Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Summer’s swelter is fading, and as the Suhail Star prepares to grace the sky in the coming weeks, a shift to cooler temperatures is on the horizon.
In the meantime, a staycation offers a refreshing escape, thanks to the UAE’s array of luxurious hotels featuring pristine pools and 24/7 refreshments. With summer often being a quieter period for tourism, many Emirates hotels are rolling out special packages and discounted rates for those planning an end-of-August or September retreat.
Discover 10 enticing staycation offers available this summer, catering to families, couples, golf enthusiasts, and fitness aficionados alike.
Ideal for families: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Escape to Palm Jumeirah for a sun-soaked mini-vacation where sand, sea, and relaxation await. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, located in Dubai’s vibrant Palm West Beach area, is offering a summer staycation deal tailored for UAE families.
This exclusive package allows up to two children under 12 to stay all-inclusive with two adults, ensuring a worry-free experience for parents. The offer includes a complimentary buffet breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner for children, along with snacks from Gelateria by Cucina, the hotel’s genuine Italian gelato spot. Unlimited soft drinks, poolside food and ice cream, and free access to the children’s club are also included. This offer is available until September 30 and can be booked using the code ZJL.
Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts: Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts, Abu Dhabi
Accessible by a private boat ride, Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is a sanctuary for 11,000 animals, including giraffes, ostriches, and Arabian oryx. Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort, newly open for the summer season, offers an ideal retreat for families and couples.
Located within the Arabian Wildlife Park on the island’s western edge, the resort features African lodge-style villas with spacious terraces and private pools. Guests can enjoy 4×4 safaris to view the island’s wildlife, explore wadi walks, and visit ancient salt domes dating back 20 million years. The package includes villa accommodations, daily breakfast, early check-in from noon, and late checkout until 2 pm. Additionally, children under 12 stay and dine free.
Top choice for mountain vistas: JA Hatta Fort Hotel, Hatta
Trade the city for the serenity of the mountains with a summer escape to JA Hatta Fort Hotel. Nestled in the Hajar Mountains, this retreat features verdant lawns and charming chalets, with temperatures slightly cooler than those in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Take advantage of the resort’s 72-hour summer saver deal, offering reduced room rates and complimentary breakfast. Book a deluxe mountain-view room, accommodating up to two adults and two children, and enjoy breathtaking views of the rugged landscape from your private balcony.
Engage in archery, visit the indoor recreation center for billiards and air hockey, or relax in the temperature-controlled swimming pool beneath a faux waterfall. Pets are also welcome—just reserve one of the hotel’s pet-friendly rooms.
Ideal for golfers: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Golf lovers who embrace the heat should head to Ras Al Khaimah this summer. The newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers packages that include unlimited rounds at the nearby Al Hamra Golf Club, along with complimentary breakfast.
After an early morning on the course, relax at one of the resort’s three pools—whether you prefer the tranquil adults-only infinity pool or the lively children’s water adventure zone. Enjoy dining at nine on-site restaurants and lounges, including Umi for contemporary Japanese fare and Lexington Grill and Bar for classic New York-style steaks. Additionally, floodlit golf slots are available for those who wish to tee off under the stars.
Top choice for wellness: Siro One Za’abeel, Dubai
Siro One Za’abeel is renowned for its wellness-oriented amenities, making it an ideal retreat for UAE residents focused on health and rejuvenation. The hotel’s summer reset package offers a stay in a Siro Plus room, complete with meditation playlists, cooling mattresses for better sleep, yoga gear, and a Swedish ladder for in-room workouts. Guests enjoy complimentary access to group fitness classes, as well as the hotel’s sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool.
Additional perks include a free body composition analysis and the hotel’s jet-lag recovery program, featuring vibroacoustic therapy by Welnamis to calm the mind and compression therapy to boost circulation and reduce fatigue. The package also includes complimentary breakfast at Arrazuna, daily protein shakes at Refuel Bar, early check-in, and late checkout. Dining enthusiasts will appreciate a 20% discount at all One Za’abeel restaurants.
Top pick for shopping enthusiasts: Dubai Festival City
Beat the summer heat by combining a shopping spree with a staycation. InterContinental Dubai Festival City’s Shop, Stay, and Savour summer package provides just that, featuring a 25% discount on room rates, complimentary breakfast and dinner, a Dh100 spa voucher for Spa InterContinental, and a voucher booklet redeemable at various stores in the nearby Dubai Festival City Mall.
Parents can shop stress-free while their children are entertained at the Planet Trekkers Kid’s Club, where they can enjoy rock climbing, arts and crafts, and other fun activities.
Perfect for adventure enthusiasts: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi
Situated at the northern edge of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace is one of the city’s most iconic hotels. This opulent waterfront resort features a private beach, a marina, beautifully landscaped gardens, and two expansive swimming pools complete with waterslides and a lazy river.
Book a stay at this majestic hotel before September 30 and receive complimentary tickets to top Abu Dhabi theme parks, including Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, SeaWorld, or Warner Bros. World. Enhance your adventure with free limousine transfers between the resort and Yas Island. The summer package also includes daily breakfast for two adults and two children at Vendome, along with access to the resort’s children’s club.
Top Choice for a Coastal Getaway: Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa
The UAE’s sole emirate on the eastern coast remains a favorite for staycations, thanks to its picturesque mountain scenery and cooler temperatures, even in the summer. The Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa, nestled by the waterfront, is an ideal retreat for those looking to escape urban life and soak in stunning ocean views.
This family-friendly oasis features verdant gardens and majestic palm trees, along with two swimming pools, a luxurious spa, and the Flipper’s Club, where kids are well cared for. It’s also perfectly situated for snorkeling, watersports, and scuba diving. This summer, enjoy a 15% discount on room rates, dining savings for children, and a complimentary extra bed for kids when you join the Rotana membership program.
Top Pick for a Desert Expedition: Al Badayer Retreat, Sharjah
Experience the UAE’s desert charm with a stay at Al Badayer Retreat in Sharjah. Located about an hour from the city, this resort evokes the grandeur of an Arabian fortress, featuring rooms adorned with traditional Emirati artifacts. Nestled among the dunes near Sharjah’s southern edge, Al Badayer Retreat offers luxurious tented lodgings equipped with efficient air-conditioning and refreshing plunge pools—ideal for summer getaways.
Guests can enjoy meals at two on-site restaurants or opt for in-suite dining. For those seeking respite from the heat, the resort also features an indoor pool. Summer packages come with exciting activities such as archery sessions or camel rides, plus breakfast for two adults and two children under six. Additionally, the retreat offers fat bikes with enhanced desert traction and the opportunity to pose with a falcon, symbolizing the UAE’s national pride.
Ideal for a Weekend Getaway: voco Dubai The Palm
Take advantage of a spontaneous staycation at voco Dubai The Palm, where you can enjoy a 30-hour hotel experience. Bookable on weekends through August 31, this offer includes an early check-in at noon and a late checkout until 6 p.m., allowing you to fully explore the amenities at Palm West Beach.
Located right on the promenade, the hotel features a private beach and a rooftop pool ideal for sunset views. You’ll also discover Maison Mathis, a popular local restaurant offering European-inspired cuisine. By joining the IHG One Rewards Members program before or during your stay, you’ll receive a 25% discount at this renowned dining spot.
