Make the holidays extra special this December with our pick of the most opulent resorts for a luxurious celebration.
Treat yourself to a little festive luxury at one of the region’s finest hotels. From epic brunches to glittering galas, these five-star venues are pulling out all the stops to make the festive period go off with a bang.
The best bit about spending the holidays in a swish hotel? No cooking or cleaning up. All you have to do is sit back and unwind with the family.
From the naughty but nice to the outright extravagant, here is our pick of the too-good-to-miss festive spreads you need to book now.
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Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Get into the spirit in regal style at the Christmas-themed brunch on Friday December 22 (12.30pm-4pm) at Las Brisas. The lavish poolside venue will have a healthy sprinkling of festive magic, with a variety of entertainment, plus a surprise visit from Santa and his elves. Prices start from Dhs295 per person including soft drinks, Dhs370 with hops and grapes and Dhs545 with bubbles.
The celebrations continue with an opulent five-course Christmas Eve seafood dinner in Sayad or a traditional Italian Christmas Eve menu in Mezzaluna (both Dhs600 with soft drinks/Dhs750 with grape selection), while BBQ Al Qasr will offer a set four-course menu from December 9-25.
Save some room for Christmas Day brunch though, because Le Vendome is going all-out with their festive spread this year, with a jam-packed buffet, free-flowing beverages and a visit from Santa Claus (Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs600 with grape selection, Dhs700 with bubbly, from 12.30pm-3.30pm). All that’s left to do is ring in the New Year under the stars at the gilded gala celebrations on the Palace Terrace.
Enjoy welcome drinks, a royal buffet, music and dancing from a live band as well as a breathtaking fireworks display on the beach.
A thumping DJ after-party and midnight snack buffet finishes the night in style. Dhs2,750 per adult, Dhs1,375 per child (aged 6-12) from 7pm-3am, with a complimentary open bar.
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
If you fancy getting out of the city for the holidays, there are few places more chilled than the Garden Cabanas at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. On Christmas Day, you can enjoy a lazy afternoon of delicious food and live music from 1pm-3.30pm at their Christmas Under the Sun celebrations (Dhs275 per person for food only).
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon of delicious food and outstanding service in the elegant surroundings of the Garden Cabanas. Relax with family and friends while you are served an excellent lunch and enjoy live music.
Come New Year’s Eve, the style and grandeur are kicked up a notch for the spectacular year-end gala at Peacock Alley, from 7pm-1am. On the menu is a lavish buffet of international cuisine featuring food from all corners of the world to delight every taste bud.
As the clock strikes midnight, enjoy live entertainment and a glass of bubbly (Dhs12,000 per person including unlimited drinks and a buffet dinner). Gala guests will also enjoy complimentary access to the New Year’s Eve party. Be a part of the countdown and watch the illuminating fireworks display from the hotel’s private beach.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai
Christmas at the world’s most luxurious hotel is always going to be something special, but the festive season this year promises to be a celebration like no other. Take an oceanic voyage with Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, where a six-course degustation menu (Dhs995 per person) will tantalise your tastebuds with delicious seafood (7pm to midnight on December 24, 25 and 26, or 12.30pm to 3pm for Christmas Day and Boxing Day lunch).
Alternatively, take Christmas Day brunch to new heights with a sumptuous afternoon in Al Muntaha, where you can enjoy imaginative modern French cuisine, complemented by spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf (Dhs655 per person including non-alcoholic beverages, Dhs755 per person including a glass of bubbles, 10am to 3pm).
If dining al fresco is more your style, you’ll love the laid-back Californian vibe of Scape. Take in the iconic Burj from a new angle, while you enjoy the rippling flavours of gourmet Cali-fusion cuisine on the terrace (à la carte or four-course dinner, Dhs420 per person, 6pm to 11pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, or à la carte lunch, 12pm-3.30pm Christmas Day).
Come New Year’s Eve, the Burj’s famous skyline becomes the star attraction during the amazing fireworks display. Enjoy a gala dinner at one of five signature restaurants, then head to the terrace for a front-row view of the world-class illuminations (from Dhs8,000 per adult, or Dhs8,750 for selected restaurants, including drinks reception, dinner and fireworks).
Armani Hotel, Dubai
It pays to plan ahead at this sleek designer hotel, as you can enjoy discounts of up to 20 per cent on seasonal tasting, sharing, degustation and brunch menus across the five signature restaurants.
Whether you’re in the mood for exquisite Italian cuisine, contemporary Japanese or a flavour of the Med, book 20 days ahead and get a 20 per cent discount (book 10 or 15 days early and get a 10 or 15 per cent discount respectively). The only question is what to book and for when?
You can’t go wrong with the Festive brunch at Armani/Mediterraneo and Armani/Deli (Dhs450 per person with selected pairing beverages). On New Year’s Eve, Armani/Ristorante is the place to be (Dhs1,100 per person including soft drinks and select pairing beverages).
Bulgari Hotel, Dubai
The brand has been synonymous with timeless Italian style since the 19th century, so it’s no surprise that the festive season at Bulgari Resort is set to be as stylish as it is luxurious.
Get a flavour of Milan at the Bvlgari Festive Afternoon Tea (served daily, 3pm to 6pm from December 7-31). Enjoy a selection of the finest sweet and salty delicacies with a contemporary Italian twist (Dhs290 per person).
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can enjoy the culinary offerings at Il Ristorante from chef Niko Romito, who has earned three-Michelin stars in his career. Feast on a decadent explosion of Italian flavours with a special set menu crafted from the finest seasonal ingredients to create unique plates (marinated seabream and caviar, anyone?). The dinner includes one complimentary glass of bubbly for Dhs650 per person.
Meanwhile in Il Café, poached Maine lobster and a lemon-crusted sea bass feature on the Christmas Eve four-course menu (Dhs490 per person), while the venue is hosting a Natale brunch on Christmas Day. There’ll be live cooking stations and à la carte festive favourites, including fresh seafood and roasted turkey for Dhs650 per person, including house beverages, and Dhs450 per person with soft drinks.
On New Year’s Eve enjoy a delicious set menu at either Il Café (Dhs950) or Il Ristorante (Dhs1,400 per person with a glass of bubbly; Dhs2,000 with a glass of bubbly and sommelier selection) followed by fireworks and music.
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However, if you’re looking for something truly special, why not rent a private beach cabana for an intimate New Year’s Eve experience? Cabana hire includes a private transfer to the hotel via Maserati limousine service, a set-menu candle-lit dinner in the privacy of your cabana overlooking the Arabian Gulf for Dhs9,000 per cabana, including bubbly and sommelier selection.
Alternatively, celebrate the arrival of 2018 at the Yacht Club Dubai with a live DJ, à la carte menu options and a party atmosphere (Dhs1,400 per person with premium house beverage until midnight/Dhs600 per person as a minimum spend).
Images: Supplied
Words: Aoife Stuart-Madge
