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Happy Valentine’s Day

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Got money to burn?

If money is no object, splash your cash on one of these experiences

Charter a boat

Hire your own yacht for the evening with Safwa Marine and cruise off into the sunset around Yas Island. AED 10,350 for three hours with a bottle of sparkling grapes.
Yas Marina, Yas Island. For more information contact: 02 502 8098
[email protected] www.safwamarine.com 

Pier dinner 

Enjoy a candlelit dinner for two on Fairmont Bab al Bahr’s pier this Valentine’s Day – available to the couple who book the quickest. You’ll receive a glass of bubbly, truffles and a bouquet of red roses for the lady before indulging in a five-course set menu with views of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Each course will be paired with grape and served by a butler. At the end of the night you’ll be presented with a framed photograph of the two of you. AED 5,000 per couple. 7pm-10pm 14th February. Between the bridges.
For more information contact: 02 654 3238 www.fairmont.com

Dining in the dunes

What could be more romantic than enjoying a meal for two in the desert, under the stars? Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara’s desert romance package allows you and your partner to gaze into one another’s eyes over artichoke velouté, beef tenderloin or tiger prawns and orange and dark chocolate fudge millefeuille, accompanied by a bottle of bubbly or date juice. The package also includes chocolate, two nights in a deluxe terrace, Anantara suite or one-bedroom pool villa, daily buffet breakfast, a 90-minute couple’s massage and 4pm late check-out. AED 4,200++ per couple. 7pm-10.30pm 12th-14th February. For more information contact: 02 886 2088 [email protected] www.qasralsarab.anantara.com

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Personal butler

With Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa’s chef on call service, the pros will take care of you in the comfort of your home – in your bedroom, garden, balcony or rooftop… The exact location is up to you. Design your meal or choose from an extensive menu made up of oysters, lobster, raspberry sweets and cake. The chef will arrive at 4pm with some pre-made dishes and finish cooking in your kitchen. A waiter will then set your table and serve you. You’ll be left alone around midnight… Minimum spend AED 3,000. 14th February. For more information contact: 02 616 9999 [email protected] www.westinabudhabigolfresort.com

Couples’ spa

Book the romance package at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal before your partner does and you’ll earn serious brownie points. Check in at 10am and you’ll find a platter of strawberries dipped in chocolate in your one-bedroom villa – which will be decorated with rose petals, towel swans and heart-shaped balloons. Spend the day with your better half on a poolside cabana – which comes with fruit, drinks, a personalised cake, wifi and an iPod dock. You’ll be treated like a VIP all day by your own butler. During your visit, stroll the hotel’s new beach, which opened in December 2014. The promenade of Venetian Village separates the 100m adult-only beach from the hotel’s main beach. A buffet breakfast at Giornotte is also included. For an extra treat, book a two-hour ESPA romantic ritual 10am-10pm from 13th to 15th February which involves a salt and oil body scrub, essential oils massage and a glass of bubbly. Check out at 4pm. AED 2,750++ per couple. For more information contact: 02 818 8888 www.ritzcarlton.com Spa treatment AED 1,800++ per couple. For more information contact: 02 818 8051 [email protected]

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Picnic on the beach

If a five-course dinner is too clichéd, then treat your partner to a picnic on a blanket on the beach. Kick off your shoes and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with pink bubbly, while listening to waves brushing against the shore of the 1.3km beach. A violinist and cellist will set the mood. AED 260++ per couple. 4.30pm-sunset 14th February. Emirates Palace. For more information contact: 02 690 7999 [email protected] www.kempinski.com 

On a budget?

Romance needn’t cost the earth – surprise your other half with one of these ideas 

Dinner for two

Blindfold your partner and they’ll never guess you’ve taken them to Ikea for a romantic dinner for two. The price includes tomato and roasted pepper soup with garlic bread, chicken cacciatore (stew) with vegetable ratatouille and mash or spaghetti in a creamy beetroot sauce and a heart-shaped red velvet cake to share. You also get soft drinks, a rose for the lady and waiter service. Sparkling grape juice costs AED 3 a glass. AED 65 per couple. 5pm, 7pm or 9pm 14th February. Ikea Restaurant and Café, Yas Island. For more information contact: 02 493 5941 [email protected] www.ikea.com/ae

Valentine’s Day hamper

Enjoy breakfast in bed with a hamper from WhEAT packed with baked goods, fruit, jam, marmalade and chocolates for two. You need to pre-order and collect it yourself. From AED 249. Le Royal Méridien, Khalifa Street. Open Sun-Thu 6am-10pm, Fri 6.30am-noon, 5pm-11.30pm, Sat 6.30am-10.30pm. For more information contact: 02 695 0450 [email protected] www.wheatabudhabi.com 

Dance to flamenco

Listen to flamenco music by Gipsy Moreno from the Gipsy Kings at Un Amor Saturday Beach Brunch while tucking into Mediterranean dishes. Kids are allowed until 6pm. AED 295 with soft drinks, AED 550 with bubbly. 1pm-11pm 14th February. Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, near Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotels and Resort. For more information contact: 056 113 3400 [email protected] www.bluemarlinibiza-uae.com

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Chocolate-making workshop

Food is the language of love, so join this two-hour class, which can be taken as a pair. A chocolatier host will provide tips on the art of chocolate-making as you produce edible decorations to take home. AED 295++ with a hot or soft drink. The Chocolate Gallery, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, details above.

Sail a love boat

Set sail on a UAE Tour Valentine’s Day dhow dubbed the love boat. Dine on heart-shaped smoked salmon tartare, salad with passionfruit dressing, a seafood grill and chocolates. A DJ will provide entertainment as you cruise along the Corniche. AED 365. 9pm-midnight 14th February. Mina Zayed, near the fish market, opposite Al Dhafra restaurant. For more information contact: 055 594 1088 [email protected] www.dhowcruiseabudhabi.ae

Jewellery-making workshop

In this class you’ll learn how to make silver jewellery and leave with a finished piece. No previous experience required; all tools, materials and equipment are provided. Pre-register by 12th February. Club members AED 575, non-members AED 690. 9am-1pm 14th February. The Club, Mina Zayed. To book contact: 02 673 1111 www.the-club.com For more information about the class contact: [email protected]

Single?

… Not for much longer. The city’s singles will be flocking to these anti-Valentine’s Day parties…

The slogan ‘Love hurts, Love stinks, Let’s drink’ tells you all you need to know about this shindig in Irish pub PJ O’Reilly’s. Drown your sorrows at its anti-Valentine’s protest over a barbeque brunch with optional unlimited drinks. Sweet Chilli Jam will play R&B, reggae, pop and rock. AED 190 including drinks. 1pm-4pm 13th February.

Le Royal Méridien, Khalifa Street. For more information contact:
02 674 2020 www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com 

On 13th February, The Yacht Club will be themed a la Moulin Rouge with go go dancers, acrobats, a saxophone player and tunes by DJ Angelo. Guests will enjoy a four-course set dinner with a selected drink. AED 450++. Meal 7pm-11.30pm, dancing till 1am. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Bainouna Street. For more information contact: 02 666 6888 www.dining-intercontinental-ad.ae

DIY Romance

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Chocolate Body Fondue

Get creative with this jar of edible body paint. AED 99.

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Skin Honey

Tried chocolate fondue last year? Then experiment with this strawberry-flavoured edible body topping. AED 119.

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Dust Up

Ladies, dust yourself with this blend until you sparkle like crushed diamonds and you can’t fail to catch your man’s eye. Available in marshmallow, chocolate and pastel pink. AED 109.

Romantic Rendezvous Love Kit

This set includes everything you need for a romantic night in: think bubble bath and massage oils. AED 149.

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Don’t Stop Massage Candle
Made with shea butter, vitamins A and E, jojoba, olive and coconut oils and natural soy wax, this candle melts at just over body temperature – making it safe to pour on the skin. Its natural oils leave a silky feeling. AED 129

The above products are available from Nayomi, various branches including Level one, Yas Mall, Yas Island. For more information contact: 02 565 0269 www.nayomi.com.sa

The Armani/Dolci Holiday Collection
Nibble on the chocolates in this heart-shaped box. AED 95. Available from Emporio Armani Caffé, Ground floor, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. For more information contact: 02 676 6995 www.thegalleria.ae

Sarah Riches

 

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