Arabian Peninsula: Art On The Beach

Traditional design meets contemporary luxury in this award-winning five-star resort and is enjoyed by celebrities, heads of states as well as royal families from all over the globe. With 302 rooms and 92 suites adorned with the finest upholstery and craftsmanship, the Palace stands apart from its competition in the city, a testament to the renowned quality and bespoke service of this iconic Abu Dhabi landmark. Guests can treat their taste buds to a culinary adventure in one of the fourteen restaurants and lounges throughout the Palace. Choices range from the all-day restaurant, Le Vendome Brasserie, with its incredible international buffet, to the award-winning Emirati restaurant Mezlai, boasting more than 100 different local dishes. If that’s not enough, an authentic taste of Italy at Mezzaluna or succulent meats off the grill is available at BBQ Al Qasr, as well as fresh seafood at Sayad or contemporary Chinese cuisine at Hakkasan.  Emirates Palace is a culinary mecca of award-winning restaurants with something for everyone.

Housed in a 34 story tall building designed by the Manhattan-based Handel Architects, the sleek and stylish Rosewood Abu Dhabi is the handiwork of New York-based BBG-BBGM architecture firm. With impressive panoramic views of the city, the hotel is a beacon of luxury. Each of the 189 opulent rooms and suites are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, warm dark wood tones, and a large variety of premium amenities. The hotel’s diverse range of bars and restaurants satisfy the most discerning of guests while its Sense Spa provides rejuvenating treatments. There are a luxurious outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Abu Dhabi is an opulent bastion of commerce and industry in the United Arab Emirates as well as the burgeoning nation’s capital. Situated on the waterfront of Al Bateen in the Abu Dhabi Marina, The Abu Dhabi Edition boast sleek, modern lines of décor in keeping with the modish high-rise buildings of the city set amid lines of palm trees and carefully manicured walkways. The property has 198 guest rooms and 57 serviced residences. A pool bar and three-story nightclub, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a spa with seven treatment rooms, two signature restaurants, and a gourmet market, are just a few amenities that are available to hotel guests.

The rugged Al Hajar mountains make a rustic backdrop behind the fortress-like Al Bustan Palace, which overlooks a canopy of perfectly-manicured lawns and an expansive half-mile private beach. Authentic Arab influences run throughout the hotel and its 150 rooms to remind guests of the rich and ostentatious Arabian culture. Beautifully-designed interiors are an artistic combination of old and new, fusing local traditions and art deco hints to create a unique melange of Middle Eastern culture and art. Particularly notable is the spectacular 125-foot-high domed atrium lobby, which, along with the ornate wall covers and intricate carvings has earnt the hotel the extravagant reputation as the ‘Jewel of the Sultanate’. Its idyllic location and range of facilities gives guests the opportunity to indulge in a number of watersports or simply relax in one of the five outdoor pools. Four exquisite dining options from alluring beachfront restaurants provide guests with spectacular sea views while they savour exceptional flavors from around the world.

Just 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Muscat, Oman, the spectacular Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa sprawls over a rugged peninsula, reaching out into the crystal blue water of the Sea of Oman. Featuring a long, sandy beach and surrounded by mountains, this resort matches its spectacular natural environment with its exquisite design and architecture, calling back to times of Arabian Palaces and local markets. Guests may choose between three distinct hotels located across the property: Al Waha, “the Oasis,” a family-friendly hotel turned seaside paradise; Al Bandar, “the Town,” which serves as the shopping-and-eating hub of the resort, and the palatial Al Husn, "the Castle,” the most luxurious of them all. With world-class restaurants and seaside cafes and bars, a wide variety of water activities including sea kayaking and scuba diving, and –of course –CHI, The Spa, guests at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa will lose themselves in fun, in adventure, in luxury, and in style.

A stay at The Chedi in the Omani capital of Muscat is an experience like no other. Sitting on its own private beach, with the glittering waters of the Gulf of Oman on one side and views of the Al Hajar mountains rising up behind, yet right in the thick of the city, The Chedi is an urban oasis from its sultry, lantern lit lobby to its lush Moroccan gardens and sumptuous Balinese spa. Guests relax in rooms combining traditional Omani architecture balanced with influences from around the world for a sleek, elegant and ultimately relaxing experience. A culinary whistlestop tour is on offer with cuisines from nearby and as far afield as Europe and Southeast Asia, in artfully-designed restaurants, indoors beneath sparkling chandeliers and alfresco, with the sand underfoot. Leisure guests have every whim catered to with outdoor pools, a 13-suite spa, fitness club and souvenir boutique, while business guests can keep things afloat in the well-equipped business center.    

Nestled within the unique, luxury destination of Al Zorah, Ajman rests the Oberoi. The resort lies among a 247-acre protected forest with lush, green mangroves and azure lagoons that border expansive, white sand beaches. Lying in harmony with its natural surroundings, the resort features premium accommodations with stunning views, spacious private terraces, and premium amenities. Villas are even equipped with temperature controlled, private pools and spaces to host exclusive parties. Two on-site restaurants are beautifully decorated with elegant, modern designs and serve international and seafood dishes. For those who don’t wish to leave their rooms, 24-hour in-room dining is also available. Guests can relax at the resort’s spa or unwind at the 80-meter infinity pool. The resort also houses a 24-hour gymnasium, yoga studio, and meditation room. A gently curving wooden boardwalk is excellent for gentle strolls or cycling excursions through the resort’s nature-rich grounds.  

The award-winning and flagship Address Downtown hotel in Dubai is the epitome of ultra-luxe. Perfectly located to offer views of the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, the Souk Al Bahar and the wider skyline, this refined and superlative property offers a wide range of accommodation styles, dining options and luxury facilities. Rooms and suites are generous with space (the Signature Royal Suite extends over an incredible 5,059 square feet), with options of views depending on your mood, as well as choices for Club Lounge access and terrace areas, some of which feature a jacuzzi. Dining ranges from Mediterranean to a New-York-style steakhouse, drinking ranges from chic rooftop cocktails to sophisticated afternoon tea, while facilities range from a five-tiered outdoor swimming pool to a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Designed with typical Armani flair and set in the heart of downtown Dubai, The Armani Hotel Dubai is one of the city’s most chic addresses and a must for fashion-conscious travelers. The hotel has 160 beautifully designed rooms and suites, some designed by Giorgio Armani himself and many offering incredible views of the city, with personal Lifestyle Managers on hand to make sure your stay goes smoothly. The hotel also has as many as seven restaurants and lounges offering Asian, Indian, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine and lavish cocktails, the opulent Armani Spa & Fitness Centre, and an ultra-luxe retail area.