Sun, pools and zero guilt about the bill: here’s where to staycation this summer without spending more than Dhs750 a night
If you’re spending summer in the UAE, you can turn every weekend (or weekday) into a holiday by checking in to the emirate’s best hotels and taking advantage of discounted rates, complimentary upgrades and family perks sure to fill your summer with fun.
From the Abu Dhabi desert to iconic Dubai addresses, here are 10 brilliant summer staycation deals for less than Dhs750 per night.
Dubai
FIVE LUXE
The details: Book a stay at FIVE LUXE and your entire room charge comes straight back to you as credit to spend across dining, drinks and spa. Days are made for Playa Pacha, the resort’s Ibiza-inspired beach club, where sun loungers and DJ sets carry you from breakfast through golden hour. Work your way through an impressive restaurant line-up spanning bold Japanese flavours to elegant French plates, then let the evening pick up at Paradiso with its cocktails and after-dark energy. Prefer to wind down? Book in a massage or facial at the spa instead. Either way, the room rate does double duty.
Rate: From Dhs657
Book: luxejbr.fivehotelsandresorts.com
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
The details: Escape to the tranquil shores of Palm Jumeirah with two thoughtfully curated staycation experiences. The resident escape, with rates from Dhs549, comes with a room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, 50% off spa treatments of at least 60 minutes and 25% off a la carte dining. You’ll need code RESSOF when booking. Upgrade to the Palm Suite escape, with rates from Dhs1,099, and you’ll get all that, plus a welcome drink for two, lounge access and dedicated butler service, as well as 30% off a la carte dining. You’ll need code SPSSOF. Both deals are valid until September 30.
Rates: From Dhs549
Book: sofitel-thepalm-dubai.com
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
The details: Trade the daily grind for beachfront calm at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, where the GCC resident offer makes a Jumeirah Beach escape an easy yes. Take your pick of a bed and breakfast rate or a dinner-inclusive option, both discounted by 15%, then keep the savings going with 20% off food and drinks at participating outlets across the resort. Marriott Bonvoy members get a further 5% off, so it’s worth signing up before you book. Spend your days between the pool, the marina and the sand, and let the rest take care of itself. Valid for stays until the end of August, using code G9999.
Rates: From Dhs694
Book: marriott.com
SO/Uptown
On the upscale side of JLT, UPTOWN’S luxury -lifesyle hotel, SO/UPTOWN is offering a fantastic staycation deal for UAE residents. If you’re heading over as a family, children under 12 stay and dine for free, while for adults, rates include daily breakfast, a choice of lunch or dinner at Lana Lusa, Brasserie Uptown or Lazuli, plus a sunset cocktail at Savant. To further enhance your stay, there’s kids club access, 50% off spa treatments, and 30% off additional dining.
Rates: From Dhs505
Book: so-hotels.com
Abu Dhabi
Aldhafra Resort, Vignette Collection by IHG
Journey to the heart of the Liwa Desert and as a UAE resident, you’ll unlock 30% off rates at this relaxed desert retreat. To further give you a VIP welcome, there’s a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability), and a Dhs150 dining credit to be redeemed on food and drink at either Al Badiya restaurant or Al Layali Bar. Guests will also get to enjoy two desert and cultural experiences, whether it’s camel treks across sweeping dunes, henna art, sand bottle artistry, archery or sandboarding.
Rates: From Dhs598 per room per night
Book: aldhafraresort.com
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
The details: Head out of the city for a Shangri-La staycation that leans into laid-back luxury. Mornings start with a daily buffet breakfast for two at Sofra, with 25% off dining experiences to keep the good food going throughout your stay. Take your pick of the 1-kilometre private beach, the infinity pool or the standard pool, browse the home-grown brands at the Souq, or hop on a traditional abra boat for a quiet ride through Qaryat Al Beri’s waterways. Early check-in at 11am and late check-out at 4pm mean you don’t have to rush either end.
Rates: From Dhs600
Book: shangri-la.com
Ras Al Khaimah
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
The details: A palatial stay on the beachfront in RAK, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is a luxurious spot for a family stay. Rooms are all adorned in modern, neutral tones, with plenty of space to spread out and balconies that gaze out over the Arabian Gulf and Hajar Mountains – so even as the temperatures creep up, you can still enjoy the scenic views. While little ones burn off some steam at the ocean-inspired kids and teens club or make a splash at the kids’ water playground, adults can enjoy pampering spa treatments or embrace the serenity of the adults-only infinity pool.
Rates: From Dhs700 per room per night
Book: hilton.com
Ananatara Mina Ras Al Khaimah
The details: It turns out the Maldives isn’t a four-hour flight away. In fact, you can reach it in just a short drive to Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah. With its tropical aesthetic and overwater villas, this Ras Al Khaimah retreat feels worlds away from home. Nestled on a private peninsula between the Arabian Gulf and a serene mangrove lagoon, experience the ultimate in seclusion and luxury. As a UAE resident, you’ll save up to 18% across rooms and villas, kids stay and dine for free if they’re under 11 (up to 2 children), and there’s 10% off dining at the resort restaurants. Minimum two-night stay required for weekend bookings.
Rates: From Dhs734 per room per night
Book: anantara.com
Fujairah
Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort
The details: This popular resort is a long-standing family favourite on Fujairah’s East Coast – and with good reason. They recently renovated the accommodation, giving it a modern makeover while still inviting guests to enjoy the same lovely ocean views. Book and stay by September 30 and enjoy a coastal escape complete with daily buffet breakfast, 20% off dining across restaurants, and 50% off at Spa Al Aqah experiences. Children can stay and dine for free, too. Use promotional code 11P when booking.
Rates: From Dhs633 per room per night
Book: marriott.com
Sandy Beach Resort
The details: A firm favourite with long-standing UAE residents, Sandy Beach Resort has been the base of choice for families seeking a no-frills beach retreat, party people heading over for the regular Snoopy Beats music festivals, and watersports enthusiasts alike. Facing Fujairah’s unmistakable Snoopy Island, its simplicity is part of the appeal, and after checking in to one of the rooms or bungalows, head straight to the shorefront for a dip in the infinity pool, snorkelling around Snoopy Island, or sundowners with your toes in the sand. Stay mid-week and when you book three nights, you’ll get the fourth for free. Or go on the weekend, and get three nights for the price of two.
Rates: From Dhs734 per room per night
Book: sandybeach.ae
