Dubai's first 24-hour all-inclusive hotel to open in December


Hayley Skirka
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Hotel Riu Dubai will open at Deira Islands on Thursday, December 10. The four-star beachfront hotel by Riu Hotels & Resorts is the Spanish brand's first property in the Middle East.

The company has been operating for over six decades and its Dubai hotel marks the brand's 100th resort. It's also the first hotel to open at Nakheel's Deira Islands project.

Offering an all-inclusive stay, Hotel Riu Dubai will have a 24-hour concept that allows travellers to tuck into unlimited snacks, beverages and meals at any time of day or night.

Hotel Riu Dubai has 787 rooms, many of which come with an ocean view. There is set to be plenty of things to see and do such as live music, shows and evening entertainment, as well as a children's club jam-packed with activities.

Water park access and inflatables

Guests staying at Hotel Riu Dubai will have free entry to Splash Water World water park. Courtesy Riu Hotels & Resorts
Guests staying at Hotel Riu Dubai will have free entry to Splash Water World water park. Courtesy Riu Hotels & Resorts

Outside, there's three swimming pools and a children's pool. Splash Water World is also opening at the hotel. This large water park has several slides, jets and games for the whole family to check out, and access is included as part of the room rates. The beachfront location will also open out to a floating Aqua Park, entry to which is also part of the all-inclusive package.

When it comes to dining, there's several food and beverage destinations to pick from including seven restaurants such as The Moon – a Lebanese restaurant, Spices Asian eatery and Al Andalus, the hotel's main restaurant with alfresco seating.

For in-house guests, all meals and snacks are included and available to order any time of the day, this is inclusive of house beverages. Minibars in each room can be restocked at any time of the day, guests simply need to call and request this.

All travellers staying at Hotel Riu Dubai will be given an all-inclusive armband to wear during their stay which gives them free rein of the hotel and almost all of its facilities.

Watersports and spa treatments are available, but these will incur a separate charge. Travellers can use the spa facilities as part of the all-inclusive package and group fitness activities are also complimentary for guests staying at the hotel.

Opening rates for the hotels start from Dh489 per night and guests also get free travel medical assistance when booking a stay at the hotel.

What else is open at Deira Islands?

Nakheel's Deira Islands spans 15.3 square kilometres across four man-made islands. Courtesy Nakheel
Nakheel's Deira Islands spans 15.3 square kilometres across four man-made islands. Courtesy Nakheel

Deira Islands is taking shape adjacent to the oldest neighbourhood in Dubai. Consisting of four islands, it spans 15.3 kilometres and will have several attractions.

Accessible via road or boat, the community will be home to The Night Market, the world's largest waterfront shopping and dining destination which is set to have over 5,000 stalls and stores.

Another hotel – the Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai – will open here in 2021 and there's six marinas which will have space for over 600 boats and yachts when complete.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate? 
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties? 
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.