Dubai continues to wow visitors from around the world with new hotels, cultural experiences and culinary options. The QE2 has made its final voyage to Port Rashid and has been transformed into a hotel and heritage experience. It’s currently open for soft launch with the grand opening happening, welcoming guests from October 2018. Heston Blumenthal has also set his sights on Dubai and will be opening a restaurant in 2019.
Find out all the latest Dubai tourist news below:
HOTELS
W Hotel, The Palm
A second W Hotel will open in June 2018, located on the beautiful shores of the western crescent of The Palm. Built to resemble the letter W, the world-class hotel resort and residential complex will feature a spa, pool areas, water features and other amenities, as well as approximately 100,000 square metres of accommodation including 350 guest rooms and 45 super luxury duplex, triplex apartments and penthouses. Restaurants, retail outlets and function facilities will mostly be located on the ground floor of the hotel wing, with a destination bar and restaurant at a high level to take full advantage of the dual aspect views. For more information, please visit www.wdubaithepalm.com
Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana at Dubai Creek
Rotana has announced the opening of two hotels in Dubai, the five-star Al Bandar Rotana, and a fully-furnished serviced apartments, Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana, at Dubai Creek.
Designed with a range of modern luxuries and situated on a prime waterside location on Baniyas Road, the new properties offer expansive views of the Creek. With their closeness to major heritage and tourist attractions, including Dubai Festival City, Dubai Museum, Gold Souk and Al Seef, the hotels make a natural choice for visitors exploring the city and also the ideal place for business travellers looking for convenience and five-star facilities in the heart of Dubai. For more information and bookings visit www.rotana.com
Rove Dubai Marina
Rove Hotels has opened its fifth hotel in Dubai Marina within easy reach of exciting retail and entertainment destinations including The Beach. Rove Hotels gives visitors an affordable hotel offering in exciting locations around the city. Guests at the Rove Dubai Marina will have views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah and The Walk JBR. For more information and to book visit www.rovehotels.com
The Dorchester Collection sets its sights on Dubai
The luxury hotel brand the Dorchester Collection has set its sights on Dubai with a contemporary five-star hotel. This will be the first Dorchester in the Middle East. Construction work is currently underway on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal in Downtown Dubai. More news to come as it’s announced.
NEW FLIGHT ROUTES
Access to Dubai is set to become even easier for visitors from Scotland and the South-East of England, with the launch of two new flight routes. Emirates has announced the launch of a daily service from London Stansted starting from 8 June and daily service from Edinburgh starting from 1 October.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Famous ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II is open as hotel and museum in DubaiAfter nearly ten years in the dock at Port Rashid, famous ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II is currently in its soft launch phase with the grand opening planned for October 2018. As well as offering guests a unique and luxurious hotel stay, the museum will offer all visitors to the city an interesting insight into this world-famous ocean liner and cruise ship. The hotel’s Port Rashid location will make it the perfect base for exploring the fascinating ‘Old Dubai’ district, as well as all the incredible visitor attractions situated in Downtown Dubai.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Dubai Launches World’s First MasterChef TV Experience Restaurant
MasterChef fans visiting Dubai in the second half of this year can look forward to a world-first dining experience with the launch of a new restaurant based on the hugely popular reality television series. The restaurant in the Wyndham West Bay Dubai Marina Hotel will showcase the talents and recipes of MasterChef contestants from the 52 countries where the programme is produced. It is the most successful cookery television format in the world and is televised in over 200 countries.
Aqua Pod: World’s First Floating Sustainable Drive-Through Restaurant debuts in Dubai
Aqua Pod: The first ever sustainable floating drive-through has now opened in Dubai offering a fun new aqua dining experience. Located in one of Dubai’s lagoons, the innovative floating restaurant allows customers on smaller watercraft to come alongside and place a food order. Alternatively, customers on larger boats located further afield can enjoy waiter service by jet ski. The Aqua Pod boasts a revolutionary architectural design with pioneering sustainability features running on electricity and diesel, matching the Dubai government’s focus on green initiatives. Customers can savour relaxed-style dining which is set to rival the city’s best fast food joints.
Exclusive Nine-Seat Japanese Restaurant Opens at Bvlgari Resort
Dubai’s smallest and most exclusive restaurant, Hōseki has opened at the Bvlgari Resort. With only nine seats, it’s the most hotly anticipated opening of the year, so far. Hōseki in Japanese means gemstone and will give diners an unforgettable culinary experience. All ingredients are being imported directly from Japan by Chef Masahiro Sugiyama. The sixth generation chef is bringing over 157 years of sushi traditions to the table and guests can expect a completely unique and tailor-made menu. Hōseki is open Tuesday through to Saturday for lunch and dinner and reservations are required.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal to open in 2019
Michelin starred and experiential chef, Heston Blumenthal and executive chef, Ashley Palmer-Watts are set to open the third installment of award winning restaurant, Dinner at The Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences in 2019. The menu will offer contemporary dishes inspired by historic recipes. Heston’s world renowned dish ‘Meat Fruit’, a chicken liver and foie gras parfait disguised as a mandarin is likely to make an appearance on the menu. The restaurant will also feature private dining, two outside terraces and a dedicated bar.
SPAS
Desert Palm unveils Brand new Samāna Spa
The Desert Palm Hotel & Resort has just launched new indulgent spa experiences with the opening of Samāna Spa. The spa houses Dubai’s only apothecary style Aromatherapy Bar by Tisserand. Each spa journey starts with a homeopathic consultation with an Experience Guide and Guru to determine the individual needs of each guest and the most suitable essential oils for their treatment.
The spa takes its name from the Sanskrit word, Samāna, meaning calming or soothing. Combining the ancient practice of aromatherapy with the latest spa practices, Samāna Spa guests immerse themselves in a journey designed to stimulate the senses and nourish mind, body and soul. Treatment prices start from £65 for a 45-minute treatment.
ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Underwater Yoga at Atlantis the Palm
Guests and visitors to Atlantis the Palm can experience yoga in a whole new way in the Lost Chambers Aquarium. Set in a unique aquatic surround of the aquarium, yogis can rejuvenate and restore themselves during The Lost Chambers Aquarium Hatha Yoga Class. The class is open to yogis of all levels and aims to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Available on Tuesday and Friday from 8am to 9am.
(eTN):What’s new in Dubai | re-post license | post content