THE WEEKEND EDIT: SIX THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI

4 min read
Drift Beach at One&Only Royal Mirage

LET THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS FILL YOUR WEEKEND WITH SOME RATHER BRILLIANT BEAT-THE-HEAT PURSUITS

 

THE ART SHOW

Artwork by Noura Al Neyadi

In lieu of chartering your own helicopter or hot-air balloon, few get to see the Emirates from a birdseye view perspective. Changing all that, however, is Above, a new aerial photography exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring works by world-renowned American artist and photographer Martin Sanchez. Alongside regional talents, including Noura Al Neyadi and Ahmad Al Rais, it looks at the art of aerial photography – including the use of drones – for the first time in Abu Dhabi and provides an eye-opening and unique way to discover the city.

Manarat Al Saadiyat is located at Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi. For more information, please visit Manaratalsaadiyat.ae

THE AFTER-DARK DESTINATION

Neos at Address Downtown

One of the city’s best loved post-dinner destinations and, following its recent renovations, one of the sleekest, Neos at Address Downtown has long been a Dubai-insider favourite. Keeping you coming back for more, this month the bar launches its themed evenings – think oyster and bubbles on Sundays and Tuesdays, live jazz music on Mondays, a Latina night on Wednesdays and mood-enhancing Ibiza vibes for sunset on Saturdays. Well, if it’s too hot venture outside, let them bring summer to you. With skyline views from the 63rd floor on the menu too, a summer spent inside doesn’t seem ‘quite’ so tough.

Neos is located at Address Downtown. For more information, please call +971 4 888 3444

THE AFTERNOON TEA

Indulge at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

When it’s too hot to do very much bar while away your weekend somewhere cool, you can always rely on Ritz-Carlton to pull something fabulous out the bag. This month, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal serves up PositiviTea – a beautiful spa and afternoon tea experience that comprises a 60-minute massage, an elegant afternoon tea at Alba (think finger sandwiches and clotted cream scones), free rein over the spa and 20 per cent discount on all spa products, should you feel doubly indulgent.

PositiviTea costs Dhs435 per person and is available at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. For more information, please call +971 2 818 8052

THE RELAXATION

A private cabana at Drift Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage

Just in case you’re still braving the great outdoors, there are few better places to top up a sun-kissed tan than at Drift Beach. Shuttering up shop for summer on July 6th, you’ve still got time to indulge in the Riviera-style infinity pool, bask on the pristine beachfront, or, for your own private hideaway, lounge in a luxury cabana. Throw in a dedicated waiter who’ll be at your beck and call, and make the most of your own mid-summer night’s dream.

Drift Beach is at One&Only Royal Mirage, and a private beach cabana costs Dhs4,000. For more information, please call +971 4 315 2200

THE LAST-CHANCE TO SEE

Le Paon by Baya Mahieddine at Elmarsa Gallery

If you’re an art enthusiast who likes to champion the work of female artists, you shouldn’t miss the final few days of Baya Mahieddine’s exhibition at Elmarsa Gallery in Al Serkal. The exhibition by self-taught Algerian artist comprises 15 gouache paintings that shed light on Baya’s groundbreaking career as the most famous Algerian woman artist, and one of the most important and influential artists in Algerian modern art. The exhibition is dreamlike and surreal, and promises to transport you to otherworldly places for an hour or two.

Baya Mahieddine’s exhibition at Elmarsa Gallery in Al Serkal ends on June 15. For more information please visit Alserkalavenue.ae

THE SUNSET SALUTATION

Sunset Yoga at Caesars Bluewater Island Resort

Okay, so we’re getting in a little early with this one because we know places will go fast… On Friday 21, Cove Beach is offering a first-come-first-serve free sunset yoga session to celebrate summer solstice – aka the longest day of the year. Centre yourself whilst doing your salutations as the sun sets with the 90-minute class that promises both physical and mental betterment. All you need do is bring your yoga mat, water bottle, towel and a zen state of mind.

The Sunset Yoga takes place from 5.30-7.00pm at Cove Beach, Caesars Palace Bluewater Island Resort. For more information, please visit Caesars.com 

  • Words: Emily Baxter-Priest