Shopping
Shop-a-thon
In keeping with the spirit of Ramadan, the capital’s retail scene undergoes a transformation, with extended store opening hours, plus offers and promotions. One of the highlights will be ADNEC’s annual Ramadan/Eid festival (Aug 20-Sept 14, 8pm-3am), which attracts stores and retailers from all over the world to take part and sell their products. Everyone welcome.
(www.adnec.ae).
Also worth checking out
Grafika boutique: Buy one dress from the collection at full price during Ramadan and get another (from selected pieces) for half price.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7111).
Night Souk: To be held during the entire month of Ramadan. Sellers can rent booths for Dhs9,000 to Dhs12,000.
Al Wahda Mall.
Al Raha Mall: ‘Shop and Win’ promotion beginning on August, in which you could walk away with a Chrysler 300 C.
Sport
Sporting goodness
While you may prefer the comfort of your AC-swept home during August, don’t hole yourself up for the entire month. Brave the blistering heat to take part in a cruising and watersports-packed ‘Fun Day’. For Dhs10,000 (Dhs200 per person for a group of 50), you can board a luxury yacht, complete with two jet-skis, two speed boats at the ready and a finger food buffet. Make the most of the onboard sound system as you cruise the waters of the Corniche and Lulu Island. Available seven days a week – desired timings and tailored itineraries upon request. ‘Dinner Corniche and Island Cruises’ and jet-ski rental from 9.30am-7pm, also available during Ramadan.
Empros (02 673 6600; www.empros.ae).
Sports festival
14th Open Sports Festival The Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel: Since 1997, AFOCH’s Open Sports Festival has been seen to evolve from a local tournament to an international championship, attracting world class teams and individual athletes from all over the known world. Men and women compete in various taxing sports including football, jiu-jitsu, karate, shooting, bowling and, er, Playstation, in a bid to be crowned the ultimate champion (and there are a number of prizes up for grabs, too).
August 8-30. AFOCH (02 441 5900).
Best of the rest…
• Noukhada Adventure Company offers eco-tours of the mangroves and islands of Abu Dhabi and during August, you can take advantage of the following offers: Two-for-one on any mangrove or island kayak tour (normal price Dhs150 or Dhs200 per person) with a minimum of four per tour. Booking at least 48 hours in advance is essential.
Six hours of sailing instruction for the price of four, Dhs1,200 (original price Dhs1,800), with payment in advance and a minimum of two hour sessions.
Noukhada (050 721 8928; info@noukhada.ae).
• Al Ain Paintball is offering a 30 per cent discount on all packages (except on Thursdays and Fridays) throughout Ramadan.
Opening hours 8pm-2am. Al Ain Paintball (050 743 9648; www.alainpaintball.com).
• Al Ain Raceway is hosting the Ramadan Super Prix Challenge 2010 starting on August 13, with championship prizes up for grabs including an LED TV. Gear up for some serious go-karting! Arrival and registration 10pm, Dhs400 per round. Pre-booking special rates include one round free when booking all four rounds in advance and pay only Dhs1,200 (saving Dhs400); Monday and Tuesday three-for-two on ‘Arrive and Drive’ throughout Ramadan.
Al Ain Raceway (03 768 6662; www.alainraceway.com).
• With tee times as late as 8.30pm at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, you can burn off those Iftar buffet calories with a round of night golf for Dhs99. The offer is open to both members and non-members. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
(02 445 9600).
Family
• Haddin’s Fitness has launched a Sports Academy, with activities for the whole family taking place at The Haddin’s Training Centre in Zayed Sports City. Hockey, basketball, sailing, tennis, athletics, cricket and rugby are just some of the sports on offer, with personal fitness assessments, dietary advice and customised training programmes.
(050 104 7948).
• The School Holiday Program, which launches on August 1, will run for the entire month and includes martial arts, boxing, ball games, classroom-based activities, table tennis, indoor football, netball, racquet sports, ten pin bowling and ice skating. Dhs750 for the first week; Dhs650 for subsequent weeks; Dhs175 per day or Dhs1,200 for a week-long family pass. Active after-school care, ‘Little Athletics’ and other child-friendly promotions and activities are also on offer.
For further information visit www.haddins.com.
• If you’ve yet to explore all that the capital has to offer, join the tourist throng by jumping on board one of the Big Bus Tours which trundle through the city on a daily basis. The unmistakable maroon and yellow double-decker buses offer a great way to see the sights, and for the summer schedule (running now until September 31) the ‘Hop on, hop off’ tour will depart from Marina Mall every two hours between 9am and 5pm – there’s no need to book.
For the month of August, kids under 16 go free when accompanied by two paying adults. Summer Combo Package includes a Desert Safari & Big Bus Tour Adult (Dhs320) or Desert Safari & Big Bus Tour Child (Dhs210).
• Treasure hunts, arts and crafts, snorkelling and banana boat rides are all part of the itinerary at the Hilton Abu Dhabi Summer Camp. From now until September 2, all kids from four to 12 years old are welcome to join in every Sunday to Thursday, 9am-3pm.
Call (02 681 1900) for further information.
Spas
Beat the heat: health & beauty treatments
For non-Muslims who choose to embrace the spirit of Ramadan, the lunar month is the perfect time to refresh yourself. You have a good reason to abstain from alcohol, and as long as you refrain from over-indulging during the many Iftar buffets taking place all over the city, you’ve got a fair shot at losing that hard-to-shift ‘holiday weight’. Rid your body of toxins with a special spa treatment, kick-start a new health and fitness regime, or relax by the pool with one of the following special offers and promotions.
• CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La: Pamper yourself with a CHI Signature Massage and get 50 per cent off a Harmonising Facial or a Detoxifying Coffee Scrub. Valid throughout August from Sundays to Thursdays only.
Also, enjoy a complimentary month of Beach Club membership when you buy an annual Health Club membership or enjoy a month of free access to all external beach and pool facilities when buying two months Beach Club membership. The offers are valid until August 31 at Shangri-La Hotel, Bain Al Jessrain.
(CHI: 02 509 8900 / Health Club: 02 509 8910).
• Hilton Abu Dhabi: Thai massage has long been credited with promoting stress-busting effects and the Hilton Abu Dhabi has recently invested in the services of a new specialized Thai therapist – Ms Wilai Kongliam. Combining gentle rocking and deep stretching movements, the massage stimulates blood circulation and improves flexibility. Can be painful, but that’s part of the fun!
Dhs380 for 1 hour Dhs450 for 90mins. (02 681 1900).
• Zen Spa at Beach Rotana: Special offers on facials include a mini facial for Dhs225 for 30 minutes and a Balancing Teen Facial (gets rid of your zits), Dhs300 for 60 minutes. All facials include a scalp, neck and shoulder massage as well as a hand massage.
(02 697 9333).
• The Beauty Spot: Salon Free Loreal ‘Powerdose’ hair repair treatment for heat-bothered ladies and gents who book in for any colouring service during Ramadan – a saving of at least Dhs100.
Ramadan hours: 10am-midnight. Behind Marina Mall (02 681 8817).
• Aloft Abu Dhabi: Make the most of Aloft’s rooftop pool, Splash, for just Dhs50 including one soft drink (and free wireless internet if you fancy doing some poolside emailing), from Sundays to Thursdays during the summer; open 6am-11pm.
(02 654 5148).
• Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort: From now until September 11, The Health Club at the Sheraton is offering a special one-month membership for Dhs1,200 per person; couples for Dhs1,900, two-month memberships for Dhs2,400 per person and three-month memberships for Dhs3,600 per person. Can’t say fairer than that!
(02 697 0272).
• Anantara Spa at Emirates Palace: The cleansing Royal Hamman Ritual treatment is followed by an ayurvedic massage to alleviate muscle fatigue and tension and improve circulation. The Royal Retreat Package comes in at Dhs1,200 for 165mins; valid throughout August and September.
(02 690 9000).
• Park Rotana Abu Dhabi: If motivation is dwindling and you’re succumbing to the lure of lazy ‘DVD’ days, invest in the services of a personal trainer. Personal training at the Park Rotana hotel, Al Maqtaa, costs Dhs155 per hour; Dhs820 for six sessions; Dhs1,490 for 12 sessions and Dhs2,590 for 24 sessions.
(02 657 3374).
Art
Equestrian art – Best open-air exhibition: Get your art fix by hot-footing it down to the Corniche where images from the President of the UAE Cup Series (Arabian horseracing), are on show. The ‘Galleria’ is made up of never-before-seen images taken from a 15-year-old archive and features work by UAE-based photographers including Ahmed Al Yehyai, Andrew Watkins, Kholloud Al Muraikhi, Omar Abdulrahman Al Zaabi and Tariq Dajani. The exhibition offers an exclusive glimpse into the breed’s history in the UAE; on display now until October 15.
(www.presidentscup.ae).
Best for bargains: For original artwork at affordable prices (nothing is more than Dhs4,000), head to Ghaf Gallery’s Ramadan Art Bazaar, featuring digital paintings, sculpture and photography; August 15 to September 9.
Travel
Take a break: summer escapes at home and away The hottest hotel deals in and around the capital. Now’s the time to treat yourself.
2-for-1…
Book any weekend night stay at Le Royal Méridien between now and September 15 and receive a second night including breakfast for free. Dhs650 for a single room and Dhs700 for a double.
(02 695 0404).
Money back!
Book a Deluxe room, suite or villa for the Anantara Breeze Rate this summer and enjoy Dhs300 ‘Resort Credit’ per room, per night, to spend in any of the resorts’ restaurants, pool bar or Safaa Spa. Summer activities at the resort include cooking classes, yoga, Thai massages, face painting and swimming. Available Saturday to Wednesday; now until September 8.
Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Sir Bani Yas Island (02 801 5400).
More for less
GCC and UAE residents can enjoy a 50 per cent discount off the published rate room rate (including breakfast) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri.
Available now until September 30, (02 509 8630).
