Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned holidaymaker
So the girls’ holiday has finally made it out of the group chat, and the chosen destination is Dubai. Perhaps you live here and you’re hosting your friends from home, or you might be a holidaymaker visiting Dubai for the first, fifth or even tenth time. Now that the dates are locked in and flights are booked, it’s time to start planning your itinerary.
From ladies’ nights to beach club days, here’s 11 things you have to do on a girls’ trip to Dubai.
Check out a ladies’ night
Dubai is known and loved for its ladies’ nights, and what began as three free drinks for ladies on a Tuesday has now evolved, with dinner-and-drinks deals, free drinks, or unlimited drinks for a set price at a number of venues across the city. For a guaranteed good time, the Pum Pum party at Miss Lily’s is where to head on a Monday, where you’ll get three drinks and five bites for Dhs175. On Tuesdays, you’ll want to book somewhere like The Penthouse, where you’ll pay Dhs200 for three courses and three drinks, or STK, for a fun-filled dinner party where packages are priced at at a wallet-friendly Dhs275. On Wednesdays, top spots to head include Bar Du Port, where Dhs230 gets you two starters, dessert and two hours of free-flowing drinks; or The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill, where ladies can enjoy free-flowing wine at the bar from 8pm to 12am without spending a Dirham.
@misslilysdxb, @thepenthousedubai, @stkdubaijbr, @barduportdubai, @themainedxb
Top up your tan at a beach club
It’s almost impossible to come to Dubai and not check out the thriving beach club scene. They’re dotted all over the city, bringing slices of Greece, Ibiza, Miami and Beirut to the city. For pumping tunes, sparkler shows and lively entertainment, you’ll want to book Be Beach (rates from Dhs 300), Playa Pacha (rates from Dhs200), Verde Beach (rates from Dhs700 for two) or Nikki Beach (rates from Dhs200). For something a little more relaxed and refined but equally as wow-worthy, head to Maison De La Plage at The Club on Palm West Beach (rates from Dhs250), Drift at One&Only Royal Mirage (rates from Dhs150), or Summersalt (rates from Dhs800), which is backdropped by the Burj Al Arab.
@bebeachdxb, @playapachadubai, @verdebeachdubai, @nikkibeachdubai, @maisondelaplage_, @driftbeachdubai, @summersaltbeachclub
Get the ultimate shot for the ‘Gram with a boat day
Looking to get the ultimate selfie of you and your mates out at sea backdropped by the city’s star attractions? Chartering your own yacht is surprisingly affordable in this city, especially if you’re splitting the price between a dozen or so people. Yacht Do You Want have a whole roster of boats available to book for half-days, full-days or several hours, which come with an expert crew to show you the sights from the Arabian Gulf. Prefer to join an existing yacht party? Check out Centaurus Yacht Charter, who regularly throw yacht parties that invite you to join in on the fun, with all-inclusive food and drink packages available from Dhs249.
@yachtdoyouwant, @centauruscharter
Be amazed by a dinner and a show
In Dubai, dinner isn’t just dinner. It’s an opportunity to glam up, dine on fine fair, all while enjoying show-stopping performances from singers, dancers and a host of variety acts. These dinner and a show venues are the kind of spots that start late, so you’ll want to snag a 9pm reservation or later to ensure you get to enjoy the proper vibes. One of the original – and still the best – is Billionaire, which prides itself as being the ‘master of extravaganza,’ serving up the kind of expert choreography and jaw-dropping stunts that will leave your jaw on the floor. Other options include Dream in Address Beach Resort, a stunning production of singers, dancers, aerialists and acrobats; Aretha, where guests can enjoy performances that pay homage to the swinging sixties and soulful seventies; or newly opened Paris Paradis, a dazzling live cabaret with fine dining, couture costumes and world-class performers
@billionairedubaiofficial, @dreamdubaiofficial, @arethadubai, @parisparadis.dubai
Enjoy a pampering spa day
Between beach days and nights out, it’s important to get some R&R laced into your girls’ trip to Dubai, and what better way to bliss out than with a spa day? We love Bab Al Shams for a gorgeous desert getaway, and their spa day deal is perfect for you and your besties, offering a 60-minute massage, a one-hour group yoga class, and access to the infinity pool for Dhs775 per person. Blended is another brilliant spot for a spa day-cation, with this wellness emporium at W Dubai – Mina Seyahi inviting ladies to enjoy a relaxing 60-minute massage, a blow dry, access to the Himalayan salt cave, lunch next door at Mare by Bussola, inclusive of two courses and two drinks, plus full-day beach access for Dhs550. And if you’re looking for all-out glamour, book yourself in for a spa treatment at the Dior Spa at The Lana, a wellness haven with a high-fashion edge.
Party at a Saturday brunch
Alongside ladies’ nights, Saturday brunch is a right of passage for anyone visiting Dubai, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned visitor. For first-timers, few party brunches compare to the all-singing, all-dancing hotel buffets that offer endless food and drink stations, live entertainment and music aplenty. Book Saffron at Atlantis The Palm, Bubbalicious at The Westin Mina Seyahi or Brasserie2.0 for an all boxes-ticking experience. For something just as fun – but with a set menu served to the table – top Saturday party brunches include Candypants at Akira Back, Tete a Tete at FIVE LUXE, O Beach and Clap.
@saffronbrunch, @westindubai, , @candypantsdxb, @bisoubisoubrunch, @obeachdubai, @clapdxb
Have a wholesome trip to the desert
It’s easy to get caught up in the soaring skyscrapers and stunning beaches that dot the city of Dubai, but no girls’ trip to Dubai is complete without making making for the desert. Platinum Heritage offer a whole host of tours and experiences, although the most popular to book is a desert safari, that takes you on a one-hour drive through the Desert Conservation Reserve in a vintage land rover, as you spot desert fauna, flora, and wildlife. After taking in a breathtaking sunset and falconry show, a dinner of Emirati flavours is served against the backdrop of live entertainment. For a luxe desert dining experience, head to Sonara Camp where you can try activities like sandboarding, camel riding and more before heading down to a dinner of Arabic eats and entertaining shows.
@platinumheritage, @sonara_camp
Book a dinner at one of the city’s liveliest restaurants
Dubai is the kind of city where no matter what cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it. For dinner with the girls where there’s a lively vibe, you’re spoiled for choice pretty much any day of the week. Opa is popular for its dual serving of excellent Greek dishes with plate smashing and zorba dancing, while next door at Bagatelle the live music and fine French fare are always on point. Few haute hangouts have the global rep of Zuma, and a late-night table in the lounge at this DIFC hotspot is one of the most sought-after tables in the city. Looking for sweeping vistas with your meal? Then a table at Sushisamba is a must. Keen to turn a leisurely lunch into an after-hours party? Snag a table – far in advance – at Sirene by Gaia.
@opadubai, @bagatelledubai, @zumadubai, @sushisambadubai, @sirene_dxb
Get some R&R with a wellness session
Leaning into the city’s newfound passion for wellness, plenty of spots all over Dubai – from rooftop pools to beach clubs, have now added wellness into their offerings. For a one-of-a-kind session, try sound healing or yoga in the calming, underwater surrounds of Lost World Aquarium at Aquaventure, or try a unique floating sound healing session led by Beyond Wellness, which take over some of the city’s most stunning pools. Or, test your strength and balance with a SUP Fit Yoga & Pilates class – they take place at iconic beach clubs across the city.
@aquaventureworld, @beyondwellnessdxb, @supersupfit
Glam up for a ladies’ day
Dubai ladies’ days come with various benefits, from complimentary access to some of Dubai’s best pools to unlimited free drinks and even lunch. On Thursday, few compare to the Secret Parties’ Praia Ladies’ Day, which runs from 1pm to 5pm, offering ladies lunch and unlimited drinks for Dhs150, or Dhs250 if you upgrade to include unlimited prosecco. For guys it’s Dhs300 minimum spend, or use that for a set lunch and four selected beers. On Wednesday, you’ll find one of the city’s best ladies’ days at Covebeach, now located at La Vie Residences in JBR. From Dhs150, expect free-flowing pink drinks from 12pm to 5pm, a lively soundtrack of commercial hits, and a lunch platter.
@secretpartiesdxb, @praiadubai, @covebeachdubai
Go for cocktails with a view at a rooftop bar
There’s something special about watching the sunset over Dubai’s ever-evolving skyline from a rooftop, especially during winter. Golden hour enthusiasts will love taking in the views from Palm Jumeirah surrounded by the sea while city dwellers can admire the lights of Downtown’s urban night scene. On the rooftop of the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Attiko’s wrap-around terrace offers lovely views of the Dubai Harbour and Palm Jumeirah, while from the Palm’s 52nd floor bar CouCou, you get commanding views of all of the twinkling fronds at night. Further into Downtown, CE LA VI’s Burj Khalifa views are unrivalled, while back at JBR, more chilled out Zeta Seventy Seven shouldn’t be missed for views that stretch as far as the eye can see.
@attikodubai, @coucourooftop, @celavidubai, @zetaseventyseven
