Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 62/w51

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 51, Edition 62

Here’s your latest issue of the ‘Dubai news worth knowing, all in 10 mins or less’.

As it’s the last edition before Xmas, I’d just like to wish every reader all the very best of the season. I appreciate your support (more on that later), and after sending this out, it’ll be time to get the mulled wine out and kick back ready for it all.

As the next edition is due out on ‘Boxing Day’ (ie Thu 26 Dec 24), I may be at the footy - festive intake notwithstanding - so please be aware, the timing may vary a little on when that edition is published. TIA.

As always, if you’d like to provide further feedback, including which content you’d like to see more of (or not!) do let me know by clicking here

Thanks for reading 👏

Shaun

PS. Continued thanks for all those clicking the ads and responding in the polls. Both are very helpful, and the polls help improve this and future editions.

Last week’s poll was useful because the results indicate many of you ‘click and open’ the email rather than just preview it from the inbox. This is helpful to know because sometimes when writing, I get warnings that the email may be ‘clipped’ by email providers like Gmail, ie. they won’t see the whole newsletter unless they ‘click to open’.

The upshot of this it gives me reassurance to write a slightly longer edition, or add more images, links, screenshots etc. which makes for a nicer reading experience.

Please note: some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, and will be denoted with an asterisk (*). This is a link to a partner site that may pay me a commission - at no further cost to you - and if so, helps to support me & this newsletter. For more info, please see Disclosure and Policies

PLEASE READ

As it’s the ‘season of giving’, and you’re a kind soul, you may have dropped a few tinnies to the binmen or a gift for your postie.

But what about that Dubai newsletter that arrives each week? It’s entirely audience-supported, and whilst advertising and affiliate links (and you clicking on those links, thanks!) may help, donations and tips can really, really help.

It’s not just an ask for money though; it shows the effort is valued and appreciated, but also serves as motivation and encouragement to keep me looking to improve.

So if you feel this newsletter has helped you, and it’s worth a tip or dropping a few quid/dollars/dirhams, you can do on either of the below links. Thanks 👏

🔗 Tip Jar

🔗 Buy Me A Coffee

PS. To explain: this newsletter currently has just under 400 subscribers. It takes at least 5+ hours a week to read, curate, write and publish. Hosting & other expenses cost over $50 a month. On a good week, there may be 50% or so opens.

So in one week, if 200 readers tipped $10, that’s my hosting costs & expenses covered for a year. If 100 readers tipped $10, that’s around £795, or 69 hours at UK Living Wage rate (or 13 weeks of 5 hours).

Of course, if you’d like to tip more, feel free 🙏 Or if you don’t fancy tipping, clicking on the ads also help.

Things like this are important, as we all know “no money, no honey” - I learnt that saying in Dubai, just don’t ask how!

I don’t really want to move to a paid-subscriber model (as yet), but am I looking to monetise as ethically as possible without losing either the audience or the respect and good buzz the newsletter has (thanks to all of you!)

For example, I may consider moving to a Patreon-style model and focus on building a community with a modest monthly fee, with added subscriber-only content, thus moving away from tips/donations.

Main thing to note is - this newsletter, in its present form, will remain free.

EAT

Did you know the food delivery marketplace in Dubai is expected to be worth around $1.2 billion in 2024?

Have a read of this article from The National for some sobering statistics about delivery drivers and accident statistics, as RTA have issued more than 1,200 fines to delivery drivers for safety breaches.

Where to eat on Christmas Day in Dubai, by price point, according to What’s On.

Or the best Christmas brunches, according to Khaleej Times.

DRINK

BrewDog is coming to Dubai

The UK craft beer empire BrewDog will open their first Dubai outlet on Bluewaters Island, replacing the London Project.

Drinks Deal: 10 AED Drinks Offer

Probably one of the cheaper drinks deals around, this deal in Mankhool’s Permit Room will get you five drinks for 50 AED (and yes, it’s limited to five drinks).

STAY

Goran Stojkovic has been appointed General Manager of Renaissance Business Bay, after previously being GM at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers.

DUBAI

Some of the reasons visa rejections have been on the rise, as authorities look for greater scrutiny set against a growing influx of migrant workers.

A reported 71% of visa rejections are due to incomplete documentation. A few more details here on those requirements.

In other news, Expo City is offering a freelancer visa in three days.

A cautionary note of the type of injuries that can happen on desert safaris and dune buggies.

Comment

Always have good (personal) insurance and medical cover peeps. Some operators may require you to sign a liability waiver before such activities, so costs are on you should you need treatment (unless you can find a doctor who’ll do a collab or ‘barter arragement’ 🙂)

Did you see these drone deliveries in Silicon Oasis? Crown Prince Hamdan ordered a coffee!

Looks like there will be some announcements soon on NYE plans, as the Security Committee have apparently finalised their plans according to this article.

Keep your eye on local media along with Emaar and RTA if you’re crazy (or rich) enough to be considering trying Downtown.

Dubai tourists can now claim tax refunds on online purchases.

This is an extension of the existing tax refund system, also operated by Planet.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expecting one million passengers to fly through it between 20-22 December, and 5.2 million between 13-31 December. 1.7 million of those are expected to visit Dubai, with 1.5 million departing.

Virgin Mobile UAE have launched new technology to enable tourists to activate their e-SIM in-terminal on arrival.

Where to meet Santa this Christmas in Dubai, or try these Winter Markets.

Prefer a festive show? Or is music your thing? If so, check out these concerts. Nicky Romero at Barasti - as Barasti is always a good idea! - or Lionel Richie perhaps?

HOTEL OFFERS

Hilton EMEA Winter Sale: Up to 20% Off (Weekends)

Hilton have launched their Winter Sale* for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and whilst they claim up to 20% discount, it’s really just a rehash of similar offers they’ve run through the year.

Book by 28 Jan 25, and include a weekend stay, and full payment in full at time of booking is required. Note ‘weekend’ definition varies between regions, eg from Europe to Middle East.

As always, do read the Terms and Conditions.

🔗 Hilton EMEA Winter Sale*

PS. Hilton also have a 2x Points Package offer*, to earn double Hilton Honor points on all stays.

Marriot Senior Discount

This isn’t an ‘offer’ or ‘promotion’, as it’s generally available year-round, but I recently learned Marriott offer a discount for Seniors (aged 62 and over).

Here is the official Help page from Marriott describing the ‘Marriott Senior Discount’.

The trick is to select the ‘Senior Discount’ under ‘Special Rates’ on the Marriott website. I’ve noticed that some hotels drop in and out, depending on dates, but I did see it offer 10% discount on Grosvenor House recently so it’s worth checking out.

Marriott EMEA Resorts Offer: Daily Credit 180 AED or €50

Staying with Marriott, here’s an offer for their resorts giving a daily resort credit of 180 AED (UAE) or €50 (Europe).

EMIRATES

Emirates Launches Festive Treats for Passengers

Emirates have launched their festive menu, which will provide season-themed treats on board and in their lounges.

The cool thing about this is it’s not just Western Xmas, but Orthodox Christmas also.