Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 9, Edition 122

Here’s your latest edition of Dubai news, deals & tips, every Friday, in 10 mins or less.

🏩 Six Senses The Palm, Dubai, Open for Bookings

🕵️‍♂️ ENTERTAINER Merchants Cheatsheet

🏨 Sheraton The Walk

🏖️ On The Beach

🌙 Iftars

🚁 Uber Air

🏊‍♂️ The Lagoons

💸 Marriott 20% or free Half Board

❌ BOCA to close

🧓Long-lasting Dubai restaurants (20 years+!)

PS. You can always email me here also.

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Six Senses The Palm is available to book from 01 September, via their website*.

Rates seem to be’ block’ rates, i.e. the same nightly rate, of 494 GBP for the first two weeks and then 790 GBP from Wed 16 September. These could be ‘soft opening’ rates, or seasonal (as Dubai hotel rates generally start rising mid-September).

It seems bookings are only available via the official Six Senses website* as yet. I’ve checked a few OTAs today along with Classic Travel*, and nothing is listed as bookable. As this news is ‘breaking’ it could be more availability widens across different sales channels over time, so do check around. IHG Rewards is not listing the property yet?

Six Senses The Palm, Dubai, is situated on West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, just past W Dubai The Palm and before Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

🔗 Six Senses The Palm, Dubai*

What’s it like to stay at the tallest hotel in the world, according to The Times.

I meant to mention this previously, so it’s not exactly ‘new’ news, but what used to be Delta Hotels, Jumeirah Beach, has now reflagged to Sheraton The Walk.

Even when it was previously Ramada Plaza, it was a hotel that often went under-the-radar as it’s not directly ‘on’ The Walk, but was always competitively priced and had a wide variety of room categories (especially multi-bed bedrooms) and apartments.

With it reflagging to Sheraton, it has studios (with kitchenettes), duplexes (two-level) all the way up to 4-bedroom apartments, along with 4 dining outlets (including the excellent Foguiera, a rooftop Churrasco). Sheratons often have a club lounge, although with it being an ‘Aparthotel’ I’m not sure if there are any plans to include one in the future.

In addition to it being well-located, being a Marriott property opens up benefits with Marriott Bonvoy, such as Best Rate Guarantee (a potential discount of 25% on matched rates) and dining packages such as More Cravings by Marriott Bonvoy Dine Around or the various offers/discounts around (Two for One, My Emirates Pass, 30% discounts etc.)

🔗 Sheraton The Walk

🔗 More Cravings by Marriott Bonvoy

Following on from the ‘cheatsheet’ I developed for My Emirates Pass (see video below👇), showing all the best merchants in one easy-to-use Google Sheet, I’ve started another for ENTERTAINER 2026.

Whilst it’s incomplete for now, there are over 300 brunches, attractions and bars (Cheers) deals in there, along with details of the specific offers and the estimated savings.

If you’re looking to buy any ENTERTAINER 2026 product, be sure to use promo code EDSD2026 for a 10% discount.

🔗 ENTERTAINER 2026 Cheatsheet

🔗 My Emirates Winter Pass Cheatsheet

Khaleej Times has published an excellent article about eating during the day in Ramadan, which is well worth a read for reassurance and awareness.

Dubai Police warn of ‘organised begging’ during Ramadan, such as this case of one who owned 3 luxury cars!

There are often deals and promotions during Ramadan, such as Xclusive Yachts offerings yacht tours for 1 AED as well as sales in the Malls, including Bloomingdale’s.

Ramadan markets ‘pop up’ across the city during Ramadan, such as these five.

Considering a staycation for Eid Al Fitr? Here are some ideas from What’s On, with a range of staycation suggestions including desert, foodie, beach and family.

Note - do check the ‘small print’ of any staycation promotions, as they can be aimed at residents or GCC travellers rather than visitors/tourists, and may need appropriate ID (e.g. Emirates or GCC ID).

Iftar is the convention of breaking the fast during Ramadan, usually after evening prayers, and many restaurants will offer lavish feasts and ‘tents’ to celebrate.

Time Out Dubai maintains a list of the best Iftars, so if you have a chance, do try to check out an Iftar during Ramadan.

Additionally, I’ve noticed this year that ENTERTAINER 2026 has several Iftars and Ramadan events offering Buy One Get One Free.

On opening the app (or website), look for the ‘Ramadan’ graphic/category or search ‘Iftar”, as there are currently 139+ different offers to choose from including :-

Last but not least, don’t overlook More Cravings by Marriott Bonvoy, as they offer ‘Two for One’ at many restaurants, including Iftars.

The dedicated ‘Ramadan Offers’ page on More Cravings is here.

Note - the Two for One’ offer is only available by the Marriott Cravings app.

This could be of interest to some who favour ‘package holiday operators’ and travel agents, as On the Beach has rejoined ABTA.

Back in 2020, Love Holidays and On the Beach resigned from the trade body ABTA to avoid paying full refunds to some travellers affected by coronavirus cancellations.

OTB have built business well over the last few years, and rejoining ABTA can only be a positive step, but if you are considering using a travel agent or package holiday provider, I would always suggest doing your ‘due diligence’ as this past edition suggests how to compare.

Different travel agents may work different ways, especially when it comes to business practices but also their terms, conditions and suppliers, so do ensure you’re fully aware of everything. Some agents for instance, have far more experience in Dubai, whilst others may be able to offer exclusive benefits or package, whilst others may have different payment terms or booking conditions. Some may be far clearer in how they structure their prices, or detailing what’s included in their Half Board or other dining packages.

As always, try to compare ‘like for like’, shop around and compare, but most of all, know what you’re looking for first.

Uber have officially introduced their “Uber Air” partnership with Joby Aviation, which will enable electric air taxis to be hailed directly in the Uber app.

Dubai is planned to be the first city the service will launch the service, and it’s planned to be live by the end of 2026.

As tensions ramp up with Iran, Gulf carriers are incurring $6,000 to 7,500 per hour of costs due to re-routing to avoid Iranian airspace.

Dubai is a city that seems to be constantly reinventing itself, and I always enjoy looking back on old photos to see how fast history changes, such as Dubai International Airport (DXB) over the years or these transformations since the 1950s.

The Museum of the Future has welcomed almost five million visitors since opening on 22 February, 2022.

Some sad news this week, with BOCA announcing it will close on 31 March.

Whilst there are no definitive plans for the future, there are some hints about ‘watch this space’.

Whilst Dubai is a very competitive landscape for restaurants, many have stood the test of time to become legends, such as these that have lasted over twenty years.

The Boardwalk, Al Ustad Special Kebab, Ravi’s, Buddha Bar, Arabian Tea House, The Meat Co, Barasti - all worth checking out.

Park Hyatt Dubai has launched two venues, including 100-metre infinity pools at The Lagoon Beach Club and The Lagoon Family.

Mondays are Ladies Day Beach Day at The Lagoon Beach Club and The Lagoon Family hosts Family Fun Weekends.

🔗 The Lagoons at Dubai Creek Resort

Sixty pool day deals, including ‘fully redeemable’ at 25hours, Playa Pacha, Address Dubai Mall, Barasti, O Beach, Mare by Bussola and La Piscina.

Fibber Magee’s to host one-day’ Fibbers Fest’ on 19 April at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

How to upgrade Emirates flights with Miles, and how much it costs.

Book by Sunday in-app or via the Marriott website, for weekend stays over the next four weeks.

3 night-stays or more in a Marriott resort?

Take a complimentary dinner or lunch with “Dine on Us”, on stays between 01 June to 7 September.

Book by 31 July, and use promo code D9468

🔗 Marriott “Dine on Us” offer

Etihad Airways is aiming to widen its premium appeal due to high demand, as it increases the number of premium economy seats and will bring back First Class to almost all of its wide bodies. (Archived page here).