Nine UAE Ramadan staycation deals: from an Abu Dhabi island to a Fujairah retreat


Hayley Skirka
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Ramadan is right around the corner and with that comes shorter working hours and a renewed focus on spending quality time with loved ones.

Grab your friend and family and escape the hustle and bustle of the city or simply go explore what else the UAE has to offer with one of these top staycation deals.

From indulging in a bonfire-lit suhoor in Sharjah to enjoying the coast and mountain views in Fujairah, here are nine Ramadan stays to consider booking in April.

1. Rixos Bab Al Bahr — Ras Al Khaimah

Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah has special discounts on family stays this Ramadan. Book a minimum of two nights at the resort on Marjan Island and you'll get a 15 per cent discount on regular rates for family suites. Guests can also enjoy iftar in the resort’s all-day dining restaurant or at Turkish restaurant Lalezar, and suhoor is included for all in-house guests.

Guided sunset yoga classes and Pilates will run throughout the holy month to help guests ensure they remain active during their stay and there are discounted rates on traditional hammam and massage services.

If you’re not fasting, you can still avail of the discounted room rates and it’s business as usual at the hotel where there's also a packed entertainment schedule for little ones at Rixy Kids’ Club.

Ramadan stays from Dh3,700 in a family suite sleeping two adults and two children for two nights, all-inclusive, excluding taxes; Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah; rixos.com

2. Emirates Palace — Abu Dhabi

Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is open for staycations this holy month. Photo: Artur Aldyrkhanov / Unsplash
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is open for staycations this holy month. Photo: Artur Aldyrkhanov / Unsplash

For a Ramadan to remember, consider a stay at the ultra-luxury Emirates Palace. Nestled opposite Abu Dhabi’s corniche, the palatial property is offering discounted room rates on stays during the holy month. Guests can get 20 per cent off rooms, and a 25 per cent discount when booking more than one room, ideal for larger families. There’s also complimentary iftar for two, and your choice of in-room suhoor or breakfast.

Early check-in and late check-out will guarantee your stay is a relaxed affair and children under 12 dine at the hotel outlets at no extra cost. You’ll also get a gift on departure as a memento of your Ramadan stay.

From Dh1,675 per night, Emirates Palace, W Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi; mandarinoriental.com

3. Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach ResortFujairah

Enjoy one of the largest pools in Fujairah at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. Photo: Marriott
Enjoy one of the largest pools in Fujairah at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. Photo: Marriott

Delve into the spirit of relaxation at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah’s Hajar mountains. With beautiful sea views and fresh mountain air, it’s the ideal place to reconnect with friends and family.

All guests get access to the hotel’s private beach and one of the largest swimming pools in the emirate as well as non-motorised water sports and beach activities. Children under 12 can stay free of charge and will also have access to the hotel's club for youngsters.

As the sun sets, enjoy iftar at Views, where a buffet-style dining experience is served accompanied by panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains.

From Dh583 (weekdays), and Dh808 (weekends), excluding taxes. Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah; Marriott.com

4. Al Raha Beach Hotel — Abu Dhabi

Soak up the sunshine at Abu Dhabi’s Al Raha Beach Hotel with a relaxing Ramadan staycation. Book a spacious room or ensure privacy in one of the hotel’s well-equipped villas. As well as having direct access to the resort’s pristine shoreline, guests checking in during the holy month will get 25 per cent off on food and beverages at the hotel’s restaurants.

Enjoy suhoor at the Saraya Tent and indulge in a lavish Iftar buffet at Sevilla. The newly renovated La Piscine restaurant and bar is the ultimate poolside spot if you want to take a dip and dine, and little ones can enjoy the hotel's outdoor play area, cinema and children's pool.

From Dh350 per room per night, excluding taxes; Al Raha Beach Hotel, Channel Street, Abu Dhabi; danathotels.com

5. Rove City Walk — Dubai

The music-centric Rove City Walk is handing out complimentary iftars to guests this Ramadan.
The music-centric Rove City Walk is handing out complimentary iftars to guests this Ramadan.

Within walking distance of the Coca-Cola Arena and all the shops, restaurants and cafes that this area has to offer, Rove City Walk is a good choice for a staycation this Ramadan if you want to be in the heart of Dubai.

The musical-themed hotel is also offering special room rates and each stay will include a complimentary iftar at The Daily restaurant. Even better, for every iftar consumed, you'll get a complimentary voucher valid for another iftar meal at any of Rove's The Daily restaurants, allowing you to share the love with family, friends or someone in need.

Ramadan staycation offers are available across all Rove Hotels, but rates vary depending on date and location.

From Dh542 per night, excluding taxes. Rove City Walk, Al Badaa Street, Al Wasl, Dubai; rovehotels.com

6. Mysk Moon Retreat — Sharjah

Take some time out this Ramadan to escape the hustle and bustle of city life with a trip to Mysk Moon Retreat amid the sand dunes of Sharjah's Mleiha.

While it's not a staycation of the traditional kind, the tented resort is offering guests access to private dome tents as a place to relax between enjoying a tasty iftar and a suhoor spread.

Late check-in during Ramadan starts at 5pm so that you don’t have too long to wait until breaking your fast. Feast on barbecue delights and then retreat to your tent where an outdoor terrace is a nice spot to sit and take in the night sky and a private plunge pool is a good place to cool off. Afterwards, enjoy suhoor at the communal bonfire area before heading back home.

From Dh999 per person, excluding taxes. Al Shuwaib-Umm Al Quwain Rd, Sharjah; mysk.com

7. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island — Abu Dhabi

Check in to Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi for an all-inclusive stay overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Book at least two nights to get special Ramadan room rates that come with a complimentary spa treatment at Spa Escape.

There’s also a private shoreline, several swimming pools, water sports and a wealth of restaurants to choose from, including iftar at all-day dining restaurant Turquoise. Mermaid restaurant will also be serving daily iftar and in-house guests can indulge here for a Dh50 supplement, which is worth it for the beautiful views over Saadiyat Island. Late-night suhoor is also on the menu.

Dh1,500 per room, per night, all inclusive, minimum 2-night stay; Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; Book through reservation.saadiyat@rixos.com; rixos.com

8. Dubai Edition — Dubai

Enjoy a Ramadan staycation at The Dubai Edition. Photo: Marriott
Enjoy a Ramadan staycation at The Dubai Edition. Photo: Marriott

Having opened in November, The Dubai Edition is offering guests a special staycation rate this Ramadan that includes suhoor and iftar during each stay. Check into the Ian Schrager-designed boutique hotel where you’ll have awesome views of Burj Khalifa and be in the vicinity of The Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera.

When the sun sets, get ready to enjoy a delicious iftar menu from the hotel’s upscale Italian restaurant Duomo where you’ll feast under an ever-changing artistic display cast on to vaulted cathedral ceilings. Later relax in your spacious room or suite and enjoy an intimate suhoor from the hotel’s in-room dining menu.

Dh1,999 per night per couple, excluding taxes. Dubai Edition, Fountain Street, Downtown Dubai, Dubai; marriott.com

9. The Chedi Al Bait - Sharjah

The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah is offering a Ramadan staycation inclusive of suhoor or breakfast, and optional iftar. Photo: GHM Hotels
The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah is offering a Ramadan staycation inclusive of suhoor or breakfast, and optional iftar. Photo: GHM Hotels

Escape to Sharjah for a peaceful Ramadan stay in one of the emirate's most upscale resorts. The Chedi Al Bait offers a quiet locale away from the bustle of the emirate where traditionally crafted, spacious rooms boast local Emirati designs.

Indulge in a twilight iftar at The Library, where a buffet-style spread features several Arabian dishes. The spa here spans 500 square metres and is the ideal place to unwind, with a plethora of treatments to choose from.

From Dh750 per room including breakfast or suhoor, or from Dh1,148 including breakfast or suhoor and iftar, Chedi Al Bait, Corniche Street, Sharjah; ghmhotels.com

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The Cairo Statement

 1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations

2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred

3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC  

4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.

5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.

6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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FA Cup quarter-final draw

The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March

Sheffield United v Arsenal

Newcastle v Manchester City

Norwich v Derby/Manchester United

Leicester City v Chelsea

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
The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ

Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700

Engine 3.0L V6

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 340hp @ 6,000pm

Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km

Updated: March 31, 2022, 10:25 AM`