Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 64/w1

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 1, Edition 42

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

May I wish you all a Happy New Year, all the very best for 2025, and gratitude for your continued support.

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

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

KNOW MORE ABOUT DUBAI

New Laws in Dubai for 2025 to Be Aware Of

Whilst the 30% municipality tax on alcohol will return - as covered here - MMI have confirmed they will not be increasing their prices on over 200 of their brands.

🔗 MMI Home Delivery

African & Eastern (A&E) have confirmed their prices will remain the same for Jan 25.

africaneasterndubai

View more on Instagram

Fibber Magees have also confirmed their drinks prices will remain at 2024 levels for 2025.

As of 01 Jan 2025, there are new restrictions on single-use plastics, which will include shopping bags, styrofoam containers, plastic cotton buds etc.

Emiratisation (i.e. a program to encourage companies to employ higher numbers of Emirati citizens) targets will increase in the private sector.

The numbers of females in executive positions at private joint stock companies will be increased to at least one board member, and the Visa Amnesty is over.

Electric vehicle charging is no longer free, and later in January, Salik tolls will increase and a new Smart Rental Index will be introduced.

A reminder that Dubai and the UAE have strict cyber crime laws, which can include insults on social media.

Don’t overlook ‘Residences’ if you’re searching for accommodation in Dubai. Many hotels will have a separate section or building, known as Residences, such as Intercontinental Residence Suites Dubai F.C. at Festival City. There is the main Intercontinental Festival City hotel, next to Crowne Plaza and Festival City Mall, and a short distance away is Intercontinental Residences Dubai Festival City.

Residences are generally aimed at either long-stay guests, or those looking for more apartment-style accommodation or multi-bedrooms. Just be aware sometimes facilities and access may be reduced (eg less restaurants, different rules for pool access etc.) as often Residences are operated as separate entities to the main hotel.

Rules may change, depending on the property, so it’s always worth a call (rather than email or social/DM messaging) to see what the ‘lay of the land is’, but in the case of IC Residence Suites F.C, you can often get a bigger room or higher occupancy for a cheaper price than you’d pay for the same group in the main hotel.

DUBAI TIPS

The New Dubai Mall Tour by Frying Pan Adventures

You’ve probably previously heard or read me wax lyrical about the two tour providers I’m always happy to recommend - Wander with Nada and Frying Pan Adventures.

Both are female owned & led companies, both have charming, knowledgeable and lovely guides and both are well, awesome. Nada leans a bit more towards cultural, walking and educational tours around Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, whilst Frying Pan Adventures combine food, fun and touring especially around Old and Historical Dubai.

So I’m pleased to highlight another tour Frying Pan Adventures have started doing, and that’s the Dubai Mall Food Tour. It’s around 4 hours long, covers 7 venues and includes 10 tastings (and plenty of walking, as it’s well - Dubai Mall!).

This isn’t a sponsored post nor an advert, it’s just that I try to do all I can to help both companies as they’re a) really nice b)good friends but most of, c) they all do a lot, a real lot, for the local community and the profile of Dubai.

🔗 Dubai Mall Food Tour by Frying Pan Adventures

DUBAI NEWS

Inside the ‘UAE arms race’ between for the best New Year’s Eve fireworks.

NYE revellers waited over 15 hours for NYE celebrations, but say it was ‘worth it’ whilst over 2.5 million people used public transport, Dubai Metro alone carrying 1.1 million riders.

If you’re that way inclined, here’s a lucrative ‘mileage run’ (i.e. a flight taken to earn points, miles and/or status in a loyalty program) from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dubai (DXB) on Skyteam (KLM, Air France et al) to earn into Delta.

Note - mileage runs are often tilted towards earning points/miles rather than convenience.

30 things you can do for free in Dubai.

If you could do with a giggle, look online for the videos of the ‘crazy Russian’ (or more likely accurate, drunken Russian) on this flight that had to return to Dubai due to his antics.

Another one that succumbed to festive spirit/s seems to be this lady on Boxing Day flying to Cape Town from Durban. You know it’s serious when the wig comes off …

I watched videos of both incidents for 5-10 mins and honestly thought they were training videos or fake, but sadly, they’re not.

Cove Beach is bigger and better in its new location at La Vie, JBR.

Dizzee Rascal is coming to Dubai, for a one night show on 13 Feb 25.

More tourists from rich countries are spending more than ever in Dubai.

DUBAI DEALS

Use Marriott Bonvoy More Cravings for Drinks & Dining Deals

Gentle Reminder to keep checking Marriott Bonvoy’s More Cravings platform and app, as often promotions and offers will appear on there that could be fruitful for you.

For a more detailed article on More Cravings, check this previous edition.

Presently, they have My Emirates Pass running through to end of March, but also there are several F&B offers through to end of 2025, including:-

• 2 for 1 on beverages (34 venues)

• 2 for 1 on buffet (20 venues)

• 30% discount off total bill (22 venues)

• 25% discount off total bill (27 venues)

There are some excellent venues included in these offers, such as Prime 68, Chelsea Arms, Akira Black, Bal Harbour Beach, Netz etc.

Top tip - download the More Cravings app to make redeeming the vouchers easier.

You can join Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program for free, and you don’t have to be a staying guest at the hotel to use any of these restaurants. You should also be able to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on spend (either cash, or charged to room/folio).

🔗 More Cravings by Marriott Bonvoy

FLIGHT DEALS

British Airways “The Original Sale”

British Airways are offering extra savings in their ‘The Original Sale’ of up to £300 on selected holidays when booked by midnight 7 Jan 24. ‘Holidays’ in this instance can include flight & hotel, flight & car etc.

Closing date for sale is 28 Jan 25, but the ‘extra £300 savings’ must be booked by midnight on 7th to benefit.

Listed Example: Dubai 3 night holidays, per person, from £459 in Jun 2025.

Note - it appears British Airways have dropped Abu Dhabi from their summer schedule due to ongoing delays with Rolls-Royce over 787 engine delivery delays.

🔗 British Airways, The Original Sale

Don’t Forget to Check the Special Edition for Hotel Deals & Tips

Yes, we know it’s been a hectic time in past weeks with a few things going on, but did you check the Special Edition that was sent out this past Tuesday (ie NYE)?

If you’re looking for hotel tips, a few booking sites that could be worth knowing about, or even some advice to know before booking any January sales via travel agents, then it could be worth a few minutes of your time.

🔗 Special Edition: New Year Sales?