The first Nikki Beach made its debut in Miami in 1998 and quickly became a celebrity favourite. Jack Penrod launched the luxury beach club concept in memory of his young daughter, Nicole, who died in a car accident, and the company premise is centred around a “celebration of life”.
The brand has since expanded into hotels and resorts around the world, and continues to offer a distinct offering that combines music, dining, entertainment and fashion. It opened its Dubai resort in 2016 and celebrated its six-year anniversary at the end of March. To mark the occasion, The National paid a visit.
The welcome
Nikki Beach is set on The Pearl Jumeirah, a man-made island off the coast of Dubai’s Jumeirah 1, near Port Rashid. It takes about 35 minutes to drive there from my house in Jumeirah Village Triangle and is not a part of the city I visit often, which adds to the sense that I am getting away from it all, even if it is only for a one-night staycation.
The hotel is easy to find, although those driving should note that the beach club and hotel are two different things. My car is promptly whisked away and I am welcomed by a doorman who insists on taking my bag, even though it is only a small weekender.
Check-in is smooth and swift, and I am duly escorted up to my Ocean Luux Suite. A multi-tiered assembly of cakes and macaroons greets me, along with a selection of fruit and a box of chocolates. The hotel’s famed weekend brunch is already under way, meaning the sounds of house music reverberate through the property and up to my room.
There is an inherent dichotomy to a stay at Nikki Beach. A lively party atmosphere lies at the heart of the properties, but in the evenings and mornings, before and after the music starts, the overall ambience is incredibly calming.
The setting of the property on the tip of the Pearl Jumeirah means it looks out over open sea, a rarity in Dubai. The waves rolling in act as the soundtrack to my stay, particularly as I go to bed with the doors to my balcony open and am lulled to sleep by the sounds of the ocean.
The clean, unobtrusive lines of the architecture and a colour palette that is predominantly white, interspersed with pops of turquoise that perfectly echo the colour of this stretch of the Arabian Gulf, also contribute to an overall sense of relaxation.
The neighbourhood
The hotel’s location makes it feel far removed from the rest of the city. If you are looking for a short, relaxing getaway, there is no real need to venture out of the resort.
You can while away the hours in one of the beachfront cabanas, hang out poolside or pop to the spa for a treatment. At the same time, the hotel’s location offers opportunities to explore Jumeirah and is only seven kilometres from Downtown Dubai and The Dubai Mall. It is also a good access point for “old Dubai”, with Deira and Bur Dubai both a short drive away.
The safety measures
When I visit, masks are worn diligently by staff and fellow guests. With only 132 rooms and suites, this isn’t the kind of place that will ever feel overly busy. Tables are well spaced out in the resort’s restaurants, as are sun beds on the beach, so social distancing is a given in public spaces.
The room
The Ocean Luux Suite is pretty much what my dream apartment would look like. A large living room is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning views of the beach below and the sea beyond.
There is a fully stocked kitchen, a wooden dining table that seats at least six, and comfortable sofas. A muted palette of grey and white, with a few pops of turquoise, makes sure that it is the view that steals the show.
There is a guest bathroom as well as the main bathroom, which features double sinks, a standalone bathtub and a humongous rain shower.
The bedroom is also encircled by windows and the bed looks out towards the sea. I spend a significant amount of time planted on the day bed on my private balcony, which looks out over the pool, beach and sea. It’s a particularly pleasant view in the evening, when lights are dotted around the pool and you can hear the sound of the waves lapping on the beach.
The service
Service is unobtrusive and consistently good across the board. The waiter serving dinner in Cafe Nikki is particularly charming and patient as I ask for the portable heaters to be moved around, since we are dining outdoors and it gets unexpectedly chilly.
The scene
The property has one main pool, which is the site of a stand-up paddleboard yoga session on the morning of my stay. The beach is the property’s main attraction and is dotted with sunbeds and cabanas, with cold water supplied at regular intervals. Despite its party-first atmosphere, hotel guests include couples and families with young children.
Nikki Spa features a hammam, sauna, steam room, ice fountain, mixed vitality pool and indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges. Water features and sculptural trees line the path to the spa, which maintains the laid-back, minimalist aesthetic of the rest of the property.
The spa menu is extensive, with massages, facial treatments, scrubs and hammam sessions, but I opt for the On the Rocks treatment, a therapeutic massage that combines volcanic rocks with Clarins Relax Treatment Oil.
The food
There are only two outlets currently open at the resort. Soul Lounge is the hotel’s lobby lounge, but has a chilled outdoor area overlooking the pool and beach.
It serves drinks, light bites, nibbles and shisha. A raw bar offers sushi, sashimi, ceviches and rolls, with prices starting from Dh40 for sashimi and nigiri. Light bites include beef tacos, Mediterranean dips, salads and sliders, with prices averaging Dh35 to Dh40 per dish.
Cafe Nikki is the resort’s main, all-day dining restaurant and is a bistro serving a selection of international dishes, including biryani for Dh95, BBQ bites for Dh65 and miso and honey glazed chicken skewers for Dh85.
Highs and lows
The room is a definite high. Sea views from every vantage point, including the bed when I wake up in the morning, complemented by the sound of the waves, makes for an extremely relaxing experience.
The escalope at Cafe Nikki is not the best I’ve ever eaten, but the stellar service compensates for the slightly disappointing meal.
The insider tip
Ask for a room at the far end of the property, which looks directly out over the beach.
The verdict
This is the perfect option for those looking for a stay that combines a more lively beach club vibe with a healthy dose of relaxation. It feels far removed from the rest of Dubai, so is ideal for a staycation.
The bottom line
Prices start at Dh900 or a standard room. Prices for a sea-facing Luux Suite start at Dh6,000 per night. Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is at noon.
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira, www.nikkibeach.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel before Ramadan, during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
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
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Elvis
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai
1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
