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    8 of the most unique boutique hotels in the UAE to unwind at

    Lifeby Sarah Joseph4 hours ago VIEW GALLERY/ 8 IMAGESThese intimate hideaways are designed for a more relaxing experience with your friends and families, while getting the best of both worlds through art and culture.From quirky restaurants to murals created by local artists, each element is carefully sought-after and designed to perfection for a wholesome experience. Be it loft-style settings or a traditional Bedouin style aesthetic, each theme is carefully considered for a memorable journey.So, if you’re looking for a midweek escape or weekend retreat at any of these authentic stays, Emirates Woman has curated a guide of the best boutique hotels that emulate a new side of Dubai.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied & Feature image: Instagram @babalshams  More

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    The ultimate Iftar guide for Ramadan 2023 in Dubai

    Experience Ramadan in Dubai with a modern twist to the traditional restaurants.
    For a more intimate experience, there is a myriad of culinary havens in the city that have curated a special menu for a bespoke feast during the occasion.
    From Nikkei cuisine to Peruvian, the options are endless as each menu comes with an age-old twist.
    So, if you need inspiration on where to potentially break your fast, Emirates Woman has curated the ultimate guide to restaurants situated across Dubai
    Bulgari Majlis

    This Ramadan, Bulgari’s Majlis makes its way back to Dubai. Infusing Middle Eastern flavours with an Italian flair, this luxe soiree is taking place at the Bulgari Resort Dubai. Offering the guests both iftar and suhoor under the glimmering lights of the stars, the Bulgari Majlis also comes with an additional incentive of a breathtaking view of the Yacht Club. The Bulgari Majlis will be ongoing throughout the month of Ramadan. Iftar will be served from sundown until 9pm, Dhs450 per person. Suhoor will begin from 10pm until 1am and is priced at Dhs295 per person.
    For more information visit bvlgarihotels.com
    Mina Brasserie

    Follow the crescent moon and stars and you’ll find the award-winning Chef Michael Mina’s team innovating, in the kitchen. With dishes such as Hummus Fois Gras and Date Tiramisu, guests can indulge in an array of unforgettable dishes designed exclusively for the occasion with the freshest ingredients. Priced at Dhs295, this menu includes a starter, main and dessert along with Ramadan beverages from sunset to 8pm at Four Seasons DIFC.
    For more information visit minabrasserie.com
    Amelia Lounge

    Experience Nikkei cuisine with an authentic twist at Dubai’s luxe hotspot Amelia Lounge. With a dedicated set menu, guests can embark on a delectable journey like no other with traditional dishes crafted to perfection. Priced at Dhs295, this experience is available from sunset until 8pm. Located at Address Sky Views, this one-of-a-kind experience can be savoured with your loved ones.
    For more information visit amelialounge.com
    Cleo

    For a delectable spread of Levantine delicacies, this restaurant is a must-visit. This lavish buffet is designed to cater to different tastes with a selection of mouth-watering snacks and live stations including decadent desserts and a variety of fresh juices. With mains such as Chicken Mandi and a spread such as Raspberry tart and the restaurant’s signature Luqaimat, there’s a treat for everyone. Priced at Dhs169 this feast features a variety of dishes with something for everyone. Located at Hyde Hotel, this restaurant’s calming interiors are a delight for all those who enter.
    For more information visit restaurantsandbars.accor.com
    Piatti by the Beach

    Piatti By The Beach announces a special offering for the holy month of Ramadan; Piatti will be serving a set menu that promises to delight the senses with a range of exquisite dishes, and guests can enjoy a divine selection of mocktails and desserts. Diners can begin their meal with nourishing dates, followed by the Soup of the Day, a comforting and hearty dish made with the freshest ingredients. To end things on a sweet note, guests can opt for Piatti’s classic tiramisu: a heavenly dessert that tantalizes the senses and satisfies the sweet toothPriced at Dhs300, the special iftar takes place at Raffles The Palm.
    For more information visit rafflesthepalmdubai.com
    La Lezardubai

    During this Ramadan, you can enjoy Iftar at the newly opened Turkish Lalezar Restaurant. Iftar menu includes Iftar plate, cold starters like wine leaves, ezme or pesto and cheese, delicious Turkish salad, soup of the day, hot appetizer, and of course special main course from our chef comes with a surprising dessert. Located at The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, it takes place from Sunset to 10pm and is priced at Dhs159 per person.
    For more information visit lalezardubai.com
    The MAINE Land Brasserie Business Bay

    The Maine located in the bustling Business Bay area of Dubai offers a delightful menu for guests during the holy month of Ramadan. This is the ideal spot to enjoy a memorable Ramadan meal with family and friends. The restaurant’s inviting ambiance, courteous staff, and exceptional food make it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and is priced at Dhs315 per person. Located at The Opus, Business Bay, this venue is a must-visit.
    For more information visit themaine.ae
    Clap

    With the largest rooftop terrace in DIFC to enjoy the stunning sunset, visitors can unwind with the restaurant’s multiple ingredients including a fusion of Japanese and Arabic flavours with panoramic views of the city. Begin your fast with a traditional Iftar platter, including succulent dates and other delectable dishes such as miso soup, sea bass panko with creamy tonkatsu mayo, spinach miso risotto with yuzu truffle dressing and a lot more. The Goma Kunafa Dessert, a novel confectionery has been crafted for this distinguished occasion. Priced at Dhs275 per person with a booking for a minimum of two people, this unforgettable dining experience can be enjoyed in the heart of Dubai at Gate Village 11.
    For more information visit claprestaurant.com
    LPM Restaurant & Bar

    For a specially curated Iftar menu, with signature classics and new exclusive dishes, this Parisian haven offers a host of dishes to savour with your love. Priced at Dhs250, this includes their signature dishes such as Burrata Et Tomatoes, Grilled Sea Bream and more. To end a sweet note, guests can choose from different ones including Chocolate and Hazelnut Choux and other delectable choices. Located in the heart of DIFC at Gate Village 8, this Côte d’Azur truly offers an unforgettable iftar.
    For more information visit lpmrestaurants.com
    Chanca by COYA

    For Peruvian cuisine at its finest, this elegant venue is a must-visit with its special Iftar menu. Guests can indulge in a delightful array of exquisite flavors, featuring an eclectic mix of dishes that will transport your taste buds to new culinary heights. With dishes such as Artichoke Ceviche, Chilean Sea Bass and more, visitors can choose from a menu catered to different palates. To satisfy your sweet tooth, the menu offers Delicia de Luna, made up of dates cream, rose water, and pistachio to end the evening on a flavourful note. Priced at Dhs285, it takes place from sunset until 7:30pm and is located at the Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah.
    For more information visit coyarestaurant.com
    Josette

    Celebrate French cuisine in a sophisticated environment with a new sharing menu evoking sharing and abundance, for the Holy month of Ramadan. To perfect the ambiance of elegant and sophisticated décor and culinary playfulness of flavour, Arabic-inspired tunes will drift between guests as The Josette Quartour, Josette’s live quartet in collaboration with Dubai Opera elevate the night even further, the sweetest surrender. The new sharing Iftar menu is available throughout the month of Ramadan from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Priced at Dhs285 per person, a minimum booking of two people is required.
    For more information visit josette.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied by Stella McCartney More

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    How Mysk Al Badayer’s luxe Sharjah retreat takes you back in time

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    1 hour ago

    Situated amidst the heart of Sharjah, Mysk Al Badayer is a traditional resort that projects the Emirati lifestyle with a modern touch.
    From sunsets over the endless dunes to a plethora of handcrafted dining options, this resort is backed by an authentic cultural experience for guests to have a complete 360-degree experience.
    Whether you’re looking for a refined family escape or a romantic getaway, this property will ensure guests go back in time as each element of the retreat has an ancient story to tell.
    To understand more about this sophisticated property, Emirates Woman sat down with Shafik Alaaeddine, the Area General Manager of Mysk Hotels.
    The general design of the room is reminiscent of caravanserais. What inspired this concept?
    The entire retreat was built on the concept of a caravanserai – an oasis nestled in the dunes, a meeting point for travellers to discover heritage, culture and adventure. Our interiors are an expression of traditional architecture, not cliché, yet maintaining elements of the Arabian culture. You can choose between staying in a traditional tent with a private pool or in a heritage room, depending on the journey you would like to foster.

    The property is an ode to the Emirati lifestyle. How did you manage to incorporate this throughout the retreat?
    Close your eyes and imagine a caravanserai coming from a long way along the Silk Road. That would be the perfect example of what the Mysk Al Badayer Retreat presents. A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah. Live in a traditional Arabian castle from the age of times decorated with the comfort of modernity. Rooms are all adorned with Arabian culture and ornaments, leaving you with 1001 memories to reminisce about. The outdoor pool resembles an oasis, where the dwellers of the desert can relax and enjoy the sun.
    Mysk Al Badayer offers a traditional culinary experience, can you tell us more about how this has been carefully curated?
    Mysk Al Badayer Retreat will offer a traditional culinary experience for in-house guests as well as non-residents. Al Madam Restaurant is characterised by a contemporary design and interpretation of a modern-day eatery with elements of local charm. Al Madam offers a buffet breakfast, either buffet or set menu for lunch and dinner, and an à la carte menu covering international and regional fare. We also have a separate area upstairs, perfect for group seating with tailored menus as per choice, mainly for leisure or MICE groups.
    What main aspects constantly draw customers back to the property?
    The personal touch. We are a boutique retreat, where every individual guest is personally taken care by our trained staff. Due to the small size of our inventory, we are able to focus on personalised services and guest experiences. Each tent is also equipped with a Morafik that takes care of the guest’s needs 24/7 and it adds up to the overall oasis experience. The professionalism of the staff, their care and attention to detail, and the diversified and handcrafted Mysk Guest experiences are what usually attract customers to come back over and over to the property.
    The property offers a host of adrenaline-fuelled activities. Could you tell us more?
    Mysk Al Badayer retreat is created as a melting point for heritage, culture and adventure. It offers a lot for adventurers. Spend the day lounging as you enjoy the sun on your skin or go on an adrenaline-fueled adventure exploring the desert’s gems with desert safaris, quad biking, sand boarding, dune bashing, stargazing and falconry displays. Take a stroll along the golden glistening sand as it mystically sets on your vibrant energy with every footprint engraved along its path or go for a hiking trail through the mystique fossil rocks of Al Faya. Mysk Al Badayer has all the possibilities to encounter a raw desert at its fullest forms.

    From stargazing to Archery, guests have more than enough to do on the property. What are some of the upcoming activities in the next few months?
    We are enhancing the movie under the stars experience while adding more exposure to the zorb ball activity in the retreat and expanding on more Arabian journeys to allow our guests to be fully immersed in the desert experience. We are focusing on more desert F&B experiences as well such as afternoon tea by the dunes, romantic dinner surrounded by the dunes, outdoor pool special menu crafted for a day of fun.
    How is Sharjah developing as a hub for tourism?
    Sharjah has a unique place in the tourism landscape of the UAE. Sharjah got a great story to talk about heritage, arts, culture and nature. With the recent tourism infrastructure development rolled out under the vision of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah has attained many milestones in the tourism receipts to the emirates. Under the management of Shurooq and similar government-supported organization, many touristic destinations have been opened to the public, to experience the diversity of art, culture, heritage and nature that Sharjah has to offer. Sharjah Collection by Mysk, needless to say, has placed Sharjah on the luxury travel map with its unique experiential retreats and offerings
    How has the hospitality industry evolved since COVID-19?
    Hospitality has seen a significant change in its approach, both from the providers and the guests. Hotels have embraced new technologies in guest experiences like digital menus, touchless entries and customer engagement and have seen the power of Data and AI in terms of CRM, distribution systems and revenue management. From a consumer point of view, guests shifted their primary preferences to safety, privacy and exclusivity. The guests were ready to pay a premium for these factors and were cautious about the safety and hygiene features each hotel has to offer. Our retreats have performed exceptionally well during this time as our offering is matching the privacy, serenity, and far from the madding crowd attributes requested by the guests.
    You have guests from around the globe. How do you ensure a unique experience for each guest?
    The retreats are designed around guest experiences and a tailored customer journey. From the time a guest gets inspired and books our retreats, a well-defined customer journey has been curated for every single guest based on their choices and preferences. We use the power of technologies in gathering these data, and also through our trained Morafiks, who accompany the guests on this journey. We enrich their stay with memorable experiences and those little surprises which ensure their repeat visits. All these are handcrafted guest experiences, knitted through our customer knowledge, and get evolved from guest-to-guest engagements.
    To make a booking visit myskhotels.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More