Hotel beaches in Abu Dhabi have started opening after adhering to guidelines set out on Monday, June 1.
Private beaches at hotels on Saadiyat Island were among the first in the capital to reopen to guests. Three establishments dotted across the nine-kilometre stretch of sand that makes up Saadiyat Island announced that their shorelines were open for business from Friday, June 6. In the city, the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi was one of the first hotels to reopen its beach.
Social distancing measures are in place at all Abu Dhabi beaches that are open to public. Sunbeds have been carefully distanced and hygiene facilities stepped up. The beaches are currently open to hotel guests and, in some cases, beach club members only.
Here's where you can get some beach time in Abu Dhabi...
Saadiyat Beach Club
Saadiyat Beach Club has reopened to members and visitors. The luxurious club on Saadiyat Island offers weekend and weekday passes, with prices from Dh250 and pre-booking required. Guests must wear face-masks at all time in the venue except when eating or sunbathing. Sunbeds are socially distanced, temperature checks are performed on guests as they enter and everyone must bring their own towel. Select restaurants are also open, but you should expect limited menus.
The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
If you're a fan of St Regis, you've likely been craving some sun time on the hotel's pristine beach on Saadiyat Island. Good news, the wait is almost over, as the hotel will reopen its shoreline to in-house guests from Wednesday, June 10.
Loungers are carefully spaced apart and children are welcome on the beach, as long as they are guests at the hotel. Dining options include The Drawing Room and the "Signature 3" experience on the lobby level, which features the best dishes from Buddha-Bar, Sontaya and Mazi.
The St Regis Abu Dhabi
The 200-metre private beach at The St Regis Abu Dhabi has reopened for in-house guests only from Tuesday, June 9. The beach is accessible via a private underpass from the hotel and there are private beach cabanas for guests to use. Beach access is not yet available to beach club members.
Radisson Blu Hotel and Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Located on the Corniche, the Radisson Blu has reopened its private beach to hotel guests and beach club members. Hemingway's and Escape Beach Bar are also open for dining and drinks. The hotel is following strict safety protocols to offer guests stress-free stays with social distancing in place on its beach.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
The beach has reopened at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and it's not just for hotel guests. While in-house guests will get priority to the shoreline, UAE residents can sign up for a five-day membership that costs Dh500, and includes Dh300 credit to spend on food and beverages. Marco's New York Italian restaurant and Bridges Bar have also reopened.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Hotel guests staying at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi will be able to access the hotel's private beach located along the Corniche. Members can also access the sandy lagoon. Day guests can book the hotel's "daycation" offer, which starts from Dh299 for two people and includes Dh150 credit in food and beverage, plus the use of a room for the day. Children up to 12 years stay free of charge. B Lounge Beach Bar, the Tavern Pub and El Sombrero Mexican are open for dining options.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
"Our hotel beach is now open! We are delighted to welcome you back, walking or lounging on the beach, having an early morning jog or simply enjoying the warm Arabian waters," reads the hotel's Instagram page. Open for hotel guests only, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has also curated all of its best dishes from its three signature restaurants – Beach House, The Cafe and The Park Bar & Grill – in one venue for guests to enjoy.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
One of the first hotels in Abu Dhabi to announce that its beach was reopen, Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas is encouraging guests to book a staycation, now that access to the shoreline is an option again.
"Feel the sand on your feet, the rushing of the waves, the rays of the sun on your skin in an incomparable experience with us. We are ready to go on new journeys with you and making bright new treasured moments again," says a post on the hotel's Instagram.
The beach is only open to hotel guests. Hamilton's, the hotel's gastropub, is open for dining for guests and visitors, and Nasma Beachfront Bar is now open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island has also reopened its beach to guests. The hotel promises visitors "crystal clear blue water, a soft breeze and white sandy beach" on its Instagram account.
Open to hotel guests only, the private shoreline has social distancing policies in place and the all-inclusive hotel also has six restaurant options for guests to dine in.
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
The beach is open again – only for hotel guests at the moment – at Bayshore Beach Club at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi. The beach has put timed visits in place, with each guest / family allowed a maximum of three hours at the beach each day due to capacity limits in place for social distancing purposes. Guests also need to take their own towels down to the shoreline.
If you're considering booking a stay here, opt for a double room and you can request a free upgrade to half-board.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
Towering over Abu Dhabi with amazing city views, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers has reopened its beach access to all guests checking-in at the five-star property. "Our private beach is open to in-house guests, in accordance with governmental guidelines," read the Jumeirah website. Available dining options include Nahaam, the Lobby Lounge and Bice, with visitors also welcome to dine, but only by making reservations in advance.
The hotel's summer staycation deal offers complimentary breakfast, 20 per cent off dining and guaranteed early check-in for UAE residents on stays from June 15 until September 30.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
This five-star Abu Dhabi stalwart hotel has reopened its beach for in-house guests and health club members. Located in the Tourist Club area of the city, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi's private beach now has social distancing policies in place, with sunbeds carefully spaced apart. In Le Meridien Village, Captain's Arms has also reopened for guests and visitors.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
A good family-friendly option, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Bateen has now reopened its beach. This alcohol-free hotel announced on Instagram that the beach was now open to in house guests and beach club members only.
"To safeguard your health and well-being and ensure that you feel at ease during your time spent at the beach, preventive measures are in place according to the authorities guidelines," detailed the hotel's social media account. Guests who book a minimum stay of two nights can get up to 50 per cent off room rates on the hotel's website.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Results
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m, Winner Bandar, Fernando Jara (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer).
7.05pm Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m, Winner Well Of Wisdom, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Star Safari, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner Moqarrar, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
8.50pm Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m, Winner Secret Advisor, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner Parsimony, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.
10pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Simsir, Ronan Whelan, Michael Halford.
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner Velorum, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support
Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
The five pillars of Islam
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
