Lounging next to the pool is one of the best ways to cool down in the summer.
For those staying back in or travelling to the UAE, plenty of hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah offer day passes throughout August and September.
From a day at the newly opened adults-only Anantara Santorini to an infinity pool with stunning skyline views of Dubai, here are some of the best daycation deals available this summer.
Day passes in Abu Dhabi
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi has an all-inclusive daycation pass that comes with pool and beach access, as well as a buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch. There are four swimming pools on-site – two for families, one for children and one for adults. The latter also has a swim-up bar.
Dh399 for adults, Dh199 for children aged three to six on weekdays, or Dh499 per adult, Dh249 for children on weekends and public holidays, children below three are free; Al Marina; 02 498 0000
The Abu Dhabi Edition
The hotel in Al Bateen offers a day pass that includes access to the pool, a 30-minute massage and Dh100 worth of redeemable credit on food and drinks. The secluded pool is set against the marina skyline and has private cabanas and sun loungers.
Dh400 per adult; Al Bateen; 02 208 0000
Anantara Santorini
The newly opened adults-only hotel on the shores of Ghantoot has a day pass that comes with pool and beach access, as well as Dh200 credit to use on food and drinks. To replicate Santorini’s famed white and sugary soft feeling, sand on the beach was brought in from Algeria.
Until August 31; Dh500 per person; Ghantoot; 02 817 0000
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
About a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi and a little over two hours from Dubai, the resort in the Empty Quarter of the Liwa desert offers a day pass. It includes access to amenities such as the main pool – which has stunning views of the dunes – and dining at poolside bar Ghadeer or rooftop lounge Suhail. Treatments at the Anantara Spa are available for an additional cost. Adults get Dh100 back in dining credit, while children get Dh65.
Until September 30; Dh260 per adult, Dh130 per child aged 11 or below; Al Mirayr; 02 886 2088
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Palace Pass gives access to the hotel's pools and private beach facilities. There are two sprawling swimming pools on-site, one on the east and one on the west side of the hotel. They come with sun loungers, Jacuzzi jets and poolside bar service. For children, there are two water slides as well as the AquaFun Park, an inflatable obstacle course on the 1.3km stretch of private beach. Guests will also get also Dh100 back in dining credit.
Dh300 per adult on weekdays, or Dh350 per adult on weekends; Corniche; 02 690 9000
Day passes in Dubai
Address Beach Resort
The hotel's Swim & Dine offer includes the option of a breakfast buffer or a bento box lunch at The Restaurant, or a two-course set menu at Beach Grill in addition to pool and beach access. There are three ground pools including a family pool and two adult-only pools that all offer oceanfront views.
Until August 31; 9am to sunset; Dh238 per adult; The Walk, JBR; 04 879 8888
Voco Monaco Dubai
The adults-only resort in the Heart of Europe development on The World Islands is a 35-minute boat ride across the Arabian Gulf. For those seeking a day escape, the pass offers access to the hotel’s massive swimming pool and Lagoon Pool Bar, in which there are daily DJ sets. There is also a 700-metre private beach. The offer includes Dh150 credit that is redeemable on food and drinks.
Dh200 per adult; The Heart of Europe; 04 549 0800
NH Collection the Palm
The first NH Collection in the Middle East has a pool day pass at View 180, which calls itself the “most Instagrammable rooftop infinity pool” with 360º views of Dubai Marina and Dubai Eye. Sunbeds and cabanas are available.
From Dh150 per adult; 10am to 6pm; Palm Jumeirah; 04 549 7777
Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites
Rixos on the Palm has an all-inclusive daycation package that includes buffet breakfast and lunch at A La Turca, unlimited drinks at Bodrum Lounge or Bar1 and complimentary pool and beach access. Little ones can also explore Rixy Kids Club, which includes a children’s pool. Use the code Social15 to get a 15 per cent discount, while two children between the ages of one and 12 go free with a paying adult.
Dh399 per weekday, or Dh499 on weekends; Palm Jumeirah; 04 457 5555
Banyan Tree Dubai
The hotel has a pool and beach day pass that comes with Dh300 redeemable food and drink credit at either Alizee restaurant or Alizee Pool & Beach. There are three chilled pools and a private beach that spans 500 metres and overlooks the Arabian Gulf and Ain Dubai.
Dh300 per adult from Mondays to Thursdays, Dh400 from Fridays to Sundays, children under 12 are free; Bluewaters Island; 04 556 6666
Day pass in Sharjah
The Chedi Al Bait
The Chedi Al Bait has two summer day pass and dining options. The first is a 60-minute massage with full access to the oasis-style pool for Dh450 per person, while the second is lunch at The Restaurant along with pool access at Dh220 per person. These are on until September 30.
Until September 30; Heart of Sharjah; 06 502 555
Day pass in Fujairah
Fairmont Fujairah
Fairmont Fujairah has a pass that offers all-day access to its chalet at Lava Beach Club that comes with beach and pool facilities. Little ones will also get access to the hotel's children's club, play area and games. There are two options – Dh350 per chalet with Dh200 credit in food and beverage for two adults and two children, or Dh500 per chalet with unlimited drinks from the selected menu.
9am to 5pm; Suwayfah; 09 204 1111
Day passes in Ras Al Khaimah
BM Beach Resort
The animal-friendly resort has a day pass that comes with pool and beach, unlimited drinks and a buffet lunch at Oasis restaurant. There’s also access to the hotel’s dog-friendly facilities (including a stretch of beach for furry friends) and dining.
Dh160 per person; Al Nadiyah; 07 203 4000
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
The popular hotel reopened at the end of last year after an extensive renovation. It currently has a Vitamin Sea and Sun pass that includes beach and pool access, as well as dining credit back in the form of Dh150 per adult. There are several pools to choose from, including the main pool, adults-only sunset pool and a water park area with slides.
Dh200 per adult on weekdays, Dh250 per adult on weekends; Al Hamra Village; 07 203 5555
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa
The daycation pass from the InterContinental offers access to the hotel’s infinity pool, private beach and health club that has a sauna and whirlpool. There’s also Dh100 redeemable credit per adult on food and drinks from noon to 4pm.
8am to 7pm; Dh200 per adult from Monday to Thursday, Dh350 per adult from Friday to Sunday, Dh100 for children aged five to 12; Mina Al Arab; 07 202 6666
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Kandahar%20
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Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Barack Beach, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Woodditton, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Secret Trade, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mark Of Approval, Antonio Fresu, Mahmood Hussain.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tradesman, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
