As coronavirus restrictions in Dubai have eased off in recent weeks, most hotels have reopened facilities, with many swimming pools, beaches and restaurants now welcoming guests.
With flights in and out of the country currently suspended, UAE residents have been quick to book a staycation or a pool day. Yet, while many hotels across the country have reopened with enhanced hygiene policies and social distancing measures in place, several of the country’s most renowned hotels remain closed to guests.
From the world-famous Burj Al Arab to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, you can count these hotels out when it comes to booking your next local getaway.
1. Burj Al Arab
One of the world's most famous hotels is temporarily closed for reservations. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is not open to guests, and neither are the restaurants and leisure facilities. The National has reached out to the Jumeirah group for more information on when the hotel will reopen, but online bookings are unavailable throughout June. The first available date guests can book a stay is Wednesday, July 1.
According to a pop-up notice on the Jumeirah website, only a selection of the hotel group’s “most popular restaurants, beaches and pools are operational, in strict accordance with health and safety regulations from the Ministry of Health and Prevention”.
If you’re keen for a Jumeriah hotel stay, you can still check-in at Jumeirah Al Naseem, Al Qasr, Zabeel Saray or the Creekside Hotel.
2. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Dubai’s Bab Al Shams has closed its doors to guests in what it is calling a precautionary measure. Those looking to escape to the sand dunes on the outskirts of the city, are currently unable to do so as bookings at this classic resort are suspended until further notice. The hotel – which is a sister property with The Meydan Hotel – has also closed its restaurants, spa and swimming pool.
"We have chosen to use this time to carry out essential works and maintenance at both properties, so that when we reopen, we will continue to provide seamless five-star experiences to higher standards for all of our guests," says Ziad Sleiman, hotel manager at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. The hotel will reopen in July, but the exact date is not yet known.
3. Armani Hotel Dubai
The only hotel in the world's tallest building has temporarily paused all guest reservations. That means that sleek interiors designed by Giorgio Armani at the Armani Hotel are currently off-limits to travellers. Bookings on rooms are suspended until at least September, and only residents can access the hotel. Popular restaurants, including Armani Hashi and Ristorante, in the Burj Khalifa hotel are also temporarily closed. Online reservations are unavailable for stays before Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
4. The Meydan Hotel, Dubai
Every year, the eyes of the world are on the Meydan Hotel as it steps up to host spectators at the world’s richest horse race during the Dubai World Cup.
While we are temporarily closing our doors with a heavy heart, we know that this is the right decision
This year, the sporting event was postponed in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Since then, The Meydan Hotel has closed its doors to guests.
The hotel's manager explains: "These are incredibly difficult times for us all. While we are temporarily closing our doors with a heavy heart, we know that this is the right decision to ensure the health and safety of our community." The hotel is set to reopen soon, with reservations being accepted for stays in July, and the Qube Sports Bar inside the hotel having already reopened on Monday, June 15.
5. Park Hyatt Dubai
This sprawling hotel inside Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has closed its doors stating that “the safety and well-being of our guests and colleagues is always a top priority.”
No bookings can be made for stays at the hotel, which has long been a favourite with UAE residents thanks to its beautiful design and secluded location near the Dubai Creek. All restaurants, bars and recreational facilities are also closed during this time. According to the Park Hyatt Dubai’s website, room reservations can be booked for stays from Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
6. W Dubai – The Palm
The achingly cool W Dubai The Palm is temporarily closed. Home to stunning palm views, the party-vibe hotel is temporarily not accepting in-house or day guests. Popular restaurants Akira Back and Massimo Botura’s Torno Subito are also closed as is the hotel’s Wet Deck and Away spa.
Judging by the hotel's "camera deckchair", it's all quiet at W Dubai for the moment. But with its Facebook page boasting "Fabulous views are always on the cards, watch this space for a reopening date," it doesn't look like the new-found quiet will last too much longer and there is talk of an end of July reopening.
7. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort (villa bookings still available)
This popular seafront destination on Saadiyat Island is closed to almost all guests until further notice. All guest rooms, restaurants, the spa and the 440 metre-long beach and swimming pools are shut. However, reservations can be made for stays in the resort's private luxury three or four-bedroom villas, but only for bookings longer than two nights and with the understanding that the resort and its facilities remain closed. There is no confirmed reopening date for the hotel yet, but bookings for regular rooms reopen on the website for stays from Saturday, August 1, 2020.
8. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
If an escape to the remote Empty Quarter deep in the Abu Dhabi desert was on your mind, you’ll have to hold that thought for a little longer. That’s because Anantara's Qasr Al Sarab – perhaps the most renowned desert escape in Abu Dhabi – is currently closed. According to Anantara, the move is “part of our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our guests and team members.”
However, the wait isn’t going to be too long as the hotel is planning to reopen to guests in late July, in time for Eid Al Adha.
9. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Shortly after it opened, the W Yas Island closed again after staff on the UAE Tour that were in contact with guests at the hotel tested positive for Covid-19. That was in February, and the hotel was shut down for a 14-day quarantine period. For now, the 499-room hotel remains temporarily closed with no confirmed reopening date, but bookings are being accepted for stays from Thursday, July 30.
10. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts
One of the UAE's most unique locations, Sir Bani Yas Island is home to some of the country's most fascinating wildlife and three resorts. For the moment, the wildlife have the island all to themselves as Anantara's resorts are closed to visitors. There's no confirmed date for when bookings will reopen at Al Yamm Villa Resort, Al Sahel Villa Resort or the Desert Islands Resort and Spa, but a spokesperson advised The National that island stays will be possible in time for Eid Al Adha, expected to start at the end of July.
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
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds
Price: Dh633,435
On sale: now
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sweet%20Tooth
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
BIRD%20BOX%20BARCELONA
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About%20My%20Father
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaura%20Terruso%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20De%20Niro%2C%20Sebastian%20Maniscalco%2C%20Kim%20Cattrall%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
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
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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Company%20Profile
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World Test Championship table
1 India 71 per cent
2 New Zealand 70 per cent
3 Australia 69.2 per cent
4 England 64.1 per cent
5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent
6 West Indies 33.3 per cent
7 South Africa 30 per cent
8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent
9 Bangladesh 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
