Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 15/w4

FCDO updates. Free Aquaventure access. 30% discounts with My Emirates Pass. Sofitel The Obelisk offer. Saudi Arabia sells alcohol?

Dubai titbits and tips, all in 10 minutes or less.

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 4, Edition 15

Apologies if this edition is a little late (and shorter than usual). Sometimes the ā€˜real worldā€™ takes over for a whileā€¦. donā€™t worry, it just means next weekā€™s will be fatter. Keep reading!

5 things worth knowing this week about Dubai ā¤µ

šŸ¦ŗ FCDO updates and the UAE: What does it really mean?

šŸŽ­ Free entry to Aquaventure and Museum of the Future with Emirates

šŸ’³ Save up to 30% with My Emirates Pass

šŸ¤‘ Limited Time Offer for Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk

šŸ«° Flights, hotels, holidays deals roundup

Bonus Trivia: šŸ‡øšŸ‡¦ Saudi Arabia opens first alcohol store

Have a great week,

Shaun

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DUBAI NEWS

No, FCDO Havenā€™t Just Said UAE Is at Risk of Terrorism

On 12 Jan 24, FCDO updated their ā€˜Safety and Securityā€™ advice about the United Arab Emirates. Maybe itā€™s still a bit of Xmas fuzz, but some UK media sources have only just cottoned onto this and are publishing articles claiming safety alerts have been issued or other doom-mongering.

So, the most important thing is, understand what the FCDO advice means. The truth is, the advice has been updated since the Houthi attacks and the US/UK ā€˜interactionsā€™, but the general advice about Dubai and the UAE is the same as it has been for a good few years.

In other words, there isnā€™t a greater risk of terrorism - that risk has been referenced on FCDO website since the Houthi drone attacks on Abu Dhabi two years ago.

Hereā€™s the FCDO website, and Iā€™d always advise keeping abreast of this by subscribing to Email alerts - and for any country youā€™re interested in, not just UAE.

PS. I wrote about the previous FCDO update from early November last year, which could also be worth a read. Click here šŸ‘‰ Week 44 Newsletter (FCDO Update)

PROMOTION: EXPERIENCE DUBAI WITH EMIRATES

Experience Dubai: Aquaventure, Museum of the Future

Emirates are offering complimentary access to Museum of the Future and Aquaventure with their latest promotion, ā€œExperience Dubaiā€

How to Claim your free tickets

Book flights to Dubai or add a stopover of 8 hours or more between 12 January and 1 February, for travel between 15 January and 31 March 2024.  

When you book on emirates.com(Opens page in the same tab), use the code EKDXB24. Weā€™ll send you two unique codes, one for each venue. Use them to book free tickets directly with the attraction for everyone in your flight booking by 5 April 2024. 

If you book with a travel agent, Emirates call centre or ticketing office, send an email to [email protected]ļ»æ with the following details at least 96 hours before you travel:

  • Passenger names (only passengers under the same booking reference) 

  • Your booking reference

  • Arrival date in Dubai

  • Your contact phone number 

  • Your email address to receive the codes

PROMOTION: MY EMIRATES PASS

Reminder: Use My Emirates Pass for Discounts in Dubai

If youā€™re flying Emirates to Dubai up to 31 Mar 24, donā€™t forget to check My Emirates Pass website for discounts of up to 30% on popular attractions, restaurants, shops etc.

For example, 10% discount at MMI and Le Clos (for those top up drinks), 20% at Marriott (and other) restaurants and bars along with attractions such as At The Op, City Sightseeing, Aquaventure, Yellow Boats, Xclusive Yachts, Arabian Adventures, The View at The Palm, Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG World of Adventures etc.

More info here šŸ‘‰ļø My Emirates Pass

HOTEL DEAL OF THE WEEK

Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk 3 nights from Ā£419

Luxury Escapes have launched a ā€˜Limited Time Offerā€™ for Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, with 3 nights from Ā£419.

On the entry level room category of Deluxe King Room, this deal includes:-

  • Guaranteed upgrade to a Deluxe Club Room

  • Daily la carte breakfast at Club MillĆ©sime or La Veranda

  • Club MillĆ©sime access, including afternoon tea, cocktails, canapes and two garments pressed per stay

  • AED100 dining credit for Brasserie Boulud or Taiko Dubai

  • AED100 credit per package to Sofitel Spa with L'Occitane

  • Early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability

Additionally, upgrade to the One-Bedroom Suite or Panoramic Suite and enjoy an additional AED50 dining credit, as well as a personal butler to handle every element of your escape.

To grab this deal, click here šŸ‘‰ļø Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk

Luxury Escapes also have other great deals for Dubai, such as this one for Raffles The Palm Dubai

PS. Just a little aside, to show some balance. Itā€™s interesting to see how the wider GCC region is ā€˜progressingā€™ (in some eyes), and Saudi Arabia especially is really pushing the boat with developments such as Neom, AlUla and now ā€¦. selling out shops!

DEALS AND OFFERS

Weekly Roundup of the Best Deals, Offers and Sales

British Airways Sale - book by 30 Jan 24. Some decent deals for business class.

Hilton Winter Sale for Europe, Middle East & Africa. Book by 30 Jan 24 for stays up to 08 Apr 24 šŸ‘‰ļø Hilton EMEA Winter Sale

Etihad Holidays launched a sale on Boxing Day, and you can try ā€˜stackingā€™ code SAVE200 for an extra Ā£200 off.

Spend Ā£800 or more, get Ā£100 back (statement credit) when making one transaction with American Express on Emirates by 25 Feb 24. First 20,000 card members, valid once.

(Not valid for Emirates Holidays.)

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