When you hear the words “United Arab Emirates” or “UAE”, there is a good chance that “luxury” springs to mind. After all, there aren’t many places on the planet that can compete with the glitz and glamor associated with this country.
So if you are planning a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi and are raring to have a taste of the glamorous life, read on for three tips that will guarantee you the perfect luxury vacation in the UAE.
1. Spend your evenings in a luxury hotel.
No matter where in the world you are traveling, if you want to have a luxurious vacation, you need to be staying at a high quality hotel that goes out of its way to provide guests with a spectacular experience. Luckily, there are plenty of options for luxury hotels across all the emirates.
When looking for the right luxury hotel for you, make sure to look for specific features that are going to make your stay one to remember.
From the beginning of your communication with the hotel (even if it is just research), you want to ensure that they are providing fast and friendly communication and that the process for booking is as simple as possible. If this isn’t the case, then there is a good chance that the rest of your time with the hotel is going to be the same.
Additionally, look for a hotel that has distinguishing accents and amenities that ensure you get a feel of the local culture and has onsite facilities (such as a 24-hour fitness center, concierge, and high quality food and drink offerings) that will make your stay much more enjoyable.
2. Indulge in some retail therapy.
If there is one thing that the UAE — particularly Dubai — is not short of, it is places for you to indulge in some retail therapy. In Dubai, you have The Dubai Mall, the biggest mall in the world and home to a wide variety of stores from — luxury designers to local boutiques and even mid-range chain stores. The Mall of the Emirates, on the other hand, is the world’s first shopping ski resort in which you can peruse over eighty of the most distinguished designer brands.
If you are also spending time in Abu Dhabi, don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to experience something new. The Abu Dhabi Mall is a world-class shopping establishment, while the Yas Marina Mall has over 400 stores as well as an ice rink, bowling alley, multiplex movie complex, and roller coasters. If that isn’t enough, it is also located in one of the most beautiful sections of the city.
To ensure that you have enough energy to make the most of your shopping excursion, make a reservation for the best brunch in Abu Dhabi before hitting the malls.
For a more traditional experience, opt to spend some time at the souks, many of which are found in the central districts of all emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Whether you prefer the gold or spice souks, there is no denying that dropping by these will make for a fantastic travel and shopping experience all rolled into one.
3. Make time for relaxation.
Is there anything more luxurious than treating yourself to some serious relaxation time? In between all the shopping, eating, and sightseeing you are doing in the UAE, it is essential that you carve some time in your itinerary for downtime.
One of the best ways to relax while also experiencing all the luxury that the emirates have to offer, is to purchase a day pass to one of the best beach clubs in Abu Dhabi. Here, you can spend quality time with your travel companions while enjoying the music and catching glimpses of the Arabian Gulf. In other words, it is guaranteed to help free you from the cares of the world — at least for a day.
Have you ever traveled to the UAE? If so, what tips do you have for others who are looking to have a luxury vacation there? If not, is it a part of the world that interests you or that features in your bucket list?
Let us know in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Soraya Abdul Azis is the Social Media and Design Manager for Saadiyat Beach Club in the UAE, the very first beach club on Saadiyat where guests can enjoy and celebrate a world of fine living, health and wellbeing. Soraya has worked in Design, Advertising and PR in Dubai and Beirut for the past 4 years.