Ria Elaina – UAE The Place To Be

RIA ELAINA ATKINS

A MUM’S LIFE

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF – I’M RIA, MUM OF TWO, MARRIED TO MY HANDSOME HUBBY. I’M BORN AND BRED IN MY BELOVED SURREY AND SPEND MOST OF MY TIME BETWEEN HERE AND LONDON. I’M A HANDBAG AND SHOE ADDICT AND LOVER OF ALL THINGS LUXE.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RIA’S LUXE LIFESTYLE FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM @RIA.ELAINA

UAE – THE PLACE TO BE

Ilove holidaying, especially to the UAE. I have been going to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the last 16 years and have wonderful memories of when I used to go with my family. The UAE welcomes 21million visitors annually. Drawn by the year-round heat, high level of hospitality and the magic of the deserts. Not to mention the aroma wafting around shopping malls and hotels. I’m talking about Oud and there is nothing quite like it. The hotels are all incredible, the service is usually on point, the food is delicious and best of all, it’s safe. I feel comfortable bringing my children and allowing them to be free. I feel comfortable wearing my luxury items knowing that I am not going to be targeted.

Dubai is certainly the destination of choice by many people these days. As it becomes more popular and accessible, I have found over the years that the service has slipped. Before it was extraordinarily special, the hotel staff would genuinely be happy to help you and make your stay memorable. Now I feel that they lack that tailored approach. I feel as though this is a combination of it being so busy as well as the inexperience of all the new hotel staff trying to keep up with the ever growing skyline of Dubai hotels. Having said that, I would still go back because the pros far outweigh the cons.

UAE – THE PLACE TO BE

I love the Jumeirah chain of hotels and I have stayed in all of them in Dubai, even the Burj Al Arab which was a complete surprise organised by my husband via a helicopter trip from the airport! We had been going out for 2 years at the time and for a moment I thought he was going to propose - then I realised that would have been too obvious for him (I’ll save the actual proposal for another time because who doesn’t love a love story).

My favourite Jumeirah hotel for families is D’ar Al Masyaf which is part of Madinat Jumeirah. The rooms are my favourite out of all of them, they are traditional with a modern twist and also spacious. I love the location as it is the last of the hotels on Madinat Jumeirah so it feels quiet but also easily accessible via the abra boats. There are over 50 restaurants to choose from within the complex including Rockfish and Il Borro (which has my favourite truffle pasta!)

Currently we are staying at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is very different to Dubai. It’s generally more relaxed and quiet. There are many things to see and do such as The Louvre, Warner Brothers World and Emirates Park Zoo but the hotels themselves are not as crowded as Dubai and have a more relaxed feel whilst still being luxurious.

My husband and I have stayed at Emirates Palace a few times before we had children which is the epitome of luxury. They serve their cappuccinos sprinkled with 24 carat gold - need I say anymore! It is a huge hotel with acres of land and corridors with palatial style furniture which you can easily get lost down. The rooms are opulent and spacious and the pool is fabulous. Friends of mine that have stayed with children have said how child friendly it is but I honestly can’t remember seeing any children the last few times we went. Apparently they have a separate wing for families, which if you don’t have kids, is rather blissful in my opinion! The price of this hotel has gone up exponentially since we used to go so we will be saving this one for a special occasion.

Saadiyat island is a 25 minute drive from Abu Dhabi airport and is renowned to be the ‘Maldives of the UAE’ with its crystal clear water and beautiful sandy beach, which is not man made like many of the Dubai beaches. The service at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island has

been a little slow but I feel as though that’s the way of life here in general. The attention to detail is still there though - such as complimentary fresh fruit and lollies by the pool, little gifts at your bedside table and staff remembering your family name and room number. But you can be waiting around 5-10 minutes for a coffee at breakfast which for me, is a little too slow. I’m fussy I know but I need that caffeine hit immediately in the morning. The food has been great and the hotel itself is aesthetically pleasing without being too over the top. The rooms are extremely spacious and the prices are not as extortionate as Dubai in high season. There are not hoards of people trying to get a sunbed by the pool. The holidaymakers are more international - I enjoyed talking to likeminded people by the pool from Texas to Tel Aviv. I also noticed a lot of locals coming to stay for a few days as a little staycation. How amazing to have something like this on your doorstep!

Overall, I would definitely recommend Saadiyat island as a place and Jumeirah as a hotel. If you want to escape the craziness of Dubai for something a little more tranquil then this is the place for you!