11 minute read
MEET ME IN THE CAPITAL
THE CAPITAL COLLECTION The top 10 places to host a meeting, event or team-building exercise in Abu Dhabi
1Louvre Abu Dhabi The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi offers several enticing event spaces that are perfect for pre or post tours of the museum and its exhibitions. One option is the modern Art Lounge, located on the rooftop overlooking the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and ideal for sunset cocktails and canapés. For exclusive fine dining, Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi is a Champs-Elysées brasserie tucked away in the heart of the museum. In collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire, it presents an exceptional culinary journey and is perfect for a business lunch or dinner with wow factor. The restaurant’s cosy Marta Bar can also be hired for private events and shakes up a sophisticated collection of cocktails and mocktails. louvreabudhabi.ae; fouquetsabudhabi.com
2St. Regis Abu Dhabi This luxurious urban resort overlooking the Corniche Beach offers some of the UAE capital’s most standout event locations. For something fun, the Nation Riviera Beach Club with a 200-metre sandy beach can host teambuilding activities with a difference. The hotel is also home to the world’s highest suspended suite, which can be hired for events, meetings or dining experiences, plus a helipad where you can wow guests with sunset drinks and a stunning backdrop. marriott.com
3Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara Arguably one of Abu Dhabi’s most stunning resorts, this five-star retreat, located in the Empty Quarter and a 90-minute drive from the city, was built to resemble an old Arabian fortress and as you approach by road, it emerges like a mirage from the sand dunes. The meeting and event options are dynamic and authentic and include the Liwa Ballroom, which can host up to 350 guests for an Emirati-style banquet, as well as six restaurants and bars, some overlooking the pool or desert dunes. Desert dining experiences range from intimate private set-ups with butler service or a more casual BBQ. For teambuilding or post-meeting activities, guests can enjoy activities such as fat biking, dune bashing and falconry displays. If you really want to impress your clients, arrange a helicopter arrival. anantara.com
4Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi, with these two theme parks the jewel in the island’s crown of attractions. Both parks offer venue spaces with a difference, giving colleagues and clients the chance to enjoy exhilarating rides and experiences before sitting down to business. At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, team-building programmes include full-day training, handson coaching and out-of-the-box challenges and of course, no visit is complete without a ride on the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa. At Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, try 29 exhilarating rides, enjoy live entertainment and meet iconic characters including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for a memorable corporate occasion with a fun edge. ferrariworldabudhabi. com; wbworldabudhabi.com
5Saadiyat Beach Club Located on Abu Dhabi’s best beach, Saadiyat Beach Club offers an assortment of meeting spaces and a full-time in-house events team to help you plan the perfect gathering. Venues at this lifestyle destination range from the poolside terrace and the beach to restaurants, a Library Lounge and stunning lawns. Stage a meeting, business lunch or glamorous evening event and unwind in a cabana by the pool when your work is done. www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae
6The Annex, The Abu Dhabi EDITION Located in the trendy Al Bateen Marina area, The Abu Dhabi EDITION is one of the city’s coolest new business-friendly hotels. It offers flexible event spaces including a large ballroom with breakout areas, plus The Annex (pictured) – a multi-level social hub featuring an array of dining and entertainment experiences, including a rooftop bar with fire pit, which is available for hire. For a standout dinner, host guests at the wood-panelled Oak Room restaurant – a British inspired steak house – followed by drinks at the opulent Library Bar. editionhotels.com
7Zaya Nurai Island A 15-minute speedboat journey from Saadiyat Island takes you to the private island resort of Zaya Nurai. Reminiscent of the Maldives it features 32 villas with direct beach access, along with five restaurants and bars, plus additional event spaces. Stage a meeting in a villa beside the pool or takeover Smokin’ Pineapple for a social evening with a relaxed beach setting. An open-air cinema and inhouse DJs ensure events have a sensational impact. zayanuraiisland.com
8Andaz Capital Gate Located next to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Andaz Capital Gate is a popular option for business travellers, with direct access to the largest conference and exhibition venue in the Middle East. For an unusual meeting space, check out 165 Below. The 5,000 sqft venue combines an art gallery and event space. Oh, and did you know that ADNEC’s Capital Gate is the furthest leaning tower in the world? True story. hyatt.com
9W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island The only hotel globally to straddle an F1 track, W Abu Dhabi attracts petrol heads and business travellers alike and offers 26 event rooms and an experienced planning and catering team. Choose from conference rooms with flexible set ups and larger venues at the hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, or go all out at the ‘Extreme WOW’ Presidential Suite with its own lap pool and separate dining and living rooms, located underneath the hotel’s iconic roof. marriott.com
ABU DHABI EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 2020 ACTIVITIES NOT TO BE MISSED
Wadi Adventure Race (WAR), Al Ain (11 April) The 21st edition of the WAR series takes pace in Al Ain and will see runners tackle three race courses with manmade military-style hurdles, water features and more – open to participants and spectators alike.
Kayaking at Louvre Abu Dhabi (Until November) Experience the Louvre Abu Dhabi from a new perspective on a 60-minute kayak tour where instructors teach you to paddle and provide insights into the museum’s stunning architecture.
Rooftop Rhythms: Season 8 (Until 29 May) Emerging local artists share their unique poetry, spoken word and music material in popular live performances at New York University Abu Dhabi.
visitabudhabi.ae
10 The Terrace, Manarat Al Saadiyat Manarat Al Saadiyat was the first building to open on Saadiyat Island and marked the launch of Saadiyat Cultural District, which will become home to many cultural attractions in the future. The venue showcases temporary exhibitions and events, including the Abu Dhabi Art Festival. The Terrace at Manarat Al Saadiyat is an al fresco space designed to host functions and activities, from dining experiences and corporate events to meetings and team-building yoga. Another option is the LARTE project – a top-end dining concept from Milan serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with irresistible cakes and coffee in between. manaratalsaadiayat.ae
Ascott Corniche Al Khobar Sophisticated living in the heart of the city
A luxurious home-away-from-home in a sought-after location
There is a lot to love about this little city that borders the imperial crown of the Middle East. The most picturesque of the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar trio, Al Khobar undoubtedly stands apart as a tourist hub, thanks to its beautiful corniche and immersive seaside views, coupled with a rose-hued promenade where visitors, both local and from across the borders, enjoy a little getaway retreat.
The newly opened Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is the brightest gleaming tower on the serene corniche skyline and is an inviting home for both shortstay and long-stay travellers. Part of the premiere collection of hotel apartments by The Ascott Limited, the property is conveniently located on Prince Turkey Street and just steps away from the famous promenade.
Offering a new level of luxury with Studio, One, Two and ThreeBedroom apartments, this exclusive property caters to a wide range of travellers, offering well-designed luxury spaces that encapsulate the best of sophisticated global living.
Each apartment replicates a homeaway-from-home ambiance that is characteristic of the brand’s personality with separate living areas, a fully equipped kitchenette, bedrooms and more.
The residence also offers an array of lifestyle amenities that include a health club, residents’ lounge, shisha lounge,
Clockwise from top: Exclusive dinning & living areas, a prime city location and a luxurious lobby set up
café, restaurants, meeting and event spaces and more. So, whether leisure or business brings one to Al Khobar, Ascott meets the lifestyle expectations of guests with luxurious in-house facilities in opulent surroundings.
Stepping outside, the neighbourhood is home to an array of culinary treats and entertainment centres. Also, within proximity is the King Fahd Road, the city’s business boulevard and an imperial link to Al Khobar-Bahrain causeway. All in all, Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is the perfect abode for those who enjoy luxury living in their own private space.
Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is managed by The Ascott Limited, the leading international lodging owneroperator from Singapore. The brand has an impressive portfolio spanning more than 700 properties in 180 cities globally and caters to a broad spectrum of consumers in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA.
Leading health culinary consultant Chef Gabi Kurz gives her top tips on what to eat to boost energy levels, improve sleep and stay healthy when travelling for business EAT YOURSELF WELL
Keep it light: although it might be interesting to explore local flavours, choose lighter foods and beverages to keep yourself balanced.
Stay hydrated: go for water, infused waters, Kombucha and other elixirs, or herbal teas. Choose mocktails instead of cocktails.
Snack healthy and often: snack every few hours instead of eating one heavy meal and keep some fruits with you; one or two apples, some grapes or crudités. Fruits and vegetables are great for hydration and are vitaminrich too. Combine them with a trail mix of activated nuts and you are all set. Dry fruits are great because they are easy to carry.
Avoid salty, sugary and fatty foods and snacks: swap empty calories from sugar or white flour products for complex carbohydrates.
Pick plants: plant-based foods are a travel-friendly trend as they are usually light, rich in vitamins and a great source of valuable nutrients.
To combat jetlag: stay hydrated to avoid headaches and the accumulation of toxins. Opt for foods that are high in vitamins, particularly in the morning, like a bowl of fresh fruit combined with oats, Greek yoghurt topped with flax seeds or chia seeds or a muesli. Some fresh-pressed juices and healthy smoothies can give you a much-needed energy kick and probiotics to start your day, something a classic coffee won’t give you.
potato and pumpkin, plus healthy fats such as avocado, cheese and nuts. Before bed, drink a large mug of tea with lemon balm or lavender.
Inside knowledge: my favourite restaurant in Dubai when it comes to trustworthy, well-executed and genuinely healthy food is Eatwell at the Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre. However, you can find something healthy on most restaurant menus in the Middle East nowadays. Most of the large hotel chains offer healthy buffet and menu options; for example, I love Revo Café at Anantara on the Palm Jumeirah, Folia at Four Seasons Dubai or Jumeirah Group’s Talise Spa Food Menu, which I helped to create.
DIY dining: if you stay somewhere with a small kitchenette, buy some ingredients at a local (organic) supermarket or farmers market and prepare your own healthy meals and snacks. Even if it’s just a salad or a quick soup, you know the exact ingredients that are in your meal. I always buy basics like olive oil, salt and sweeteners (honey for example). These are hidden ingredients in many dishes and restaurants often use cheap and poor quality varieties. If you make your own food, you are in control of the quality. As a freelance health culinary consultant, I travel a lot and this has proven very practical for me, particularly when I am working in one location for more than a month. Healthy smoothies can give you a muchneeded energy kick
ABOUT CHEF GABI KURZ
Chef Gabi Kurz is a global nutritional expert, culinary pioneer, acclaimed vegetarian cookbook author and the founder of health culinary arts and consulting firm, Akademie Kurz. Based on her vast experience working in highend restaurants and hotels in Europe and the Middle East and as the former Director Nutrition Operations Culinary at Dubai’s Jumeirah Group, she provides health culinary consultancy services to hospitality businesses worldwide.
