march-may 2017
the city Magazine
A restFuL retreAt
A weekend of wellness awaits at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City
For the Love oF Food
Culinary Director Stephane Buchholzer talks about his palpable passion for food
Awaken Your Senses at Al Habtoor City! The recently opened Heavenly Spa by Westin boasts as one of the largest in glamorous Dubai with all natural and organic products, with 20 heavenly rooms, couples’ suites, duo hammam rooms and more. TM
Take time for yourself with a relaxing range of renewal experiences amidst stunning views of Burj Khalifa and treat yourself to pure wellness. Heavenly Spa at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City is your new destination to unwind and rejuvenate.
WORLD LUXURY S PA AWA R D S NOMINEE 2017
W
1 welcome
elcome to Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, the newest urban destination in the heart of Dubai. Being at the centre of a city that never sleeps, and as the first completed project on the Dubai Water Canal, we’re really excited to be here. With three outstanding properties, we offer something for everyone. Indulge in luxury at The St. Regis Dubai, where French undertones run throughout, or immerse yourself in the future-perfect world of W Dubai-Al Habtoor City, an iconic abode in the UAE. If you prefer business and family-friendly elegance, then The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City is the choice for you but, no matter your preference, you’ll find something for you right here. Meanwhile, The Atrium adds spectacular dining with seven restaurants, while our beautiful The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, opening in March, adds a whole new dimension to our city. In this first issue of The City Magazine we give you a behind-thescenes look at some of the stories and passion points that make up our ever-evolving destination, as well as bringing some fantastic seasonal offers your way. Enjoy the issue. Jason Harding
Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection’s Complex General Manager Jason Harding talks to us about carpentry, hotels and shooting for the stars
06
a frEncH affair
From fabulous afternoon tea and an award-winning steakhouse to dining as only the French know how, Culinary Director Stephane Buccholzer reveals the gourmet delights of The St. Regis Dubai
Editorial Director John Thatcher Managing Editor Emma Laurence Editor Hayley Skirka
Group Commercial Director David Wade Production Manager Muthu Kumar
THE conTEnTs 03
Managing Director Victoria Thatcher
Art Director Kerri Bennett
Complex General Manager Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection
raising a ciTy
Director of Marketing and Communications Radwa Safwat
12
pulsE of Dubai
Inspired by New York, W Dubai-Al Habtoor City’s intoxicating design reflects Sheikh Zayed Road, the very heart of Dubai, and the city’s evolving social aspect
16
a wEEkEnD of wEllnEss
The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City promises to leave its guests feeling better when they check out than when they checked in. We put that theory to the test over a weekend
21
THE HoTEls
Everything you need to know about Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection this season
3 Raising a city
The St. Regis Dubai
Raising a City
As the man behind Dubai’s newest destination, we speak to Complex General Manager Jason Harding to discover more about his unexpected love affair with the hotel industry and the delights of carving a city within a city Lobby Grand Staircase, The St. Regis Dubai
Despite being Complex General Manager at Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, one of the biggest hospitality projects to have ever existed in Dubai, the hotel industry wasn’t always something that was in Jason Harding’s sights. In fact, the English-born gent left school to pursue a boyhood dream of becoming a carpenter. “My uncle Brian was my idol and a carpenter, and he convinced me that he was a six-million-dollar man, so carpentry was all I ever wanted to do,” explains Harding. Ironically, it was this affection for carpentry that would eventually lead Harding to the world of hotels. He
4 Raising a city tells us, “One day, my auntie came home with a copy of the Evening Standard, pointing out an advert for two carpenters wanted at the London Hilton on Park Lane. My uncle went for one job, I went for the other and we both got them. We turned up on our first day, tools in hand, ready to work and met a lady from HR – I didn’t really know what that was at the time. She said, ‘You’re in orientation for the first two days.’ We were confused as we were just there to build stuff, but from that very first day I was hooked on hotels and everything that went on there – front of house, back of house, it was like a city in itself.” Poignantly, Harding’s new role is actually at a city in itself. Having joined the company in November last year, things have been positively frenzied for the new GM in recent months. “I’ve had to run that little bit quicker than everyone else to catch up so it’s been hectic, that’s for sure, but I’m having fun with it,” explains Harding. And it’s partly that optimistic attitude that has seen him
Fabulous Suite, W Dubai-Al Habtoor City
“Each property has unique passion points and appeals to its own market” carve out a hugely successful career in hotels to date. “My Uncle Brian always told me to shoot for the stars with my feet on the ground, and it’s something I try to live by,” enlightens the GM. But perhaps some of the credit also has to go to Harding’s wife, Mel, who propelled him to shoot for the stars when she introduced him to life in Dubai having moved to the UAE back in 2004. Exchanging regular visits soon became the norm for the couple and Harding took advantage of the time he was spending in the country to offer his services as a Middle Eastern liaison for the Rocco Forte Hotel group, whom he was working for in the UK at that time. Then, in 2009, he finally took the plunge and relocated to the UAE to become GM
at The Palace Downtown Dubai. Since then, he’s managed Armani Hotels – in both Dubai and Milan – and was Area Director and General Manager of Taj Dubai. In 2016, Harding was approached about an opening at Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection and, having visited the destination earlier in the year, felt it was another opportunity to aim high. “I first went to visit The St. Regis Dubai expecting it to be some kind of cookie-cutter experience,” he explains. “As soon as we started driving up that entranceway, going into the grand lobby and looking at the chandeliers and that spiral staircase, I realised that the whole thing was just, wow.” In fact, the experience reminded him of his favourite hotel in the world. He alludes, “It replicated the attention to detail that I experienced at The St. Regis New York. I was a bit of a techie back then and my first visit was at a time when portable devices didn’t all have interconnectable cables. Having left my bag in the room, I returned at the end of the day to find that the
5 Raising a city
The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City
butler had not only perfectly laid out all of my things – heart-rate monitor, headphones, fitness tracker, iPod and more – he’d also plugged everything in and had them charging. I fell in love with it – the product was beautiful, but that attention to detail and level of service really did it for me. And that’s something I felt again at The St. Regis Dubai, it really brought me back to that time.”
Manager of the first completed multi-project on the Dubai Water Canal, Harding explains that the opening of such a landmark instilled a real sense of pride: “I truly believe that the canal is a gift from His Highness, we’re really lucky. It’s made this area into a true destination. Just look outside, there are people cycling and walking along the banks, water taxis and abras floating up and down – it’s
fantastic.” The Dubai Water Canal was just one major piece of the puzzle in establishing Al Habtoor City as a destination. The Dubai Garden Market – which had a huge festive tree that was visible from Sheikh Zayed Road – was another key building block and according to the GM there’s plenty more to come. “We’ve got three Starwood Properties, we’ve also got The Atrium and nearby is The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. There’s a whole vision in place to link everything together and create an urban destination in the heart of Dubai. Being able to speak with Mohammed Al Habtoor at the Polo Resort & Club is also amazing; he’s such a wise man and has been immersed in the hospitality industry for years. If you speak to him for just a few minutes you get a sense for his vision – he knows so much about the country and the city of Dubai,” says Harding. (Indeed, Mohammed Al Habtoor is also the voice of authority on Dubai via all Emirates Airline’s in-flight podcasts.) Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection functions in a unique manner, Harding explains further, “Each property has unique passion points and tends to appeal to different markets. The St. Regis, for instance, is our topend property, with over 100 suites. The Westin, on the other hand, is the corporate and family-friendly property.” And the W? Harding illuminates, “That’s really unique, it’s not like we’ve created something new, but we’ve brought a very specific brand to the UAE for the first time. It has its precise clientele and a really great energy. “Having three hotels so close together is a positive thing,” he continues. “It fosters a sense of healthy competition.” Clearly as passionate today about the world of hotels as he was at that first property back in London, Harding assures us that “right now is the time to visit Al Habtoor City to really get a sense of being one of the very first people to experience something that’s brand new in the heart of this amazing city of Dubai“.
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7 a french affair
A french AffAir
At the heart of Al Habtoor City, The St. Regis Dubai merges authentic Arabian hospitality with more than 100 years of bespoke tradition, all sealed with a true sense of joie de vivre
Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection’s Culinary Director Stephane Buchholzer isn’t a man who dishes out praise easily. Indeed, should you speak to any of the hundreds of staff under his watch, they’re likely to say that he’s a man never satisfied and one of his personal mantras is ‘Perfection is unreachable as it can always be better’. And yet, having mentored countless staff successfully through the ranks of the kitchen – from commis all the way to sous chefs – he’s clearly a man that gets results. Which is exactly why the Frenchborn chef is the perfect choice to oversee the culinary direction of all three hotels in Al Habtoor City. Sitting down with the soft-spoken culinary master, we try to garner a deeper understanding of what his role entails. “Our focus is on perfection and having the right offerings,” says Buchholzer, before adding, “Across the complex we strive for different things: W Dubai-Al Habtoor City is where we create something new and exciting. The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City has a focus on organic, sustainable ingredients and simplicity, while at The St. Regis Dubai we focus on very high quality even in the smallest detail.”
Having sampled the offerings at The St. Regis Dubai, it’s clear to us that Buchholzer is doing everything right. With a line-up of restaurants spanning award-winning steakhouse to locally inspired Arabian and intimate fine French dining, each of the hotel’s offerings boasts immaculately presented and innovative dishes where quality is always the key ingredient. At the beautifully designed Le Patio, Buchholzer has carefully coordinated a shift from the original direction of the restaurant. He explains, “In the beginning, we set this venue up as a classic Parisian café, in keeping with French traditions that are strong across the St. Regis brand. But to suit traditions here in Dubai we decided to change direction and offer contemporary picks from the Middle East via an array of local dishes.” Meanwhile, Sidra is the venue of choice for the quintessential famed ritual of afternoon tea. While the roots of this custom aren’t quite defined, credit is widely given to the Duchess of Bedford, who used to suffer from hunger spells during the long stretch between lunch and the late evening meal. Solving the issue by requesting that a tray of tea, bread and cake
Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection’s Culinary Director Stephane Buchholzer
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9 a french affair
Sidra Lounge
“Each day, the tradition of afternoon tea comes alive at St. Regis properties around the globe”
be brought to her room during the afternoon, the custom quickly became a habit of hers and she would often invite friends to join her. It wasn’t long before this pause for tea became something of a social event and, in the late 19th century, Caroline Astor, the matriarch of the founding family of the original St. Regis hotel in New York and doyenne of the city’s Gilded Age society, elevated the tradition to a new level by introducing it at her house in Manhattan. Representing the highest echelons of New York society, women would arrive dressed in their finery to feast on miniature sandwiches, cakes and, of course, tea. Today, the tradition comes alive every afternoon at St. Regis properties around the globe, and in Dubai, it’s a seriously stylish affair. Every two
months, the hotel partners with a specific event or personality. This has previously involved Dhamani 1969 jewellery, haute-couture fashion designer Walid Atalllah, and a millinery creation by Eve McDermott for the Dubai World Cup. Each occasion sees the crème de la crème of Dubai’s society join at Sidra Lounge for a showcase of high-end design accompanied by delicious pastries, cakes and gourmet treats. With each season bringing a new theme, this is one part of his role that Chef Buchholzer particularly enjoys. “I’m not in the kitchen as much as I used to be,” he says, “but I love the planning, the development and the stories – all the research and creating ideas for the next event and seeing it all come together.” Aside from afternoon tea, The St. Regis Dubai also offers contemporary
“I’m a perfectionist and for me everything has to be exactly so” French dining at Brasserie Quartier. Evoking memories of Versailles, this restaurant offers a modern take on French classics with an elegant and vibrant ambience that’s quite fitting for Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. Visitors can stop by Patisserie, a French-inspired pastry shop and salon de thé, offering delectable sweet and savoury delights, or step through the connecting doorway into the expansive Brasserie Quartier dining room, where a warm welcome awaits. With elegant interiors inclusive of wooden flooring, mosaic tiles, leather and fabric upholstery, antique mirrors and marble tabletops, there’s also an open display kitchen and sommelier section, which all combine to offer guests an exquisite gastronomic experience. Another of The St. Regis Dubai’s offerings is the award-winning (for Dubai’s best steakhouse) J&G Steakhouse. Here, classic American dishes are reimagined with an understated sense of culinary excellence. With prime cuts of meat imported from the USA, Australia, Wales and Ireland, and a raw bar offering a selection of dishes and seafood delicacies including Maine lobster and fresh oysters, it’s easy to see why this is one of the hotel’s most popular restaurants. Looking at the culinary world as a whole, Chef Buchholzer believes that customs are changing. He explains, “Before, in kitchens, the manner was to shout or get angry, but today that doesn’t work.” With a multicultural team of over 30 nationalities, Buchholzer has adapted his management methods to reflect this new curve, learning to be patient in order to give people a chance to prove themselves. “I’m a perfectionist and for me everything has to be exactly so,” he says, “but I’ve realised other people learn in different ways and I’ve had to stand back and accept that it’s okay to make mistakes.”
With a career spanning decades, we get the impression that Chef Buchholzer isn’t a man who’s made many mistakes along the way to the top of his profession and it’s entirely refreshing to speak to someone with such a detailed knowledge of the industry who retains an inept sense of humbleness – something that’s truly notable when we ask about his favourite dish to cook and learn that it is a lowly grilled cheese sandwich. Yet, it’s exactly that persona that translates to the offerings at The St. Regis Dubai, where, no matter how elaborate the occasion, the quality of the ingredients always remains the focal point. Clearly the entire team at The St. Regis Dubai has been busy taking a leaf out of their Culinary Director’s rule book.
11 a french affair Brasserie Quartier
The Champagne Lounge
J&G Steakhouse
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13 Pulse of dubai
pulse of dubai
The future is now at W Dubai-Al Habtoor City, where open-flow design, contemporary interiors and a multitude of colours derive energy from the very heart
Since its debut almost 20 years ago, the W has used design and architecture fused with its now legendary à la mode attitude to make its mark on cities around the world. With the opening of W Dubai-Al Habtoor City, the group’s latest offering, the brand once again highlights design as a passion point and interiors as a location signifier, drawing from the energy of the buzzing emirate in which the hotel is based. Conceptualised by Silverfox Studios, a cutting-edge creative team based in Singapore, the company’s corporate statement shouts out that design should ‘never be forced but allowed to follow its own path’, and that’s something that’s effortlessly clear in the interiors at W Dubai-Al Habtoor City, which perfectly capture the buzz and flow of movement in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world. Located on the edge of Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the Middle East’s most animated thoroughfares, W DubaiAl Habtoor City feeds off that buzz, while drawing inspiration from the W New York – the original city that never sleeps. Aiming to establish Dubai as the Manhattan of the Middle East, linear lighting, colourful patterns and vivid palettes await visitors. An integral element of Al Habtoor City, Dubai’s newest urban lifestyle
W Lounge
“It perfectly captures the buzz and flow of movement in the heart of Dubai”
Namu Restaurant
The Wet Deck
15 Pulse of dubai Fantastic Suite
“Bold, linear patterns across walls and floors represent Dubai’s social rhythm”
destination, W Dubai Al Habtoor City is the first W property in the UAE and a soaring 33-storey tower that’s already attracting Dubai’s tastemakers, trendsetters and those in the know. For Patrick Waring, partner at Silverfox Studios, the design process involved a marriage of contemporary design touches with important local influences. “Each W hotel has its personality brought to life by collaborators who are always on the cusp of what’s new and next in design, music and fashion, and elements that mingle to create a welcoming and social gathering place,” says Waring. At W Dubai-Al Habtoor City, the 30th-floor welcome area represents exactly this social aspect, with a multitude of lounge and entertainment zones set within a multi-tiered space. Entitled W Lounge, the open-plan
space generates a natural flow of energy and a constant buzz, another nod to social interaction. Bold, linear patterns across walls and floors represent Dubai’s social rhythm while a literal connection from the city runs up the building in what’s been dubbed the glass party room – essentially, the elevator that whisks guests from the edge of Sheikh Zayed Road to the heart of the W Lounge. “Rising out of the desert, the modern metropolis of Dubai appears to have at its epicentre an energy source plugging into the city grid,” details Waring. Recreated across the hotel, future-forward technology, custom furnishings, abstract art and vividly contemporary palettes welcome guests into sensory environments and an experience they’ll be sure to remember. More than just a hotel experience, this is a luxury lifestyle destination.
a weekend of wellness
Heavenly Spa Hot Tub
17 A weekend of wellness
A stay at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City guarantees to leave you feeling better when you check out than you did when you checked in. We put the theory to the test by booking in for the weekend… In the very heart of Dubai, amid the brand-new Dubai Water Canal and the bustle of Downtown Dubai, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City greets us with a sense of elegant familiarity, something we didn’t quite expect given that it’s the largest Westin hotel in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. While there’s no doubt that the impressive lobby is humongous – with ceilings that seem to be miles away – there’s also an overwhelming feeling of calm. Coupled with an effortless check-in, we head off to the 18th floor and our awaiting Executive Club Suite feeling soothed. Stepping into the room, it’s clear that space is truly of the essence in this property. Spanning a prodigious 85 sq m with wraparound windows and floor-to-ceiling views of the world’s tallest building towering above the
“In pursuit of relaxation, our first port of call is the Heavenly Spa by Westin”
19 A weekend of wellness
Executive Suite - Burj Khalifa View
Dubai Water Canal, you almost feel like you’ve stepped into a giant’s very elegant playground. Beautifully designed, the suite is flooded with natural light, neutral colours and subtle Art Deco influences paired with Arabian touches inspired by the region’s majestic Hajar Mountains. A world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed commands attention in the huge bedroom and a window seat overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road is the perfect reading spot for a moment of calm in the midst of the city. In pursuit of relaxation, our first port of call is the Heavenly Spa by Westin. Rivalling the largest spas in Dubai, with 20 treatment rooms across separate male and female areas, this enclave spans 4,000 sq m.
High ceilings, natural elements and gorgeous views of the city skyline await, as well as a relaxing sauna, steam, duo hammam room, hot tub, sensory shower and heated loungers, all designed to ease us immediately into a sense of relaxation. Slipping into a fluffy white bathrobe, we sit down and are treated to a soothing foot massage while enjoying canal vistas, before the highly trained therapists deliver a signature Heavenly massage that’s blissful. The hotel’s three swimming pools are almost complete and are set to be the perfect end to an afternoon of indulgence. Feeling relaxed and invigorated, we have lunch at Cook Hall, the hotel’s American gastropub where generous portions of comfort food,
cooked to perfection, are the order of the day. Later, dinner at Il Capo is an elegant affair with Italian-style dishes beautifully prepared – don’t miss the profiterole dessert for presentation to remember. Fed and watered, we head back to our suite where we make a beeline for the huge soaking tub, which comes with a generous helping of spectacular Sheikh Zayed Road views bordered by the twinkling canal. Next morning, we’re up bright and early after a perfect night’s sleep in our Heavenly Bed. Making our way down to the hotel’s 24-hour fitness suite, we’re introduced to Anya, one of five in-house personal trainers, who’s ready to take us through a resultsoriented session in the state-of-theart Technogym. It’s not long before
20 A weekend of wellness Il Capo
we’re working up a sweat and Anya explains that daily fitness classes and membership options are also on offer. What’s more, the hotel can even provide you with fitness gear, perfect if you want to travel light yet still fit in a workout. Having worked up a serious appetite, we head to Seasonal Tastes, where the biggest breakfast buffet we’ve ever laid eyes on awaits. Nearby Daily Treats is a peaceful lobby café, ideal for a mid-morning coffee before check-out rolls around, inevitably way too soon. Having put the theory to the test, it’s safe to say we emerged from the hotel’s cocoon much more Zen than when we entered, meaning that if it’s a weekend of wellness you crave, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City is the obvious choice.
Cook Hall
21 Promotions
Happening at tHe St. RegiS Dubai Check into a world of indulgence with a stay at The St. Regis Dubai in Al Habtoor City, where the legacy of the Astor family has been extended to Dubai. Gorgeously designed, the hotel’s interiors are influenced by the city’s beaux-arts architecture of the original St. Regis in New York, and accentuated by bespoke elements such as the grand staircase and carefully selected artworks dotted across the hotel. Located on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal, enjoy butler service, decadent eateries and a service that’s second to none at this elegant abode.
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What: Style Meats Brunch Where: J&G Steakhouse Details: Get ready for a Saturday to remember as J&G’s presents an innovative approach to Saturday brunch. Perfect for meat connoisseurs, feast on succulent steaks and a whole array of starters from the salad bar while enjoying fantastic live entertainment. Be sure to save room to finish things off with some of the mouthwatering desserts on offer. info: Saturdays, 12.30pm3.30pm, Dhs280 (with soft drinks), Dhs380 (with selected vintage). For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit stregisdubai.com
What: Tagine Maghrebi Where: Le Patio Details: Infuse Fridays with a unique Moroccan flavour and a true sense of grandeur as the chefs from Le Patio present the freshest vegetables, finely ground spices, aromatic herbs, dried fruits and olives with delicious cuts of chicken and lamb to create colourful tagine masterpieces. Live entertainment is also on hand to keep the whole family entertained. info: Fridays, 4.30pmmidnight, Dhs180 (with soft drinks).For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit stregisdubai.com
What: French Wednesdays Where: Brasserie Quartier Details: Experience the panache and pleasure of the weekly culture club as you immerse yourself in the ambience and flavour of France, exploring a uniquely social culinary occasion where inspiring conversations and live entertainment await. You may even win an overnight stay if you get involved in the Pétanque tournament. info: Every Wednesday, 8pm-11pm, Dhs190 (inclusive of selected beverages and mini bites). For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit stregisdubai.com
What: Versailles Decadence Friday Brunch Where: Brasserie Quartier Details: Marie Antoinette lives on at Brasserie Quartier, recast through a contemporary lens in an opulent space, where inventively modern French cuisine, tableside service and bold entertainment create quite the spectacle. info: Fridays, 12.30pm3.30pm, Dhs450 (with soft drinks), Dhs550 (with house beverages), Dhs650 (with premium French bubbles), Dhs150 (for children aged 4-12). For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit stregisdubai.com
22 Promotions
Happening at W Dubai-al HabtooR City W Dubai Al Habtoor City is where style visionaries and cultural connoisseurs converge to redefine what’s new on the global stage. With level upon level of sensational elements, across all 356 guest rooms and suites, enjoy epicurean pleasures and sophisticated socialising after your effortless check-in at the 30th floor Welcome Desk, where panoramic views of the shimmering skyline await. Enjoy Whatever/Whenever® service and feel like you’re in the heart of the action with a stay at W Dubai, the pulse of next-generation fashion, music and design.
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What: Feed Me Friday Brunch Where: Level Seven Details: Friday brunch just got a whole lot more exciting with fantastic inside and outside vibes, exciting new food and drinks stations and plenty of entertainment that’s sure to keep everyone happy at this epic weekend feast. info: Fridays, 12.30pm4pm, Dhs395 (Brunch in Level Seven and Wet Deck), Dhs495 (with Liquid Lab, hops and grape stations), Dhs595 (with premium sparkling). For more info call 04 436 6666 or visit wdubaihabtoorcity.com
What: Maki Mondays Where: Namu Details: On the 31st floor of the hotel, enjoy the great taste of Asian cuisine accompanied by epic views, unlimited sushi and maki and soft drinks or free-flowing beverages if you prefer. You’ll also get to tuck into a welcome salad, delicious miso and edamame in what is the perfect way to wind down on a Monday evening. info: Mondays, 7pm-11pm, Dhs245 (with soft drinks) Dhs299 (with bottomless hops and grape). For more info call 04 436 6666 or visit wdubaihabtoorcity.com
What: Sunset Sessions Where: W Lounge Details: Make your way to the social hub of the hotel and be prepared to listen to some truly fantastic music from W Dubai’s resident DJs as you tuck into scrumptious canapés and enjoy great offers on drinks. Grab a seat by the window and prepare to be impressed as you enjoy a sundowner while drinking in gorgeous views of Dubai sparkling below. info: Daily, 5pm-8pm, 2 for 1 on all drinks and selected bites. For more info call 04 436 6666 or visit wdubaihabtoorcity.com
What: Hit The Deck Where: Wet Deck Details: Wet Deck is now open to the public every night. Chill around the stunning pool listening to laid-back beats by the resident DJ while sipping on delicious drinks named after tropical elements, a W Storm anyone? Take advantage of stylish private cabanas and lounge tables and chairs set around the shimmering water and Indulge in the new Wet Deck menu. info: 6pm to late, a la carte menu & shisha from Dhs100. For more info call 04 436 6666 or visit wdubaihabtoorcity.com
23 Promotions
Happening at The WesTin Dubai, al habToor CiTy With 1,004 rooms and suites, this is the largest Westin hotel in the entire Middle East, Africa and Europe. All rooms offer state-of-the-art technology, world-renowned Heavenly Beds and Bathtubs and fantastic views of Downtown Dubai. Eat Well with delicious and nutritious menus in-room and across Cook Hall, Il Capo, Seasonal Tastes and Daily Treats, enjoy decadent bites at Blinq, and awaken your senses at the Heavenly Spa. Perfect for families, business visitors and tourists alike, there’s something for everyone to come home to here.
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What: Chef D’s new menu rocks at Cook Hall Where: Cook Hall Details: Cook Hall is here to rock your world. Gather your tribe and head to this cool new hangout on the Dubai Water Canal where you can enjoy a daily happy hour. Rock-star Chef Darren Hall offers his brand-new menu that’s packed with traditional dishes bursting with flavour, while resident house band JUKEBOX will have you rocking out to oldschool classics. info: Happy hour daily from 4pm-8pm on selected beverages. For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit cookhalldubai.com
What: Heavenly Mom’s Escape Where: Heavenly Spa by Westin Details: Give your mum a special treat with an afternoon of pampering that includes a refreshing 50-minute facial with farmhouse-fresh products and a stress-relieving 80-minute signature massage. Afterwards, she can relax and enjoy light bites, sparkling fresh juices and a delicious range of teas. info: From 1 March to 30 April, available 9am-9pm, Dhs900. For more info call 04 437 3300 or visit heavenlyspadubaiahc.com
What: Ladies Night Where: Blinq Details: Everyone loves a good ‘glossip’ with friends, so gather your girls any night of the week and head to Blinq. A delicious beverage-of-the-day will be offered complimentary all night long and ladies also get 40% discount on food and beverages of their choice. Watch expert mixologists create exciting drinks at a venue that evokes Hollywood glamour. info: Daily, 6pm-midnight, free selected drink for ladies and 40% off F&B. For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit westindubaialhabtoorcity. com
What: The Bunny Day City Brunch Where: Seasonal Tastes Details: Enjoy an Easter wonderland that’s absolutely brimming with scrumptious filled chocolate eggs and consists of a huge buffet bursting with plenty of traditional dishes. Perfect for the kids, they can enjoy an Easter egg hunt with lots of surprises for the little ones. info: Friday 14 April, 12.30pm-4pm, Dhs249 (with soft drinks), Dhs350 (with house beverages), Dhs495 (with sparkling). For more info call 04 435 5577 or visit westindubaialhabtoorcity. com
24 Promotions
Happening at The ATrium The Atrium is a collection of dining and entertainment experiences at the heart of Al Habtoor City. Boasting seven distinct restaurants and bars over four levels, this venue spectacularly reflects the exciting diversity that Dubai is famous for with each of the outlets representing a cross section of global and home-grown concepts, cuisines and cultures. Among the venues are The Rose & Crown, a traditional English pub; ZOCO, a soulful Mexican/Latin American restaurant and lounge; The City Grill, a South African steakhouse; and Blind Dragon Dubai, an A-list luxe Asian lounge that hails from Los Angeles. The Atrium at Al Habtoor City is truly a cosmopolitan offering at Dubai’s newest destination.
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What: The Crave Brunch Where: Zoco Dubai Details: At this homegrown Mexican/Latin American fusion restaurant, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Tuck into tacos, guacamole, ceviche and more, and enjoy mixed drinks, live Mariachi entertainment and a contemporary Latin band. A Friday fiesta and the perfect kick-start to your weekend. info: Every Friday, 12.30pm-4pm, Dhs225 (with soft drinks), Dhs295 (with house beverages), Dhs350 (with bubbly). Children aged 6-12 pay half price, children under 6 eat free. For more info call 04 437 0044 or visit zocodubai.com
What: D’ gustando ZOCO by Chef Jimmy Rojaz Lopez Where: Zoco Dubai Details: Experience an evening of traditional Latin American flavours created by Zoco’s fantastic chef, presented through a signature tasting menu of six dishes. Expect simplicity, passion and authenticity with dishes ranging from quinoa Mexican salad to snapper ceviche tostada, all finished up with delicious churros dripping in hot chocolate sauce. info: Sun-Weds, Dhs200 (for six courses), Dhs250 (for six courses with new-world grape pairing). For more info call 04 437 0044 or visit zocodubai.com
What: The Tomahawk Triumph Where: The City Grill Details: Get ready to feast on succulent cuts of delicious 1.25kg Tomahawk American prime-cut beefsteak at this dining experience in the heart of Dubai. Choose two delicious starters and two sides to accompany your cut then finish off proceedings with two mouthwatering desserts. Guaranteed to satisfy even the biggest of carnivore cravings. info: Daily, Dhs649 (for two with soft drinks), Dhs799 (for two with a bottle of red grape). For more info call 04 437 0088 or visit thecitygrillsteakhouse.com
What: Ladies Night Where: Blind Dragon Details: Girls, grab your friends and get ready for some midweek fun at Dubai’s newest playground. In this LAinspired karaoke party spot, ladies can enjoy three free beverages and get 50% off delicious bites every Tuesday evening, all while singing along to classics in private karaoke rooms, or while simply enjoying the funky soundtrack in the sumptuous lounge. info: Every Tuesday, three free beverages and 50% off food for ladies. For more info call 04 437 0088 or visit blinddragondubai.com