Just because the sun is turning Abu Dhabi into an oven, it doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying yourself. And we’ve got some simple tips on how you can make the most of the next few months
There’s no denying it folks, summer is well and truly here. Now, there’s two ways of dealing with the scorching weather: either complain about it until you bore everyone you know senseless, or look the whole sweaty situation in the eye and tackle it head on. We suggest you opt for the latter so we’ve compiled a handy guide containing everything you’ll need to beat the heat.
Enjoy great food
Dolce
This fun café serves up very tasty coffee along with tarts and decadent cakes. It’s the perfect little spot to meet a friend for a catch-up and you could easily while away a few hours here away from the hot summer sun.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqtaa (02 818 8282).
Fauchon Le Café
If you want to experience some of the best macarons in the capital then pop into Fauchon Le Café and savour every flavour from blueberry to lemon. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and afterwards you can pop to Avenue for a look at Hermès, Chloé or Manolo Blahnik.
Avenue at Etihad Towers, Corniche Rd (02 667 2690).
Benjarong
One of the newest restaurants on the scene in Abu Dhabi, this contemporary Thai eatery is housed in the newly-opened Dusit Thani hotel. Expect a unique Asian setting complete with traditional columns and a live show kitchen, a bar lounge, private dining areas and, most importantly, Royal Thai cuisine.
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Al Muroor Road (02 698 8888).
Quest
Simply visiting this restaurant is a pleasure and considering it’s on the 63rd floor, the views are stunning and you will be left suitably impressed as it seems like you can almost see out to the edge of the Earth. The cuisine is always interesting blending flavours from Japan, Malaysia and China.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar (02 811 5555).
Bag a hotel deal
Stay at Emirates Palace
Until 31 August, Emirates Palace, for a minimum stay of at least three nights, are offering a deal whereby you’ll get 25 percent off at Anantara Spa, 25 percent off in selected restaurants and an upgrade from a Pearl to a Diamond Room, and from a Khaleej Suite to a Palace Pearl Suite.
Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road (02 690 9000).
Entertainment
Ice skating
Head to Zayed Sports City for a spot of ice skating. It’s cold and fun: a no brainer really in this weather. They also offer a ladies only day on Thursday so grab a group of girlfriends and give it a try. There’s no need for advance booking, unless you want to hire the rink for a private party.
Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200).
Night-time tennis
It still might be a little warmish at night but if you’re craving some sporting activity to get the blood pumping try the tennis courts at Zayed Sports City. They will be staying open late during summer. Book in early for a night-time session though as slots tend to fill up very quickly.
Zayed Sports City, 6am-10pm (02 403 4200).
Go swimming
If you want to smash out some laps then our advice is to try the Olympic-sized (50m) pool at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club & Hotel. The water is kept nice and cool (perfect, right?) and there are also swimming lessons on offer for just Dhs90 an hour, which is a real bargain.
Open daily 7am-10.30pm. Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road (02 441 5900).
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Home services
Polish Salon and More
One of the first chains of nail bars is stepping out of the salon and into your home. For the moment, the company is focusing on mani-pedis, but is intending to introduce more services soon, such as massages and waxing. Ladies only.
www.polishsalon.ae (02 445 2053).
Yoga
Kaya Peters will bring ‘fitness yoga’ classes to your home, which combine exercises to promote fat-burning, muscle growth, and flexibility. She also claims that regular classes will help reduce stress, increase energy and concentration. Dhs350 per session for up to two people.
www.kayapeters.com (056 212 5878).
Healthy groceries
If you want healthy food delivered to your door then you should check out the Health Factory home delivery service. Sign up for one of their monthly packages and they’ll deliver three healthy, nutritious and convenient meals and snacks a day to your front door. All of which are, as you’d expect, totally organic.
www.healthfactory.com (04 347 3808).
Have a cool party
This week’s ice-cool cover of Time Out Abu Dhabi was put together by ice sculptor Alistair Reynette-James of Ice Box Dubai, who can also make frosty creations for parties. Check out his website and host a celebration with a difference this summer.
www.iceboxdubai.com (04 396 1124).
Cooling spa treatments
Cold stone facial
Rayana Spa’s cold stone facial aims to decrease inflammation while increasing muscle tone. It uses June Jacobs cooling facial products and a couple of cool stones. It’s also soothing to sensitive skin and perfect for faces exposed to too much sun which is perfect for the unforgivingly hot Abu Dhabi summers. In the run-up to the mask your face will be treated to a process of cleansing, toning and exfoliating – all with cooling products containing the likes of green tea, cucumber and mandarin.
The 90-minute cold stone facial costs Dhs700. Rayana Spa, Hyatt Capital Gate (02 596 1100).
Diamond ice lifting facial
During this luxurious treatment, your face will be cleansed, toned and exfoliated with chilled products which will make your skin feel instantly firmer and tighter and then cold stones are used to massage your face. The unique selling point for this facial is the ‘live ingredients’ that rejuvenate your skin. It comes in the form of two small sticks with a frozen product on the end, looking like ice lollipops, and the whole treatment works to firm and lift the skin while also hydrating it.
The 80-minute facial costs Dhs1,100 at Atarmia Spa, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi (02 596 1100).
Body scrub and Vichy shower
A Vichy shower is essentially a rod with six shower heads that pulsate hot and cold water all over your body. At Eastern Mangroves Anantara Spa it is part of their intense body scrub treatment. You can choose from the white coconut scrub to nourish or the green tea to detoxify the skin. Once you’ve been scrubbed from head to toe the therapist will adjust the pattern, placement and temperature of the jets to achieve a whole body water massage. The idea is to increase blood circulation and soothe the nervous system, enabling your body to balance and your muscles to relax.
60-minute treatment is Dhs500 at Anantara Spa, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa (02 656 1000).
Order in catering
Lana’s Partiperfect
This great company not only brings amazing food to your door so that you don’t have to spend hours preparing grub for your guests, but they will also come and set it all up and then come back to take it all away once you’re done partying. Pretty much perfect in our book! They do breakfast, lunch, dinner and office catering.
www.partiperfect.ae (02 681 0090).
Api Cae Gourmet
The clever folks at Api Cae haven recently started to cater. Party menus are available in store, and they also offer bespoke catering. They deal in tasty Italian fare plus delicious desserts.
Api Cae Gourmet, Al Khalidiyah, Tower A, (02 666 8909).
Shakespeare and Co.
This popular café does catering for both private and corporate affairs including everything from breakfast, pastries, sandwiches, soup, cakes and much more.
The Souk Central Market (02 329 1040).
Don’t sweat it, keep fit
Haddins Gym
Well known for holding hardcore fitness classes all summer, head to Haddins early in the morning if you want to fight the flab. Their WOD (workout of the day) sessions start at 6am pronto throughout June. They also do great outdoor yoga classes for the more brave among you.
www.facebook.com/haddins
Bodytree
Don’t let the summer heat muck up your inner chi, head to Bodytree and try one of their pilates, yoga and dance classes. They’ve also just started salsa classes and will be holding a cleanse workshop on June 11 (where you’ll be expected to go on a 10-day detox).
www.bodytreestudio.com
Fit4Two
Keeping fit when you’re pregnant is pretty tough. But Fit4Two offer classes all over Abu Dhabi for mums-to-be, which focus on correcting common muscular imbalances improving posture and building stamina for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. You’ll need to bring a completed copy of your PAR med-X pregnancy form signed by you and your healthcare provider to your first class.
www.fit4two.ca (050 123 9256).
Tasty food delivered
Soulfull
It’s hot outside, meaning you are going to be lazy when it comes to ordering in food. Do yourself a favour and get some from Soulfull. The word ‘full’ really does sum it up. Their salads are absolutely huge and will last you three sittings. Try the beef salad and their succulent chicken tikka.
Al Muroor (02 643 3669).
Meals On Wheels
Sometimes you want home cooking but can’t be bothered to switch on the oven yourself. That’s when Meals On Wheels are your friend. They deliver cooked grub such as spring rolls, fried kibbeh, lasagnes and hammour fish, and frozen treats such as shushbarak, along with pastries and pizzas.
meals.on.wheels@outlook.com (056 352 2293).
Organic Foods & Cafe
If you live in Khalifa City and can’t be bothered to head out in the heat to the shops, then give Organic Foods & Cafe a call. This grocery store in Masdar City (with branches all over the UAE) will deliver their bio-dynamic food and health supplements (not to mention skincare, cosmetics and baby items) to your door.
www.organicfoodsandcafe.com (02 557 1406).
