RAK // The emirate’s first alcohol-free resort is enjoying a busy summer, in spite of the challenges usually faced by hotels during the hotter months.
The Marjan Island Resort and Spa opened on March 1 on the first man-made island in Ras Al Khaimah. It has so far proven popular with tourists, particularly Emirati and Arab families who say they feel more comfortable knowing no alcohol will be served anywhere in the hotel.
Emirati Ahmad Al Hammadi, 35, took his wife and three children, aged 10, 7 and 2 to the resort at the weekend.
“There are many activities here, which is good when you have the kids,” said the human resources officer from Abu Dhabi. “I’m more comfortable in an alcohol-free place so for us this is nice. There should be more hotels like this.
“RAK has a lot to do, with places like the water park, but with a hotel like this, there are more options for us.”
He visits RAK regularly and believes the emirate will become more popular as a tourist destination in time. “Dubai has built a reputation and has been building that for a long time, but RAK needs a little more time. Marjan Island is an attraction in itself without even having to go into RAK.”
Separate facilities, such as a segregated spa and ladies-only indoor pool, ensure guests’ privacy.
Khalid Motik, the acting general manager, said the resort offered more diversity to the emirate’s range of hotels and attractions. It was one of four to open on Marjan Island in the past year and is part of RAK’s growing tourism industry.
“People imagine dry hotels aren’t making money like other hotels, but there’s a market for this kind of resort,” said Mr Motik. “Seventy per cent of our guests live in the UAE.”
The hotel offers a family orientated experience, which has gone down well with more conservative sections of society.
“In the Arab world, usually the father takes the kids to the pool or beach and the mother is left in the lobby or the room, so now, we gave her the chance to take part too.”
Andreas Mueller, general manager of the Cove Rotana Hotel in RAK, said although it was not the first hotel in the UAE or RAK not to serve alcohol, the Marjan Island Resort was successfully tapping into to a “niche market”.
“I’m not sure how they’ll do for the rest of the year when there are more Europeans. They’ll have to be more creative,” said Mr Mueller, who previously worked at the Taj Hotel in Dubai and the RAK hotel in RAK, both of which do not serve alcohol.
“In a city, a dry hotel is OK because you have the business traveller too, but it’s tougher to attract the European tourists.
“For all of us our busy time is the weekends, but you have to fill rooms during the week too.”
mswan@thenational.ae
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
Squad: Majed Naser, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan, Mohammed Marzouq (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalid Essa, Muhanad Salem, Mohammed Ahmed, Ismail Ahmed, Ahmed Barman, Amer Abdulrahman, Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif, Fares Juma, Mohammed Fawzi, Khalfan Mubarak, Mohammed Jamal, Ahmed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Ahmed Rashid, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Wahda), Tariq Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalifa Mubarak, Jassim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Yousef Saeed (Sharjah), Suhail Al Nubi (Baniyas)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
More coverage from the Future Forum
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
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