Things to Try: December

4 min read

What: Wellness Afternoon Tea
Where: Sofitel, The Palm
When: Every day, 9am – 9pm
The Lowdown…
Beautifully situated on The Palm, Sofitel is well known for achieving the utmost in relaxation and elegance. This exceptional hotel now offers an excellent spa offering that’s yet to be rivalled in both price and experience. Its Wellness Afternoon Tea is ideal for both loved ones and friends. Indulge in a soothing 50-minute massage in the hotel’s decadent spa. A surprisingly extensive facility, each couple’s treatment room is exotically located outside in the spa’s sprawling complex. Rainforest soundtracks merge with real-life sounds of birds chirping. Afterwards, spend the day lounging by the spa’s private pebble-surrounded pool, and relax in the intimate sauna and steam room, before gobbling a wide range of teas, coffees, delicate sandwiches and pastries in the café, Olivier’s.

What: Arabia Felix treatment followed by the Rejuvenate & Repair Diamond Rose Ritual
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, JBR
When: Throughout December
The Lowdown…
Arguably the best spa experience MOJEH’s had in Dubai. Bringing together the sumptuous and regionally-relevant ingredients of rose water, Dead Sea salt and camel milk, this incredibly relaxing ritual starts with a gentle feet exfoliation in a candlelit room. A soft-spoken and knowledgeable therapist explains the treatment’s relevance to the Middle East, and that it’s a bespoke service unique to the Ritz-Carlton, JBR. A full body massage follows with candle oil melted from your chosen scent, which eases away tension and moisturises the skin. This 60 to 90-minute pampering session’s followed by the anti-aging Diamond Life infusion facial, which leaves your skin soft and plump – a treatment that we’ll be returning for.

What: Little Miss India
Where: Fairmont, The Palm
When: Sunday to Saturday, 6:30pm – 11:30pm
The Lowdown…
Faimont The Palm’s latest restaurant is truly exceptional. The interior design resembles an opulent and characterful Colonial-styled mansion, while the open kitchen and talented chefs takes diners on a unique journey of Indian cuisine. The authentic and eccentric menu beautifully represents this storied country at its very core, with unpretentious and modest-looking dishes that taste absolutely superb. Dramatic chandeliers, chequered flooring and lush greenery drapes from the ceiling, while a choice of exotic and fragrant beverages are concocted from the unconventional bar – a heavily painted truck. MOJEH’s highlight? The syrup-soaked kulfi for dessert.

Image by © Brittany Somerset/Corbis

What: UAE National Day Polo Cup
Where: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club
When: Saturday, December 2 from 12:30pm
The Lowdown…
Head to the bustling Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club for this year’s highly-anticipated annual UAE National Day Polo Cup. One of the city’s best sporting tournaments, watch the region’s best polo teams as they compete to win the coveted prize. Coinciding with the UAE’s 46th National Day celebration, entertainment, food and activities are provided that are suitable for all ages.

What: Relieve stress, aid sleep, and boost energy with new Neom spa treatments
Where: Available at La Ville, Waldorf Astoria (The Palm) and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
When: December onwards
The Lowdown…
Neom Organics was launched by the former Glamour Magazine Editor, Nicola Elliot, who after spending seven hectic years working 60-hour weeks felt burnt out. The offenders? Poor sleep, stress, low energy and mood swings. This kick started her own wellbeing journey, training as an aromatherapist and nutritionist and from there, together with her business partner, Neom Organics was launched. Having recently launched treatments, services and a retail line in the UAE the collection is 100 per cent natural, organic, made in Britain from ethically sourced, sustainable origins, and free from petrochemical paraffin or mineral wax. The service begins with a scent test to decide whether you need a massage for stress, sleep, energy or happiness and the sequence of relevant products are applied accordingly.

What: Najvay Yalda
When: Saturday Dec. 16th, 8pm
Where: Music Hall, Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeireh, Dubai
The Lowdown…
Yalda Night is an Iranian festival celebrated on the longest night of the year when friends and family gather to eat, drink, and read poetry (in particular the works of the poet Hafez) until well after Midnight. This celebration will be a night to remember showcasing Faramarz Aslani and Mamak Khadem (Irani-an-American music singers), Farzin Farhadi and his band and Helia Bandeh with magical dancing by Helia Bandeh and special host Sina Valiollah.

Tickets are available here