If you can possibly tear yourself away from that mountain of chocolate you’re about to eat your way through, you might instead enjoy some of the activities and special offers that abound this Easter across Abu Dhabi. Here’s our comprehensive guide to all that’s going on in our fair city
Hotels
Emirates Palace is offering an Easter-themed lunch from Thursday April 5 to Monday April 9 for Dhs250. The five-star luxury hotel is also offering a Bunny Basket for kids (for Beach Club members and in-house guests only), the basket includes a mini beef burger or grilled cheese sandwich, fries and salad, dessert, soft drink and toy bunny. Priced at Dhs247 for one child and Dhs495 for two. The hotel also recently launched its new Palace Kids experience: children can be treated to their own regal-style check in, in-room treats, games and a weekly ‘magical journey’ behind the scenes of this extravagant hotel.
Emirates Palace, Corniche Road West(02 690 9000)
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana is offering a 25 percent discount at all of its restuarants and other outlets if you book a minimum stay of two nights over the Easter weekend.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Corniche Road West (02 657 0000)
Le Royal Méridien is setting up a veritable feast of activities on Sunday April 8, including bouncy castles, face painting, drawings and the not-to-be-missed egg hunt with prizes to ensure little ones are kept happily busy. The set-up also offers the option of a kids’ small buffet as well as a kid’s movie in the ballroom. The brunch buffet includes Easter specials like spring lamb, season’s vegetables and an array of international favourites. The Easter Brunch is priced Dhs160 and kids eat for half the price. From noon to 3.30pm.
Le Royal Méridien, Najda Street (02 674 2020)
Park Rotana is offering an Easter brunch priced at Dhs185 per person. The younger guests can enjoy lots of fun activities including the ever-popular Easter Egg Hunt. Children between six and 12 years get 50 percent discount and the Easter Brunch will be served from noon to 4pm.
Park Rotana, Al Salam Street (02 657 3333)
On Saturday April 7, The Westin is putting on an afternoon of egg-related Easter events, including egg and spoon racing, egg painting, the traditional Easter egg hunt and the main event – the great Easter Bunny Chase. Let your children loose after the giant pink rabbit and the first one to catch the frolicsome furry one will win a prize. No details were given on exactly how to tackle the Easter Bunny; we’re assuming any form of unarmed combat is acceptable. Plus there’s a bouncy castle and every child that comes along will get a certificate of participation that will be signed and stamped by ‘Thumper’.
The Westin, Sas Al Nakhl, Khalifa City ‘A’ (02 616 9999)
The Shangri-La hotel is offering an Easter-themed Friday brunch for Dhs250 per person including selected beverages and a glass of bubbly upon arrival. The Saturday brunch is priced at Dhs149 for food only or Dhs190 per person including selected beverages. Both will be available from 12.30pm to 4pm.
Shangri-La hotel, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888)
The Yas Island Rotana is celebrating Easter with a special brunch at Choices, with a selection of international cuisine from Dhs198 per person with a free flow of house beverages and bubbly. What’s more, kids can enjoy an egg hunt on Easter Sunday, plus egg painting in their special reserved area.
Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island (02 656 4000)
Unleash your inner child at the Yas Viceroy Hotel and help the actual children navigate their way around an exciting specially designed Easter Egg Hunt in the Palm Garden on April 8. Brunch will be served between 12.30pm and 3.30pm and will include studded eggs and an Easter carving. Children can participate in their lunch and continue their Easter spirit in the children’s activity room, crafting Easter bunny ears, masks and colouring eggs. Prices start at Dhs350 for adults and Dhs130 for kids.
Yas Viceroy hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0000)
The Al Raha Beach Hotel is offering a variety of seasonal Easter-themed changes to its restaurant menus, including a ‘Chocolate Obsession Brunch’ that will run from 12.30pm to 4pm on Friday April 6 and starts at Dhs175. There’s also facepainting for the kids, an Easter egg hunt and an Easter set menu at the Azur restaurant.
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Sas El Nakhl Road (02 508 0555)
Restaurants
Cipriani Yas Island is offering an Easter-inspired menu for Sunday 8 April, consisting of deviled egg salad, roasted baby lamb and monkfish with broccolini. For those who cannot make the Sunday lunch, there’s also a brunch on Friday April 6 and Saturday April 7. Price per person is Dhs150 and it runs from noon until sunset.
Cipriani Yas Island, Yas Yacht Club (02 657 5400)
The Easter bunny has hopped all the way to Hey Sugar in Khalidiyah Mall and is offering baskets of six or 12 yummy looking cupcakes, each decorated like Easter eggs or egg nests in bright colours. Kids will be delighted to discover that the treat doesn’t stop there: packed into the bottom of each basket are candy and chocolate surprises and decorations. A basket of six cupcakes including all the hidden candy and decorations is Dhs180, and a basket of 12 cupcakes with the hidden surprises is Dhs300. These baskets are available by ‘order only’ at select Hey Sugar outlets across the UAE.
Hey Sugar, Khalidiyah Mall (056 767 9357)
Shops
Calling all chocolate fans, Marks & Spencer has proudly announced its Easter Egg selection is now available, from hand-crafted Belgian creamy chocolate to something for the kids.
Marks & Spencer, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi
Bespoke cake shop Bloomsbury’s, in both Al Wahda Mall and Mushriff Mall, is offering a special range of yummy cup cakes this Easter. This may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but that’s probably because you haven’t visited one of their outlets. As it says on their website – and we love this – ‘Bloomsbury’s is the brainchild of culinary connoisseur Shafeena Yusuff Ali, whose aim is to redefine the cupcake in Abu Dhabi’. Nuff said.
Al Wahda Mall, Hazaa Bin Zayed The First Street, Mushriff Mall, Airport Road
