Whether you’re looking to take your other half on the ultimate luxury staycation or dinner, or are planning a casual eat, or fancy a pool day, spa, or are completely anti-Valentine’s – The Insider has a round up of the best events across the UAE
Romantic Staycations
Jumeirah Saadiyat Island
Featured in our guide to Saadiyat Island and one of the best resorts in the UAE, the beautiful eco-friendly Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort has a variety of romantic offers. Book a dinner at TEAN restaurant’s talented chefs with an ice-cold champagne in a private dinner in their own cabana. From 6-9pm AED 4,999 per couple. Check out San Valentino Dinner on the Boardwalk with a beautifully decorated table with dishes from Mare Mare and a bottle of fine wine or prosecco. The scrumptious menu includes scallops and asparagus veloute, beer marinated octopus and pasta stuffed with beef. From 5-11pm, AED 800 per couple. You can also enjoy a quaint afternoon tea with an array of sweet and savoury items, served in their infamous tiered jewellery box facing the glittering waters of the ocean. Served from 2-6pm for only AED 338 per couple. For ultra privacy, book an in-room dining experience and enjoy a bespoke menu with black angus beef tenderloin, glazed baby vegetables, wild sea bass, and chilled seafood, for only AED 850 per couple. For the ultimate proposal setting take your loved one to The Lounge and take advantage of the gorgeous rooftop setting. You also get a set dinner menu with cocktails, wines and beautiful decorations, for only AED 999 per couple. For more details on the dining offers or to make a reservation, please contact +971 811 4342 or email jsirestaurants@jumeirah.com
Rotana, Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat has the most beautiful white sandy shoreline and is a stunning location for a romantic getaway. Enjoy a spacious room, suite, or one of their delightful beach villas – the latter of which comes with a private plunge pool. Connect, get closer, and enjoy wonderful intimacy in this resort away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take advantage of the seven onsite dining options and their lush Zen Spa, or take moonlit walks across the beach. Packages start at AED 1,500. If you’re passing through, take a trip to their Italian, Si Ristorante, where you can indulge in a four-course meal while you listen to the resident band, Rumba Soul. AED 599 per couple with soft beverages and AED 699 with unlimited prosecco. You can also check out Turtle Bay for a more casual affair, where their four-course menu includes glazed burrata, venison Wellington, and heavenly dessert. AED 699 per couple with soft drinks and AED 799 with unlimited prosecco. Finally, go all out for your loved one with a private Beach Boardwalk dinner including a romantic set up and tailored menu. This is available throughout February from AED 2,000 per couple.
Conrad Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi
The Conrad have gone all out with their ultimate Valentine’s event called The Proposal. Visit the Observation Deck with your loved one and check out the city from the highest point in the city – perfect to pop the question. After your private viewing you can enjoy a superior 6-course menu with premium bubbles, followed by an overnight stay in the hotel, followed by breakfast in bed and a couples’ massage at Conrad Spa. This is a pricey but luxurious offer for AED 15,000 per couple.
W Hotel, Yas Island
Bring your other half to the W at Yas Island and enjoy an indulgent staycation with candlelit dinner in Italian favourite Amici, followed by a night partying to the Living Room Live featuring local artist ‘Not So Human’. Relax in style with a treatment at their award-winning City Spa. A truly lovely escape, starting from AED 1,499 per couple.
Intercontinental, RAK
Ras al Khaimah is doing its bit for love with the Intercontinental Hotel’s Villa Spa-cation, featuring a seafront or beachfront villa with a private pool, including complimentary breakfast and an AED 250 credit at their spa. A relaxing stay outside of the other noisier Emirates. Prices start from AED 2,850 per night.
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Dog lovers can whisk away their other halves with their pets at this canine-friendly resort. You can enjoy walks in the fresh air, picnics, and a photoshoot at the Valentine’s themed photobooth, complete with props. Prices start at AED 295 for a 3-course meal for one owner and dog, from 13th-17th February.
Sofitel, Downtown Dubai
Start the day with your partner with an intimate in-room breakfast dining experience for two before you head to the spa (especially for couples), and then chill by the pool under the towering skyscrapers. True romance and intimacy in a spectacular setting. AED 2,990 per couple per room.
Kinara by Vikas Khanna, JA The Resort
Using the medium of food and drink, Indian Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna is taking you on a journey of love through the region’s rich history of cherishing love and each moment of life. Aptly named “Tales of Love under the Stars’, their event is the perfect spot to enjoy a four-course menu and bottle of sparkling grape as you soak up the romantic ambiance. AED 599 per couple from 6:30-10:30pm including bubbles.
The Crossing, H Dubai Hotel
Try a specially curated menu at The Crossing on this V Day with their Indian menu featuring dishes from all over the subcontinent. Effortlessly stylish cuisine by chef and co-founded Ankur Chakraborty includes Sunhera Salmon Tikka, with fresh Atlantic salmon with saffron and yoghurt marinade, or try the sumptuous Hidden Heart dessert with rich dark chocolate, Nutella espurma and nut crumble. The tasting menu has five indulgent courses for only AED 195 pp, so it’s also an absolute steal for your special night. Available on February the 14th from 12pm-11pm.
Deluxe Dining
Splurgeworthy dining options from floating breakfasts to champagne dinners under the stars
Noho Bar & Grill, Intercontinental, RAK
Head over to Noho Bar in their New York-esque brasserie. Feast on mussels marinière, quinoa salad with local figs, feta and wild berry dressing, or the manly mains including Wagyu flank steak, Barramundi fillet with grilled sweet potato and Swiss Chard. Their set menu also includes dessert, and is priced at AED 500 per couple, with a wine and beverage menu for AED 150. Take advantage of this offer daily between 10th-14thFebruary.
Hayal, St. Regis Downtown Dubai
Istanbul vibes all around at the latest restaurant to grace the St. Regis Downtown. Enjoy live entertainment and vibrant artwork while you munch on baked prawns, chargrilled spicy lamb, or beetroot with blood orange dressing and goat’s cheese, and finish up with their special Valentine’s cake. Prices start at AED 390 per couple, so this offer doesn’t break the bank if you plan to treat your loved one on a budget. For house beverages the prices go up to AED 490 and AED 590 with champagne, from 6pm-late on February 14th.
La Mezcaleria, Pavillion, The Beach
Looking for something more lively and less intimate, then this is the venue for you. Couples are invited to sample their 3-course menu and a bottle of their choice featuring dishes such as corn salad, beef carpaccio, beef tenderloin, penne arrabiata, plus desserts including chocolate lava cake and crème brulee. There’s a choice of drink packages from AED 580 per couple with soft drinks, AED 780 per couple with a bottle of house wine, and AED 1,280 with a bottle of champagne. The views of Ain Dubai are an unbeatable sight for your Valentine’s Day. Guests can avail the same package at their downtown location situated at Anantara Hotel.
Mi Amie, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
Dubai’s latest Miami themed hotspot overlooking the Museum of the Future from its glorious rooftop location is not to be missed. Enjoy a special ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ 3-course dinner with Atlantic lobster, grilled Halibut, US beef tenderloin, liquid chocolate cake and assiette of passion fruit – definitely one of the more imaginative menus we’ve seen! Starting from: AED696 per couple for food only; AED999 including a 3-course dinner, bubbly & cocktails; AED1,399 – upgrade to Laurent Perrier Champagne; AED 5,499 – Upgrade to Dom Perignon champagne, from 5pm-2am.
Coco Lounge, Media One Hotel
Something fancy as this casual favourite, Coco Lounge promises authentic Nikkei cuisine and cocktails amid the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina. The sharing menu (and complimentary rosé bubbles) includes Tsurai camaron, Nikkei beetroot, and Pandan crème brulee. The package is AED 899 per couple including the sharing menu and bottle of bubbly, from 8pm-midnight.
Also at Media One is an Italian V Day at Ciao Bella, with 4 delicious courses from a set menu, plus a bottle of bubbly. Dine with your loved one on capesante, scallops, homemade fettuccine pasta, swordfish rolls, and strawberry tiramisu. The package is AED 599 per couple including food and a bottle of chilled prosecco, from 6pm onwards.
SHI, Bluewaters
Looking for an upscale Chinese restaurant for you and your other half? SHI is the one for you. Their romantic dining offer boasts a set menu with dishes including mixed sushi, dim sum, wok lobster and Asian dark chocolate forest, plus a bottle of pink. All this for only AED 900 per couple, on February 14th for lunch and dinner.
Private Room, JA The Resort
Throughout February you can book a private dining set up in your room on their stunning balcony, or at the intimate Palm Tree Garden, where you’ll feast on dishes from Jeema with a 5-course menu. Packages start at AED 650 per couple.
Larte, Studio One Hotel
We applaud this creative activity-based Valentine’s Day offering, as here couples can make their own pizza and pasta, and learn all about the Slow Food Movement, where chefs only use ingredients that are local and in season. Enjoy four-courses and a bottle to share, plus a goody bag for AED 499 per couple, from 6pm onwards.
Tabu, St. Regis Downtown
Ultra-trendy Japanese restaurant Tabu (hello, Instagrammable rooftop) promises dining alongside their avant-garde entertainment and live acts. Feast on black cod croquette, sea bass ceviche, Wagyu beef, beef short rib, and vegan tres leches. The restaurant features a 12-course tasting menu with grape and sake pairing with incredible views of the Burj Khalifa. Prices per couple, includes 5-course set menu; AED 295 – Soft Drinks; AED 395 – including bottle of grape or sparkling; AED 495 – including bottle of bubbly; AED 975 – 12-course tasting menu with grape and sake pairing, from 6pm until late.
CÉ LA VI Dubai, Address Sky View Hotel
Take romance to new heights on level 54 of the Address Sky View Hotel. The set menu includes dishes such as smoked chocolate foie gras, black truffle “sushi rice” risotto, pan roasted sea bass, and CÉ LA VI’s signature vanilla cheesecake, perfect paired with the live violinist and musical acts that serenade you through your meal. AED 2,000 minimum spend per couple for indoor and lounge seating, AED 5,000 minimum spend per couple for outdoor terrace seating. Options of à la carte dining or set menu (AED 500 per person, remainder redeemable on à la carte spend), from 7pm onwards.
Continued in part 2 …(Please link part 2 here)
