Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I have decided to start spending some time in the beautiful city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. I have always been so attracted by this spectacular Las Vegas of the Middle East. The winter in North America is so cold I had to come up with a plan! I would love to spend some time in the famous 7 (seven) star hotel Burj Al Arab. Also, there are so many restaurants and nightclubs I’m dying to try. The Monarch on Shaikh Zayed Road is first on my list.
The Monarch Dubai
I will definitely visit the new Atlantis hotel and have dinner at Nobu. Dubai seems to have an excellent night scene. Because of the alcohol regulation most nightclubs are located in hotels. The Kasbaa is one the hottest nightclubs in Dubai.
Spa Guide
Assawan Spa at BurJ al Arab
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Address: PO Box 74147, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: (+97) 14 301 7777
Booking details: reservations@burj-al-arab.com
Website: www.jumeirahinternational.com
Soaring towards the sky like a giant sail, the Burj AI Arab dominates the Dubai skyline. Situated on its own exclusive manmade island in the Arabian gulf, next to Jumeriah Beach, it's linked to the 'real world' by only a causeway. Non-guests have to pay even to get onto the island. Once you've stepped out of one of the hotel's fleet of white Rolls Royces (or helicopter) into this all-suite hotel (there are no rooms here), you're hit with pure opulence and money, money, money. Not a dirham has been spared, not a corner cut. When you see gold, it's real. The duplex suites on two floors are larger than most people's homes and consist of rooms with panoramic views of the sea, stretching as far as the eye can see, a Hollywood-style sweeping staircase, an office and a 24-hour butler.
The spa occupies the entire eighteenth floor. Although slightly less elaborate than the rest of the hotel, it is decked out with marble and gold. The treatment rooms aren't as intimate as some other spas, but then again subtlety isn't the thing here. Males and females are segregated, but the culture and general ambience encourages a communal vibe, so the atmosphere is lively and fun, with lots of chatter. This is not the place to come if you want to detox - you're more likely to retox.
The ambience: Out-and-out decadent, unbelievably lavish and extraordinarily extravagant, this is the ultimate hotel-cumtheme park for grown-ups. Even Donatella Versace would feel under-dressed here.
Regular guests: Attracts the more flamboyant personality the Versace customer rather than the pared-down Donna Karan devotee. Although, among the flashy there are also the more sophisticated; Nelson Mandela has also stayed here.
Treatment menu: Traditional Middle Eastern pleasures fuse with the best European-style treatments. The focus is on the aesthetic, with lots of facia Is, and slimming, firming and detoxifying wraps.
House speciality: La Prairie Caviar Body Treatment. This extravagant therapy has immediate - as well as long-term firming effects and revitalizes even the dullest of skins.
Cuisine: Here, with six restaurants and bars to chose from, you can eat and drink to your heart's content. so you're not likely to lose any weight (unless you religiously stick to the caloriecontrolled spa menu). The culinary highlight is the spectacular. Muntaha restaurant. situated on the top floor of the hotel, with striking views of Dubai - in those surroundings, who cares what the food is like (sophisticated Mediterranean, incidentally). AI Mahara, the award-winning seafood restaurant. is just as groundbreaking, literally. This undersea fantasy is reached by a threeminute simulated submarine journey and is centred around the biggest aquarium (real Arabian sea life) you've ever seen.
Ideal for: An extravagant hen night (bachelorette party) or girly weekend to remember. Having said that. the mirrored ceilings above the bed might encourage you to take a Dubai escort girl like Cleo instead.
What to pack: A camera (your friends will think you're exaggerating about the place), your gold card, a sense of fun and Dubai escort girl, Cleo..
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