Make the most of the quieter season with these stylish UAE staycations, from a luxury beachfront golf escape to complimentary beach days, suite upgrades and discounted spa treatments
With many tourists avoiding the heat, summer is a fantastic time to enjoy an enticing UAE staycation. Without hoards of travellers, hotels and resorts look to pull in UAE residents with exciting staycation offers, and additions like complimentary meals, free-flowing beverages, upgrades and spa discounts. A UAE staycation is also a fantastic way to make the most of the quieter months. Here are the best staycation deals in the UAE this summer.
Offer: AED500 credit, 24-hour breakfast, daily aperitif and Aquaventure access
One&Only The Palm is one of Dubai’s most romantic resorts – located on the outermost reaches of Palm Jumeirah’s western crescent and feeling like its own island escape (not 20-minutes from Dubai Marina). The 90-key hotel is Andalusian in its façade and style reminiscent of the Moorish Alhambra Palace and lures couples with its private spots and secretive feel. Palm trees frame the private slick of golden beach and the pool, loungers and private cabanas, while The Guerlain Spa – all pink and with waterfalls – will melt away any stresses. The hotel is home to a restaurant by triple-Michelin-star-winning chef Yannick Alléno and rooms come with balconies or furnished garden patios and are stocked with Acqua di Parma amenities – some even have private pools. This summer, the beautiful resort is offering AED500 resort credit per stay on all summer bookings, redeemable on the restaurant or spa, alongside daily sundowner aperitif in the lounge, daily Aquaventure Waterpark access and 24-hour breakfast available to the room. The offer is exclusively available to GCC residents with a valid ID.
oneandonlyresorts.com
The Lana, Dorchester Collection is one of Dubai’s most exciting new hotel openings, marking the illustrious Dorchester Collection’s debut into the region – a collection that includes Los Angeles’ Beverley Hills Hotel, Paris’ Hôtel Plaza Athénée, and of, course, London’s The Dorchester. Sitting on Dubai Canal, the stunning architectural marvel is the perfect spot for summer staycation – primarily indoors, with terraces and decks with swimming pools and outdoor dining. The shiny hotel is offering a UAE staycation deal from AED2,900, available until the end of the year, when booking a Sunrise of Marina room. As part of the stay, guests will receive AED 500 per stay credit to spend in the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars or use as a credit at the Dior Spa The Lana. Those staying in the Signature Suites will also benefit from complimentary transfers in the hotel’s bespoke Rolls-Royces, ensuring a grand arrival.
The hotel is also offer a Family Time package for starting from AED3,640 (valid on stays through 2024) including a luxurious room and 50% off second interconnecting room for two adults and two children. The pacakges includes complimentary transfers in the hotel’s bespoke Rolls-Royces and a special gift for each child and breakfast at Riviera by Jean Imbert. For a weekend escape, the Elevate Your Summer package offers a guaranteed double upgrade on stays booked until the end of September, with early check in from 7am and late check out until 6pm from AED1,640.
dorchestercollection.com
Offer: All-inclusive dining, watersports activities and waterpark access
Availability: Until 24th December
The newest addition to Marriott’s five-star beachfront resort complex – a strip that encompasses The Westin and Le Meridien – W Dubai is an upscale playground perfect for a sleek weekend escape or summer staycation. Highlights include the WET Deck, the famous W poolside serving cocktails and eclectic DJ sets, and BAR – B, a wellness spa-cum-bar and social space. The playful resort is offering an all-inclusive package which includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks for up to two adults and two children below 12 years old. A minibar with beers and soft drinks is complimentary on arrival, alongside non-motorised watersports activities and unlimited access to the Kids Club and Jungle Bay Waterpark. Guests can book directly using discount code YX1 to avail the offer.
marriott.com; @wdubaiminaseyahi
Offer: stay and non-stay packages
Availability: Until the end of the year
Despite being just 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Meliá Desert Palm feels like a serene oasis – a lush equestrian-themed resort set within a 64-acre polo estate surrounded by sands. True to the chic Spanish brand, the design is impeccable – all natural and modern – and villas come with tranquil private pools, making it one of the best romantic UAE staycation deals. This summer, couples staying in any of Meliá Desert Palm’s one, two, or three-bedroom spacious villas can enjoy an exclusive in-villa BBQ dinner experience with a private chef, starting at AED 700, a luxury afternoon tea set up from AED350 (try the smoked salmon black sesame bagel with cream cheese and mature Spanish manchego anejo) and a full-body in-villa massage for two for AED1,200 for 60 minutes and AED1,500 for 90. Making the most of long summer days, breakfast is served until 1pm by the pool, adding to the convenience of your stay.
Those not checking in to the resort can enjoy access to this temperature-controlled infinity pool oasis with unlimited cocktails for just AED222 per person throughout the season – enhanced by the beats of a resident DJ. Other summer offers for non-resident guests include full-day access to the resort’s infinite pool – with views over the polo field – and AED150 in poolside f&B credit. The offer also includes a 60-minute full-body massage with full access to the spa and fitness facilities (alongside classes) for AED599 per person and AED999 for two.
Price: from AED1,240
Availability: all summer
The St. Regis Downtown Dubai offers a taste of the iconic brand’s world-renowned luxury in the heart of Dubai – making it the best staycation deals in the UAE for a city centre shopping escape or vibrant weekend retreat. The luxurious, glossy hotel is offering a summer Luxury Suite Escape – an inclusive package where guests can enjoy a full-board meal, complimentary mini bar replenished daily including alcoholic beverages (excluding champagne) and a daily minute spa treatment for two – all starting at AED1,240.
The offer: breakfast, lunch, dinner and watersports – villas from AED2,500
Availability: 31st December
The Ritz-Carlton, Al Hamra Beach. Al Hamra is a Balinese-style resort located on the white sands of the vibrant Al Hamra community – home to an 18-hole golf course, shops, a marina and restaurants. Guests stay in a collection of beachfront private pool villas and enjoy foliage-filled gardens, beach access and Indian Ocean island-inspired decor with billowing white bed drapes, lots of teak and outdoor bathtubs and showers. For the resort of the year, the hotel is offering a Beach Escapes Package which includes a stay in a private pool villa overlooking the beach, breakfast, lunch and dinner and access to spa facilities and watersports activities when booking using promotional code D60.
Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah; villas from AED2,500 per night; ritzcarlton.com/alhamrabeach
The offer: wellness consultations, spa treatments, yoga, full-board dining – villas from AED2,500
Availability: 21st November
Nestled in the burnt-orange dunes of the Ras Al Khaimah desert, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is one of the UAE’s most iconic desert resorts. Popular for honeymoons, romantic escapes and family breaks, the unique property is a wellness-themed staycation perfect for a restorative weekend break from the city. The one night, two-day stay begins with a personalised 60-min consultation, and then includes two massages and two relaxing yoga sessions. The programme includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and ends with a post-programme consultation. Bookings can be availed by using the promotional code: SPA.
ritzcarlton.com
The offer: AED5,500 per couple
Availability: Daily
The luxurious St. Regis Abu Dhabi is a fabulous city escape – right in the heart of the UAE capital with stunning views over its white-sand coastline. To celebrate the revamp of its exquisite spa, it’s offering a Spa in the Sky daycation offer – which includes a 90-minute customised massage, a luxurious handcrafted Fleurs de velours moon bouquet, a three-course dinner at the Grand Majlis of the suite, private sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi, and a VIP luxury ride in its in-house limousine, to and from any desired location in Abu Dhabi.
Call +971 2 694 4100 or email stregisspaad@stregis.com.
Ian Schrager’s sophisticated Edition is one of Abu Dhabi’s sleekest and most popular hotels, located at the trendy Al Bateen marina and bringing the brand’s signature London-meets-New York City vibe to the UAE capital. The property has brought back its popular annual ‘EDITION Escape’ offer, where guests can enjoy an overnight stay in a deluxe room with breakfast and dinner at chic Alba Terrace from AED700 per night. The escape offer is only available on certain dates, so make sure to check with reservations to avoid disappointment.
AL Bateen, Abu Dhabi; editionhotels.com, +971 02 208 0000
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