We're right in the middle of the UAE summer - which means the temperatures are peaking, but so are the summer deals. So, at the moment you can spend the whole day by a five-star pool (often with gym facilities, food and more included) for about the same price as a lunch out.
Here are 10 deals to try - there are under Dh100 options, as well as ultra-luxe ones too...
ABU DHABI
1. The Bayshore Beach Club, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Spend the day by this infinity pool that overlooks the Arabian Gulf for Dh80 per person, Dh140 per couple, or Dh250 for a family of two adults and two children. There are two pools in fact, one on the third floor and one right by the beach. There's also 160 metres of private beach, a gym that you can use, a play area for kids as well as a shaded children's pool.
8am to 8pm, daily (beach closes at sunset). Call 02 697 2316 or visit website for more.
2. Rosewood Abu Dhabi
You can access this 25-metre pool, which boasts gorgeous skyline views, for Dh150 during weekdays, and Dh250 during weekends. You will then get Dh100 credit back to spend on food and drinks while there.
6am to 9pm, daily. Call 02 813 5550 or visit website for more.
3. Saadiyat Beach Club
This beach club feels truly away from it all: buy a day pass here and you will get access to the beach, pool, loungers, workout room and the spa, steam and Jacuzzi from 8am onwards. You can opt for the brunch and pool access deal on Fridays for Dh399 per person, or pay Dh320 for a single weekend pass, Dh445 for a couple weekend pass, Dh125 for children aged 7 to 17 (those under 7 are free). On weekdays, it's Dh210 for a single pass, and Dh295 for couple access. You'll also get a Dh50 voucher back for food and beverage.
8am to 9pm (unless there's a special event on), daily. Call 02 656 3500 or visit website for more.
4. Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi
For a truly luxury option, opt to spend the day at one of Abu Dhabi's largest swimming pools at a rate of Dh320 for adults on weekends, and Dh210 on weekdays. The mammoth beachside pool is 57 metres long, and the rate also includes access to the healthclub and sauna facilities.
7am to 7pm, daily. Call 02 818 8888 or visit website for more.
5. Aloft Abu Dhabi
This large pool costs just Dh76 for adults on weekdays, while on weekends it's Dh55 for ladies and Dh109 for men. The package includes access to both the pool and the gym.
7am to 11pm, daily. Call 02 654 5147 or visit website for more.
DUBAI
1. Club Mina Dubai
There are five pools to choose from across the 500-metre stretch of beach from Le Meridien Mina Seyahi to the Westin, and day passes are Dh220 for adults on weekdays, and Dh310 on weekends. Children are Dh110 on weekdays, and Dh160 on weekends.
8.30am to sunset, daily. Call 04 318 1420 or visit website for more.
2. Media One Hotel
This 8th floor pool right in the middle of Dubai Media City costs Dh80 to access, with that entry fee fully redeemable against food and beverages. So, it's essentially free. Expect a lively, young atmosphere later in the day.
12pm to 7pm, daily. Call 04 427 1000 or visit website for more.
3. Summersalt, Jumeirah Al Naseem
This pool isn't ginormous, but it is an infinity pool with unrivaled views of the Burj Al Arab, and the service at the club has a very luxury, VIP feel. Go early and you will discover a laid back vibe, while later in the day, a DJ brings a Cote D'Azur energy. A day pass is Dh242 per person, daily, and you will receive a welcome drink, fruit plate, water, and access to the pool, beach and changing rooms.
9am to 6pm, daily. Call 04 432 3232 or visit website for more.
4. Address Boulevard
This relatively new hotel in Downtown Dubai has a deal for pool access at the moment that means if you pay Dh250 for a day pass, you will get Dh150 back in F&B credit. So, pool and lunch then? The infinity pool is on the third floor, and has a view of the Burj Khalifa.
9am to 8pm, daily. Call 04 561 8888 or visit website for more.
5. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
If you fancy spotting an oryx during your pool day, then you can't beat Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, which is inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It's a more luxury, and pricier option, but the Dh550 per person day pass to the main pool at the spa does include lunch, as well as unlimited tea and coffee and a selection of soft drinks. Also, considering the rooms at the hotel all have their own private pools, the main pool is likely to remain delightfully quiet throughout the day.
8am to 8pm, daily. Call 04 832 9900 or visit website for more.
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Read more:
14 fantastic summer staycation deals in hotels across the UAE
Your essential guide to things to do in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Your definitive list of things to do in Dubai
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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
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.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
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
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
