Plush Palm Islands, opulent restaurants and a panoramic skyline dotted with lavish skyscrapers&mdash Dubai truly is the epitome of luxury. Home to the very best of what fashion, art, and gastronomy have to offer, there&rsquos no better city in the world to experience luxe living. Into The Desert If you&rsquore in Dubai, a taste of Bedouin-style luxury is a must. A luxe oasis located at the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the award-winning Sonara Camp is the place to be if you&rsquore looking for delicious fine dining with a dash of live entertainment under the open desert skies.
At this exquisite eco-friendly milieu set against shifting dunes and dreamy sunsets, we indulged in a camel ride across the expansive desert with the hope of spotting oryxes and gazelles. Another unique activity in store for visitors is the quintessential desert photo-op where a friendly a falcon perches on your arm and poses with you.
Stephanie Reichenbach, founder of Nara Desert Escapes, spoke to us about the concept of high-end desert glamping at Sonara. &ldquoAlong with the beautiful settings, at the Sonara camps, our guests can enjoy the finest Mediterranean and local Arabic fusion dishes. With sustainability at the core of Sonara&rsquos ethos, we source the highest quality seasonal ingredients, use solar energy and have a zero-waste policy to promote responsible luxury. With our signature slow-cooked dishes, one can enjoy traditional live music, a sunset falconry show, pyrotechnics, sand boarding, and belly dancing shows.&rdquo
The Suite Life
Dubai is famous for some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and a stay in Al Habtoor City is what we recommend to understand the true meaning of customised luxury. The upscale Habtoor complex consists of three five-star hotels (Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts, V Hotel Dubai, and Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City), three luxury residential towers, and 30 restaurants spread across 3,90,000 square metres overlooking the Dubai Water Canal on Sheikh Zayed Road. At Al Habtoor City, guests can expect customised luxury from the get-go. When you check-in, you get a made-to-order key card with your name and picture the team also gives you a copy as a special souvenir when you check out. You have access to common areas and restaurants across the three hotels depending on your mood, explore a world of flavours and cuisines across the signature restaurants or enjoy many activities on offer, within the premises.
The palatial property Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts&mdashthe preferred choice of global VVIPs&mdashis the most spectacular hotel in the complex with 234 lavishly appointed guest rooms, including 52 opulent suites (a custom-made Bentley Suite and signature Sir Winston Churchill Suite), palatial butler service, seven welldefined restaurants and lounges, and the exquisite Silk Spa. Known for its French-style symmetric marble gilded staircases, Versailles-inspired manicured gardens, and world-class service, the neo-classical décor of the hotel is all about classic luxury and European aesthetics. Every spot in the hotel gives you an opportunity for lavish photo-ops&mdasha dream location for social media lovers who live for the &ldquolikes.&rdquo As we walk by the majestic atrium admiring the glittering centrepiece chandelier of Habtoor Palace, the sweet sound of a live harp takes us to the first floor. Here, we step into the world of award-winning cuts and grills of World Cut Steakhouse to experience the joys of slow-cooked steaks and fantastic cocktails. The dark wooden interiors, glamorous dim lighting, and luxurious leather upholstery set the bar high for indulgence seekers, who are often spotted here relishing the lavish weekend brunch and soft jazz music.
For a zesty Dubai experience, make a grand entry into the avant-garde V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, by landing on the hotel&rsquos private helipad. The interiors, in contrasting colours, transport you to a sensational Broadway-like world of patterned floors and deluxe party suites. For a hearty meal, check out the Level Seven dining lounge and enjoy a range of Indian cuisines with live cooking stations as the friendly staff guides you through the menu. To add on to your fancy stay at the V, spend an evening watching the Las Vegasstyle extravagant aqua-themed show &ldquoLa Perle by Dragone&rdquo. You can also walk across the road and experience the iconic Tokyo-based Kill Bill Restaurant, Gonpachi, to relish some of the best Japanese cuisine at Al Habtoor city. At this Izakaya-style dining outlet, VIPs enjoy the authentically prepared Kushistyle grilled skewers, tempura, fresh soba noodles, sashimi and sushi paired with innovative drinks. On a balmy afternoon, relax at the Sidra lounge to sample the finest tea blends paired with delicious pastries, homemade cakes, and live entertainment in an intimate setting.
Head to the BQ French Kitchen and Bar for a mouth-watering bite of French cuisine and enjoy the signature Tarte Flambee, Tiger Prawn Linguini, and Duck Leg Confit over a chic leisurely lunch. If you&rsquore a sports fiend, make a pit stop at the American-inspired Ribs & Brews at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor to sample an array of burgers while catching all your favourite games live. A modern take on an American gastro bar, the eatery is famous for its selection of the finest, slow-cooked barbeque ribs.
Sustainable Luxe
Dubai&rsquos luxury scene is incomplete without its many grand shopping destinations. At Palm Jumeirah&rsquos Nakheel Mall, we meet the well-known designer Ayesha Depala, who welcomes us at the ready-towear store &ldquo963 Ayesha Depala.&rdquo The first independent Indian designer in Dubai to have a flagship store, she believes &ldquoluxury is a state of mind&rdquo and should exude positivity and inner peace. Known for her top-notch sustainable outfits, Ayesha&rsquos minimalistic yet luxurious designs have been seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Yasmin Le Bon and Sonam Kapoor. She shows us her latest line of handmade ensembles crafted in linen, silk, tulle, and lace sourced from India and Belgium. Keeping her designs plastic-free, her brand raises the bar for conscious luxury through her sustainable practices and contagious positivity. A firm believer in spiritualism and woman empowerment, her clothing line identifies with her core life philosophy. &ldquoMy new line has been impeccably curated for women across all ages and demographics to create garments to wear, celebrating each day as a ceremony.&rdquo Arabian Nights After an indulgent day, enjoy a sundowner at the Dubai Creek Club&rsquos popular restaurant Twiggy by La Cantine.
A Mediterranean restaurant and lagoon designed after the modish French Riviera, Twiggy is a nostalgic homage to the iconic British model from the sixties The perfect spot for revelry and leisure, the luxury destination is a smooth blend of a playful atmosphere by the coast, delicious dining, and a lively bar. The vibe of plush loungers, luxury cabanas, and a 100-metre infinity pool sets the tone for an afternoon of escapism. The beach club is divided into an indoor restaurant and lagoon area and accepts guests over 16 years of age. &ldquoIt&rsquos an ideal daytime and nightlife place that&rsquos a vibrant spot for music, food, and drinks,&rdquo said Adriana Daci, GM of Twiggy by La Cantine. &ldquoWe are famous for our Asian and Middle Eastern dishes like pineapple carpaccio and king crab avocado, sushi platters, seafood starters, and crafted cocktails among patrons who come to enjoy the upbeat music by our in-house DJ.
The laid-back European beach vibe makes every guest feel at home. The nightlife events are often a full house, as guests enjoy the beautiful skyline of Dubai while taking in the vibrant atmosphere.&rdquo Next, we move on from the sunny lagoons and join an exclusive party at the Amelia Lounge. The recentlyopened restaurant and lounge right in front of the glittering Burj Khalifa, gives you a red-carpet feel and a &ldquodefinitive Amelia experience.&rdquo The retro futuristic, steam-punkinspired hot spot, is the perfect place to explore unique gastronomic experiences and incredible music. As innovative cocktails paired with Japanese-Peruvian seafood dishes make their way to our table, swift servers dressed in black bodysuits ensure a good time in this glamorous bar.
From Tempura shrimp rolls to Linguine Alle Vongole and corn-fed baby chicken, we savour every bit of this exhaustive and mouth-watering culinary journey. Inspired by the adventurous spirit of the 1930s, the lounge is named after American aviator Amelia Mary Earhart who was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The old-school aviation references&mdashfrom a colossal brass compass to a flying aircraft over the bar shelves &mdashare fabulous additions to the gold and brass theme. From Beirut to Dubai, the mix of curated drinks, a prolific dining experience, and an excellent playlist ensures the ultimate party experience.
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