Chillout Ice Lounge, the sub-zero family attraction at Times Square Centre Dubai, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
Chillout Ice Lounge, the sub-zero family attraction at Times Square Centre Dubai, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
To mark the landmark birthday, the venue is offering deals for all including discounted entry prices.
To mark the landmark birthday, the venue is offering deals for all including discounted entry prices.
Ticket prices include rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers.
Ticket prices include rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers.
Opened in 2007, Chillout Ice Lounge was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Opened in 2007, Chillout Ice Lounge was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Spread across 213 square metres, and set at -6ºC, the lounge is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice.
Spread across 213 square metres, and set at -6ºC, the lounge is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice.
Visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink when they enter. They can also purchase tea and coffee as well as a hot chocolate.
Visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink when they enter. They can also purchase tea and coffee as well as a hot chocolate.
Food options include a selection of sandwiches, wraps and cakes.
Food options include a selection of sandwiches, wraps and cakes.
The menu is deliberately small because food gets cold really fast.
The menu is deliberately small because food gets cold really fast.
The chicken skewers.
The chicken skewers.
More than 150 tonnes of ice have been used so far since the lounge opened.
More than 150 tonnes of ice have been used so far since the lounge opened.
The attraction has hosted more than 600,000 guests since 2007.
The attraction has hosted more than 600,000 guests since 2007.
The designs and patterns in the lounge are carved by in-house staff members who work with huge ice blocks.
The designs and patterns in the lounge are carved by in-house staff members who work with huge ice blocks.
Sculptures last about nine months while the smaller ones last around four months. Touch-ups are done every 10 to 14 days.
Sculptures last about nine months while the smaller ones last around four months. Touch-ups are done every 10 to 14 days.
A major redesign of Chillout Ice Lounge is being planned, which will be its first since it opened in 2007.
A major redesign of Chillout Ice Lounge is being planned, which will be its first since it opened in 2007.
The intricate ice works.
The intricate ice works.
Franchise deals for the lounge are also being considered, with new locations in other parts of the UAE and in Saudi Arabia on the horizon.
Franchise deals for the lounge are also being considered, with new locations in other parts of the UAE and in Saudi Arabia on the horizon.
Furs cover intricate chairs carved out of ice.
Furs cover intricate chairs carved out of ice.
The temperature inside is set at -6°C.
The temperature inside is set at -6°C.
A shark sculpture at the lounge.
A shark sculpture at the lounge.
A seating area in the lounge.
A seating area in the lounge.
While visitors can stay for as long as they want, they don't usually stay for more than 40 minutes owing to the cold.
While visitors can stay for as long as they want, they don't usually stay for more than 40 minutes owing to the cold.

Lifestyle

Things to do

Chillout Ice Lounge in Dubai celebrates 15th anniversary with new summer deals

The cool family-friendly attraction opened in 2007 at Times Square Centre

David Tusing

August 05, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Big plans are afoot at Chillout Ice Lounge as it marks its 15th birthday.

While a major refurbishment is being chalked out, its first since it opened in June 2007, franchise deals are also on the horizon. New locations could be coming to other parts of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to its manager Parvinder Singh.

To mark the landmark anniversary this summer, the venue is also offering deals for all.

A family of four can enter for Dh190 including rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers. The family pass is normally priced at Dh240. An adult pass, which usually costs Dh80, is down to Dh60, too. It also includes use of clothing as well as being redeemable on food and drink.

Chillout Ice Lounge is located in Times Square Centre, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Chillout Ice Lounge is located in Times Square Centre, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Spread across 213 square metres and set at -6ºC, Chillout Ice Lounge was the Middle East's first sub-zero lounge. Furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice, visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink when they enter. They can also purchase tea and coffee as well as a signature hot chocolate drink. Food options include a selection of sandwiches, wraps and cakes.

"We've deliberately made the food and drink menu small, as you can imagine things get cold pretty fast," Singh says.

A major redesign of Chillout Ice Lounge is being planned, which was delayed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The food offering at the lounge is deliberately kept small, because things get cold fast. Antonie Robertson / The National
The food offering at the lounge is deliberately kept small, because things get cold fast. Antonie Robertson / The National

"Now, our first priority is to get back to the levels we were before the pandemic when we did the best financially. Then we have major plans for redesigning the whole space in terms of the look and feel. We haven't changed much since we opened in 2007," Singh says.

The designs and patterns in the lounge are carved by in-house staff members who work with huge ice blocks, he explains. Sculptures last about nine months while the smaller ones last around four months and touch-ups are done once every 10 to 14 days.

READ MORE

30 new things to do indoors in the UAE this summer

More than 150 tonnes of ice have been used so far, while more than 600,000 guests have visited the family-friendly attraction since its opening.

Chillout Ice Lounge has been able to thrive all these years because of its novelty factor, Singh says.

"There have been similar concepts but they have not been able to sustain it. There's no other place like this," he says. "We've managed to keep going mostly because of the patronage of UAE residents and visitors, mostly from Saudi Arabia. And, we've been hugely successful as a family concept and are very popular with children."

11 'cool' attractions and activities in Dubai, from the Ice Lounge to Snow Cinema — in pictures

Chillout Ice Lounge at Times Square Centre invites families to enjoy warm beverages and hot soups in the chilly atmosphere. Philip Cheung / The National
Chillout Ice Lounge at Times Square Centre invites families to enjoy warm beverages and hot soups in the chilly atmosphere. Philip Cheung / The National
The London Project has opened a pop-up ice bar in Dubai for summer. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The London Project has opened a pop-up ice bar in Dubai for summer. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Try skiing or snowboarding at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates. AP
Try skiing or snowboarding at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates. AP
Ski Dubai and Vox Cinemas have brought back their Snow Cinema experience for the summer months. Photo: Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai and Vox Cinemas have brought back their Snow Cinema experience for the summer months. Photo: Ski Dubai
Go indoor scuba diving at Deep Dive Dubai. Reuters
Go indoor scuba diving at Deep Dive Dubai. Reuters
Dive with the sharks at The Lost Chambers aquarium in Atlantis, The Palm. Sarah Dea / The National
Dive with the sharks at The Lost Chambers aquarium in Atlantis, The Palm. Sarah Dea / The National
Benoit Demeulemeester from Cool Out Breath In offers ice baths and breathwork workshops in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Benoit Demeulemeester from Cool Out Breath In offers ice baths and breathwork workshops in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Find a cryotherapy chamber at CRYO Health in Dubai. Photo: CRYO Health The Boulevard
Find a cryotherapy chamber at CRYO Health in Dubai. Photo: CRYO Health The Boulevard
Infinite Ski has a rolling slope that's open to skiiers of all abilities in Al Quoz. Photo: Instagram / Infinite Ski
Infinite Ski has a rolling slope that's open to skiiers of all abilities in Al Quoz. Photo: Instagram / Infinite Ski
Visitors ice skate with snowfall sessions at Dubai Ice Rink in The Dubai Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors ice skate with snowfall sessions at Dubai Ice Rink in The Dubai Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 640hp

Torque: 760nm

On sale: 2026

Price: Not announced yet

The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

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1888

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Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now

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Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

Company%20Profile
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Match info

Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group C

Liverpool v Napoli, midnight

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RESULTS

Bantamweight

Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

(Split decision)

Featherweight

Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

(Round 1 submission, armbar)

Catchweight 80kg

Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)

(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)

Lightweight

Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)

(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)

Lightweight

Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)

(Unanimous points)

Bantamweight

Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

(Round 1 TKO)

Featherweight

Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

(Round 1 rear naked choke)

Flyweight

Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)

(Unanimous decision)

Lightweight

Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)

(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)

Catchweight 73kg

Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)

(Round 3 submission, kneebar)

Bantamweight world title

Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)

(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)

Flyweight world title

Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

(Round 1 RSC)

The%20specs
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

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