Jumeirah August 2019

THE FOOD ISSUE August - September 2019

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Jumeirah Corporate Dubai Design District, Building 5, Floor 5 PO Box 73137, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 3665000, Fax: +971 4 366 5001. www.jumeirah.com Jumeirah is a trading name of Jumeirah International LLC. A Limited Liability company. Registration Number 57869.

Share Capital Dhs 300,000 fully paid up.

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Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor lan Fairservice Editorial Director Gina Johnson Senior Art Director Olga Petroff Contributing Editor Conor Purcell Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Senior Editorial Assistant Cecilia D’Souza Contributors James Brennan, Trang Minh General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Production Manager R Murali Krishnan Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Publishing Director Carlos Pedroza Group Sales Manager Bindu Gupta Senior Sales Manager Neha Kannoth For Jumeirah Claire Henshaw

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Head Office Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, motivate@motivate.ae Dubai Media City Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845.

Abu Dhabi PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: +971 2 657 3490, Fax: +971 2 657 3489, editor-wo@motivate.ae London Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, motivateuk@motivate.ae

Jumeirah International LLC its affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries (“Jumeirah Group”) and the publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication for whatever reason, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of Jumeirah Group or of the publishers. Readers are advised to solicit advice before acting on the information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. Jumeirah Group and the publishers take no responsibilty for the goods and services advertised. All materials are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (Including photocopying or storage in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright owner, except as may be permitted by applicable laws.

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The Edit We explore the must-see events in Jumeirah cities (page 10); Remembering one of the great foodie heroes of our time (page 14); Discovering culinary objects of desire (page 16); We spend 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, one of the Middle East’s cultural hotspots (page 18); The Slow Food movement has never been more relevant; we chart its rise (page 22). Tracking Jumeirah’s most luxurious offerings this summer (page 28); How Midddle Eastern food took over London (page 36); We take a bird’s eye view over Jumeirah’s Dubai hotels (page 50).

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CONTENTS

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Index The ultimate in family getaways across Jumeirah’s range of city hotels and resorts (page 60); We take a tour of Kuwait’s spectactular Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort & Spa (page 64); For the ultimate in Indian Ocean luxury, pay a visit to the Jumeirah Vittaveli, a haven of tranquility in the Maldives (page 66); Take a relaxing summer break at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens (page 68); Take a tour of Port Sóller, one of Mallorca’s hidden gems (page 70); Last Shot: Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain (page 74).

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LEFT: Julie Cockburn, Bonnet, courtesy of Flowers Gallery BELOW: Chen Ronghui, Modern Shanghai, courtesy of Three Shadows + Gallery; Ernst Haas, Surtsey Vocano, courtesy of Ostlicht

Photofairs The sixth edition of the Photofairs exhibition sees a raft of cutting-edge photography work descend on Shanghai for what promises to be a fascinating event. The three-day exhibit will see work from legends such as Vivian Maier, Robert Mapplethorpe and Marina Abramovic, alongside work from local photographers such as Chen Wir, Lu Yang and Jiang Pengyi. There will also be a number of exhibitions on show, including Fieldwork, which will feature a number of artists from East and South Asia who will focus on photography’s role in shaping history. The whole event promises to be fascinating, and it’s a must if you are in the city.

Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai www.photofairs.org; September 20-22nd

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We're Feeling Cultural highlights from Jumeirah cities

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La Festa des Vermar One of the most anticipated festivals of the year in Mallorca is this 14-day long celebration of vino.

Timed to celebrate the harvest, it features parades, music, food, and of course, grape. One of the highlights is the Big Grape Battle, which sees hundreds of locals and visitors running around the town throwing grapes and dodging vino being sprayed. It’s totally messy and a whole lot of fun. For something more sedate, try one of the tasting events, or simply kick back and watch the fun.

Binissalem, Mallorca; Runs from September 13th to 29th

Celebrate Mallorca's love affair with vino at the 14-day La Festa des Vermar

Russian State Ballet: Swan Lake There are few more impressive sights than the dancers of the Russian State Ballet in full flow, so their interpretation of Swan Lake looks set to be a show to remem-

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ber. First composed in 1875, it is probably the most popular ballet in history, and although it has had several iterations in its long history, Russian State Ballet stay true to the original telling.

Guangdong Arts Theater, Guangzhou; August 11th

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Sagmeister & Walsh: Beauty The superstar graphic design duo Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh deliver a personal plea for the appreciation and enjoyment of beauty. With a number of interactive installations, the duo straddle the line between design and art in impressive fashion. Citing examples from urban planning, product design, architecture and graphic design, they make the argument that beauty is more than just a superficial thing; that it influences our everyday lives, stimulates our perception and makes the world a better place.

Museum Angewandte Kunst, Schaumainkai 17, 60594 Frankfurt www.museumangewandtekunst. de/en; Runs until December 29th

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Vincent van Gogh Self-Portrait Autumn 1889 National Gallery of Art, Washington

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Van Gogh & Britain An interesting concept: this show focuses on the British artists who inspired Van Gogh and the British artists who Van Gogh subsequently inspired. This all means that Van Gogh’s own paintings are not the focus of the exhibition, but there’s still plenty here for fans of the Dutch painter. One

of the main highlights is the iconic Starry Night, which looks even more incredible in person. The work by the other artists – Francis Bacon in particular – is excellent, but the real gems are by Van Gogh himself.

Tate Britain, Milbank, London www.tate.org.co.uk

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Anthony Bourdain It’s hard to know where to start with Anthony Bourdain. His writing and his TV shows brought millions of foodies around the world immense joy, even as his own life was marked by tragedy.

Bourdain first arrived on the public consciousness with the publication of his book Kitchen Confidential, in 2000. It revealed a man with a past, some of it dark, some of it heart-breaking. It also revealed a man who had emerged from addiction in some of the worst parts of New York and risen to become the Executive Chef at one of the top restaurants in the city, Les Halles.

That book launched a TV career, with his first show, A Cook’s Tour taking him all over the world in search of authentic local experiences. In other hands, such a quest could become a mass of clichés, but Bourdain’s personality, and his innate curiousity, turned the show into something special. It also enabled him, at 44, to have enough money to open a bank account for the first time in his life.

That his early experiences were so scarring ensured Bourdain was never arrogant, despite his increasing fame. He was always interested, whether that be in a type of squid at a Tokyo fish market, or a Peruvian street musician. By 2005 he had moved to the Travel Channel, and his show there, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, ran until 2013.

He then departed for CNN, where his show Parts Unknown took him everywhere from Ethiopia to Armenia, and even a meeting with

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Barack Obama in Vietnam. In some ways it didn’t matter what the name of the shows he hosted were, they all featured this big, inquisitive, slightly damaged New Yorker finding out about the world through the medium of food. Part of his appeal was his honesty. Bourdain was never afraid of expletives, or complete honesty, which led GQ magazine to compare him to the hell-raising journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. He was also never afraid of eating whatever was put in front of him, whether that be ant eggs or a raw seal’s eyeball. It was, in many ways his dream job.

Yet, as his fame grew, so did the pressures. When he started working for CNN, his frustration grew at the time constraints of making the programme. What had started as a love affair had turned into a job.

His personal life went on in the background, unseen, but filled with turmoil. And when the end came, it was as tragic as it was unexpected.

Ultimately this was a man who loved travel, loved community and, of course, loved food. He in turn, was loved too, by millions around the planet, who considered him their window to the world.

Aptly, the last episode of Parts Unknown aired was centred around Bourdain’s old stomping ground of New York’s Lower East Side. In the same neighbourhood, a month after Bourdain’s death, a mural of his face was unveiled; the caption: “In a city full of villains, we all need heroes.” For so many people, food lovers or not, Anthony Bourdain was their hero.

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Objects of Desire

Kitchen Class Cooking isn’t just about the food, you know – it’s also about what you use to make and serve the food. Luckily, there’s a range of wonderfully quirky and downright beautiful kitchenware available right now. Something quite traditional, and beautifully designed, is the Marie Daâge Iris Gold Tea Cup and Saucer ($99), which combines intricate brush work and white Limoges porcelain. The trim comes in dark moss green or 24 carat gold. If you can’t choose, why not buy both? Your guests will thank you. The Georg Jensen Sky Bottle Opener ($110), is a work of minimalist genius. Finished in stainless steel, the ergonomic design matches

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the twists of the corkscrew. If food is as much about presentation as taste, then you won’t go wrong with this magnificent Dior platter ($9,000). Made with Murano glass, its playful patterns will accentuate any dinner party.

FROM TOP: Gold plated crockery at Gold on 27, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; Marie Daâge Iris Gold Tea Cup and Saucer; Georg Jensen Sky Bottle Opener; Dior Platter

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24 HOURS IN ABU DHABI The UAE capital is filled with culture, history and some foodie treats

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01 10 am: Louvre Abu Dhabi Start off the day with some culture, and a visit to the wonderful Louvre Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Island). The building itself is extraordinary: a

cluster of white box-like buildings shaded by a giant dome of aluminium and stainless steel. Inside is equally impressive: hundreds of works of art from around the world, from the Dutch masters to sculptures from Ancient Egypt. There’s a range of temporary exhibitions as well as regular film screenings, and a summer camp for kids. It’s one of the highlights, not just of Abu Dhabi, but of the region, and is a must for any visitor to the city.

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12 pm: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque After some cultural nourishment, how about sustenance of the spiritual kind? Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street) is the largest mosque in the UAE and an architectural marvel.

Covering more than 30 acres, it took eleven years to build and can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers. Visitors can take part in daily tours led by locals who explain the cultural and religious context of the mosque as well an introduction to Islamic civilisation.

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1 pm: Nolu’s Café By this stage, you will have probably worked up an appetite, so why not head to one of the capital’s most interesting restaurants, Nolu’s Café,

which specialises in ‘Californian-style cuisine with an Afghan twist.’ What this means in practice is everything from organic Afghani eggs for breakfast (complete with beef steak cubes and sautéed onions) to korma challow for dinner. There’s two locations; one on Al Raha Beach and one at the Galleria Mall. If you are in need of a lunch recommendation, try the borani banjon, which consists of eggplant, tomatoes, garlic yoghurt and dried mint and comes with freshly baked Afghan bread.

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3 pm: Ferrari World Perfect for kids (and big kids), Ferrari World (Saadiyat Island) is filled with adrenaline-fuelled rides and epic attractions. For starters, test your wits on Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster, which goes from 0 to 240km/ph in less than five seconds.

For something easier on your heart, try the Scuderia Challenge, an interactive simulator, where you can train like an F1 driver. Other attractions include an operating Ferrari factory, a gallery filled with Ferrari cars from the past 70 years and the Bell’Italia ride, which takes visitors through a diorama of Italy’s highlights, including Venice, the Colosseum as well as Enzo Ferrari’s Maranello hometown.

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5 pm: The Founder’s Memorial For a complete change of pace head over to The Founder’s Memorial (Corniche Road, opposite Abu Dhabi

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National Oil Company headquarters) one of the city’s newest attractions, which was opened to the public in February last year. The monument is beautiful: minimalist and stark, and surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna, out of respect for Sheikh Zayed’s commitment to nature. Wander through the Heritage Garden and see Desert Cotton, Ghaf and Sidr trees.

In the Sanctuary Garden, there’s a water feature inspired by the falaj irrigation system once used by the people of the Arabian Peninsula. The site also contains an elevated walkway, offering beautiful views of the art work and the Abu Dhabi skyline.

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8 pm: Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort All that walking will have built up an appetite, so where better to go than Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island which

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6 pm: Umm Al Emarat Park

If The Founder’s Memorial has you craving more nature, head to Umm Al Emarat Park (15th Street, Mushrif Area), which is filled with greenery, water features and – if you are hungry – cafés and food trucks. It also features a botanic garden (featuring plants from the region and around the world) and lots of green space to kick a ball about on. Our favourite part of the park has to be the Shade House, which features two viewing platforms, offering wonderful views of the park, as well as more than 30 plant species including palm trees, cycads and warm climate forest species.

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offers seven restaurants and bars, all offering spectacular views of the Gulf.

We warn you, it’s going to be hard to choose where to dine, but the Al Fresco poolside dining at Mare Mare, which specialises in delicious traditional Italian food, is a good place to start. Another option is Tean, which features a host of regional-inspired cuisine with a modern twist, from wagyu shish kebab to lobster kibbeh. Afterwards, wander down to the beach for the always spectacular sunset.

10 pm: Abu Dhabi Corniche Back in the city centre, the Corniche is the place to be once the sun sets.

This 8km-long stretch has separate pedestrian and bike paths, children’s

play areas, as well as a host of restaurants and cafés. Grab a late coffee, or an ice-cream and do take your time as you savour the sights and sounds of the capital after dark. Friday nights are the busiest – and the most fun – as the whole city seems to take to the streets.

While in Abu Dhabi, stay at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort or Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa jumeirah.com

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Slow and Steady Conor Purcell examines how the slow food movement took over the world

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Five Slow Food Bloggers 01. Our Food Stories This Berlin-based duo (Laura Muthesius and Nora Eisermann, a photographer and food stylist) create beautiful, organic recipes that taste as good as they look. Their focus is on natural, organic ingredients, and they concentrate on gluten free cuisine. We feel healthier just browsing through their website. www.ourfoodstories.com The final straw for Carlo Petrini was the opening of a fast food outlet on Rome’s Italian Steps. The food and wine journalist had quietly seethed for years over the number of cheap chains opening in Italy, and their erosion of the country’s traditional food culture. Indeed, picture Italian food, and you picture pasta and pizza and red wine, but you also picture extended families sitting around a table, sharing their meal. Hurriedly wolfing down a burger from a Styrofoam container is a world away from that – and Petrini was worried future generations would lose sight of an important part of Italian culture.

Petrini and his friends protested at the site, handing out bowls of penne pasta, shouting their slogan: “We don’t want fast food, we want slow food!”

While the fast food outlets remain, the Slow Food movement has grown bigger than he could ever have imagined, with 150,000 members of the movement in more than 160 countries around the world.

Three years after that first protest, Petrini and representatives from 15 countries went to Paris to sign the Slow Food Manifesto, a document that stood up against, what they called the Fast Life. “We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods… A firm defence of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life… May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency. Our defence should begin at the table with Slow Food.

Let us rediscover the flavours of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.”

Of course, the world is a very different place now then it was in 1986 – more and more of us are conscious of how our day-to-day decisions affect our own wellness and the world around us. Food

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02. Local Milk Another food blogger who creates awe-inspiring photo essays based on slow living, Local Milk AKA Beth, is a Tennessee native who traverses local farmers’ markets to find the best organic ingredients. Her beautifully designed website is an inspiration. www.localmilkblog.com

03. Adventures in Cooking A gardener, bee keeper and wild food forager, Eva epitomises the slow food life, via her stunning website. She provides wonder-

ful, organic recipes, photography courses and gardening and interior design tips. She has nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram who lap up every (very) stylised image. www.adventuresincooking.com

04. The Feast Based in the heart of the English countryside, The Feast is the brainchild of Lindsay and her husband, who swapped London for the rural idyll they now call home. She’s now all about the organic life and prides herself on using local ingredients and working with local farmers. www.lindsaysfeast.com

05. Eat Your Beets Trisha is a whole food blogger who focuses on the slow living scene, showcasing not only slow food but also ethical fashion and beauty. The popular content she creates also covers motherhood, food and travel photography, but the glorious recipes take centre stage. www.eatyourbeets.com

has become something of a lifestyle choice as well as a source of sustenance. Just witness the rise of the ‘foodie blogger’ influencers whose entire livelihood is derived from taking pictures of (almost always healthy) food. In this world where appearances are everything and ‘wellness’ is a badge of honour, it’s no surprise that the slow food movement is growing so fast.

Bra today is a somewhat sleepy town 50km south of Turin; a place where old men sit on benches and cats sleep in the shade of olive trees. It is here that the Slow Food movement started, in small hole-in-the-wall bars and trattorias, where Petrini and his friends would gather to talk about food and wine. He began

TOP LEFT: Carlo Petrini, the founder of the Slow Food movement.

RIGHT PAGE: Clockwise from top left Beth of Local Milk, Laura and Nora of Our Food Stories, Trisha of Eat Your Beets, Eva of Adventures of Cooking, Lindsay of The Feast PREVIOUS PAGE: Green pea soup from the new menu at Al Muntaha

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RIGHT: Celebrity Chef Francky Semblat at work in the kitchen of Al Muntaha FAR RIGHT: King crab dish from the new menu at Al Muntaha

to realise that Italy changed in the 1980s, so such places may cease to exist altogether. This realization prompted the protestors to put things in motion.

While there are currently thousands of fast food restaurants in Italy, Petrini has largely succeed in his aims. Part of this is down to his fastidiousness – while he extolls the value of the good life, this is a man who has taken his calling very seriously. After a national scandal involving cheap wine, he launched the first proper guide to the country’s wines, which criticised the quality of the table wines served, which helped bump the quality of Italy’s wines in the next few years.

In 1996 he launched a fair called Salone del Gusto, which showcased top-quality food from around the world. The second edition in Turin two years later, has been cited by many as the moment the Slow Food movement took off around the world. That growth was illustrated by the fact Petrini set up the first University of Gastronomic Sciences in Bra in 2004, which focuses on the complexities of food, and has been recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education.

So, what of the future? While it’s tempting to place the slow food category into the ‘foodie’ bracket – visually beautiful, but ultimately rather meaningless – the truth is there is an urgency around the movement like never before. The rising awareness around climate change and food security has seen more and more of us consider where the food we put on our plate comes from. Shipping ingredients across the world is no longer seen as a viable way to live, which is why the Slow Food movement has jumped in numbers in recent years. “The demands for good, clean and fair food for all continue to spread,” says Petrini. “Attention towards what ends up on our plates is increasingly interdisciplinary, with interest growing even among those who don’t know of the existence of an association that has made these ideas its raison d’être.”

Let’s leave the last words to Carlos Petrini, words infused with both urgency and optimism: “But we must truly be able to practice them every day, because only with the capacity to understand our weaknesses and those of others can we make fraternity with other human beings a reality, and only with the awareness that each of us must be able to act in autonomy can we call ourselves truly free and inclusive.”

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Slow Cooking with Chef Francky Semblat Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah What is your relationship to Slow Food?

How do you define it?

Slow food conjures words such as; artisanship, sustainability, traceability and authenticity.

I really enjoy slow food, it’s at the heart of French cooking.

The traditional methods of preparation and using natural ingredients comes very naturally to me and will be displayed in my dishes at Al Muntaha. Flavour balancing is the key and by visiting suppliers and farmers to understand their products I can apply my own knowledge and cooking techniques to enhance the ingredients. This is an aspect of my job that I love.

People seem to have become more interested in how their food is made, rather than just how it’s presented in recent years. Why do you think that is?

We all live such fast-paced lives, and over the years fast food has provided a quick solution.

But, as we are constantly reminded now to take better care of our health and our planet, people are becoming much more aware that our natural resources are in danger and that we need to take action. For this reason, we’re all paying more attention to how food is made, which is great!

What should a good meal do? Obviously fill a stomach - but was else?

To fill a stomach is important, of course, but also to be able to enjoy the natural flavours of each of the ingredients.

How have you evolved as a chef — are you more aware of where you source your ingredients from now, or was that always a big priority?

As a chef in a fine dining restaurant, I’m responsible for bringing extraordinary gastronomic experiences to our customers. It’s always been a big priority for me, throughout my career, to source and use quality ingredients from around the globe that create excitement and joy to those eating. I pay great attention to where my ingredients come from and I like to explore the distinct advantages of each product.

What’s your philosophy behind how you create your dishes and does it tie into the ethos of Slow Food at all?

Generally, I think that the better understanding you have of the product, the better you will use it in your dishes. When I visit farms and talk to farmers and producers I feel educated on how best to work with and present the product, ensuring that its unique qualities aren’t lost.

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Words − Conor Purcell

Photos − Jumeirah

Luxe Life Discover a world of sensational suites and villas across Jumeirah’s properties, for the ultimate summer holiday

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From the ultimate in Arabian hospitality to cuttingedge European city hotels to sumptuous villas overlooking the Indian Ocean, we have a range of highend suites and villas to suit every need. Whether you want somewhere romantic, a place for a family break with a difference, or just somewhere to relax after a long day of meetings, our collection of suites and villas has something for everyone. So why not spoil yourself this summer?

AN ARABIAN INSPIRED ESCAPE Live like royalty at Burj Al Arab’s palatial Royal Two Bedroom Suite and drink in the breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. The spacious, sunlightfilled living area offers striking décor, adorned with 24-carat gold, Italian marble, a private lift and cinema room. Suites are furnished with Swedish DUX Beds; the duvets comprise rare Eiderdown, harvested from abandoned Eider Duck nests in Iceland and the sheets are made from ultra-smooth Egyptian Cotton, grown along the Nile River.

Browse the pillow menu and secure your favourite – choose from nine different types, from revitalising to silk or hypo-allergenic.

The ocean suites at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf offer sumptuous views in a serene setting with private beach access. Nestled within the resort’s winding waterways, you’ll find 29 boutique summerhouses built around a series of shared pools to create a relaxed, yet intimate environment. The summer-

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houses provide the intimacy of a private villa with all the service of a five-star hotel. Each summerhouse features an Arabian Majlis or living room, and a courtyard with a daily complimentary happy hour during which guests are offered champagne or cocktails. With a dedicated team of 144 butlers – who speak more 10 languages – at your service around the clock, luxury doesn’t get any more convenient.

The Beit Al Bahar villas at Jumeirah Beach Hotel are elegant, spacious and true hidden gems.

Set within tranquil grounds and overlooking private gardens or the Arabian Gulf, the villas’ private terraces and plunge pools provide the perfect place to escape the pace of city life. Inside, the traditional décor offers an oasis of peace and luxury. Interiors comprise comforting hues and colourful furniture, while the generous living room has high, woodbeamed roofs. The contemporary-inspired bedrooms feature a king-sized bed and the bathrooms showcase a stunning mosaic-lined sunken bath which is complemented by Italian Acqua di Parma amenities. Enjoy round the clock butler service, invilla check-in, complimentary daily breakfast and afternoon tea.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s award-winning Royal Residences are a home-away-from-home.

The elegantly appointed four or five bedroom villas provide a private entrance and driveway, personalised around-the-clock butler services, a maid’s chamber and private kitchen area with guests hav-

ABOVE: Burj Al Arab RIGHT PAGE: Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Jumeirah Al Wathba PREVIOUS SPREAD: Jumeirah Nanjing

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ing full access of the hotel and its extensive facilities – including Talise Ottoman Spa. At Kuwait’s Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, the Royal Suite offers elegant bespoke luxury, while the collection of duplex residences and villas are perfect for those looking to bring the family on a weekend away. Best of all, book a suite for three nights and the third night is complimentary.

Jumeirah Royal Saray offers the most spacious and well-appointed three and four bedroom villas in Bahrain. Nestled in luscious gardens with private swimming pools and butler service, the villas are the last word in discrete luxury. Set over two levels, the Garden Villa and the Royal Villa feature distinctive white and gold Calacatta Italian marble. Experience

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in-villa dining with delicious cuisine created by your private chef. With spacious dining and living rooms, private pools and ample indoor and outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining, these hideaways are ideal for anyone seeking total seclusion.

In Abu Dhabi, choose from a city, desert or island retreat. The design for the Sky and Royal Etihad Suites in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows which command unparalleled views. The interiors are furnished with custom-made crystal chandeliers, sumptuous fabrics and rich timber veneers.

Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa offers a collection of suites and villas with private pools so you can enjoy more space to unwind. This indulgent desert sanctuary offers panoramic views of the surrounding desert, and the majestic dunes blend seamlessly with the understated interiors, decorated in neutral tones which showcase the local culture through Middle Eastern artwork and hand-picked accessories. Relax in the separate living/dining area, while the bathrooms feature a rainforest shower, a free standing bath, and twin wash basins. The Royal Three Bedroom Villa includes a large master bedroom, two additional bedrooms, and four generous bathrooms. The lavish 360 sqm space offers a separate dining room, living room, and fully-equipped kitchen. Recline on your private patio, perfect for lazy days by the plunge pool overlooking the desert.

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LEFT PAGE: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray THIS PAGE: Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Jumeirah Nanjing

The Presidential Abu Dhabi Suites or Saadiyat Suites in Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort offer panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling glass walls, which open to let in the gentle sea breeze. Exclusive villas offer two, three or four bedrooms with impeccable comfort and private pool, and the Spa Villas offer their own spa treatment room. Pure bliss.

INDIAN OCEAN IDYLL Whisk your loved ones away to Jumeirah Vittaveli and choose from a collection of premium accommodation. Tucked away in a secluded corner of the island, you’ll find the Five Bedroom Royal Residence with Pool, or head offshore to the newly launched Private Ocean Retreat with Slides, the ultimate family retreat, although it won’t just be the kids who want to get in on the action! The Two Bedroom Beach Suite with Pool, nestled amid lush jungle on the sunset side of the island is perfect for families or small groups of friends. Gaze out over the ocean from your upstairs balcony while sipping a glass of bubbly. Bathe in the crystal clear sea or in your very own private infinity pool. It doesn’t get much better than this, and if you book one of our spacious Two Bedroom Beach Suites with a private pool, you will receive a 20 per cent discount on our Best Available Rate.

CHARMING CHINA In China, choose from three cosmopolitan cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing. Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel blends Chinese style with contemporary vision. The duplex Chairman Suite features a striking glass wall in the living room that perfectly showcases the beautiful Shanghai skyline.

Jumeirah Living Guangzhou offers a dual design, showcasing beauty in two ways. The north tower suites are designed with a more traditional neoclassical architecture, double-height ceilings and marble surfaces. The suites in the south tower are chic, sleek and polished.

Jumeirah Nanjing’s suites comprise natural materials and neutral colour schemes and the Hypnos mattresses have the royal seal of approval – made by the company that supplies Buckingham Palace. The atmosphere is enhanced by sweeping vistas of the riverside below.

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THIS PAGE: Beit Al Bahar villas at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf RIGHT PAGE: Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living

EUROPEAN GETAWAYS At Jumeirah Frankfurt, the Two Bedroom Junior Suite is perfectly suited for families. The suite is interconnected to a Deluxe Room to provide an enriched living experience in the centre of one of Europe’s most interesting cities. The living, sleeping, working and dressing areas are complemented by an open plan bathroom, separate walk-in rainforest shower, deep soaking tub and flat-screen TV embedded in the mirror. Artwork featured is by the renowned Leipzig-based artist, Hartwig Ebersbach. Views to the east overlook the European Central Bank, Offenbach and the River Main. We also offer family friendly amenities including chocolate, fruit, popcorn, kids’ movie packages and toy box amenities.

In London, Live the Suite Life package includes a ‘money can’t buy experience’ with a complimentary ticket to the sold-out Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at the V&A, when you stay at the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel. At Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, enjoy the ultimate shopping experience at Bicester Village, with 15 per cent discount on best available rates, complimentary full English breakfast and shopping benefits with this offer. The suites include four spacious penthouses on the top floor – a unique offering in London – all with private lifts and butler service. The four- and five-bedroom penthouses offer one of the largest serviced luxury accommodation options in London in the heart of London’s most exclusive district. The elegant Art Deco-inspired studies and private balconies offer unobstructed views of the London skyline. Add this to the incredible service and it’s not hard to understand why Grosvenor House Suites is considered the most exclusive offering on Park Lane.

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Admire panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Tramuntana Mountains from the hotel’s cliff top location when you stay at Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa in Mallorca. The vast, well-lit spaces in the Signature Suites guarantee privacy, perfect for a memorable holiday. Enjoy spacious terraces for private culinary experiences, specially tailored to you.

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In Good Taste

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Words − James Brennan

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James Brennan explores London’s love affair with Middle Eastern food

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Few cities around the world can boast such a diverse and eclectic food scene as London. The city teems with restaurants, cafés, pop-ups and street food vendors serving dishes from every corner of the globe. But one cuisine above all others is enjoying its moment in the sun.

Middle Eastern food has never been so popular in London, with more exciting restaurants taking inspiration from across the Arab world than ever before. These days in the UK capital you are just as likely to find fattoush and falafel as fish and chips. And zesty and pungent flavours like za’atar and sumac are making red or brown sauce seem a decidedly drab choice.

Whether it’s a Persian bakery or a Palestinian kitchen, the variety is impressive and the quality high. But while you’ll surely find all the Middle Eastern standards, in true London style there are one or two twists to savour.

At Le Bab in Soho, for instance, the humble kebab gets a gourmet makeover in plush surrounds. With ex-Le Gavroche chef Federico Preti at the helm, this self-styled ‘kebab renaissance project’ presents charcoal-grilled delights such as corn fed chicken shish with creamed and pickled courgette, wild garlic chimichurri and burnt lemon. A 3am doner with lashings of fluorescent chilli sauce and hot grease running down your sleeve, it is not.

Also in Soho is Berenjak, an effervescent Persian restaurant that aims to evoke the hole-inthe-wall eateries of Tehran using seasonal British ingredients. Its small mezze-style dishes such as mirza ghasemi (coal-roasted aubergine with garlic, tomato and eggs) and panir sabzi (Persian feta, radish, nuts and herbs) have won over the likes of two-Michelin star chef Sat Bains, who named it among Bloomberg’s best new London restaurants according to top chefs. “It’s brilliant,” he told Bloomberg.com. “I love the buzzy atmosphere and for me, sitting up at the bar and watching the rotating shawarma and fresh flatbreads being prepared is just heavenly.”

Of course, it’s taken a while to get to this stage, as Tony Kitous recalls. The entrepreneur behind the successful Comptoir Libanais chain of restaurants arrived on vacation in London in 1988 as an 18 year-old with just £70 in his pocket. “Middle Eastern food was not well known at all back then,” says Kitous. “There were a few restaurants in Edgware Road, three to four restaurants in Mayfair, and that was it. Back then the restaurants were only for Arabs that lived in London and Arab tourists. At the time, all Middle Eastern restaurants in London hardly had any western customers.”

Kitous set about changing all that. Instead of returning home to Algeria to start university he de-

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cided to stay in London, where he worked in various jobs before becoming a restaurateur. He started a number of ventures, including his Levant restaurant in Marylebone, before eventually founding his lively and cheerful Comptoir Libanais brand in 2008. “I wanted to open a restaurant for people of all walks of life from different cultures and wanted to invite everyone, from students and nurses, to office workers and architects. I wanted to open a popular place for everybody, to showcase our warm and welcoming culture as well as our generous hospitality.”

Comptoir Libanais typifies a new, open-minded approach to Middle Eastern food in London, which seeks to attract diners from all backgrounds, as well as the usual Arab customers who are looking for something fresh and vibrant. Where once, London’s Arab community ate in restaurants that tried to recreate a slice of home, the new wave of Middle Eastern restaurants began to embrace London’s international vibe.

Perhaps the catalyst came with Mourad Mazouz’s Momo restaurant, which in 1997 opened up a world of tagines and tabbouleh to a brand new audience in a celeb-filled restaurant that oozed sophistication and style. Meanwhile, the Lebanese restaurant Al Waha in Notting Hill took a more traditional stance, yet still attracted its fair share of big name guests. Since then, London has never looked back.

“It started with a rash of Lebanese restaurant openings, mainly because of the trend for mezze or the small-plates sharing craze,” says Lebanese chef and cookbook author Anissa Helou, a former London resident who taught Middle Eastern cookery

BOTTOM: Tony Kitous at Comptoir Libanais.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Imad Alarnab

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from her Shoreditch kitchen for many years. “From the traditional point of view, I think Al Waha has done a lot to widen the appeal of Lebanese Cuisine.

I personally don’t like the food at Comptoir Libanais but it has taken their mishmash of North African/Lebanese into the mainstream.”

Today, in an age of social media and widespread international travel, people are more adventurous in their tastes. But as Helou explains, the beauty of Middle Eastern food is you don’t have to be adventurous to enjoy it. “In general it is fresh, varied and very flavourful,” she says. “It is also perfect for the present casual dining trend given how plates are shared and served all together, making for a much more convivial dining experience, not to mention the profusion of vegetarian choices.”

While it’s easy to associate Middle Eastern food with kebabs and kofte, the cuisine is a dream come true for those on a plant-based diet. From dips like moutabel (smoked aubergine and tahini) and muhammara (red peppers, chilli, pomegranate and

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walnuts), to batata harra (fried potatoes with garlic, coriander and chilli) and warak enab (vine leaves stuffed with vegetables, herbs and rice), the options are endless. As Tony Kitous explains: “In my opinion the future trend is very much focusing on a lot of the vegetarian and vegan dishes that are very popular all over the Middle East and North Africa.”

Whether you’re a vegetarian or a committed carnivore, according to Anissa Helou, many Middle Eastern staples are now firmly established in the Great British public’s consciousness. “There are so many dishes that have already entered the mainstream, such as dips, salads and falafel. Kebabs may be the next big thing, with of course all kinds of variations that have nothing to do with the classic versions, and perhaps pilafs or biryanis. But I think the trend is tending more towards national dishes as well as towards combining food with activism, hence the present trend for Palestinian food for instance.”

More and more Arabs have made London their home and they have brought their food with them.

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LEFT: Anissa Helou BELOW: A dish from Imad's Syrian Kitchen.

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Syrian-born Imad Alarnab travelled the length of Europe before making the UK his home. A successful restaurateur in his native Damascus, he had to abandon his mini-empire of restaurants and cafes back home, but now he is beginning to rebuild in London with two very popular pop-ups. One is a falafel joint near Carnaby Street serving lunch boxes to office workers, and the other is a supper club called Imad’s Syrian Kitchen that places an emphasis on communal dining.

“What I’m doing is not something that is traditionally Syrian. It’s inspired by Syrian cuisine, so I am targeting non-Syrian people to try our food. Damascus is the oldest city in the world, so you can imagine we have a very huge cuisine that we can find a lot of inspiration from,” says Imad. “The basics are there.

It’s sharing style, family style. I came from a very large family, with fourteen uncles, and ninety-eight cousins, and we used to have our Friday breakfast together, all of us. The customers love the family side of it, they can see the love. And I’m having fun doing it. It’s like the best time ever when you have nice feedback from customers saying this is the tastiest food.”

Imad agrees that the rise of Middle Eastern food in London is partly because of a demographic shift when it comes to customers. “Before, you had Middle Eastern cuisines targeting Middle Eastern people,” he explains. “What we’re doing now is something different, where we explain the food, the ingredients and the cooking methods to our non-Middle Eastern customers. It’s more like we are trying to give people an experience instead of just coming to any regular restaurant. It’s not only food, it’s a little bit more.

As well as familiar Middle Eastern dishes like baba ghanoush, hummus and falafel, Imad is experimenting with not-so-traditional recipes like vegan kibbeh and a colourful salad of shanklish cheese. “Not even many Syrians know it,” says Imad. “Shanklish is like a six-month old dry yoghurt cheese with different spices. I didn’t think it would be popular here in London but it is.”

For Imad, London’s open-minded diners are allowing Middle Eastern chefs like him a freedom to experiment that wouldn’t be possible back home.

“London is surprisingly open,” he says. “I thought it would be a little bit challenging but it’s the opposite. You can’t play with Syrian cuisine in Syria.

They would not accept it. They love it the way it is, even if it’s not very healthy. Syrian people love tradition. But for me it’s better to take inspiration from these dishes and do something new.”

According to Anissa Helou, though, there is still a discernable lack of innovation when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine, even in London. “I can’t say it has modernised much,” she says. “The Turks are more adventurous than either the Lebanese or Iranians but on the whole it is mostly western chefs who are doing the modernising, although not always succeeding in keeping a good balance between the old and the new.”

For Tony Kitous the recipes are timeless, but there is plenty of innovation when it comes to visual presentation and style. “I don’t think our food has been modernised,” he says. “We make our food accessible, affordable, authentic and presented in a different way, from the crockery and the tableware, to the ambience and décor of the restaurants. I also emphasise using fresh ingredients and spices from our culture, such as fresh pomegranate seeds, mint, tahini, pomegranate molasses, za’atar, sumac, orange blossom, rose water and dates. We present a kind of food that brings people together for all sorts of occasions.”

The social aspect of Middle Eastern food might well be its main attraction in a big impersonal capital city that can sometimes make people feel lonely and alienated. There is no shortage of innovation elsewhere on London’s restaurant scene, but the opportunity to share food with friends in lively, cosy and welcoming surrounds is one that Londoners are relishing. And since London’s population is becoming increasingly diverse, Middle Eastern food makes it easier for people to meet, break bread and find common ground.

“It’s how you define a great city,” says Imad Alarnab. “You can find something from everywhere, and you can find someone from everywhere.

It’s like a dream for me. It’s like how I felt about Damascus before I had to leave - London is my home city, and it’s really welcoming.”

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Jewels of summer

From Chopard to Van Cleef & Arpels to Bulgari, we showcase the finest from around the world

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LEFT PAGE: Boucheron emerald-cut ring in yellow gold THIS PAGE: Chopard ruby and diamond necklace from the Red Carpet Collection

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Chanel Quintessence brooch in white and pink gold, carved pink quartz and diamonds, Gucci snakehead necklace from the Hortus Delicarium collection, Dior My Dior cu bracelet in yellow gold, Cartier Holika ring in white gold, rubellite and diamonds LEFT PAGE: Hermès Fouet (whip) necklace by Maud Remy-Lonvis

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THIS PAGE: Van Cleef & Arpels clip in rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, rubies, saphhires, lapis lazuli and diamonds RIGHT PAGE: Bvlgari Cinemagia necklace in platinum, Columbian emerald and diamonds

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RIGHT: Omega De Ville Tresor Quartz 36 with single-cut diamonds BOTTOM: Van Cleef & Arpels Secret Watch in gold, diamond, rubies, sapphires, onyx and lapis lazuli from the Romeo & Juliet collection LEFT PAGE: Blancpain Villeret Ultra Slim in rose gold. Omega De Ville Tresor Quartz 36 with single-cut diamonds

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Sky Candy Enjoy a birds-eye view of some of Jumeirah’s stunning Dubai properties

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PREVIOUS SPREAD: Burj Al Arab as you have never seen it before.

LEFT PAGE: Jumeirah Beach Hotel's luxurious Beit Al Bahar villas.

ABOVE: The bridge that joins Burj Al Arab to the mainland.

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ABOVE: Guests relax at the Summersalt Beach Club at Jumeirah Al Naseem.

RIGHT PAGE: Waves lap against the shore at Jumeirah Al Naseem's private beach.

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ABOVE: Pier Chic juts out to sea at Jumeirah Al Qasr.

RIGHT PAGE: Jumeirah Al Qasr's verdant gardens.

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Index Child’s Play Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort & Spa Jumeirah Vittaveli Zabeel House: The Greens Port Sóller Neighbourhood Jumeirah Royal Saray

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Words − Conor Purcell

From abra tours and ice carving to turtle feeding and camel rides, Jumeirah’s new family activity programmes promise fun for all the family

Child’s Play

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We love kids at Jumeirah, and we love coming up with new ways to entertain them, so your stay with us is as stress-free as possible.

Along the sprawling shores of Madinat Jumeirah, you’ll find the resort’s 2km private beach is a hive of gentle activity to suit guests of every age. Families can bond over a game of pétanque, table tennis and sand darts, or battle it out over tug of war, badminton, football or volleyball on the beach. Children also have the chance to meet some of the UAE’s most treasured animals, with camel rides across the golden sands or feeding rescued sea turtles recuperating at Jumeirah Al Naseem’s lagoon. For parents in need of a guilt-free evening to themselves, a specially supervised kids’ themed night keeps little ones and teens entertained as they make new friends. From an Arabic style camp, to Chinese and Italian nights, themes change each evening.

For something more adventurous, why not take the kids on a cruise around the Arabian Gulf? For those of you looking for some me-time, take advantage of the Stand-Up Paddle boards and kayaks at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam’s watersports centre. Don’t miss the daily activities in the resort’s swimming pools, with water basketball, polo and boogie board races all on offer. Kick-about while soaking up the sun on the football billiards table and then relax together in the evenings at the beach cinema, watching some classic family films under the stars while butlers serve popcorn, ice cream and delicious milk shakes.

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Staying home for the summer? Dip in to Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s exciting programme of family-oriented journeys that will ensure you create holiday memories to last a lifetime. Brush up your ball skills with a game of tennis or squash and then cool off with a refreshing dip in one of the sublime temperature-controlled pools. Until September 30 dining is complimentary for kids 16 years and below, and you also get complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark™ for the duration of your stay.

At Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort and Spa, your little ones are in for a bundle of fun with the Kids’ Summer Camp. Beat the heat with our summer camp full of surprises. Enjoy fun-filled days of games with a tennis and football clinic, water activities, garden games, fitness classes, yoga, and art and crafts.

Families can enjoy a front row seat of nature on the UAE’s most stunning stretch of beach, and this summer, your children can enjoy complimentary access to the Kids and Teens Club in Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Programmes include singalongs, face painting, arts and crafts, sports and the popular nature ranger sessions which includes junior marine biology excursions.

The striking Jumeirah at Etihad Towers offers luxury for parents and fun for younger travellers in the form of a ‘den’ style tent in place of a bed. Children are also treated to a special kid’s kimono and little turtle themed slippers. The Jungle-themed amenities kit even includes crocodile soap.

In London a chauffeured car will whisk you and your family away to KidZania, the city built for kids. Children can spend the day being a police officer, doctor or a TV presenter, as well as lots of other professions. Enjoy a 20 per cent discount in selected retail stores within the Westfield shopping centre, and after a day full of fun, your kids can tuck into homemade cookies and a milkshake in the Atrium. Yum! In Mallorca, at Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa, Barbaroja’s Kids Club is perfect for 3-12 year olds. Children can spend the day as pirates and take part in painting, drawing, crafting, reading and singing. Professional child minders are always by the children’s side to ensure a safe and educational experience. Two hours at the Kid’s Club daily per child is included in the room rate. Children can help themselves at the breakfast buffet which has a mini serving station. It’s shaped like a boat and has a sail so the little pirates know it is just for them.

Spend quality time with your family at Jumeirah Vittaveli, where you can enjoy stand-up paddle boards, pedal boats and kayaks. Indulge in a delicious family beach BBQ or take your children on a snorkelling trip along our house reef. Test out the first ice rink in Maldives, with free ice skating for the entire family on Ice Ice Maybe, our eco-friendly ice rink. With our family package, you can also enjoy complimentary breakfast and dinner for the whole family, as well as in-villa High Tea every day of your stay. Escape for a little alone-time with three hours of babysitting with our compliments – use this time for a blissful spa treatment, or book a romantic dinner for you and your loved one.

At Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai the hotel offers Paul Frank, Pancoat Duck and Peter Rabbit’s themed kid’s rooms with a tepee tent in the centre of the room. The hotel also offers a “Junior Diplomat” Passport for the Kid’s room that will create a magical – and unique – experience for kids of all ages.

The memories of a family holiday last a lifetime, so why not create some magical memories of your own, by booking a family holiday with a difference at one of our amazing hotels and resorts?

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JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH RESORT & SPA Perfect for a city break, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort & Spa offers luxury and convenience in one of the Gulf’s most vibrant cities.

Located on the southern coast of vibrant Kuwait City, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort & Spa offers the perfect place for a city break with a difference. The resort is dominated by two huge swimming pools, perfect for a pre-breakfast (or post-dinner) dip. There’s a big range of accommodation on offer too, with 316 luxury rooms, 12 villas and 80 serviced apartments, so if you are in Kuwait on business, we’ve got you covered.

All the rooms combine modern design, state-of-the-art equipment and traditional Arabian comforts, so you won’t want for anything during your stay. From complimentary high-speed internet and walk-in showers, 42-inch widescreen TVs and automatic

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Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort & Spa, Al Ta’awun Street, Kuwait, Kuwait City, Tel: +965 2226 9600

blinds, as well as iPhone docking stations, the quality of the conveniences on offer is only matched by the warmth of the welcome.

With seven restaurants onsite, there’s little chance you will go hungry during your stay. From Salt (which specialises in fresh seafood) to Pepper Steakhouse, and Olio (which serves up sumptuous Italian fare) to Arabesque (which is Arabian in design and food choices), there’s a world of food to explore.

If you need to unwind before you hit the restaurants, why not head to the Talise Spa? With 17 treatment rooms, two private suites, hydrotherapy baths, a gym with a personal trainer, and a drift room, a salt room and a steam room, it’s one of the best equipped

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wellness centres in the Gulf. You can pick a treatment off the menu, or get a personalised treatment after being assessed by one of our staff. Whether you choose a facial, a full-body scrub or a detox, you are in good hands.

If you are here with kids, even better! The Sinbad’s Kid’s Club offers a range of supervised child care for tiny tots under the age of six. With a whole range of games, DVD players, and indoor and outdoor activities, you can be sure your little ones will get both stimulated and entertained by our trained childcare staff. We can also provide a babysitter in the evenings, if you want to enjoy a romantic dinner, safe in the knowledge your children are being looked after.

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JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI Azure waters. A luxury villa. Butler service. And a giant waterslide.

What else could you possibly want on your Maldives getaway?

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Jumeirah Vittaveli Bolifushi Island, South Male Atoll, Maldives Tel: +960 664 2020

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Luxury may be hard to define, but one thing is sure: you know it when you see it. And when you lay eyes on Jumeirah Vittaveli’s Ocean Villas with Slides, you’ll know you are in for the perfect holiday.

The resort – located on its own private island – has a lot going for it. The pure white sands; the warm, turquoise waters; and some of the most luxurious accommodation in the world. Take the Infinity Pool Ocean Villa with Slide – it’s got everything from a sunken indoor bath and rain shower to a private infinity edge pool and overwater hammocks. It’s also got a huge slide that goes from an elevated balcony into the lagoon. We do warn you, it’s addictive, and many of the guests love to use the slide as the ultimate morning wake-up call – what could be a better way to dust off those

cobwebs then sliding into the inviting Indian Ocean?

For something even more luxurious, why not try the Private Ocean Retreat with Slide? This huge villa is free-standing, so you are surrounded by crystal clear waters. There’s an amazing sand deck over the water, which takes the concept of a private beach to a whole new level. There’s also a full-size wine fridge, overwater hammocks and adjustable mood lighting. Oh, and did we mention the slide?

The resort itself is only a 20-minute boat ride from the capital Malé’s airport, which means you don’t need a seaplane transfer, and can get your holiday started as soon as possible. If you do decide to leave your villa, there’s a whole lot to do. Why not wind down at the Asian-inspired Talise Spa? There’s a range of treatments on offer, from the 60-minute Blissful Body Scrub (perfect after a long flight) to the Himalayan Salt Scrub, which helps with detoxification and rejuvenation of the skin.

If you want something slightly more energetic, there’s yoga classes on offer (from Sunset Yoga to Aerial Yoga), while the gym offers stateof-the-art training equipment if you want to keep that beach body in tip-top shape. Or grab a snorkelling mask and swim around the resort, while getting a chance to see the multitude of underwater life in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for clownfish and stingrays, as well as the huge leatherback turtles that populate the area. We recommend bringing a (waterproof ) camera.

Back on dry land, why not take one of the complimentary bikes and pedal across to the beachside cocktail bar for some sundowners?

Once you have an appetite, walk across to Fenesse, an overwater restaurant that specialises in French fine dining-style cuisine.

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ZABEEL HOUSE BY JUMEIRAH, THE GREENS Dubai’s hippest new hotel Urban space is changing. The defined boundaries between home, the office, local restaurants, and entertainment outlets are breaking down, leading to the evolution of a new urban environment: one social, dynamic, casual, and completely uncomplicated. In Dubai, one hotel encapsulates this new urban ideal above all others: Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens.

Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens combines community at the hotel level with a wider focus on local integration within the surrounding neighbour68

hoods. Its set up is ideal for those on business who want to meet like-minded professionals, both resident and visiting: whether that be at the hotel’s happening outdoor pool scene, or on one of the many events on the expansive outdoor terrace, P4. Fitness classes, movie screenings, even local concerts are common occurrences at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens. Then there’s The Study, a dedicated social work station with all the trappings of a modern office, but with none of the drawbacks.

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Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, Tel: +971 4 519 1111

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Hip dining in The Greens Two restaurants call Zabeel House

by Jumeirah, The Greens their home. LAH LAH is the neighbourhood go-to for pan-Asian, with a distinct focus on farm-to-table that is far beyond idle rhetoric. The restaurant grows its own vegetables and spices on its terrace, while offering guests fresh, tailored seasoning options with a catered selection of living herb-plants at each table. Not to be missed are the restaurants “Cast Iron” dishes, flame-seared in ageflavoured woks, or the “It’s an Asian

Thing” Friday brunch feast. And if you’re not in the mood to eat, the restaurant’s rooftop shisha terrace and dedicated Asian cocktail menu will keep you more than entertained. In the winter months, the restaurant opens out onto a beautiful terrace, perfect for dining al fresco.

For lighter lunches, brunches, and everything in between, there’s Social Company (or SoCo), The Greens’ casual, comfortable, chic eatery. Ideal for mild mid-afternoon snacking, a quick coffee catch-up, or even a late afternoon aperitif, SoCo has a bright and breezy interior, packed with natural light, that makes you want to camp out the whole day through, and a menu to make that wish reality.

For leisure tourists and families who want a more genuine local experience, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens is also a perfect choice. Not only is it pet- and kid-friendly (the hotel has regular family-friendly screenings and family-themed restaurant deals), but it is also the ideal launch point for city exploration. Instead of having a concierge recommend you some well-known restaurants, why not ask a dedicated local expert for their in-the-know suggestions, or you could even ask one of the hotel’s over-1,000 neighbours who frequently dip in and out of the hotel’s restaurants and social work spaces. Instead of traipsing to one of Dubai’s monumental malls, why not stop by the hotel’s pop-up outlets or Weekender market and see if any local brands take your fancy?

Meanwhile the hotel’s environment is slick, professional, yet effortlessly casual, with a lobby, social workspaces, and restaurants resembling naturally lit, artisanal cafes deep in Williamsburg, and with rooms not at all dissimilar from million-dollar Tribeca lofts. The Greens’ interior décor perfectly encapsulates the hotel’s ethos: it merges office and social spaces, allowing for more enjoyable, efficient working-abroad setups that are just perfect for younger generations growing up in today’s office-space revolution.

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Illustration − Trang Minh

Port Sóller Neighbourhood Guide Explore the Mallorcan gem Kick things off at (1) Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa (+34 971 637 888), which is an oasis of tranquillity on a cliff top overlooking the sea. Set between the UNESCO Word Heritage Tramuntana mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, it’s the perfect place to base your Mallorca break.

First up, there’s the award-winning Talise Spa, which features ten treatment suites and a whole range of horizontal options to beat the jet lag or to just set you up for the day. Then head for an al fresco breakfast overlooking the bay. If you do finally manage to drag yourself away, head north to the (2) Torre Picade, which lies on the S’illeta path, a gorgeous walking route that winds along the coast.

The tower itself was built in 1622 as a watchtower to help defend the island against pirates, and still stands to this day. Watch out for the Penyal Bernat de S’illeta, a huge jagged sliver of rock that looks like it might fall over at any minute. The views all along the path are spectacular, particularly just before sunset. If you don’t fancy the walk back down towards town, take the vintage tramway – the cars were imported from San Francisco at the end of the 19th century – which takes you to the terminus in the centre of town. Head first to the (3) Museu De La Mar Sóller which has a long and rather varied history. Built in 1280, it was used as a chapel

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and a hospital, and was occupied by the Spanish Admiralty during the Civil War. It was restored in 2004 and turned into a maritime museum – and now tells the story of the island through the sea.

It’s the perfect place to while away an hour or two on a quiet morning and learn about the history of the town. If you are looking for something more adventurous, check out (4) Sup Sóller (+34 971 632 439) which offers a range of stand up paddle boarding, as well as gear rental, so you can be up and on the water in no time. They also hold yoga classes on the water most mornings, but be sure to book ahead. All that exertion has probably put you in need of some refreshments, so why not walk over to the (5) Reynes Cycling Café (+34 615 453 291) which features a host of locally sourced products, freshly baked goods and some bicycles to rent. It’s got probably the best cup of coffee on the island, as well as a green focus. What’s not to like?

If you want a sundowner with a view, walk along the bay to (6) Es Mirall (+34 646 844 174), which offers spectaculars of the bay. It’s family run and has a range of tapas dishes and small bites as well as a big wine list. Get there well before sunset, as the tables outside go quickly. Then you can make the night time stroll back to your hotel, which is a great way to burn off those calories.

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Our Hotels

Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living

DUBAI Burj Al Arab Jumeirah This iconic sail-shaped hotel redefined luxury when it opened, and still offers the finest in service and experience.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel With ocean-view rooms and suites, restaurants, cafés, bars, swimming pools and a private beach, this is the ultimate family hotel with its recent refurbishment is looking fresher than ever.

Jumeirah Al Naseem at Madinat Jumeirah This sprawling five-star property features lush gardens, generous terraces and stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.

Jumeirah Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah Designed in the unparalleled opulence style of a Sheikh’s summer residence, Al Qasr offers the ultimate in Arabian luxury.

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel Offers wonderful views of the Creek and the Dubai skyline. It’s perfect for business travellers who need to unwind.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah Understated luxury is the byword here as this intimate yet generous property.

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam at Madinat Jumeirah Located in the heart of Madinat Jumeirah, Mina A’Salam is a luxury boutique hotel. Take an abra through the canals that surround the hotel and soak up the atmosphere.

These two towers are icons of Dubai’s skyline. The hotel offers 400 rooms, eight meeting rooms, 11 bars and restaurants and lots of business and meeting facilities.

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort A resort that redefined luxury in the capital, this property, situated on a 400-metre private beach offers a host of leisure activies.

Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa Nestled in the spectacularly beautiful Arabian Desert, this boutique resort offers unrivalled tranquillity and views.

Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residence Executive living reaches new heights at these serviced apartments in the heart of Dubai’s business district.

Jumeirah Frankfurt

ABU DHABI Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Nestled in the serene environs of The Palm Jumeirah’s West Cresent, this property exudes Ottoman-era charm and stunning views to bask in.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Royal Residences Set amid lush tropical gardens and facing a magnificent lagoon pool, the Royal Residences set a new bar for luxury accommodation in the city.

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Jumeirah at Etihad Towers These five dramatically sculpted towers have become an Abu Dhabi landmark, and they are as spectacular inside as out.

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Residences Redefine the idea of home at these fully serviced luxury residences in heart of Abu Dhabi.

August - September June - July 2019

Jumeirah Vittaveli

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

BAHRAIN

LONDON

MALLORCA

Jumeirah Royal Saray

Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa

There’s nowhere quite like Mayfair, and this Park Lane property exudes oldworld charm and understated service.

Nestled amidst Sóller Valley and the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountain range, the Port Soller offers understated luxury in the heart of one of Europe’s hippest destinations.

Situated on a private beach in Bahrain’s new Seef district, the Royal Saray marries Arabian opulence with worldclass service.

FRANKFURT

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Jumeirah Frankfurt

Tradition and luxury meet in this Knightsbridge property offering cuttingedge elegance in the heart of the city.

Experience discreet luxury in the heart of the continent’s financial hub at this 218-room five-star property.

GUANGZHOU Jumeirah Living Guangzhou Located in the heart of Guangzhou, this already iconic building offers 169 luxurious residences, a temperaturecontrolled outdoor swimming pool and a host of F&B options.

KUWAIT Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa Go for the huge private beach, seven world-class restaurants, kid’s club and a comprehensive fitness centre.

June - July August - September 2019 2019

NANJING Jumeirah Nanjing

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel Located in the heart of Belgravia, and perfectly located between Hyde Park and the West End, Lowndes offers a boutique townhouse experience with the unrivalled hospitality Jumeirah is renowned for.

Designed by the legendary architect Zaha Hadid, this hotel is a stunning piece of design.

SHANGHAI Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel

Jumeirah Vittaveli

From the 16-metre high lobby to the artwork that adorns the walls, the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel is an eclectic fusion of new and old.

Vittaveli mixes island charm with worldclass service. Enjoy the views, watch the sunset or cycle one of the complimentary bikes out to a deserted spot. Bliss.

COMING SOON

MALDIVES

Bali – Jumeirah Bali Oman – Jumeirah Muscat Bay

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The shot

Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain

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August - September 2019

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Breguet La Marine

Équation Marchante 5887

B R E G U E T B O U T I Q U E – D U B A I M A L L D U B A I ( U A E ) + 9 71 4 3 3 9 8 7 5 6 – W W W. B R E G U E T. C O M