Dubai

Dubai. Limitless luxury.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE LUXURIOUS HONEYMOON, THEN THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION THAN DUBAI.

Located in the Persian Gulf, Dubai is the best of the best in everything. From epic architecture, to stunning beaches, to next-level opulence, there’s a reason it is known as The City of Gold. If over-the-top lavishness is your thing, you’ll feel right at home. Tip: start saving now; this is a pricey trip if you want to go all out. But it’s worth it.

BY AMY BIELBY

Flying

Start your honeymoon off right by flying with the best-of-the-best airline: Emirates. Flying with Emirates will ruin you for all future flights in your life, especially if you go business class or first class. As you enter (from your private lounge, and through priority boarding), you’ll be escorted to your sleeping pod and handed a glass of Champagne. Before you have a chance to take in your surroundings, you’re also offered socks, headphones, blanket, mattress for a bed, sleep mask, and an incredible toiletry bag filled with BVLGARI goodies. Then, settle in, indulge in premium cocktails, select your favourite meal from the menu, binge a show (there are hundreds of viewing options) or go visit the bar/lounge and stretch your legs. Before you know it, that 13-hour flight has flown by (literally) and your Mercedes is waiting on the other end to take you to your hotel.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Jumeirah Beach Hotel Terrace

Burj Al Arab, Talise Spa

Babs Al Shams

Atlantis Babs Al Shams

Atlantis Underwater Suite The choices are pretty endless when it comes to hotels and resorts. If you’re looking for reasonable (by Dubai standards) then Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a great option. Located right on the beach, the hotel has recently been fully renovated and you have epic views of the Burj Al Arab (especially from your balcony at night). The staff is eager to help with romantic experiences, like bubble baths filled with rose petals, bouquets of flowers waiting in the room (they have an in-house florist), and delicious, sweet desserts delivered to your door. With the Burj Al Arab right next door, you’ll have to stop by for a tour or a spa treatment. Dubbed “the best hotel in the world”, you won’t want to miss exploring the iconic building. A tour includes a visit to the Royal Suite, which will level-up your idea of luxury. And unless you have Justin Bieber or Kardashian money, you might want to stick with a smaller room. If you don’t plan on staying, you can relax at the Talise Spa, share a couples massage, and take a dip in the infinity pool, which provides perfect views of the Dubai skyline. If you’re looking for something completely different, escape to the desert and stay at Babs Al Shams, a hotel nestled among the sand dunes, with a more traditional Arabian look and feel. Sip a pomegranate cosmo by the infinity pool, or take a nature hike to discover what the desert has to offer. They are currently renovating to make your stay better than ever. Atlantis is another luxurious option. Atlantis is the focal point of “The Palm” (the man-made islands on to coast of Dubai) and offers rooms surrounded by their underwater aquarium. That’s right. You can hop into the bathtub with views of rays, sharks and hundreds of fish. Sunsets at Atlantis are magical – the perfect romantic ending to your day.

Doing

At the top of the list for adventure and romance is a hot air balloon ride. Don’t be nervous. It is the most calm, peaceful feeling – nothing to be scared of. Start your day early with Balloon Adventures Dubai – around 4 a.m. – by heading into the desert in the dark, surrounded by just the sand and stars (keep your eyes on the sky, for shooting stars!). You’ll climb aboard one of half a dozen balloons and float up to 4,000 feet above the desert as you take in the sunrise. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can’t be missed. Upon landing, you’ll make your way to vintage Land Rovers, for a quick trip through the desert, to a Bedouin camp for breakfast and a camel ride. When your adventure is done, it might be time for some relaxation. There’s no better way than

Aura Skylpool

Burj Khalifa

heading to Aura Skypool, the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool. At 200 metres high, the pool offers views of Dubai like no other. As you make your way around the pool, you’ll be able to see Dubai from every angle. And when you’re done cooling off, sunbathe on one of the many sunbeds and take in the panoramic views (this is done best with a cocktail in hand, of course). Make sure the Burj Khalifa is on your to-do list. The skyscraper is the tallest building in the world, standing at 829.8 metres (nearly a kilometre!). Whether you simply stand outside and marvel at its height, take a tour or visit the observation deck, this is a bucket-list structure you have to see to believe.

Eating

At Jumeirah Beach, Bastion is the way to go. The steakhouse serves mouth-watering apps, entrees and desserts. The tableside beef tartare is a musttry and the kiwami wagyu is heaven on a plate. After dinner, visit Floor 24 for some after-dinner cocktails. While at Aura Skypool, you can’t miss the sushi. You’ll want to order a little bit of everything and try as much as you can. Every bite is delicious. The Atmosphere is the perfect place for a romantic brunch, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, you can indulge in a gold cappuccino (yes, it is actually covered in gold) while you take in the epic scenery. The 9-course tasting experience at Ossiano (a Michelin-star restaurant in Atlantis) is a unique meal that you won’t forget. Chef Grégoire Berger will take you on a culinary journey like nothing you’ve ever experienced. This luxurious dinner is for adventurous eaters only!

Luxury AND ROMANCE ADVERTORIAL

Look no further than

Serenity at Coconut

Bay for superlative service, and an allinclusive couples-only honeymoon unrivaled in Saint Lucia.

This boutique resort’s 36 expansive Plunge Pool Butler Suites range in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet and are designed to provide you with the utmost in comfort and privacy, while surrounding you with the feel of natural Saint Lucia. You may never want to venture out of your romantic suite featuring an oversized soaking tub, glass-enclosed rain shower in an en-suite bathroom, and a four-poster mahogany king bed looking out on your private plunge pool.

In-suite dining is available for all your meals with butlers serving you breakfast in bed and moonlight dinners on your private pool deck. Feel free to indulge your cravings anytime with gourmet 24-hour room service, a picnic for two on Serenity’s mile-long beach, casual dining at the Pool Bar and farm-to-table fine dining at the Greathouse Restaurant. Your Serenity honeymoon is also customized to your preferences before you arrive, with dining tailored to accommodate dietary preferences including a culinary consultation with the Chef, and your in-suite bar is also kept fully stocked, and personalized with your favorite top-shelf liquor.

Relax with an intimate pool- or beach-cabana date at award-winning Serenity Pool and on the resort’s mile-long beach. Recharge in comfort in a poolside cabana furnished with a hand-crafted day bed, a ceiling fan providing a gentle breeze and attendants seeing to fresh towels and cocktails. Enjoy the scenery and fountains or close the billowy curtains for private ambiance. On the beach, oceanfront cabanas are designed with freshwater showers, daybeds and lounge chairs. Butlers prepare picnic lunches, beverages and snacks and are on- hand to refresh everything you need. In the evening cabanas are transformed for romantic candlelit dinners under the stars.

Minutes from Hewanorra International Airport, Serenity at Coconut Bay is conveniently located to explore Saint Lucia’s world-famous attractions. Choose from exclusive private tours of the most amazing wonders including playing in the mud baths at the world’s only drive-in volcano, swimming under a waterfall, seeing the worldfamous Piton mountains, and spectacular 360° island views at the world’s second highest lighthouse.

Serenity at Coconut Bay is Government of St. Lucia Certified providing compre- hensive Paradise Protection Protocols all on 85 oceanfront acres and a mile-long beach assuring easy social distancing and a memorable luxury honeymoon.