Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 65/w2

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 2, Edition 65

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

Thanks for your continued support and readership of this newsletter, it’s very much appreciated. As readership and subscriptions rise, more advertisers are requesting placements. which helps support me and my work (especiall if you click them!) - so thanks again 👏

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

HOTEL OFFERS

IHG Destined: New ‘VIP Partner Program’ for IHG Brands

There’s a new VIP Partner Program called IHG Destined on the block these days, and it’s for IHG brands such as Six Senses, Regent, Intercontinental.

At present, these are the UAE-based hotels available (at least via Classic Travel*):-

• InterContinental Hotels Residence Suites Dubai F.C.

• InterContinental Hotels Residences Dubai Business Bay

• InterContinental Hotels Residences Abu Dhabi

• InterContinental Hotels Fujairah Resort

• Intercontinental Hotels Dubai Festival City

Typical benefits of these Rate Conditions appear to be:-

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

• Daily breakfast for up to two guests 

• $100 USD equivalent Hotel credit

• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability

• Local Welcome amenities

• Personalized Welcome note

🔗 Classic Travel*

🔗 IHG Destined on QX Travel

🔗 IHG launches IHG Destined at 180 upscale hotels (Head for Points)

Comment

Always remember, you’re likely to pay a little more with any VIP Partner Program as you would be booking Best Available Rate (which is hardly ever the cheapest rate), BUT you’re getting a completely different rate condition.

For me, often the main benefit of a VIP Partner Program, whichever program, brand or hotel it may be, is the invisible one - perception. When you book a hotel with a third party OTA like HotelsCom, that rate would likely always be viewed somewhat less by the hotel than a direct, loyalty program or VIP partner program. And when it comes to upgrades, early/late check-in or other service asks, who do you think they’re going to look at more favourably?

Simply put, if you value service and benefits over anything else, I’d suggest considering a VIP Partner Program like IHG Destined, or if it’s ‘just a bed’ go with an OTA like HotelsCom.-

Read more about VIP Partner Programs, and how they could work out for you here and here.

STAY

Thomas Meir Confirmed as Next Jumeirah CEO

After being interim CEO on two previous occasions, Thomas Meir has been confirmed as CEO for Jumeirah and is tasked to implement their 2030 Mission of opening 25 hotels in 5 years.

DUBAI NEWS

Did you know there are ladies-only beaches around UAE? You do now.

Here’s more about Dubai’s first female-only beach, due this year.

Etihad have opened a preclearance lounge at AUH. Preclearance is a pretty cool thing for US-bound travellers, whereby certain airports have a CBP presence in a foreign country, so that you effectively clear immigration at the departure airport, rather than on arrival in USA.

If you’re lucky like I was, you may also be able to complete your Global Entry interview rather than await one stateside (see post 61!).

Ex Chief-Director of Dishoom, Navid Nair, opens new Indian all-day dining restaurant Khadak in al Wasl.

Dubai Police received almost 25,000 calls during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The lengths people will go to get their hands on, or more likely profit from or sell on, that viral Dubai chocolate make this no surprise at all.

John Cleese to return to Dubai Opera on 25 Janaury. Tiesto is at Coca Cola Arena on 15 February. Steve Aoki, and no doubt his cakes, will be smashing Barasti on 25 January.

The Laughter Factory have brought great international comedians for intimate gigs to Dubai for years, though tended to move around different venues, so it’s great news they’ve now a regular, permanent home in Media City.

DUBAI DEALS

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

ICYMI, there was a recent Special Edition with tips on how to assess New Year ‘Sales’, as well as some sites with interesting deals, or that could offer something special.

For example,

• Voyage Prive are offering W Dubai with upgrade and half board at an apparent 60% discount

• Luxury Escapes - Raffles The Palm Dubai inc breakfast, dinner and one child free for 3 nights from £749

• Voyage Prive are also offering Full Board and Club Access at JW Marriott Marina (as always, check the details of offer as there are not many restaurants/outlets on-site).

🔗 Special Edition: New Year Sales?