The UAE is known for its extravagant Valentine's Day packages, tailor-made for romance with a heavy dose of opulence.
For those looking to go all out, here are four options to consider, ranging from Dh10,000 to a quarter of a million.
Swim by moonlight
Price: Dh9,600
For those whose idea of romantic bliss is a spa evening, Burj Al Arab is offering a “romantic version” of its 90-minute interior tour, plus access to UMA Lounge with one complimentary beverage per person.
The main event, however, is a moonlight swim in the pool at Talise Spa, with two glasses of sparkling served with strawberries and cream, and a well-being massage for two.
The tour can be scheduled between 10.30am and 7pm, while the spa activities take place between 7pm and 10pm. The Dh9,600 package is available throughout Valentine’s Day week.
Cheaper packages are available including a tour with sunset drinks at UMA Lounge for Dh998 per couple; a dinner package for Dh1,598 per couple; and an afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar for Dh839.
Lavish feast
Price: Dh10,000
The Japanese concept of omakase (where you let the chef choose the menu) is fast becoming the latest trend in luxury dining in the UAE. This year, TakaHisa, the Japanese restaurant in Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, offers couples a menu crafted from the finest of ingredients.
Expect Shiromi truffle, A5 Kobe beef (marbling score 12), abalone (the world’s most expensive shellfish) and Almas caviar that arrives in a Louis Vuitton trunk. The restaurant is also offering a caviar-free package, for Dh4,800. Designer coasters and chopsticks, too, are provided for each course.
Roses, more roses
Price: Dh50,000
As part of a collaboration between Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah and Flowers.ae, couples spend a night in the hotel's presidential suite, which will be adorned with 5,000 red roses imported from Europe. A one-night stay in the room also comes with access to its terrace with a whirlpool, outdoor bar, sun deck and dance floor.
Room with a view
Price: Dh250,000
If a cosy Swiss chalet is your idea of a romantic holiday, you can stay in one right here in the UAE. The Aspen Ski Chalet in the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is not only equipped with a faux fireplace and rustic-looking decor, but also comes with views of the snow-covered slopes of Ski Dubai.
The five-night “quarter million” Valentine's Day package begins on Friday. It includes private check-in and checkout facilities, all food and beverages prepared by a private chef, access to the hotel's executive lounge, a dedicated butler who will ensure guests have a welcome bouquet as well as drawing up a romantic bath, and late checkout on February 15.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
