As the UAE celebrates its National Day, take advantage of the long weekend with a well-deserved getaway. From island hideaways and cultural city breaks to winter charm and desert adventure, these destinations offer the perfect luxurious escape for families, couples, and travellers seeking something memorable.
Barefoot Island Bliss at Hawar Resort by Mantis
Just a short flight from the UAE, Hawar Resort by Mantis is the ideal National Day retreat for travellers seeking a peaceful island escape without the long travel time. Set within a breathtaking protected archipelago on Bahrain’s Hawar Islands, the resort blends eco-luxury with sweeping sea views, overwater and beachfront villas, and serene natural surroundings.
Guests can enjoy refined dining at Bahri, vibrant Latin American cuisine at C-Salt, rejuvenating wellness offerings, and family-friendly adventure at the Bear Grylls Adventure Zone by BGSA. With its untouched landscapes and barefoot luxury feel, Hawar Resort by Mantis offers a tranquil and inspiring setting for a refreshing long weekend.
For more information, please visit:www.hawarresort.com
Art, Elegance & Winter Charm at The Merchant House, Manama
A boutique luxury escape awaits at The Merchant House, Bahrain, located steps away from Bab Al Bahrain Souq and the city’s cultural heart. The hotel’s 46 thoughtfully designed suites offer a tranquil, residential-style sanctuary, complete with open-plan living spaces, contemporary art, and refined comforts ideal for rest and reflection.
The Winter Escape Package features a stay in an elegant Corner Suite, a rejuvenating treatment at PURE Spa, an Afternoon Tea experience at The Library, and flexible late checkout, ensuring a seamless and relaxing getaway. The rooftop restaurant, Indigo Terrace, transforms Friday evenings with its lively “Under the Stars” brunch, adding a festive touch to the holiday weekend. Art lovers will appreciate the hotel’s curated collection, making it the perfect blend of culture, comfort, and seasonal charm.
For more information, please visit:www.themerchanthouse.bh
Your London Home for the Holidays at The Other House South Kensington
For those heading to London, The Other House South Kensington offers a welcoming “home away from home,” ideal for a cosy city escape. Each elegant Club Flat is made to be lived in, offering generous living areas, a kitchen and separate bedroom. Larger groups and families can select the Club Combo to seamlessly connect adjoining flats into one expansive private home with up to five bedrooms.
Guests enjoy exclusive access to lounges, wellness facilities, a vitality pool, and stylish dining at The Other Kitchen and The Owl & Monkey. The Stay 4 Pay 3 offer is perfectly timed to make your National Day weekend stay even more rewarding, especially for travellers wanting to soak up London’s festive energy.
For more information, please visit:www.otherhouse.com
Where Heritage Meets Island Luxury at Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
For UAE residents craving warmth and nature for the long weekend, Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa delivers a serene and deeply restorative retreat. As Tanzania’s first Michelin Key-recognised resort, it combines private villas, pristine beaches, and Swahili-inspired architecture for an elevated island experience.
Guests can indulge in holistic treatments, water sports, lagoon sailing, and authentic Swahili cooking classes that celebrate the island’s heritage. With the Stay 3 Pay 2 offer, it’s the perfect opportunity for GCC travellers to stretch their National Day break into a tropical escape filled with wellness and connection.
For more information, please visit:www.whitesandvillas.com
Cosy Winter Magic in Vienna
Step into Vienna’s enchanting winter atmosphere as the city comes alive with festive lights, cosy charm, and seasonal traditions. The iconic Christmas Markets are already in full swing, filling Vienna with warm treats, handcrafted gifts, and lively holiday spirit. Winter fun continues at the historic Wiener Eislaufverein, one of the world’s oldest outdoor ice-skating rinks, offering a quintessential Viennese experience for all ages.
For a refined stay, the newly opened Mandarin Oriental, Vienna blends Art Nouveau elegance with contemporary luxury just moments from the city’s festive highlights.
For more information, please visit:www.wien.info
Adventure Reimagined in AlUla with Hero Experiences Group
For an exhilarating escape, Hero Experiences Group invites travellers to discover the dramatic landscapes of AlUla. Begin the morning with a sunrise hot air balloon flight featuring a Saudi Cultural Storyteller who brings the region’s ancient history to life from the skies. In the afternoon, explore the enhanced Platinum Heritage Saudi safaris within the Sharaan Nature Reserve, complete with renovated camps and journeys on Land Rover Defenders led by Conservation Guides.
Guests can also experience “The AlUla Story,” a spectacular sand-art projection show created by Ukraine’s Got Talent winne, Kseniya Simonova, offering a cinematic celebration of the region’s heritage. Perfect for travellers seeking culture, adventure, and breathtaking scenery, each experience ensures that every journey in AlUla is unlike anything travellers have experienced before.
For more information, please visit: ksa.platinum-heritage.com and ksa.heroballoonflights.com
