Exploration

It’s a Cool, Cool Summer… in the UAE!

Hello, time off! Make lockdown a distant memory by packing up and heading to one of these amazing staycation locations stat.

Written by Red Bull MEA

5 min readPublished on 03.08.2020 · 8:14 UTC

Mixing your own drinks on the beach is one way to spend the #BizarreSummerOf2020. We did that at Ollie Daze in Umm Al Quwain recently, and breaking-news: it’s much more chill than the mainland thanks to the cooler weather (and the awesome drink concoctions of course!)

So grab a long, cold one with your crew this August as you create your own homegrown adventure, and head to one of these amazing UAE staycation locations… while not forgetting social distance, of course!

Hotels and other holiday hubs across the country are offering special getaway deals all summer long for maximum Vitamin Sun and minimum drama. From drink kits and brunches to fab luxury rooms, there’s plenty on offer at very attractive rates. Which one is “you”?

COCKTAILS AT NOON

Check into the pet-friendly Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel with your fur babies, and spend your break lounging on the Ollie Daze beach. Make like Tom Cruise in “Cocktail” with the hotel’s super exclusive Red Bull drink kit, available to guests. With four cans, syrups and other bits and pieces like fruits and herbs – not to mention the all-important recipes – you could soon be living those dreams! Slide into their DMs on Insta to find out more about this special kit – it’s the must-have item of the summer, don’t you know?

PARTY ON THE PALM

In the Gucciest emirate of them all, the action is at FIVE Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, which has pretty much defined the 2020 summer party. And with rates being very 2020-friendly, you’ll be living the life of a reality star without having to break the bank.

#Protip: FIVE is offering check-ins from noon… soooo, what’s stopping you from skiving off work early for a last, pre-vacay “meeting on The Palm”? (yes, we know we’re rebels)

LUXE & LIT

If you want to go full on A-star mode, fulfil those #TravelGoals with a luxury beach staycation at one of Dubai’s most iconic properties, the One & Only Royal Mirage. Princes and presidents stay here, so why not you?

There’s plenty to do on location, so you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to live stream your staycay from – our faves are the the hidden Courtyard’s relaxing sanctuary, the Ibiza-style Drift Beach, and Aquaventure (there’s one-time complimentary access if you stay three nights)!

BIG APPLE DREAMIN

It’s difficult to get to New York right now, so here’s the next best thing, where you can mainline on carbs at Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian over at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi.

With #NeverGetsOld views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and private sandy beaches, the hotel’s Dine & Stay deal includes a full-on brunch, as well as breakfast and lunch. It’s worth looking up.

BIG APPLE DREAMIN
© Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

BEACH BUT MAKE IT CULTURE

Have you been to the Louvre Abu Dhabi yet? It reopened in June, so this is your chance to breathe in a dose of culture between tanning sessions at the Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas.

The hotel’s nine kilometre-long white beach is reason enough to head on over, but it also serves up yummy food at Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar. 10/10.

BEACH BUT MAKE IT CULTURE
© Saadiyat Rotana

WE WOKE UP LIKE THIS

Like a choccie egg surprise, the art-filled Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort pops a big reveal at the end of a long and dusty road.

Besides mountain views framing the perfect Insta-worthy sunrise right from your bed, the hotel is throwing in some fabulous lunch and dinner offerings to accompany your all-day poolside lounging – or indeed, in between watersport adventures.

WE WOKE UP LIKE THIS
© Fairmont Fujairah

SCUBA SECRET

Whether you’re the king of kayaking or just want a spot of scuba, the Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort is one of the UAE’s open secrets.

With stunning beaches and some of the country’s best dives a stone’s throw away, this east coast getaway will leave you feeling like you’ve been somewhere much more exotic. Be sure to ask about their Snoopy Island tours.

ADRENALINE THRILLS

Few properties exude luxury like the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, which beats its older sister in New York for one reason alone: the stellar sporting action around the hotel.

Not only does it have the best water-based adventure sports, there’s the emirate’s zipline and an adrenaline-busting via ferrata through the Hajjar Mountains all within easy reach. Afterwards, strut down Peacock Alley and order yourself a Waldorf Salad – with some RB to keep your spirits elevated.

ADRENALINE THRILLS
© Waldorf Astoria RAK

JUST KEEP FISHING

With 600 metres of beach, two different infinity pools (for adults and families), motorised water sports, fishing trips and desert safaris, as well as two beach clubs, there’s plenty of summer action to be had at the idyllic Cove Rotana Ras Al Khaimah.

And if you have children accompanying you, they can create their own adventure courtesy of the Flipper's Kid's Club.

FARAWAY, BUT CLOSE TO HOME

Get away from the noise and drama (and traffic!) without going further than your morning commute. The five-star, beachfront Fairmont Ajman is quite possibly the closest staycation spot for Dubai residents, so you can get away from everyday demands while staying close enough to handle any last-minute commitments.

And a little secret about Ajman for the foodies amongst us… it has some of the best Egyptian street food restaurants in the country - hello koshari!

FARAWAY, BUT CLOSE TO HOME
© Fairmont Ajman

AUTHENTICITY AND ACTIVITIES APLENTY

The tiniest emirate of all is also possibly the most authentic, something you can experience at the Ajman Hotel. The largest private beach in the emirate has enough activities for the entire family – all at wallet-friendly prices.

With jet skiing, karate and alfresco beach dining at Zanzi Bar, what more could you ask for? Don’t forget to pack the Red Bull.

AUTHENTICITY AND ACTIVITIES APLENTY
© Ajman Hotel

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