The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin hotel in Germany. Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin hotel in Germany. Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

Travel briefs: discover an Arabian side to Berlin



The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, is touting itself as the perfect home away from home for Middle Eastern visitors, and to ensure it lives up to the expectation, the city-centre hotel has expanded its offerings to provide an Arabian ambience. Services include Qurans and prayer rugs being made available to guests, as well as a staff welcome in Arabic and a halal menu. The Discover with You promotion costs from Dh1,160 per night, and includes accommodation, breakfast and hotel credit. It's valid until December 31. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.de/berlin.

Relax closer to home with Qasr Al Sarab

If you're looking for a quick, relaxing getaway without the hassle of flying, take advantage of the Spa Essence package from Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, located in the Empty Quarter. The new one-night package includes accommodation in a deluxe garden room, with breakfast and a two-and-a-half-hour spa itinerary. Guests will be treated to an hour Stress Release massage, an hour Elemis Modern Skin Facial and a 30-minute Oriental Foot Reviver massage. Visitors can also choose additional treatments from monthly spa offers, costing from Dh522. The package costs from Dh3,712, for two guests, including taxes. For more information, visit www.anantara.com.

A very rosy stay in untapped Oman

From April to May, the breathtaking Alila Jabal Al Akhdar resort in Oman transforms into a collage of spectacular shades of pink, as thousands of roses come to life down the mountainside. The resort's Rose Package, which is available until May 2, includes a two-night stay with breakfast, a welcome dinner, a guided tour of the rose terraces and a reviving rose facial for two. Set 2,000 metres above sea level, a stay at Alila Jabal Al Akhdar is at the centre of one of Oman's most untapped regions. The package costs from Dh4,055 per room. For more information, visit www.alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar.

Life is just beachy at Hotel Esencia

A beach holiday isn't complete without a beautiful stretch of sand, and one recently reopened hotel on Mexico's Caribbean coast ticks that box. Hotel Esencia is located on a private 50-acre estate surrounded by the Mayan Jungle. Originally built as a private hideaway for an Italian duchess, it was converted into a hotel in 2005, and is about an hour from Cancun. Fresh from a refurbishment, rooms cost from Dh2,920 per night for two people, including breakfast. For more information, visit www.hotelesencia.com.

mhealy@thenational.ae

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Rating: 5/5

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THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart