It's certainly a period of transformation here in the UAE. After a challenging few weeks, many hotels and hospitality companies are using the lull in international tourists as an opportunity to renovate and restore, before a busy second half of the year.
Last week I spoke to French interior architect Tristan Auer, who is the designer behind the restoration of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. While plans have been in the works for two years, the hotel has closed, ushering in a project that Auer promises will refresh the Dubai landmark without “damaging its DNA”.
“The idea is not to break everything but, on the contrary, to preserve as much as possible and then to change a few things to make it beautiful for the next 25 years,” he explains, and design elements will “carry through”, ensuring familiarity for repeat visitors. Read more of what Auer had to say about the plans here.
It is not only Burj Al Arab that is temporarily closing. Park Hyatt Dubai and the Armani Hotel Dubai, housed within Burj Khalifa, are closing for renovations. Read our list of the hotels closing, being renovated and updated here.
But it's not all closures on the table. The UAE’s hospitality sector is heading into an unusual summer.
Across the industry, operators describe a market adjusting to softer demand, shifting guest behaviour and a more uncertain regional backdrop. That uncertainty is feeding directly into bookings, with operators reporting shorter lead times and more last-minute decisions. How will that affect your travel plans? Read more here.
And it may only be April, but this week members of my family's WhatsApp group are trying to make plans for travel in December. Destinations on the table range from Oman to South Africa and Mauritius, with Scotland also suggested.
While I am also very happy to stay in the UAE – December being the month for the best weather, in my opinion – it has had me reminiscing about my trip to Scotland last December.
We spent a very festive Christmas at The Fife Arms in Braemar, in the Cairngorms National Park, a hotel noted for its art collection and abundance of charm.
This week, the Fife is listed in our round-up of hotels with the best art collections, alongside The Ned Doha and El Fenn, Marrakesh.
Having stayed at The Fife Arms and enjoyed its art tour, I can say it has a truly museum-quality collection. Read all about it here.
Until next time, safe travels.
Travel news you may have missed
• Aman has announced its newest US destination, Amansanu, a ranch-inspired retreat north-west of Austin, Texas. It will comprise a series of standalone pavilions alongside Aman-branded residences, all designed by Olson Kundig. An opening date has yet to be announced.
• Flydubai is launching flights to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok from July 1, the airline’s second destination in Thailand, alongside Krabi. It will run a daily service from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport.
• Etihad Airways is expanding its network in China, launching five new routes and adding 28 weekly flights. The expansion will see Etihad run services from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, bringing its total operation in mainland China to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing.
Where do grounded planes go?
In the past few weeks, you may well have found yourself pondering what happens to grounded planes when airspaces are closed. This week, David Tusing has answered that question.
When demand drops or airspace closes, airlines and airports are often left with an immediate problem: excess capacity.
In some cases, planes remain parked at their home hubs. But what happens when disruption stretches into weeks or months? Airlines are often forced to look farther afield. Read all about their unexpected journeys and destinations here.
Travel buy
Adding a splash of colour for summer, Rimowa has introduced orange and magenta to its Essential and Groove ranges. The bold colours are sure to stand out when spotting your luggage on the carousel. The suitcases are made with robust polycarbonate and feature telescopic handles, multiwheel systems, TSA-approved locks and a complimentary leather address tag. The cases come with the German company's lifetime guarantee.
Prices range from €750 ($877; Dh3,217) for the Essential cabin-size in orange or magenta, to €1,190 for the Trunk Plus.
Spotlight destinations: Tbilisi
With a flight time of around three hours from the UAE, the Georgian capital of Tbilisi is a convenient choice for a long weekend.
This week, we have Randy Mulyanto's report on his stay at The Telegraph Hotel, a five-star property in what used to be the historic Tbilisi Post and Telegraph building. Built in the 1970s, it has distinct Soviet-style modernist architecture and features 239 rooms.
Since opening in June last year, it has become Georgia's sole Leading Hotels of the World member. Discover what makes it stand out here.
Top travel tip
Avoid exchanging money at the airport. Airport exchange counters tend to have the worst rates. Instead, try a travel-friendly debit or credit card, or withdraw cash from a local ATM.
In the headlines
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