Dubai’s newest hotel has opened at Deira Islands.
With 607 rooms and suites, the Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai is now welcoming overnight guests.
It’s the first hotel in Dubai from Centara Hotels & Resorts, one of Thailand’s leading hotel groups and a brand that's known for its family-friendly resorts.
Located right on the shoreline at Deira Islands, Dubai’s new waterfront city, the hotel is only steps away from the recently opened Souk Al Marfa seafront marketplace.
The “family-themed” hotel has plenty on offer to keep children entertained, and up to two children can stay and eat free on each reservation.
Water slides, obstacle courses and a candy-themed spa
As well as having its own waterpark complete with a beachfront swimming pool, waterslides, rock jumping points and a meandering lazy river, the hotel also has an outdoor playground, an aerial obstacle course and a candy-themed spa that’s only for youngsters.
There are also three age-specific children’s clubs, with one dedicated to teenagers.
For adults, there are plenty of water sports, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and the luxurious Spa Cenvaree, which has hot and cold plunge pools and offers a wide variety of treatments, including a classic Thai massage.
The resort is inspired by mythical Thai and Arabian adventures, and brightly painted elephants, murals and decor can be found throughout the hotel, including in the colourful Mirage Family Lounge where beanbags, games, and refreshments await the whole family.
When it comes to dining, there’s something for even the fussiest eaters, with nine different restaurants and bars.
These include an authentic Thai restaurant called Suan Bua and Uno Mas, an Argentinian grill. The seaside-themed Sands Beach Club is the place to eat if you're craving seafood, with colourful wall murals, al fresco and indoor tables.
Up on the rooftop, Sheesh specialises in Lebanese mezze and a variety of shisha flavours. Other outlets at the resort include Vistas, the Lobby Bar, Zing Deli and Waves Pool Bar.
Bunk beds and sea views
With more than 600 rooms at the hotel, there's guaranteed to be one to suit every size of group. In keeping with the family theme, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai offers a choice of private rooms, interconnecting rooms, bunk beds rooms and larger two-bedroom suites.
All come with either Dubai city skyline views or vistas over the sparkling Arabian Gulf. The 50-square-metre Mirage Junior suites are a good pick if you need a bit more space. Each comes with bunk beds, a king-size bed, ensuite bathroom and wraparound vistas.
The hotel is the debut for Centara in Dubai, but guests can rest assured they'll be in good hands as it's the third family-focused resort from the brand which also operates hotels in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand.
The Lost World-themed Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular family resorts, and in Vietnam, the hotel group owns the Explorer’s Playground-themed Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne.
Stays from Dh587 per night, including breakfast but excluding taxes; www.centarahotelsresorts.com
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
More on Quran memorisation:
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
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.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
