Babs Al Shams
Babs Al Shams
istockphoto.com
Atlantis
Atlantis Underwater Suite
The choices are pretty endless when it comes to hotels and resorts. If you’re looking for reasonable (by Dubai standards) then Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a great option. Located right on the beach, the hotel has recently been fully renovated and you have epic views of the Burj Al Arab (especially from your balcony at night). The staff is eager to help with romantic experiences, like bubble baths filled with rose petals, bouquets of flowers waiting in the room (they have an in-house florist), and delicious, sweet desserts delivered to your door. With the Burj Al Arab right next door, you’ll have to stop by for a tour or a spa treatment. Dubbed “the best hotel in the world”, you won’t want to miss exploring the iconic building. A tour includes a visit to the Royal Suite, which will level-up your idea of luxury. And unless you have Justin Bieber or Kardashian money, you might want to stick with a smaller room. If you don’t plan on staying, you can relax at the Talise Spa, share a couples massage, and take a dip in the infinity pool, which provides perfect views of the Dubai skyline. If you’re looking for something completely different, escape to the desert and stay at Babs Al Shams, a hotel nestled among the sand dunes, with a more traditional Arabian look and feel. Sip a pomegranate cosmo by the infinity pool, or take a nature hike to discover what the desert has to offer. They are currently renovating to make your stay better than ever. Atlantis is another luxurious option. Atlantis is the focal point of “The Palm” (the man-made islands on to coast of Dubai) and offers rooms surrounded by their underwater aquarium. That’s right. You can hop into the bathtub with views of rays, sharks and hundreds of fish. Sunsets at Atlantis are magical – the perfect romantic ending to your day.
Doing At the top of the list for adventure and romance is a hot air balloon ride. Don’t be nervous. It is the most calm, peaceful feeling – nothing to be scared of. Start your day early with Balloon Adventures Dubai – around 4 a.m. – by heading into the desert in the dark, surrounded by just the sand and stars (keep your eyes on the sky, for shooting stars!). You’ll climb aboard one of half a dozen balloons and float up to 4,000 feet above the desert as you take in the sunrise. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can’t be missed. Upon landing, you’ll make your way to vintage Land Rovers, for a quick trip through the desert, to a Bedouin camp for breakfast and a camel ride. When your adventure is done, it might be time for some relaxation. There’s no better way than TODAYS B R I D E .C A • 87
Photography courtesy of top to bottom, Babs Al Shams, Atlantis, Balloon Adventures Dubai, Amy Bielby
Staying
