Hotels across the UAE will be dry for Valentine’s Day this year, as it coincides with the Prophet’s birthday.
The Prophet’s birthday falls on February 15; it is usually illegal to serve alcohol the day before.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing confirmed yesterday that hotels would not be allowed to serve alcohol on February 14.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority also confirmed that the 14th will be a dry night in the capital.A spokesperson said a “circular to hotels is in the system and they will receive it within the next few days”.
Many hotels, keen not to miss out on a prime opportunity to generate extra, have responded by moving their Valentine’s offers forward a day. Every year, an array of packages and promotions are offered, some costing up to $1 million.
“We have moved some of our dining offers to the previous day, Sunday 13 February,” said Aditi Daga, a spokeswoman for the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel.
But it is offering one package costing Dh50,000 throughout the month.This includes a limo pick-up, and a boat ride to the hotel.
“Be dazzled as your name and hers are up in lights on the façade of the building as you approach it by boat,” the hotel says.
Following the couple’s arrival, they will receive a spa treatment in the a private suites, along with caviar. The champagne available on other days will be replaced on the 14th with sparkling grape juice.
Guests will also be treated to a dinner in the Pierre Gagnaire Reflets restaurant’s private dining room, then an overnight stay in a suite.
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi last year offered a $1 million Valentine’s holiday package.
As well as seven nights in the hotel, it included first-class return flights, a private helicopter trip into the desert, and a tour of the Yas Marina Circuit racetrack.
For – slightly – thriftier customers, it also offered Dh495,000 package with three nights at the hotel, and a seven-course dinner in the couple’s private suite, as well as shopping vouchers, roses, pearls, and gold.
Emirates Palace said it was still drawing up plans for this year, adding that it would of course comply with any regulations.
The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel in Abu Dhabi is offering packages costing up to Dh4,999, which include an opportunity to find a Dh6,000 pearl in your dessert.
Betty Riachy, at the Jumeira Rotana hotel in Dubai, said the dry Valentine’s day would “have an impact”. It, too, has moved some of its promotions to the 13th. “Last year it was really successful,” she added.
Dania Malki, head of communication at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, said that although some would be disappointed, “people can manage, it’s really not that big of a deal”.
“We have to respect the country we’re in; there’s always the weekend. The celebration does not have to be exactly on the night of the 14th,” she said.
The Renaissance Dubai Hotel is also ready to acclimatise. Yasmine Hidalgo, marketing communications director at the hotel, said alcohol would not be served for 24 hours from 6pm on the 14th.
“We will have a celebration on the 13th, and on the 15th, and an option on the 14th that does not include alcohol or live entertainment,” she said. “It’s ok, it will work out.”
However, she admitted the hotel had received complaints from customers. “They call us, they are wondering what will happen, because it is a big night for us and them, but we promise them they will still have a wonderful time.”
Husam and Christine Shaheen, who have been living in Abu Dhabi for two years, had been looking forward to this Valentine’s Day in particular – their first as a married couple following their June wedding.
The Lebanese couple had planned to go out for a romantic dinner, with candlelight, dancing and a glass or two of wine, and perhaps stay overnight at a hotel in the capital. “I think we would rather celebrate at home now,” said Mr Shaheen.
But for Samer al Naber, a Palestinian engineer living in Dubai, the disappointment is minimal.
“My fiancé and I were going to celebrate Valentine’s this year over the weekend, since the 14th is on a Monday, right in the middle of the week,” he said.
“Plus we don’t really need alcohol to have a romantic celebration, so who cares?”
rbundun@thenational.ae
hkhalaf@thenational.ae
World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
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
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
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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