaway package features VIP amenities, a premium sparkling beverage upon arrival, two desert activities and an exclusive romantic dinner on the private suite pool terrace with the Romance package priced at Dhs5,000 per night.

    Nestled amidst the dunes, this calming getaway should definitely be added to your must-visit list.
    For more details and to make a booking visit al-maha.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

  • in

    6 of the best desert cafés to visit in Sharjah this winter

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    2 hours ago

    With the weather cooling down and winter fast approaching in the UAE, soon it will be the perfect time to take advantage of the cooler weather by spending time outdoors.
    Encouraging people to embrace their natural surroundings, many different desert dining concepts emerged last season, particularly in Sharjah, and we’ll most definitely be paying a visit this year.
    With that, we’ve outlined the very best places to dine in a sophisticated setting whilst basking in the serenity of the desert.
    NOT a SPACE

    This one-of-a-kind destination is curated with a series of activations in one venue. With the beautiful sunrise and sunset views, this winter experience is designed to bring friends and family together. With a creative set-up and mountainous backdrops, this open-air experience also conducts several activations to celebrate different occasions in an open space. From a ladies parlour to a men’s barber, there are a host of experiences to savour on your visit.
    For more information visit notaspace.ae
    The Uncommon

    If you’re on the hunt for something different, this space is designed especially for you. Created against the backdrop of the picturesque Sharjah desert skyline, there’s a series of delectable hot and cold beverages to enjoy as you take in the beautiful surroundings. Known for its stunning mirrored display, visitors can capture those Instagrammable selfies or unwind at this relaxing spot. Designed to relish an array of delicious bites including baked goods in the heart of the desert, this sophisticated spot is unlike any other. You can book a spot to The Uncommon on the Requeue app.
    One Degree Café

    Designed with a Bedouin-style camp and as a pop-up experience, guests can enjoy all the dune views in the middle of the desert. Made for the perfect escape, this outdoor venue offers a plethora of delicious dishes and beverages from Spanish lattes to desserts such as tiramisu. The mains include signature dishes such as the classic hot dog and the wagyu burger, with many more options on the menu.
    Common Winter

    With a minimal aesthetic in the heart of the Sharjah desert, this gorgeous area is converted into a refreshing hotspot with a range of delectable and premium coffee. As an unmissable experience, this winter pop-up is designed with dispersed mirrors, unending views of the scenery, making it another gem in the middle of the desert. Situated near Al Faya Desert, this popular spot has already gained quite a bit of traction, making it everyone’s favourite spot who visits. Located in Al Fayah, it’s open from 3pm to 1am.
    Link by Mara

    With international fusion street food and a scintillating majlis-style seating area with fairy lights, guests can lay back with the socially distanced seating arrangements for utmost safety. With a plethora of mouthwatering desserts and must-have beverages, this spot has a private bonfire option in an intimate setting to enjoy with all your loved ones.
    Coffee House

    This sophisticated setup almost gives a wedding-like feel with flowy curtains and rattan chairs that set it apart from the rest. From croissants to carefully prepared beverages ranging from hot chocolates to coffees, guests can surely dine in style with the glistening skies above the setting. With the luxe décor featuring modern-day lights and the sandy desert combined, you’re sure to make multiple visits to this pop-up.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram, Feature image: Instagram @_aljp More

  • in

    This guest-only oasis offers a secluded sandscape in the heart of Dubai

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    13 mins ago

    IIN PARTNERSHIP: Want to spend the night under the picturesque desert sky? Then Dubai’s luxurious property, Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa needs to be added to your list of staycations to visit.
    As the weather cools down, this mesmerising getaway takes you back in time with utmost serenity and impeccable service from the moment you enter.
    For a lavish escape, there are 42 secluded luxurious tented suites that pay homage to the emirate’s longstanding heritage. With local artefacts and Bedouin-inspired designs, guests are offered complete privacy with a private temperature-controlled pool surrounded by lush desert palms.
    If guests want to experience an intimate evening for any special occasion, the venue offers private sundowners personalised according to individual taste. Whether champagne or sparkling juice, all the details can be curated by the team of onboard specialists according to your preference, under the twinkling canopy of stars.

    To feel completely rejuvenated, the Timeless Spa ensures utmost relaxation with a plethora of beauty and relaxation treatments including private massage rooms for couples. Be it a hydrafacial or a soothing traditional massage, each visitor can be fully pampered from head to toe.
    For those who want to raise their adrenaline levels,  the desert resort offers an eventful list of activities including camel riding, archery, falconry displays, horse riding, dune driving and wildlife drives.
    Set amid the rolling sand dunes, the signature fine dining restaurant, Al Diwaan Restaurant serves a culinary extravaganza with an unending set of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Situated above the restaurant is a refined Hajar terrace bar with loungers and cocktail tables that can be enjoyed against breathtaking views of the Arabian Desert.

    Without leaving the room, guests have the option of in-room dining. For that Instagram-worthy moment, the property offers a unique floating breakfast experience that can be savoured in its private temperature-controlled pool.
    Packages start at Dhs4,200 for the full board option inclusive of two desert activities per person, per night. For a spa-inspired getaway, the package is priced at Dhs4,600 for a full-board stay and a luxurious spa treatment. For the ultimate desert romance escapes, the package starts at Dhs4,800 per night for a full board inclusive of welcome drink, VIP amenities, one desert activity, and a deck dinner for two persons for a minimum two-night stay.

    Nestled amid the centre of Dubai’s Desert Conservation Reserve, guests can witness iconic vistas of the Hajar Mountain massif and experience this serene escape with absolute comfort.
    For your next escape and to make a booking visit mariott.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

  • in

    Hollywood stars are set to make a big return to the UAE in 2022 for Dune: Part 2

    Lifestyle

    by Dan Robinson
    1 minute ago

    Hollywood heavyweights are set to return to the UAE later this year to film the second instalment of the hit movie Dune.
    Following the worldwide success of part one, released in 2021. cast and crew will touch down in Abu Dhabi later in 2022 to shoot Dune: Part 2.
    The movie will once again feature a larger-than-life production with expected returning A-listers including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, and Oscaar Isaac.
    Others will also be joining the cast including newcomers Austin Butler, who recently starred in Elvis; Academy award winner Christopher Walken; and Léa Seydoux, best known for her role in No Time to Die. Filming will begin in the Liwa Desert, located in the UAE’s capital, later this year.
    [embedded content]
    Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, described the production of Dune: Part 2 as an “exciting opportunity” for the emirate.
    “Dune has again provided us with an exciting opportunity to associate the emirate with another global movie franchise which will allow us to entice enthusiastic fans and audience members to visit the landscapes which they have seen on screen,” he said.
    Meanwhile, the blockbuster’s director, Denis Villeneuve, added: “We look forward to returning to the majestic sand dunes of Abu Dhabi and bringing Arrakis to life for Dune: Part Two.”
    Dune: Part 2 will pick up where the last film left off, following the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
    This isn’t the first time Hollywood movies have been filmed across the UAE, and the region has become increasingly popular with some of Hollywood’s biggest budget action movies.
    Noteworthy movies include Star Trek: Beyond (2016), Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011), Syriana (2005), Fast & Furious 7 (2015), Vanguard (2020).
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images, Video: Instagram, Youtube More