Island bliss
Located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai, The Island, on “Lebanon”, is the only one of the 300 islands in The World – Dubai portfolio that partygoers can visit. The 22,000-square-metre island boasts two beaches, one with panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline, as well as six chalets, a volleyball court, a pool, more than 30 kayaks, the Mediterranean restaurant Toro Blanco, a DJ booth and a stage. You can rock up to Lebanon in a speedboat, ferry, private luxury yacht or – if you really feel like really splashing out – seaplane. The Gourmet package, for a minimum of 45 guests, is Dh500 per head and includes transportation, a barbecue buffet and two hours of unlimited soft drinks.
Bling on a boat
Elite Pearl Yachts Charter has the tools you need for a truly glamorous mega-yacht party. A luxury package for 15 people gets you picked up in a bright pink Hummer limo with dual privacy partitions and a two-way intercom, and taken to your private 50-foot luxury yacht. (If you’ve had your fill of Dubai traffic, they can also supply helicopters.) During the sea voyage, guests can feast on a mixed grill barbecue, fruit salad and dessert. If that doesn’t float your boat, Elite has 23 other vessels in its fleet, from a 163-foot Benetti that sleeps 14 and includes a Jacuzzi, to the more modest 36-foot Oryx, which is designed for fishing as well as cruising. There’s also a slightly less opulent but more practical party boat for up to 120 guests, with a DJ option, that runs at Dh4,799 for the luxury package.
• www.elitecharter.com; 056 37 29777
Shine at minigolf
For a party theme that really lights up the night, try glow-in-the-dark minigolf. Dalma Mall’s latest attraction, Tee & Putt, offers the chance to show off your swing on an Arabian-nights-inspired 18-hole minigolf course. The 10,000-square-foot venue, which is decked out “neon palace style”, includes a party hall for games and refreshments. The Tee & Putt team can also set up outdoor minigolf at your own venue. Parties start at Dh95per guest. Level 2, Dalma Mall, and also in Dubai’s Wafi Mall and the Arabian Centre.
• www.teeandputt.com; 800 6464 4653
High on luxury
It may not be the biggest, but it is the highest. The world’s highest suspended hotel suite that is, at The St Regis Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Suite sits 220 metres above sea level between the two Nation Towers, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf. Accessed via a private lift, the two-storey, 1,120-square-metre suite is a haven of pure indulgence. It offers its own cinema, spa, kitchen, gym, library, lounge and dining area with a 14-seat round table. The three-bedroom suite is gilded in 24-carat gold-leaf interiors, with a grand drawing room that features an art deco glass dome and dramatic bronze and crystal chandeliers. The suite has four-and-a-half bathrooms.
If you want to entertain, a simple dinner can be arranged for up to 70 people. There’s a butler on hand, too, as well as complimentary Bentley-chauffeured transfers. The price starts at Dh15,000 and can go beyond Dh150,000.
• www.stregisabudhabi.com; 02 694 4444
Beach villa getaway
Just 12 minutes by boat from Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island lies the lesser-known Zaya Nurai Island, where you can rent out one of its lavish five-bedroom “estate villas”. Each one comes with a private beach, sauna, steam room, pool, outdoor dining areas and butler. With 18,000 square feet of living space, up to 12 guests can show off their dance moves or just soak up the sea views. Starting from Dh55,000 per night. Smaller beach villas start from Dh2,350 per night.
• www.zayanuraiisland.com; 02 5066 222
Fight club
Tasleeh Entertainment’s Battlezone, in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall, brings virtual-reality gaming to life with its video-projector screens and warlike decor. Two teams of up to 10 people battle it out to capture and hold as many flags as possible within the allotted 20 minutes. There’s also an area for spectators where you can enjoy post-battle refreshments. The 30,000-square-foot venue also features shooting ranges, a store and a cafe. A two-hour package for 20 people is Dh5,000 for 30 minutes in the Battlezone.
• www.tasleehentertainment.com; 02 555 5303
Cinematic splendour
Vox Cinemas have private cinemas available to hire at Yas Mall and in Dubai at Deira City Centre, and BurJuman Centre, and they are not just for watching the latest flick. You can also use the space as a giant gaming auditorium, using Xbox and PlayStation consoles, for karaoke and even to screen your own home-made movie. At the 40-seat cinema in Yas Mall, a party with food and drinks, a photographer and a 2-D movie cost Dh3,500.
• www.uae.voxcinemas.com; 600 599 905
On the party Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit offers more than just fast cars – it’s also a great party venue. The 5.5-kilometre F1 track boasts the most sophisticated lighting system in the world, giant AV screens and futuristic views. To rent the entire circuit would be on a similar scale to Kanye West’s birthday party in June, when wife Kim Kardashian hired the Staples Centre, home of the Los Angeles Lakers. For those of us without the social network needed to fill 200 acres of outdoor space, Yas Marina Circuit also has an open-air rooftop terrace, Luna Lounge, which can host a party for up to 535 people. The venue includes a kitchen, a dance floor with disco lighting, as well as track and marina views. For the Luna Lounge, a package of dinner with soft drinks costs Dh500 per person.
• www.yasmarinacircuit.com; 02 659 9393
Camp is cool
For a garden party with a twist, how about installing a giant tepee? Dubai-based company Canvas & Wood have eight tepees for hire, each complete with fire pit and basic furniture. The tepees are seven metres high and have a diameter at the base of 10 metres – enough to fit five round dinner tables to seat 50, or host up to 80 people for a cocktail reception. Emirates Golf Club, with its well-manicured lawns and marina views, is proving to be a popular spot for hosting a tepee party. One tepee costs Dh15,000 for three nights, making camping an option, too.
• www.canvas-and-wood.com; 04 380 5146
Out cold
For a really cool party, rent out the Chillout Ice Lounge on the ground floor of Dubai’s Time Square Center. You and up to 34 friends can watch each other’s lips turning blue while experiencing a minus-6°C chill, then warm up (slightly) with a hot chocolate. The Dh2,550 price (Dh75 per person) includes a welcome drink, and special packages are available for after-chill meals at Qureshi & Wong, a new Indian and Chinese restaurant on the first floor.
• www.chilloutindubai.com; 04 341 8121
Hit the dance floor
Hire Movida’s 6,000-square-foot nightclub in Dubai’s Radisson Royal Hotel, which has just been stylishly refurbished, and host a thumping party for up to 600 revellers. The minimum price tag of Dh20,000, available from Sunday to Tuesday, gets the club for three hours, although staff and drinks cost extra. On club nights, book out the self-contained VIP area (100 guests maximum) and get your own DJ, bar and dance floor for a minimum spend of Dh60,000.
• www.movida-dubai.com; 055 174 4443
Warehouse wonder
Desert Fish Studio, which normally functions as a photography studio in Al Quoz, is a 4,000-square-foot warehouse with a rugged, industrial feel. It comes with a separate room that can be used for catering or to accommodate all your VIPs. Prices start from Dh8,000 a day.
• www.richweisz.com; 050 7493 768
Stage the perfect party
Tucked away in an Al Quoz backstreet, The Fridge has mirrored walls, musical instruments and a stage, lighting and audio equipment available for hire for Dh4,000 for eight hours.
• www.thefridgedubai.com; 04 347 7793
artslife@thenational.ae
