Thailand's Centara Hotels & Resorts group opened its first outpost in the UAE in October, with Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai occupying pride of place along Nakheel's Deira Islands waterfront city project.
As the third Centara Mirage (a brand known for its uber-family-friendly offerings) property globally, it follows the group's Lost World-themed resort in Pattaya and the Explorer’s Playground-themed property in Vietnam.
With that in mind and a toddler in tow, we set off to discover what child-friendly staycations at the resort look like.
The welcome
Despite the sultry summer weekend on which we visit, the lobby is packed to the brim. And that’s saying something, as the space is easily one of the largest hotel reception areas that I have seen, with dozens of plush couches, a lobby bar, and a wide passageway leading to the gift shop, lifts and spa.
Efficiently, there are several check-in counters all along the corridor, which are staffed when things get busy. Not so conveniently, after standing in a queue for 15 minutes, we're informed it's for large groups only.
When our turn to check-in finally arrives, the receptionist has us on our way in under five minutes, armed with a QR-code-studded manual to help with spa bookings and restaurant reservations.
The neighbourhood
Centara is on the new Deira Islands development, a waterfront city off the coast of Dubai. If you feel the need to step out of the premises, Souk Al Marfa and the Waterfront Market are only a stone’s throw away.
Safety measures
Globally, the resort has implemented Centara Complete Care, a programme developed in collaboration with Ecolab and Swiss certification company SGS. A team of hygiene and quality managers monitor the 12-pronged action plan, which follows guidelines set by the WHO, World Travel & Tourism Council and local health authorities in all six countries the Centara brand is present.
The room
We stay in the Mirage junior suite, a spacious room with a wraparound balcony, double bed and a bunk bed. Other room options come with a double bed, two double beds with or without bunks and a two-bedroom suite with three double beds. The resort is sizeable, with 607 rooms and suites in total.
The junior suite has a well-appointed layout with plenty of open space for children to bounce around in, with a couch, luggage rack and cupboard discreetly tucked away in their own corners.
The double bed is lush without being squishy-soft and is wide enough to sleep three, lest the little one decides tonight is the night she absolutely "must sleep between mommy and dada”.
The bathroom’s not massive, but segregates the toilet from the bathing area with a frosted glass door. It’s stocked with Purple Lotus products, while some other room categories offer Herbal Essences.
The balcony is a real highlight, and offers views of the beach, myriad pools, water slides and the lazy river that snakes around the property. It’s a happy sight.
The scene
There’s a lot to unpack here, but the highlight of this property is its swim-tastic options. A lagoon-shaped family pool is open to all while the heated spa pool is for those ages 16 and above. A third pool on the beach is equipped with a long line of inflatables for those who fancy a workout in the water, and then there's the ocean, of course.
Three waterslides, one more than fun than the next, are poised above their own little pool, while little ones can toddle about in a shaded splash pad with a mini slide, fountain spouts, misty tunnel, water guns and loads of other aquapark features set in only a few inches of water. A lazy river wraps around all of these, complete with single and double floats, and several merriment-inducing “waterfalls” along the circuit.
While the pool arena faces west, if it's still too hot in the afternoon, send the children to the soft play area or arcade-style games room, while you make a beeline for Spa Cenvaree.
That said, there’s plenty for adults to do in the arcade (I remain the undisputed air hockey champion in the family) and for kids to enjoy in their dedicated candy-themed spa.
The adult spa focuses on traditional Thai healing, and offers treatments such as Tok Sen (which entails the masseuse tock-tocking away on your body with a wooden hammer); Signature Salt Pot Muscle Melter massage (which involves steamed clay pots filled with coarse salt and medicinal herbs being gently rolled over the body); and Thai Warrior (which is part-massage, part-deep stretch and utterly loosening). All of these cost Dh680 for two hours.
The children’s spa offers treatments such as Rapunzel hair braiding, face painting and nail art (Dh250 for 90 minutes); Strawberry Shortcake body massage (Dh150 for 45 minutes); and Superstar mini facial, hand and foot massage (Dh250 for 90 minutes).
The resort also organises daily activities for little ones, including a beach disco, movie night and firework displays.
However you choose to mix and match your activities, one thing’s almost for certain: your children will slumber soundly all night.
The food
There are no fewer than six restaurants at Centara, most of which operate on a buffet system: Suan Bua and Mirage Family Lounge primarily serve Thai dishes, and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for those on the all-inclusive package; Sheesh does Lebanese fare; Uno Mas is a European restaurant; and the poolside Sands and Waves serve snacks and barbecue.
Of the various dishes we sampled during our two-night stay, here are a few highlights: the red and yellow curries and basil noodles at Suan Bua’s lunch buffet are masterful, as is the fish tagine at Sheesh’s Lebanese dinner buffet. Sands does a mean Hawaiian pizza and Caesar salad off its a la carte menu, and a creamy pasta alfredo (popular with the little ones) at its evening buffet. The creme brulee at Uno Mas is moreish, but the set menu overall is nothing to write home about (more on this below).
Highs and lows
The myriad pools are the USP of this resort.
While everyone can get into the main “family pool”, it never feels overly crowded as some toddlers spend the day in the shaded water park, while older children delight in burning their energy on the water slides, as others bob about in the lazy river.
There are plenty of restaurants to satiate your taste buds after a full day of watery fun , but the set menu at Uno Mas (the only option if you take the all-inclusive package) leaves much to be desired. It is bereft of options compared to the posh restaurant’s a la carte menu, and the ones offered (among them a shellfish soup, steak and chocolate pastry) are average at best.
Insider tip
Avoid the couple’s therapy room in the spa if even one of you is getting the hammer-heavy Tok Sen massage, which sounds to the other like incessant construction work — not quite ideal for relaxation. This is definitely one for families with children, unless you don’t mind being around hopped-up-on-chlorine tots.
The verdict
Have child, will revisit — come fog or sunshine.
The bottom line
Rooms at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai start at Dh499, including breakfast for two adults, but excluding tax. Up to two children can stay and dine for free. Rates for the Mirage junior suite reviewed here start from Dh1,144, per night, including taxes. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at noon, but the resort tries to be flexible where possible; www.centarahotelsresorts.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future.
MATCH INFO
Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
Gladbach: Pavard (37' og)
Man of the Match: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Company%C2%A0profile
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Company%20profile
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Kibsons%20Cares
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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PRIMERA LIGA FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (3pm)
Alaves v Real Madrid (6.15pm)
Malaga v Athletic Bilbao (8.30pm)
Girona v Barcelona (10.45pm)
Sunday
Espanyol v Deportivo la Coruna (2pm)
Getafe v Villarreal (6.15pm)
Eibar v Celta Vigo (8.30pm)
Las Palmas v Leganes (8.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Valencia (10.45pm)
Monday
Real Betis v Levante (11.pm)
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m
Results
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
