Fabulous news: it’s the weekend. If you’re casting your eye around for something to do, look no further. Whether it’s a extra-indulgent massage, a cooking class, or a cheeky staycay you’re after, we’ve got you covered.
Read:
HH Sheikh Mohammed visited these Ramadan volunteers
This royal-backed charity pampered four deserving Dubai women
Thursday May 24
Enjoy a relaxing massage
Need a Ramadan refresh? Step this way. Heavenly Spa at The Westin Al Habtoor City is open until midnight throughout the Holy Month, and they’re also offering double treatment times at no extra cost. That 50 minute massage just became a full 100. Amazing. Plus, this spa comes complete with Burj Khalifa views, a sauna and steam room, specialty showers, and heated loungers.
Heavenly Spa, The Westin Al Habtoor City, daily 12pm, to 12am. Tel: (04) 437 3300. alhabtoorcityhotels.com.
Break your fast at Karak House
If you’re searching for a truly local iftar experience, we’d recommend you head to the homegrown Emirati restaurant Karak House. Their menu includes house specialities like a lentil soup and mezze platter. Guests can choose a main from options which range from a creamy chicken curry and lamb rogan josh to a lamb thareed, among others. Don’t leave without tucking into their Ramadan special desserts of a lotus paratha and saffron milk cake.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai. 8am-12am. Iftar menu is priced at Dhs129 per person, or Dhs258 for two people. Tel: (04) 551 6852. facebook.com/karakhouse.
Friday May 25
Check in to Bab Al Shams
The onset of summer means great deals on staycations across the UAE. Book yourself the ‘Do not Disturb’ promotion at Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa located 40 minutes away from downtown Dubai and get 50 per cent off on all restaurants within the resort for the duration of your stay. There’s a kids club to keep the young ones entertained while you can book yourself activities like desert fat biking, archery or an adrenalin-devoid endorphin-inducing spa experience too.
Al Qudra Road, Opposite Endurance City, Dubai. Dhs550 per room per night for bookings between now and September 30. Tel: (04) 809 6100. babalshams.com
Donate your old clothes with Washmen
Washmen is a laundry service where you can use a mobile app to arrange for them to pick up and launder your clothes. Now that we’re in the Holy Month of Ramadan when it’s all about giving, instead of chucking your old clothes into the trash, you can give them to the Washmen team when they come to pick up your regular laundry lot. Washmen have teamed up with OMO detergent who will then donate the unwanted clothes to the less fortunate.
From 9am-11.30pm every day throughout Ramadan. Tel: (04) 770 6822. washmen.com
Saturday May 26
Lay out by a downtown pool
If you haven’t yet checked out the Address Boulevard, now’s your moment. This luxe, stylish downtown hotel opened last year, and has quickly become a favourite. They’re running a Saturday special for summer, too, with chill music, hot and cold bites, and access to that lush three-level pool. The ideal way to cool off, if you ask us. Plus, the hotel is connected to The Dubai Mall. Morning in the shops, afternoon by the pool? Don’t mind if we do.
Address Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, 2pm to 6pm, Saturdays, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 888 3444. addresshotels.com.
Hone your skills in the kitchen
In a city like Dubai, it’s easy to eat out and order in so much that your kitchen ends up being a place to make coffee and plate up delivery food. Suddenly, though, it’s Ramadan and you’ve said you’ll have people over for iftar. Panic stations. You need to book in for a two-hour iftar cooking class at Top Chef Cooking School in Jumeirah 1. Their skilled chefs will take you through everything from homemade Arabic bread, to smoked moutabel, to chicken tagine. You’ll be set.
Top Chef Cooking Studio, Villa 196 Jumeirah Beach Road, 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays through Ramadan, Dhs415. Tel: (04) 385 5781. topchefdubai.com.
Images: Supplied
