Tag: beachday

Dubai Diaries; Barmy Beach Club Blues

January 20, 2022

When it comes to beach clubs in Dubai, you really are spoilt for choice. From the glamorous and Insta famous complex at Drift on The Palm, to the fun party til dawn vibes at BlaBla in Dubai Marina, there is a destination for every occasion.

One of my favourite spots was KoKo Bay beach club at the foot of The Palm on Jumeirah beach. We spent a whole afternoon here sunning ourselves until golden hour.

For just 150AED (£30) per sun bed which was redeemable on food and drink, we had the most perfect spot to enjoy all day long.

We went for a stroll down the beach as we took in those magnificent sweeping views of the Dubai Marina skyline. Just along from here was in fact the renowned beach club Five, however the laid back chilled vibes at KoKo were more our scene for a Wednesday arvo.

Cocktails at noon on holiday are a must, so I got started with a refreshing rum and pineapple concoction.

Later in the arvo we ordered some food and another round of cocktails. With such an extensive menu of seafood, sushi, poke bowls and curries, I opted for the bean chilli loaded nachos which made for the perfect beach nibble.

My boyfriend chose the Chinese Kung Po chicken which he admitted was the best he’d ever had of his favourite dish. Colourful cocktails, yummy food and a beautiful sunset, what more could you want!?

I would highly recommend KoKo Bay for its casual chic atmosphere combined with delicious food, amongst the most awesome beach setting overlooking one of the best views in Dubai.

My other personal favourite beach club was Ula at Dukes Hotel on The Palm. We visited here twice, once in the evening for dinner and again on our final day to lap up the sunshine.

With it’s Bali inspired interiors featuring gorgeous hanging lampshades, Ula strikes the perfect balance of tasteful decor to create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere for a wonderful evening supper setting.

I had to come back to experience this gorgeous oasis in the daytime too. Those Bali vibes continue down to the beach bar with fantastic tall teepee loungers and cute cabanas.

Seeing the main feature bar area with that spectacular tree in the middle was even more glorious by day with the shadows casting patterns through the bamboo awning.

From their mediterranean inspired menu, we ordered a light lunch which we ate down at the beach bar amongst the palm trees overlooking Dubai Eye and the Marina. I had a simple but tasty house salad whilst my boyfriend had a classic Greek chicken gyros. Ahhhh, if only we could enjoy every lunch like this!

Soon the sun was setting on our final day in Dubai and the city skyline twinkled in the night.

There’s nothing like a barmy beach club day and a real must for anyone visiting Dubai. My top recommendations are of course KoKo Bay and Ula, as well as Drift, Five, Address Beach Resort and Twiggy. I just love those beach bum blues and that salty skin feeling ❤

Dubai Diaries; By Day, By Night

January 9, 2022

We’ve finally made it here to Dubai and I can’t quite believe it! After last year’s trip being cancelled due to Covid and much anticipation whether or not we would make it out this January, I’m thrilled to be here on my first holiday in two years. Being a keen traveler and explorer, I’m super excited to be in a city I’ve never been before full of so many glorious and exciting things to do and places to see.

Arriving at 2am, I was surprised to learn how Dubai is in fact a very nocturnal city with many shops and eateries open 24 hours. Following a much needed lie-in, we spent our first day at the Dubai Mall just a quick metro ride away from our hotel.

The mall is vast including all kinds of shops from high street to designer. Outside you find yourself at the foot of the Burj Khalifa towering high above the city skyline upon a backdrop of the stunning water fountain show.

That evening we decided to go for cocktails and dinner at Level 43 Sky Lounge at the very top of the Sheraton Hotel, conveniently located just opposite our hotel The Gevora, the tallest hotel in the world.

At Level 43 we enjoyed wonderful cocktails and dinner overlooking the bustling city just as alive by night as it is by day. I felt like we were in uptown New York sat on that rooftop sipping my Lycheene gazing out over the futuristic cityscape.

I couldn’t resist having the prawn tiger sushi roll for dinner whilst my boyfriend had a classic chicken burger and chips. The vibe was electric with a live DJ and saxophonist, certainly a fabulous way to kick off our first night here in Dubai.

It’s now Sunday evening and we are still a little jet lagged so we’re just taking it easy. Today we went for a stroll along the beach front stopping off at The Four Seasons Hotel Jumeirah Beach for a quick photo opportunity of course.

Walking around the city you realise the incredible amount of wealth here as super car after super car races by. My boyfriends in his element and I can’t get enough of the awesome Jeep Wagons everywhere – current dream car right there!

We’ve only been here less than 48 hours and I’m already loving Dubai and all it has to offer; from cosmopolitan city life to scorching hot sunny beach days, it’s the best of both worlds. We have a jam-packed itinerary over the next week including a desert safari tomorrow and helicopter flight over The Palm on Wednesday… the Dubai diaries have only just begun!