Sizzling deals offered across the region

It’s that time of the year again when business and slow and deals are almost as hot as an afternoon outdoors. We bring you some of the top regional Ramadan offerings to make the best of.

TAJ DUBAI, UAE

Earlier this year, Taj Group announced the opening of luxury hotel Taj Dubai, located in the Burj Khalifa downtown area, without a doubt the best opening in the emirate so far.  The luxury property houses two lavish suites. The Maharaja Suite, inspired by opulent Maharaja’s palaces in Rajasthan, deserves a special mention. The Presidential Suite, with its fine balance of elegance and opulence, very much holds its own.

Taj Dubai is serving a Peruvian inspired iftar during Ramadan at Tesoro, priced at Dh195 ($53) per person, which includes unlimited soft drinks and mocktails. It is a unique East meets West style offer, where chefs use Peruvian ingredients to produce an Arabic style menu. Gold Emotion non-alcoholic champagne will be included unlimited for a supplement.

Have a gourmet sandwich or a three-course business lunch at Taj Dubai’s hip and happening English-style gastropub Eloquent Elephant. Every day between 4pm to 7pm, guests are offered selected drinks and snacks for as low as Dh30 ($8) each.

Spa promotions include a couples’ experience with a 60-minute aromatherapy massage in a couple treatment room, followed by a floral bath or the bliss package, which includes a 90-minute aromatherapy massage, followed by a 30-minute clean-up facial. Priced at Dh720 ($195). Avail a ‘Pehlwan Malish’ body massage (90 mins) and get scrub/wrap of your choice complimentary for Dh615 ($165) or go for a Jiva Signature facial (90 mins) and get ‘Champi’ head massage (30 mins) complimentary at Dh450 ($125).

Prices mentioned here are inclusive of 25 per cent introductory discount and all taxes.

ROSEWOOD JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Leading luxury hotel Rosewood Jeddah is celebrating the Holy Month with a Hijazi-themed Ramadan celebration. Speciality restaurants Habsburg and Noodles are decorated with artefacts from the region of Hijaz, including the ‘fanous’ (lanterns), ‘Mashrabiya’ windows and traditional handicrafts. The Jeddah property is replicating traditional souks and bazaars throughout the hotel to create an essence of the old streets in Hijaz. Staff members from both Noodles and Habsburg will wear traditional Hijazi dress to greet diners while offering Zamzam water, a traditional drink in Jeddah during the Holy Month.

“We are excited to create the Hijazi theme throughout the hotel at this special time of year,” says Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director of Rosewood Jeddah. “Our Ramadan celebrations at Rosewood Jeddah are always highly anticipated by our guests and we are delighted to recreate the authentic local charm that will treat Jeddah residents to the ultimate Ramadan experience.”

The iftar buffet offers two options at SR300 ($80) and SR285 ($76) per person while the sohour buffet is SR280 ($74) per person, inclusive of Ramadan juices, mineral water, soft drink and Arabic coffee. Superior rooms are starting from SR2,200 ($585) per night over Ramadan.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

Every day, as the sun sets over the red city, Solano restaurant in Four Seasons Resort Marrakech offers exceptional ‘Ftour’ (iftar) from MD320 ($33) per person. Experience the true essence of Ramadan in Morocco in breaking the fast with a buffet of Moroccan flavours, including the best local produce and traditional recipes.

A Moroccan feast begins with a selection of tagines, local delights and a wide range of Moroccan pastries. Executive chef Marc Tauch and Moroccan experts Chef Rachid Ouzkit and Khamissa Rhefraoui offer daily special Ramadan dishes: authentic recipes such astanjia or couscous bidaoui, a special soup and the fresh juice of the day.

An Andalusian trio and Sufi singers perform alternately every evening. There is also a dedicated lounge area offering poetry, cultural exchange and relaxation after dinner.

The room packages range from the fourth night free or sixth and seventh nights free, to the family escape offer.

CORAL BEIRUT AL HAMRA, LEBANON

The Snug Restaurant at Coral Beirut Al Hamra hotel offers value for money iftars for $25 per person, $15 for children below 10 years, while suhour can be relished at $15 per person. ($5 will be charged extra on days when the oud player is playing, while shisha can be enjoyed for $8 net.)

Besides daily iftar buffets at the Snug Restaurant, private iftar gathering for corporate or families can also be arranged in the ballroom, which can accommodate up to 300 persons. The offer includes traditional Ramadan items such as Jellab, Kamar El Dein, Laban and mineral water, while soft drinks and other juices will be charged extra.

RAFFLES ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Raffles Istanbul, which opened in September last year, has put together a special Ramadan package for stays of minimum three nights until July 16. The hotel unfolds a variety of accommodation and culinary choices for this special time. While daily in-room suhour will be available for guests to enjoy it in the privacy of their room in the early hours, the open buffet iftar, prepared by the Turkish executive chef Ali Ronay, will be a true celebration, accompanied by traditional Turkish music.

The mild climate of Istanbul with views of River Bosphorus and the city, coupled with the hotel’s location in Zorlu Center, a modern-day bazaar, will ensure the perfect break too.

SEMIRAMIS INTERCONTINENTAL CAIRO, EGYPT

Take in iftar and sohour spectaculars at the Nile Terrace at Semiramis and live cooking stations at Night & Day this Ramadan. ‘Fawanees’ at Nile Terrace offers a beguiling atmosphere, in reference to the colourful lanterns that hold a unique place in Ramadan folklore, once used to light Cairo’s streets during the Holy Month.

The venue has been refurbished and refreshed for ‘Fawanees Ramadan Nights’. Semiramis general manager Sameh Sobhy says, “Innovative decorations and lighting have created a stylish look against the stunning backdrop of the Nile and I know we will enhance our reputation as the preferred venue for Ramadan festivities in Cairo.”

RAMADA HOTEL BAHRAIN

During the month of Ramadan, Ramada Bahrain has a special offer of BD35++ ($92.8++) single room and this rate includes breakfast or iftar and suhour. The swimming pool deck on the first floor has been renovated and the theme of ‘Beat the Heat’ is adopted, making Ramada Bahrain a great place to relax and hang out this Ramadan.

BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA, QATAR

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, the luxury brand’s first resort in Qatar, developed by Al Rayyan Hospitality, will mark the Holy Month (and Eid al Fitr) with a special theme ‘Ahl Al Turath’ (people of heritage), underlining the spirit of Arabian hospitality and Qatari heritage in inimitable style at its dedicated Ramadan Pavilion. The Pavilion, which will be transformed into an Arabian Village, is designed as a remarkable Arabic-style courtyard with large arcades, hundreds of lanterns and chandeliers and a green colourful yet soothing ambience.

CITY SEASONS MUSCAT, OMAN

City Seasons Muscat offers a great weekend away at Dh600 ($163), including breakfast and a second meal, plus late checkout; along with Health Club perks all through Ramadan and summer.

City Seasons Hotels (including Royal Rose Abu Dhabi) have launched family packages and weekend stays from Dh325 ($88) per person. The packages include a night stay, breakfast and entrance ticket to an entertainment or theme park in the city. Some packages also include complimentary transfers to/from the parks as well as complimentary access to off-site private beach and discount on spa treatments and wi-fi.

“Summer is always perceived as low season in the UAE. The heat, school holidays and reduced business activities during Ramadan combine for great offers and family-friendly packages,’ says Elise Talj, group director of marketing and brand development at City Seasons Hotels.

“I would call it Discovery Season, because this is when the residents of UAE who are staying back for the summer, take advantage of the amazing offers to plan weekends away. Staying in a hotel is a great pastime for big and small. While parents can sit back and be pampered, kids can enjoy an array of activities. Food is always great served mainly as buffet to please all tastes,’ she adds.

ART ROTANA, BAHRAIN

Located in the Amwaj Islands, a group of man-made islands reclaimed from Arabian Gulf, Art Rotana is in the northeast of Bahrain, near the Coast of Muharraq Island, and a few minutes’ drive from Bahrain International Airport.

The five-star property provides an escape to a tranquil and secluded, ocean-front oasis, where a pristine private beach gives way to the warm waters of the Gulf Sea. The hotel has 311 luxurious rooms and suites, all ocean front facing and a haven for families and individuals that appreciate art and refined qualities of life.

Stay at any Rotana hotel across the growing portfolio, including Art Rotana in Amwaj Islands in Bahrain, for $55 a night all throughout summer including Ramadan days.

• Terms, conditions, blackout dates and taxes apply to most promotions. It is most advisable to get in touch directly with the properties for detailed deals.

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Break your fast and win a ticket to Barcelona

Gloria Hotel and Resorts invites guests during the holy month of Ramadan in Dubai. Celebrate this spiritual occasion at La Terrasse (open until 3am) for only Dh140 ($38) per person. Enjoy traditional dishes along with complementary dates, dry fruits and traditional Ramadan juices, accompanied by live Oud music. Enjoy shisha after dinner, pass by La Terrasse tent for live Arabic music or by Le Grand Café to enjoy teas and coffees. The highlight of the night will be a daily raffle draw with exciting prizes. The grand prize at the end of Ramadan will be air tickets to the Spanish metropolis Barcelona.

Yassat Gloria Hotel Apartments also offers iftar and suhour at its Restaurant The Avenue. Complimentary shisha is included at Dh120 ($32). Book one of the banquet rooms for private groups and families.

Freddy Farid, area general manager, says, “This year we want to enhance the spirit of Ramadan by offering our guests excitement and curiosity. Win daily prizes, including the great opportunity to experience a trip to Barcelona. The Gloria Hotels Team works dedicated to carry the rich spirit of Ramadan to our guests by creating an authentic atmosphere with carefully selected dishes and complimentary refreshments. We are looking forward to welcome you at Gloria Hotels to prepare you for the next day’s fast in a pleasant ambience.”

Staff reporter