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Staycation

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Staycation at The Intercontinental Fujairah

It’s not often a staycation can make you feel like you’ve travelled hundreds of miles away, when really you’ve only gone two hours down the coastline, but Fujeirah has always been one of my favourite getaway’s for a weekend. It’s been our destination of choice for beach side camping, snorkeling and sea life but now there’s a real life of luxury awaiting you at the Intercontinental Resort.

The grand white entrance of the Intercontinental Fujeirah boasts a modern yet authentic welcome, and it takes only seconds to realize the views awaiting you at the other side. Situated right next to Snoopy Island, the water’s warm and inviting and the beach stretches on for miles.

The rooms are enormous! The views from the balcony from sunrise to sunset are beyond picturesque, with the Hajjar Mountain’s framing the background so naturally, as the sun reflects off the Indian Ocean and into your room. It’s a destination to disappear in, offering you a world where you can turn off if you want to and also not feel to guilty if you need to stay connected.

From beach side infinity pools to kid-free zones and a sumptuous spa, you’re not going to be left wanting on this staycation. Obviously I wanted to check out the gym and it didn’t disappoint, with out own personal trainer who organized a circuit set for us on the first morning and a group bootcamp outdoors the next, wellness here is well taken care of.

travel

Gold on the Ceiling: Emirates Palace

It’s now considered an old establishment. Something from Arabia’s days gone past, where a night here was worth your weight in gold… literally. 5-star in all senses, with almost 400 rooms available, we found out why Emirates Palace hotel is still the pinnacle of Abu Dhabi’s luxury offerings. Emirates Palace

What else do you do when you land in a luxury resort such as this one in the capital, just a stone’s throw from home, yet it feels so very far away. If you’re at all like me, you take a tour of the grounds and get to know the lay of the land, especially if you’re on the hunt for some well-lit photo opportunities. Emirates Palace

There are some seriously instagrammed dancing fountains on your arrival and a 75m-mosaicked ceiling that will test your selfie stick to the limits. Head through the reception into the foyer to experience the world’s most expensive cappuccino (not including the 54AED cuppa joe in the restaurant mind)– but one that’s dusted in 24carat gold, in the only spot where cameras are a no-go. Emirates Palace

The halls are as you’d expect in something so grandeur, warmly lit but shrouded in marble, concrete and corridors, there’s no windows to guide you as you make your way through their maze of rooms and restaurants. It’s a 1km walk from wing to wing, but if you choose to cycle around it, you can get in a lovely 6km ride. Emirates Palace

The rooms are something else though, spectacular setup’s with beach views and enormous terraces that add an opulent extension onto your already spacious suite. On arrival, a bespoke travel cake creation and macaroons awaited us, adding a lovely little personalized touch to the already warm welcome. Emirates Palace

Sayad restaurant was our dinner destination of choice for the first evening, featuring a beautiful 7 or 10-course seafood menu, created exclusively by their visiting Michelin starred chef. With Thai influences and Scandinavian designs, the food varied from frozen curried canapés to disappearing green candy floss accompaniments. For our last night, we chose to sit on the beach and enjoy a plethora of freshly grilled seafood and potted salads, something that was much more to my taste and dress code. Emirates Palace

There’s a serious family-friendly vibe to the hotel, and yet its silent corridors and beaches make you feel comfortably alone. Yes it’s got camels on the beach and a mini Wild Wadi by the pool, but it’s also got a serious marina with some serious boats in it, including a Philip Stark designed pseudo-submarine called ‘A’ (parked here by a visiting Russian guest apparently – what a way to arrive!) Emirates Palace

Tips for staying at Emirates Palace:

– Get up early and go for a run around the grounds
– Count the different types of birds (seriously this is an ornithologists paradise)
– Check out which chef is visiting and book a table