Journal

Fall in love with Dubai this March as we take you on a whirlwind 24-hour tour of the city’s most romantic locations from private escapist experiences for two to intimate evenings created with romance in mind.

Myself and the Nasma Luxury Stays team have delved deep into our little black book of insider knowledge to share some of Dubai’s more exclusive experiences throughout the month.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Get a head start on the season of love and combine romance and adventure with a hot air balloon ride and gourmet breakfast experience. The pre-dawn start and drive out into the desert hinterland is worth waking up early for as you gracefully float over a desert vista populated by Arabian gazelles, roaming camels and palm tree oases. A taste of luxury awaits among the wind-sculpted sand dunes with a sumptuous breakfast of smoked salmon, caviar, eggs benedict and other fresh goodies served in a private Bedouin desert camp setting.

TIME OUT FOR TWO

Look your best for your loved one and book a half-day session at one of Dubai’s highly rated spas. We love the couples’ experience at Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah where the rejuvenating Arabian Royal Hammam ritual takes place in a lavishly opulent setting reminiscent of a sultan’s palace. At the other end of town, the award-winning Amara Spa at Park Hyatt offers a couples’ journey in your own private garden with a fragrant and relaxing series of face and body treatments featuring the evocative scent of cardamom, rose, sandalwood and signature Amara oils followed by a healthy spa lunch for two.

LUNCH BY THE LAKE

Succumb to the lure of fresh air and a change of scenery and pack a picnic for a long, lazy lunch at Al Qudra Lakes. Just a short drive from the city’s main thoroughfares, the area is teeming with bird life from falcons wheeling overhead to families of ducks and even pink flamingos. For a bespoke picnic basket to go, the team at Nasma Luxury Stays likes Chez Charles’ hamper, complete with savoury nibbles, salads, cold cuts and desserts, or the Book Munch Café version which includes a returnable picnic rug.

THE LOOK OF LOVE

Planning a five-star dinner or night on the town? Find the perfect outfit for him and her courtesy of our personal shopper contacts. Both Bloomingdale’s at The Dubai Mall and Harvey Nichols at Mall of the Emirates offer a no obligation service with elite access to a coterie of designer labels.

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Avoid the tourist hordes and get out on the water with a private sunset yacht cruise. A limousine transfer and red carpet welcome set the scene for a very special evening aboard your own 48-foot Azimut captained yacht. Bring a bathing suit to enjoy a dip from the dedicated bathing platform, watch the sunset over the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah from the flybridge or relax on the horseshoe-shaped sofa in the main salon.

WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Unique to Dubai, a night desert safari and star gazing session is an unforgettable experience and a personal favourite. Escape the city lights for the peace and quiet of a royal desert conservation retreat in the company of a professional safari guide. Night-vision binoculars offer a glimpse of local wildlife while a three-course torchlit barbecue dinner showcases flavours of the region. End the night before retiring to the comfort of your luxury Nasma holiday home with a memorable stargazing session courtesy of a telescope and personal astronomer.

DINNER A DEUX

Dubai is spoilt for choice when it comes to romantic dining options so we polled the Nasma Luxury Stays team for their top recommendations. Gourmet dining at the height of luxury is on the menu at Atmosphere Restaurant & Lounge on level 122 of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa; or opt for dinner on the water, quite literally, with a culinary abra tour along the winding waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, stopping off at three of its most popular restaurants.

And for the ultimate in private dining in the opulent comfort of your luxury Nasma villa or apartment, we can arrange for a private chef to create a tailor-made epicurean menu just for two.