Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is a well-known luxury resort in Dubai, situated in the heart of Dubai’s famous Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area, offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and easy access to the beach.
The resort features a range of luxurious rooms and suites with modern amenities and stylish decor with some of the rooms offering panoramic sea views.
We were lucky enough to spend the night at the resort a few weeks ago as I found a fabulous deal on one of my booking platforms. We booked to stay on a half-board basis, meaning that we had breakfast and lunch or dinner included.
Hotel Facilities
Guests can enjoy a wide range of recreational facilities, including visiting one of the three swimming pools (two of which have swim up bars), water sports, a fitness center, tennis courts, and Spa.
The resort has its own expansive private beach area with direct access onto JBR beach and fabulous views across to the Ain Dubai.
The hotel is family-friendly and offers activities for children, as well as an outdoor children play area, mini golf and a Kids Club. Arlo was too young to access the Kid’s Club this time, but I’m sure we will make use of it in the future!
Dining
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa itself has twelve restaurants within the resort. It also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the neighboring Grosvenor House Hotel which has an additional thirteen restaurants that you can choose from.
For lunch we are at Le Deck which is located around the first pool area in front of the hotel. It is shaded and with air conditioning fans and so, although we visited on the hottest day of the year, we still managed to have our lunch outside.
For dinner, we headed down to Geales, a British gastro-inspired outlet. Breakfast was included in Brasserie 2.0 (the same restaurant that the hotels infamous Saturday Brunch is held). Anything and everything you could possibly want for breakfast was on offer – including a pork station located at the very back of the restaurant!
Location Attractions
The hotel is conveniently located near popular Dubai attractions such as the Dubai Marina, The Walk at JBR, and the Palm Jumeirah.
We love to visit the hotel for the day making use of the Pool Access Passes but it was really lovely to be able to fully relax and unwind as a guest in the resort.
Those were the words of our taxi driver once we arrived in Mauritius and oh, was he right!
We originally planned to go to Mauritius to celebrate my 30th birthday, but as I was 38 weeks pregnant at the time, the trip was postponed! Roll on 2023, and we travelled to Mauritius with Arlo and were able to celebrate his first birthday whilst we were there.
Emirates runs daily direct flights from Dubai to Mauritius and we opted for the flight departing Dubai at 2.30am which meant we arrived in Mauritius at 9.30am. There is no time difference between the UAE and Mauritius which worked out great for us with Arlo’s sleep schedule. We also didn’t suffer with any jet lag either way.
We arranged airport transfers in advance with our hotel, and the driver was ready and waiting for us upping arrival. The journey from the airport to our hotel was approximately one hour so we were relaxing in our hotel lobby with an ice tea by 11am.
Sugar Beach Hotel
When pricing up hotels, Sugar Beach Hotel was very competitive and the rate was inclusive of all food and beverages. The rate also included complimentary golf at three golf courses across the island which was a selling point for Ryan. Sugar Beach Hotel has three beautiful restaurants as well as the option to order pizza to be delivered direct to your Sun lounger at any time of day! Furthermore, as a guest of Sugar Beach, you are also entitled to access the facilities and restaurants of the sister hotel which is located just next door.
When deciding on our room type, we opted for a garden facing room and were located on the ground floor so we had direct access from our room to the lovely vast garden area which then headed directly onto the beach. Arlo loved running around out there.
Each day, the staff would update the activities board by the pool to show which games or activities were scheduled for the day for the hotel guests to participate in. These ranged from croquet (with bowler hats and parasols – so cute!) to walks into the local town.
Arlo’s First Birthday
We were lucky enough to celebrate Arlo’s first birthday whilst we were over in Mauritius. So, for his birthday morning, we decided to book a boat trip and head out to do some dolphin spotting. Typically, that morning Arlo decided to lay in and so we had to wake him up (which pained me to do so haha). We set off on our boat trip at 7am for two hours. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any dolphins but we got a beautiful view of the beachfront from the sea, the weather was calm and so the boat wasn’t choppy at all and it was a really lovely way to spend the morning.
After the boat trip, we headed to the buffet for Arlo’s “holiday assortment” which included: omelette, pancakes and fresh fruit.
The afternoon was spent with lots of swimming and splashing around in the pools.
For lunch, we headed over to Citronella and the staff prepared a cake with a sparkler for Arlo’s birthday which was so sweet and they all gathered around to sing happy birthday. It was the perfect way to celebrate our baby boy turning one.
Activities & Things to Do Nearby
The nearest town was a 35 minute walk from our hotel – Ryan experienced this first hand as I sent him to buy more baby formula as we ran out a lot sooner than I had anticipated! He said the town had a real buzz about it with tourists and locals alike sat in the bars and restaurants having lunch. You can also check out my other blog here on Things to do in Flic-En-Flac!
I would love to return to Mauritius as it really was the perfect family holiday destination to relax and unwind.
We absolutely loved our stay in Flic-en-Flac when we visited in March, staying at the beautiful Sugar Beach Resort. As our hotel was all-inclusive, we really didn’t need to leave the hotel! We also had our one year old in tow and so decided we mainly wanted to use the trio to relax (you can read all about our trip here).
Flic en Flac does however, have a range of tourist activities that you can enjoy! Here are some things you can do while visiting:
Snorkeling and Diving: Explore the underwater world by snorkeling or diving. You’ll find colorful coral reefs and a variety of marine life.
Tamarina Golf Club: If you’re a golfer, play a round at the Tamarina Golf Club, which offers scenic views of the ocean and mountains.
Hiking: Explore the nearby Black River Gorges National Park, which has hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and lush forests.
Dolphin Watching: Take a boat trip to spot dolphins in their natural habitat. This is a popular activity in the area.
Rum Tasting: Mauritius is known for its rum. Visit a local distillery for a rum tasting experience.
Local Markets: Explore local markets like the Flic en Flac Market or Cascavelle Shopping Village for souvenirs and a taste of Mauritian culture.
Island Tours: Consider taking a day tour to explore other parts of Mauritius, such as the capital city of Port Louis or the Chamarel Seven Colored Earths.
Water Sports: Try water sports like water skiing, parasailing, or paddle boarding if you’re feeling adventurous.
Be sure to check the availability and operating hours of these activities, as they may vary depending on the season and local regulations.
We recently spent the weekend at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, a hotel that we’ve visited many times before but have never actually stayed at.
Upon arrival the valet staff helped us with our car and luggage and escorted us to the check in desk where we were greeted with a lovely complimentary drink.
We were extremely lucky that our room was ready upon arrival and were taken straight up after a smooth check in. As soon as the door opened I was delighted at the lovely, spacious room. It had a beautiful, shaded balcony that had a table and chairs and extended down to a larger balcony with two sun-loungers on it. The bathroom had a shower cubicle as well as a lovely big bath which I knew I’d be lounging in later in the evening.
At the time that we arrived, Arlo was napping, so Ryan laid on the bed with him and I sat out on the sun-lounger, with a packet of crisps and a glass of rosé – it was heavenly.
When Arlo woke up, we headed down to the pool. I managed to grab some beds, even though the hotel was very busy at the time, due to it being a Public Holiday.
We all swam through the lagoon and somehow ended up at the pool bar! I had an iced coffee and Ryan had a pint (or two) of Peroni. Arlo absolutely loves swimming and he had so much fun splashing around swimming around by the pool bar.
Bussola
For lunch, we were spoilt for choice with restaurant options, but we decided to head over to Bussola. The restaurant is divided into two sections; a pizzeria which is located upstairs, and the main restaurant which can be found on the ground floor. Ryan and I both fancied pizza and so we headed upstairs. I opted for a pizza with mozzarella and pork guanciale and Ryan had a pepperoni, we both shared pieces with Arlo as well who was loving the pizza just as much as we were!
After lunch we went back to our room to give Arlo a bottle and hope that he would have a nap – this was a bit later in the day than we would normally allow him to nap, but that’s because we knew we were heading out for dinner in the evening. Arlo and Ryan both fell asleep so I laid out on the sunlounger on our terrace and had some time alone in the sun. It was bliss.
Baba Steakhouse
Our room was booked on a half-board basis, which meant that we had breakfast and a choice of lunch or dinner included in our stay. We decided to visit to Baba Steakhouse for dinner as it’s a restaurant that we hadn’t previously tried in the Westin hotel. Baba Steakhouse has a great set menu for you to choose from as part of the half-board package as well as a three course children’s menu.
To start with, Ryan had the Calamari, and I had the Crab Cakes. Both dishes were so tasty and had a contemporary Asian twist on the classic dishes. For our main course, we both opted for steak. I was a bit cheeky and ordered off of the children’s menu for my dessert because I really fancied the chocolate brownie and ice cream.
By this point, Arlo was very tired so we headed back upstairs to the room and put him to bed. Ryan and I then sent out on a terrace and had a glass of wine before we felt too warm and decided to go to bed ourselves.
Minas Kitchen
If you’ve ever been for Saturday Brunch at the Westin, you will know that it is located in the restaurant.
Mina’s Kitchen is the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina’s buffet restaurant and is the place that you can find the fabulous breakfast buffet (and their lively Saturday Brunch)
The interior of the restaurant is lovely, showcasing high ceilings with a beautiful, monochrome checkered floor, and with lots of greenery throughout the restaurant. The breakfast buffet choice was fantastic. They offer a fabulous selection of cold-cuts, cheese, pastries, fruit, pork and a live cooking station for omelettes etc.
Jungle Bay
Did you know that if you stay at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina or Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort that you get complimentary access to the Jungle Bay Waterpark throughout your stay!
Jungle Bay Waterpark has a great selection of slides for kids of all ages as well as a big splash pad for the smaller babies and a wave pool.
External hotel guests can also visit Jungle Bay Waterpark for the day at a rate of AED200 per adult, AED75 for kids over the age of 4 and free for all children under 4! They also have a ladies day on a Monday where access is AED100 for ladies.
We absolutely loved our stay and I would really recommend the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina as a great place to stay with children.
The summer can be one of the toughest times on animal welfare centres throughout the UAE. With temperatures soaring and the facilities operating at maximum capacity with stray animals, it can take its toll in many ways. So here is a list of five ways in which you can help this summer:
1. Volunteer to walk the dogs at K9 friends
K9 Friends are a non-profit dog rescue centre and, unfortunately, they are currently operating beyond capacity with the number of dogs that are currently in their care.
One way you can help is by offering your time to take some of the dogs out for a walk to assist the team with their workload. It’s a lovely way to spend a morning and the dog’s joy becomes infectious. You could also arrange a dog walkingsession as a corporate event or team building activity. If you would like more details on this, please contact +971 (0) 4 887 8739.
2. Donate old towels
This may seem silly, but if it’s time for a spring clean and you have any old towels you wish to discard, you can donate these to one of the animal welfare centres around the UAE. The towels can be used in a multitude of ways to help the animals, whether it’s after bath time or for bedding.
3. Share Share Share
Sharing content on social media can really go a long way. Whether the posts are advertising pups that are looking to be homed; or events and fundraising that the centres may be hosting, simply sharing these on your socials amongst your network can really help to gain further traction and support.
4. Foster
If you are considering adopting an animal but can’t commit long term; or if you would like to trial and see what it’s like to welcome a pet into your home, a great way to do that is by fostering.
Fostering an animal helps to relieve the centres for a short period of time and also helps the centres understand valuable information about the dogs, how they react in a home environment, and their personalities.
5. Monetary Donations
Of course, every dirham can help. The centres use monetary donations to cover a wide range of the costs associated with rescuing these animals, keeping them fed and watered, healthy and cool during the summer. They often have hefty vet bills that need to be cleared, or maintenance and repair work to be carried out within the facilities. So any money that you are able to spare will be going to a fantastic cause.
Listed below are just some of the centres that would be grateful for any support you can offer:
If like me, you’re going to be spending your summer here in Dubai, and not sipping Champagne in Sorrento; or eating grilled prawns in Positano, then this list, of the top Mediterranean restaurants, is perfect for you.
North Miznon, DoubleTree by Hilton JBR
North Miznon is a hidden gem located at the DoubleTree Hilton along JBR. The menu consists of healthy, fresh dishes including grilled meats, grilled fish and a range of vegan options.
Restaurant TWO.0, Cove Beach
Located at Caesar’s Palace on Bluewaters Island this stunning al-fresco dining spot has a mouth-watering menu based on classic Mediterranean dishes. You can select fish from it’s fresh fish counter; order a rustic pizza cooked fresh in the pizza oven; or one of the freshly made salads. My personal favourite is the classic Greek Salad.
Ula Dubai
Ula Dubai really transports you across the ocean to the Mediterranean as soon as you step foot into the venue. With its stunning Boho interior, everywhere you turn is the perfect Instagram photo-opp.
I absolutely love the Halloumi and Truffle Pizza. Ula also offers a great selection of cocktails that you can sip at sundown or whilst enjoying a lazy lunch.
Laguna Lounge, Sofitel Dubai The Palm
This stunning beach dining spot is described as “Ancient Greek agora meets the French Riviera” and it truly feels that way. Laguna Lounge offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine which is accompanied by a selection of premium cocktails and shisha service.
Boardwalk, Park Hyatt Dubai
Boardwalk, located at the Park Hyatt Dubai, is a breath-taking venue with an extensive menu and fabulous views across the Dubai Creek. I would absolutely recommend the Crab Rigatoni pasta which is served with an Amalfi Lemon Sauce and is truly divine.
Alba Terrace, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The Abu Dhabi EDITION is one of my favourite hotels, I love the minimalist, chic vibe that greets you throughout the hotel. Alba Terrace has a gorgeous menu, filled with all of those classic Mediterranean inspired dishes. From Burrata, oven-baked pizza to Prawns A La Plancha the options are endless. I would also recommend checking out their cocktails, especially their Limoncello take on an Aperol Spritz!
Villamore, Kempinski Hotel Palm Jumeirah
Located at the Kempinski Hotel Palm Jumeirah, Villamore offers upscale beachside dining in a relaxed and chic setting. The restaurant offers stunning views across the beach with the Dubai Marina towers glistening in the background. Whether you’re after a light salad or a hearty paella, Villamore has you covered.
Seagrill Bistro, Fairmont The Palm
Seagrill Bistro is a long time favourite of mine. The restaurant has a cool, chic vibe going on and the food is fabulous. Whenever I visit the Fairmont The Palm for a beach day I love to head into Seagrill Bistro for a Lobster Roll at lunch.
Cleo Mediterraneo, Dubai Creek Resort
Located along the Boardwalk of the Dubai Creek Resort, you can really picture yourself being sat in the South of France, looking out across the yachts that are moored up in the Dubai Creek Marina.
In the warmer months, the restaurant is the perfect place to dine inside. With décor that transports you to the Mediterranean from the moment you step inside, complimented by the fresh seafood counter which really makes you feel like you could be in a small seaside town in Greece.
With a great Raw Selection including freshly shucked oysters and a variety of seafood carpaccio, Cleo Mediterraneo is a fabulous place to dine.
Below are some of my favourite pan-Asian restaurants located throughout Dubai and Abu Dhabi, whether it’s a night out with the girls or a date night, here are my top ten picks:
1. Asia Asia
One of my absolute go-to restaurants that I recommend when we have friends or family visiting is Asia Asia. It’s located in Pier 7 in the Dubai Marina which has fabulous views across the Marina and a beautifully decked out interior. You are immersed in its Asian dining experience as soon as you step out of the lift and are greeted by the candlelit Buddha statues.
Asia Asia is one of the newer dining options that you can take advantage of with your Privilee Membership, availing a discount of 20% off the total bill for Privilee Members and up to three guests.
They offer a great selection of sushi, dim sum, crispy aromatic duck, wok fried rice and noodles as well as a fabulous range of cocktails!
Asia Asia has since opened further outlets located in Dubai Business Bay and Abu Dhabi that you can check out and save with Privilee!
2. KŌYŌ Dubai
It gives New York speakeasy vibes as to find the restaurant you have to enter through the lower ground car park and then into an inconspicuous tattoo parlor before entering the bar and main restaurant. The chic Japanese restaurant has it all, offering an immersive dining experience with live shows and entertainment, a great choice of cocktails and sommelier selected wines.
My favourite dishes from the menu are the Chicken Katsu Sando and the Black Cod Robata. Privilee Members can receive 20% off the total bill for them and up to three guests – just make sure to inform Koyo at the time of booking that you wish to avail the discount.
3. Lah Lah, Zabeel House
Located at Zabeel House, The Greens, Lah Lah is a Pan-Asian kitchen and bar which provides great food with a chilled-out vibe. The highlight of this venue for me is that it’s dog friendly so is the perfect place to take the pooch for a lazy lunch or relaxing sundowners.
You can redeemed 15% off as a Privilee Members for yourself and up to five guests as well as up to 20% discount on the Saturday Brunch!
4. Akira Back, W Dubai
Located at the W The Palm Dubai, Akira Back is a stunning rooftop restaurant featuring Japanese cuisine prepared with Korean flavors by internationally renowned Chef Akira Back. Every dish tastes as stunning as it looks with their bold colors and flavors. Treat yourself to the Mystery Box which is comprised of a selection of nine delicacies selected by the Chef and unveiled with a table side presentation. Privilee Members and up to five guests can receive 20% discount off the total bill.
5. Karma Kafè
Located in the Souk Al Bahar with its stunning interior – and even more impressive skyline views – Karma Kafè is the perfect spot to sip on a Nagasaki Negroni and indulge in a sushi platter whilst overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa.
As a Privilee Member, you can take 20% off the total bill for yourself and up to three guests!
6. The Thai Kitchen. Park Hyatt Dubai
The Thai Kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy specially crafted Thai cocktails whilst soaking in the stunning views of the Dubai Creek Harbour. Experience the authentic taste of Thailand from the Park Hyatt restaurant all whilst saving 20% discount off the total bill as a Privilee Member. If you’re brave, you should try the Tom Yam Siam cocktail (paired with Thai chili’s)!
7. Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The stunning Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel is now home to the world famous Hakkasan restaurant, bringing its award-winning Asian cuisine to Abu Dhabi. This venue has such a romantic feel and is the perfect spot to enjoy a date night with your loved one, where you can stare lovingly into each others eyes whilst deciding who has the last piece of the Grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef!
Hakkasan offers 20% off for Privilee Members and up to three guests.
8. Barfly by Buddha Bar, Hilton Palm Jumeirah
Buddha Bar’s newest dining concept, Barfly by Buddha Bar, has opened on the 13th floor of the new Hilton Palm Jumeirah located along West Beach. Barfly by Buddha Bar is famous for its exquisite selection of sushi rolls that you can enjoy whilst sipping craft cocktails at sunset and taking in the stunning views that the venue has to offer.
As a Privilee Member, you can avail a discount of 20% for yourself and up to five guests as well as making use of the complimentary valet parking offered by the hotel
9. Benihana, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
Take your dining experience to another level by visiting Benihana at the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi and experience live Teppanyaki cooking right in front of you. The specialty dishes include sushi, sashimi and Makimono as well as Grilled Lobster Tail; Hibachi Salmon and Teriyaki Steak fresh from the grill!
Complimentary valet parking is available as well as a whopping 25% discount r for Privilee Members and up to three guests.
10. Katsuya, Hyde Hotel
This stunning Hollywood restaurant has opened its doors in Dubai and can be found in the Hyde Hotel. Katsuya offers a range of signature cocktails and vibrant, unique sushi rolls. My advice: try the smoke salmon! The food tastes even better as it is accompanied by a 20% discount for Privilee Members and up to three guests.
So if this has made you crave some Crispy Calamari or have a taste of some Tuna Tataki then get in touch with one of these restaurants and save using Privilee!
The summer heat is just about upon us, so splash into summer and take a dip in one of these ten fabulous swimming pools that you can benefit from with your Privilee Membership! One of my favourite things about Privilee is that even on those super hot days, you can head to a hotel for just a few hours in the morning to enjoy some time in the pool and leave before lunchtime when the real heat sets in, and you never feel as though you’ve wasted any money on a full day pool pass!
1. Palazzo Versace Hotel
Sipping on an Aperol Spritz whilst laying around the Capri Pool at the Palazzo Versace Hotel, it’s easy to forget that you’re lounging by the Dubai Creek Harbour, and not in the Italian Amalfi Coast. I absolutely love spending the day at the Palazzo Versace as it caters to the whole family. It has three beautiful swimming pools, La Piscina, Portofino and Capri as well as seven restaurants and bars (within which Privilee Members receive a 25% discount!)
2. The Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah
The Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah has a Main Pool that the whole family can enjoy, especially Mums and Dads with the swim-up pool bar! The hotel also has a shaded kid’s pool surrounded by additional sun loungers so that parents can lay back and watch the children play.
3. Cove Beach Dubai
A slice of adult-only heaven has arrived on Privilee! Cove Beach Dubai can be found on Bluewaters Island and has three swimming pools available for Privilee Members to enjoy every day of the week. Cove Beach hosts a range of events each day so you can choose to party the day away, or relax and unwind, it’s totally up to you!
4. InterContinental Dubai Marina
Hidden amongst the concrete jungle with stunning views of the Dubai Marina, the InterContinental Dubai Marina offers chilled vibes, cocktails and the comfiest sunbeds – I don’t know what more you could want from a pool day! The pool is open daily from 8am to 8pm and has a gym on the same floor, just in case you wanted to have a quick workout before cooling off in the rooftop pool.
5. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Another family friendly pool day is the Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. This Thai- inspired hotel has a stunning 50 metre infinity pool with ample sun loungers surrounding it. But the highlight of the hotel for me has to be the beautiful lagoon winding throughout the resort.
The lagoon has a shallow sand bank which is the perfect place for little ones to sit and play before diving into the lagoon for a swim. One of the best parts is a little wooden boat that passes through the lagoon every few hours selling drinks – I like to treat myself to a fresh coconut – but if you’re lucky, your little one may even be able to have ride on it!
6. Melia Desert Palm
Melia Desert Palm is an oasis located a short drive out into the Dubai Desert. The hotel has a beautiful infinity pool, with views spanning over the connected polo club. If you’re heading out that way you should definitely make sure to pop into the Samana Spa for a massage before driving back to reality!
7. Fluid Beach Dubai
Fluid Beach Club can be found at Th8 Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. It’s the perfect place to chill with friends from day into night. This adult-only venue offers Privilee Members and up to four guests 25% discount off F&B so you can soak in the sun, sip champagne and stay for sunset all whilst saving money!
8. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk is another great venue to visit as a family. The stunning Soleil swimming pool has a great shaded kid’s pool attached with a splash pad for them to enjoy. The pool can be accessed from the hotel’s sixth floor and offers a great view of the Dubai Skyline.
9. Hyde Hotel Dubai
The rooftop pool at Hyde Hotel Dubai has views of the Dubai Skyline that are hard to beat. This adult-only venue has super-chic décor, Burj Khalifa views and (I must say) some of the comfiest sun beds I have experienced. The hotel has complimentary valet parking and offers 20% discount off food, beverage and brunches across all outlets.
10. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Last, but by no means least, is the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. This hotel is one of my absolute favourites when I’m in need of some downtime. As soon as you pull up to the front of the hotel and are greeted by the friendly valet team, you feel at home. The hotel provides the feeling of both luxury and comfort with its five star service and super comfy beach sun loungers.
The Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah has a fabulous infinity pool that all of the family can enjoy. Also, tucked around to the righthand side of the resort, hidden amongst the palm trees, is an adult-only pool where you can really switch off and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Living in Dubai we are so lucky to have so many beautiful hotels and resorts right here on our doorstep. That’s why I am so thankful to have my Privilee Membership which allows me to make the most of all they have to offer!
As the month of Ramadan draws to an end, we have the lovely long Eid weekend approaching, and what better way to spend it than to enjoy one, two or maybe three Privilee venues over the holiday.
W Dubai The Palm
W Dubai The Palm is a stunning, modern hotel which welcomes you with complimentary valet parking – which is always a bonus when traveling with children. As you make your way through the gorgeous lobby, the Privilee check-in desk is conveniently located before the walkway down to the pool and beach.
The hotel really caters for people and families of all ages with its adult only WET Deck; at least ten WET Pools with complimentary sun loungers; and a separate kids pool that is well shaded and has an on-site life guard present. The hotel also offers complimentary access for two children (aged between four and twelve) at its supervised kids club for Privilee Members. During our recent visit to the W Dubai The Palm we spent most of our time at the sun loungers on the beach and were just a short walk away from one of the many WET Pools.
After a lot of splashing around in the sea and the pool, Arlo fell asleep which gave us the perfect opportunity to order some lunch to our sun loungers from the Pool Bar and Restaurant. The food was delicious, I opted for the Chicken Burger whilst Ryan went for the healthier option of the Chicken Caesar Salad.
Before heading home for the day, we stopped in the lobby café for a coffee and a cookie – the décor is fabulous by the way – and availed a 25% discount on our drinks.
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
Why not set off on a Daycation and visit the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The hotel has not one, but five hotels to offer, all of which have complimentary towels and sun loungers for Privilee Members. If you’re feeling adventurous you can head down to the 650m long private beach and dive into the ocean from the Jungle Float, a playground on water which features trampolines, slides and much more!
Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
Just five minutes down the road from the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island you will find another Privilee venue – the Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. Here you will find the stunning Ula Pool which provides complimentary water, sun loungers and towels and 20% discount off the total bill for up to four guests! The Kids Pool is well sheltered from the sun and surrounded by sun loungers so you can relax and watch your little ones play. At 5pm you can head up to the only rooftop bar in Rask Al Khaimah, Neo Sky Bar, to watch a gorgeous sunset whilst taking in the 360-degree views and enjoy 20% discount off the bill whilst you’re up there.
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
A newbie to Privilee is the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, located along the vibrant Palm West Beach. One of the benefits Privilee Member’s can access at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah is The Pirates Kid’s Club, located to the left of the Kid’s Pool. You can make the most of three hours complimentary access to the supervised Kid’s Club each day for children aged four to twelve. Or, if like us, your little one falls into the infant bracket, you can still head down there, just be sure to have a parent or nanny with them at all times.
We love spending time at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, the beach provides a breath-taking view of the Marina skyline and is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Fairmont The Palm
Another Palm favourite of ours is the Fairmont The Palm. This hotel really is perfect for a visit with the whole family. Fairmont The Palm provides some excellent dining options, Seagrill Bistro is the perfect spot for lunch during a busy day of sunbathing. My favourite dish is the lobster roll and it tastes even better when you receive 25% discount from the total bill as a benefit with Privilee.
Fairmont The Palm also provides complimentary access to its Falcons Kids Club from 10.30am-7pm daily. The hotel offers a good amount of shaded area – which is perfect when attending with children.
Ryan and I decided we weren’t going to be doing Christmas presents last year so I was very surprised on Christmas Day when I opened a large box containing two tickets to see Chris Brown! An actual life long dream (well, a dream since 2008). I then realised that the concert was in Germany. My first response was, “Amazing… what about Arlo” and we thought we had enough time to figure it out. Roll on March and, not only did Arlo come with us to Munich, we also flew out Ryan’s Mum and Grandma to meet us! It’s times like this when we realise the difficulties of living abroad and living away from our families. We can’t just pop away for a long weekend now that we have a baby. So, we thought it would be a great idea for them to meet us in Munich, as it’s only a short 2 hour flight from London. That way, they would get to spend a lovely weekend with us and Arlo, and we would have trusted babysitters for the night of the gig – win win!
Traveling light with an 11 month old is almost impossible, but we were adamant that for two nights we didn’t need to check in a case. So poor Ryan basically had one outfit for the whole weekend to save space for me and Arlo in the hand luggage case! Now that Arlo is eating three solid meals a day, I took eight of my trusted Ella’s Kitchen pouches as a back up and also measured three small pots of 30g porridge for Arlo to have for breakfasts so I knew we would be covered in case we weren’t able to order anything suitable whilst we were there.
We arranged our airport transfers via Booking.com as it was significantly cheaper than many other taxi quotes we received. We could also amend our booking to include an infant car seat which was very efficient.
Day One
We had an early start as we left home at 5am, arrived at the airport for 5.30am and were in the Emirates Lounge by 6am. Our flight departed Dubai at 8am. We were traveling with our friends Emily & James from Dubai and it was a huge help having those extra pairs of hands for the flight. Upon check in, the staff were extremely helpful and moved us so we were sat in a row of four with extra leg room. We blocked off either end of the row and let Arlo sit / walk / crawl on the floor for the most part of the flight which was great as he was able to move much more freely and he tends to get a bit sassy if he feels too restricted.
Once we arrived in Munich we were through immigration relatively promptly and were straight through as we didn’t need to wait for any checked in bags. Our driver collected us and we had a thirty minute journey to the hotel. We booked the Aparthotel Adagio access München City Olympiapark due to it’s proximity to the Olympiahall where the concert was. The rooms were relatively basic but clean and came with a kitchenette cooker, fridge, sink and kettle. We informed the staff that we would be traveling with Arlo ahead of time and they had already arranged an infant cot for our room.
It was lovely to meet up with Ryan’s Mum and Grandma at the hotel and then the seven of us headed over to the Olympic Tower in the Olympic Park. There is a fine dining restaurant, Restaurant 181, located at the top of the tower but we didn’t arrive with enough time for lunch and they do not allow children under the age of six for the evening. You can go up to the viewing platform at the Olympic Tower for (e)13 per person and it provides 360degree views of Munich as it towers over the surrounding buildings.
We stopped for a bite to eat and a few cocktails in Restaurant Olympiasee which was at the base of the Olympic Tower. The restaurant was very casual but had a real buzz about it with many people seeming to be in the area to watch an ice-hockey event. We had currywurst sausages, cocktails and beer and it was a lovely way to spend the rest of the afternoon.
We headed up to our rooms relatively early as we were all ready to crash after a long day of traveling.
Day Two
The seven of us met in the hotel lobby for a 9.30am start and we took the subway into the main town centre, Marienplatz. We were fortunate that the subway stop was less than a five minute walk from our hotel and had a direct line for 20 minutes to reach Marienplatz. One of the only restaurant resrvations I made for the trip was for breakfast at a cute cafe called Cotidiano which was around a 15 minute walk from Marienplatz subway stop. However, when we arrived we were informed that the cafe didn’t take reservations, so had quite a lengthy wait outside in the cold! Once we sat down we knew that the breakfast was going to be worth the wait. The cafe was packed to the brim with people enjoying beers, prosecco and wine with their brunch. We were also joined by James’ cousin, Adam, and wife, Faye, and we all spent a good few hours chatting, eating and drinking. We all ordered a variety of eggs, avo, and sweet and salty pancakes. Everything tasted delicious, especially the (e)4 prosecco!
After brunch, we walked back to the Centre of Marienplatz and found a rooftop bar overlooking the markets. It had outdoor seating and it was only 1 degree so we warmed ourselves up with pints of Aperol Spritz!
We walked through the market and headed to a nearby beer hall which was packed to the brim! The guys had their steins of beer and Arlo slept the whole time!
That evening we had the concert so headed back to the hotel for a quick change then all went for dinner at Bavarie Brasserie in the BMW museum. Ryan’s mum and grandma then took Arlo back to the hotel and the six of us walked five minutes to the Olympiahalle to see Chris Brown!! The gig was absolutely amazing and so worth all of the travel to see him.
Day Three
Ryan’s Mum and Grandma were being collected from the hotel at 12pm for their flight home. So we decided to go for a walk to a nearby shopping centre they had visited on their first day. When we arrived, we were surprised to find that the shopping centre, and every shop nearby was closed! We didn’t realised that, by law, shops in Germany are only allowed to open on four Sundays throughout the entire year, and this wasn’t one of them! So we headed over the road and enjoyed a trusty McDonalds before walking back to our hotel.
After saying our goodbyes, me, Ryan and Arlo took the subway back into Marienplatz to meet Em and James (who were also devastated by the fact that there was to be no shopping for the day)! It appeared that the only thing to do was to head to one of the famous beer halls so we walked around twenty minutes to Augustiner-Keller which had been recomended by a few friends. We entered the hall and felt like we were walking into the Hogwarts dining hall. It was very large with grand lights and a stage at the front. It was absolutely packed and clearly the place to be on a Sunday afternoon in Munich.
We had a night flight back to Dubai which departed Munich at 9.30pm. Arlo was such an Angel as he fell asleep at take off and we woke him up at landing. We got back to Dubai around 6am and were home around 7.30am. I was not jealous of Ryan, Em and James going into work that day.. although I had a full day of looking after Mr Arlo!
Vacays and Sunny Days 