As far as travel bucket lists go, riding in a hot air balloon is one that regularly tops the list. Having the opportunity to enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon at 4,000 feet over the Dubai desert whilst The UK was experiencing cold winter temperatures was not only worth a 3:30 am wake-up call but also cemented Dubai as the ultimate hedonistic capital and winter sun destination. It’s not a secret that Dubai is a city that prides itself on the ability to cater to the whims of its visitors, whether the choice of adventure is water sports, desert adventures, or enjoying its international culinary scene or nightlife.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel
Located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island on the West Crescent, this opulent five-star hotel offers a glimpse into sheer ottoman-inspired elegance and refined hospitality. First impressions matter at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and one can imagine the design brief for its entrance might have included words like palatial and grand. The grandeur of the lobby adorned with intricate Ottoman-inspired architecture leaves visitors in awe of the surroundings, setting the tone for the lavish stay.
If walking into the lobby feels like you have just stepped onto a movie set, it’s because you have. Before the hotel opened its doors to the public in 2011, it hosted 450 crew members and a cast of 250 for three days of filming for Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible, Ghost Protocol. The lobby is adorned with 30,000 square metres of natural stone marble sourced in Turkey by expert tradesmen and features over 165 chandeliers which are replicas of pieces in the Dolmabahçe and Topkapi palaces in Turkey.
If the ottoman-inspired design doesn’t grab your attention, then the service surely will. Would you like your sunglasses cleaned? What about a cool towel to wrap around your neck or an ice lolly to cool down from the heat? These are some of the things on offer to guests lounging by the pool or the beach at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The hotel embodies what it means to offer a five-star luxury experience and these complimentary offers are some of the things that come as standard for their hotel guests.
The accommodation, meticulously designed with Ottoman-inspired opulence comes in a range of rooms and suites. I stayed in a Superior King room which boasted breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai harbour with a private balcony. Coupled with elegant furnishings and modern amenities and boasting an impressive 46 sqm in size, the superior king room comfortably sleeps three people. The attention to detail, from the plush bedding to the marble-clad bathrooms, showcased a commitment to comfort and sophistication.
With nine restaurants and bars on-site, there is a diverse culinary offering available to guests staying at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. There is traditional Indian cuisine at Amala, a light meal or afternoon tea in grand ottoman-inspired style at Sultan’s Lounge, Japanese sharing dishes at Tori Tori and Lebanese cuisine at Al Nafoorah. For a special treat, Imperium offers fine dining under the setting of chandeliers and marble columns whilst Arcadia offers a reservation-only, farm-to-table outdoor private dining experience. For a more casual experience, Zabeel Social serves American cuisine in a sports bar setting with live sports screenings and Zenzi Beach serves South American-inspired dishes.
One of the highlights of my stay was a few hours of relaxation at the Talise Ottoman Spa, an 8,200 square metre spa facility which draws inspiration from the traditions of the Ottoman Empire and promises to be an oasis of tranquillity and rejuvenation with an array of indulgent treatments. The Ottoman spa is the largest in the Middle East with 42 treatment rooms, three hammams, two indoor seawater pools and separate areas for women, men and couples.
Dubai Excursions
Whilst it was tempting to remain within the confines of the hotel, Dubai has lots of unique excursions to lure visitors away from their hotels. With its rich and vast food culture, it’s no wonder that many excursions in Dubai are centred around food and the city continues to push culinary innovation. In the first of its kind, Avatara is redefining plant-based fine dining as the world’s first vegetarian Indian Michelin-star fine dining experience. From the moment I entered Avatara, I was struck by its chic and inviting ambience. The restaurant's modern and stylish décor created an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and welcoming.
Headed by Chef Rahul Rana, who has a background in curating vegetarian and patisserie concepts in culinary arts, the menu showcases modern techniques and the story of soulful Indian food. Inspired by humble seasonal ingredients that are pure, clean, natural, and energy-containing, the menu at Avatara is a visual feast combined with storytelling and showcases a diverse array of plant-based dishes that celebrate fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Each dish is crafted with precision, aiming not only to challenge the palette but also to reimagine vegetarian and plant-based food. From Badak (Vada) which is deep-fried fritters with lentils, Shikhalu, and grilled baby corn to Sandhita which uses broccolini and carrot with pickle spice, the dishes are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibres.
Frying Pan Adventures started life as a food blog, created by sisters, Arva and Farida Ahmed before it evolved into the fully-fledged business that it is today. The sisters pioneer food walking tours, taking visitors on a culinary journey through the streets of Dubai, introducing their taste buds to new sensations through a selection of carefully selected food vendors. The food tours which last three to four hours are hugely popular amongst tourists and residents alike. I joined the Dubai Souks and Creekside food tour which lasted 3.5 hours and covered a walking distance of 2.1 miles. We took in Old Dubai which provided a fascinating insight into a different side of the city, away from the skyscrapers and shiny facade and introduced a neighbourhood of blended cultures.
If you are not afraid of heights and want to experience floating 4,000 feet in the air, Balloon Adventures Dubai offers hot air balloon rides over the Dubai desert conservation reserve and the dunes. The day started at 3:30 am when I was picked up from my hotel in a jeep and transported through the desert by a professional guide to the desert site. Whilst the on-site team got the hot air balloons ready and performed safety checks, visitors were treated to a drone show and a hot drink ahead of the flight. The experienced Italian instructor, Orlando was happy to answer questions which brought the experience to life. After the balloon ride, I was picked up in a vintage Land Rover and transported through the desert to an authentic Arabian hut where the day ended with a continental breakfast and a short camel ride.
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It would be a missed opportunity to come to Dubai and not take in its Marina. At Dubai Marina, Cozmo Yachts has a vessel for every occasion. You are greeted upon arrival by the captain and crew and the service is tailored according to your needs. Depending on your yacht, you can enjoy water sports, live performances or a live DJ. Surrounded by towering skyscrapers and just steps from a skydiving school where planes take off like clockwork and skydivers float down from the sky, setting sail into open water aboard a Cozmo Yacht feels nothing short of surreal. The longer your yacht charter, the more sights you can take in. A 4-hour round-trip takes in Blue Water Island, Atlantis The Palm, Sheikh Island, World Island and Burj Al Arab.
With its perfect temperature, range of luxury accommodations, souks for shopping and excursions available on sea, land and water, Dubai is a great option for a long weekend getaway.
