Time for an Eid break

While as a general rule, rates plummet during summer and Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is quite a different story. Driven by regional demand, and also hoteliers to make up for summer losses, prices for the same room often go through the roof. And yet people go on holiday. Here are some Eid holiday ideas to mull over:

MALDIVIAN PARADISE

Cheval Blanc Randheli opened in The Maldives in November 2013 and is the second Cheval Blanc Maison by LVMH Hotel Management. On the unspoiled Noonu Atoll, 40-minutes north of Malé, the 45-villa Maison offers stylish design and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in the serene setting of the Maldivian archipelago.

Cheval Blanc Randheli has come up with special promotions only for the GCC market – the Infinite Bliss package and the Early Bird offer. Book 30 days prior to arrival for three or five nights and enjoy complimentary nights. (These offers may be enjoyed until September 30.)

Enjoy complimentary early check in and late check out, upgrade to the next Villa category, daily traditional afternoon tea, daily private stretch, meditation  or yoga class for families, one hammam followed by a 30-minute traditional scrub per stay per adult (two treatments in one-bedroom villas, four treatments in two-bedroom villas), sunset dhoni ride to the Spa Bar for sunset mocktail and canapés and one cooking class, choice  of French, French  pastries, Japanese, Italian or Indian cuisines.

Once during the three- or five-day stay, one family ‘movie under the stars’ experience, one family snorkelling excursion to Maakhurandoo island, and one diving excursion for two to Raafush dive spot.

The Early Bird offer applies to all bookings of minimum three nights and the 10 per cent discount applies only on accommodation rate including breakfast, excluding taxes and service charge. Full and non-refundable prepayment at the time of booking required. The Early Bird offer is combinable with the Infinite Bliss offer.

EXOTIC BOTSWANA

Feeling adventurous? Head towards the south African country of Botswana landlocked and featuring both the dry Kalahari desert as well as the seasonally lush Okavango Delta. Sanctuary Chief’s Camp by boutique safari specialists Sanctuary Retreats is located in the exclusive Mombo Concession in the Moremi Game Reserve on Chief’s Island, one of the many islands created by the seasonal floodwaters of the Okavango Delta.

The 12 luxurious guest pavilions all have their own decks as well as indoor and outdoor showers. The communal decked pavilion has stunning views over the floodplains, while the dining area surrounds a fire pit on the very edge of the Piajio plains. Venture away from this hideaway, either in a 4x4, or by taking a serene mokoro canoe excursion along the narrow delta channels.

A stay at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp starts from $820 per person per night, and can be combined as part of a longer itinerary. A six night ‘Highlights of Botswana’ itinerary, exploring the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, starts from $3,500 per person.

And it’s for a good cause: As part of Africa-wide efforts to protect the continent’s dwindling rhino population, Sanctuary Retreats is participating in a significant relocation project to transport black and white rhino to the Moremi Game Reserve.

The complex operation has been overseen by Rhino Conservation Botswana, and has involved wildlife veterinarians, staff from Sanctuary Retreats and Okavango Wilderness Safaris, and Botswana’s military, police, and customs and immigration. The rhino have a better chance for survival in Botswana where rangers will monitor the population continually.

Sanctuary Retreats guests in Botswana will have the opportunity to see the rhinos while on safari and learn about the efforts being undertaken to protect the endangered species.

MAGNIFICENT MOZAMBIQUE

Azura Boutique Retreats offers some of Africa’s ultimate private luxury hideaways for just a discerning few to discover. The islands have magnificent reefs for diving and snorkelling, home to the turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores. On Safari, experience a raw, authentic, almost pioneering experience and be blown away by the location, which feels like a private concession as one is unlikely to see another car during her entire stay.

Azura Boutique Retreats has a special Eid Al Fitr offer just for customers from the Middle East for stays from July 15 to 31.

There’s a 40 per cent off on the Presidential Villa and Villa Amizade for minimum stays of four nights at Azura Benguerra in Mozambique. These villas are perfect for the family. There are special concessions also for customers from the regions: two children stay for free when sharing with parents at Azura Benguerra Island and Azura Quilalea Private Island in Mozambique as well as Azura Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania.

VALUE DEAL IN DUBAI

Spend a special Eid holiday in the GCC’s favourite city, Dubai, at Al Bustan Centre and Residence with its spacious rooms and suites, and myriad shopping opportunities at the Al Bustan Centre Shopping Mall.

Al Bustan Centre and Residence joins Eid Al Fitr celebrations with attractive room offers especially for the GCC market with large families, being the preferred hotel apartment for this clientele. Most GCC families prefer to stay in furnished hotel-apartments, where they can enjoy hotel facilities, while feeling at home.

“For the local market, we have created a special promotion during the weekdays and weekends wherein guests can have a one night, two nights and three night’s stay inclusive of all taxes, breakfast and wi-fi. That’s not all, we also have special offers for tourists and visiting guests from other destinations as well,” says Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer.

Guests can enjoy the health club with separate steam and sauna facilities for men and women, tennis courts, swimming pool, food court serving international cuisine, a pastry shop and coffee lounge, and a business centre. 

Al Bustan Centre and Residence’s Fountain Café and Restaurant will celebrate the festive season with an extravagant Eid Al Fitr buffet lunch. A wide variety of sumptuous Arabic and international dishes will be created by the hotel’s team of culinary experts for Dh95 ($25) plus taxes and Dh50 ($14) plus taxes for children aged between 6 to 12 years.

MAGIC IN THE SEYCHELLES

Enchanted Island Resort is a secluded five-star boutique island hideaway in the Seychelles, featuring just ten luxury pool villas. It is a retreat, an enchanting island getaway set in the most spectacular marine park in the Seychelles – Sainte Anne Marine Park.

The resort pool villas are each designed with their own walkways to access the beach, a private infinity pool and outdoor bathroom mirror the mix of luxury, colonial décor, and modern facilities, which make this island uniquely distinct.

Dine at the Bounty Restaurant, which situated at the resort’s main pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, restaurant specialises in contemporary international gourmet cuisine, with Creole Influences. Admire a majestic golden sunset with a choice of exotic cocktails and aperitifs at The Castaway Bar, or enjoy a nightcap and cigar under a canopy of stars. Private/in-villa dining is also an option.

JA Hotels & Resorts offers UAE residents up to 35 per cent discount – rate starting from €585 ($665) when staying in a Private Pool Villa and earn €300 ($340) resorts credit (cannot be accumulated for future stays or used against settlement of room charges, non-transferable, blackout dates may apply, free boat transfer, minimum four nights stay)

For GCC residents, book a holiday for four nights but pay for three only. 

A special Eid Al Fitr offer valid from July 16 to July 24: Accommodation in a Private Pool Villa inclusive of breakfast and dinner for two adults and one child (between 8 and 16 years) comes for Dh4,106 ($1,115) per night per room (inclusive of 15 per cent VAT and a free boat transfer).

• 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.

By Rahim Mubarak Shams