Tag: Shereen Shabnam

Exploring Taiwan – The Land of Breathtaking Beauty

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By Shereen Shabnam

With rich cultural diversity and traditions as varied as it’s beautiful natural landscape alongside tall towers and a thriving business environment, Taiwan is full of surprises for visitors.

My visit began with a tour of the Taipei 101, architecturally created guided with Feng Shui principles as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition with traditional design elements, works of art and modern treatments. It comes with Indoor Observation decks plus a premium multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower with hundreds of stores, restaurants and clubs.

The journey continued with visits to Chiayi, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake and beyond wandering through cultural attractions, lakes, hillside stations, tropical forests and sampling a wide variety of cuisine including ample choice of halal delicacies.

Taiwan offers the gamut of different cuisines and I enjoyed the Chinese, Indian, Moroccan, Japanese dishes alongside the traditional local specialties like Tainan milkfish and desert dumplings in restaurants and night markets in between sight seeing and shopping.

A visit to Taiwanese temples is a must for people watching as they gather to worship, enjoy local festivities nearby and to peruse the local art house often found in each city.

Highlight of the visit was the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated each year on the 15th day of the first lunar month to mark the grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

This first full moon day of the New Year symbolizes the coming of the spring. People usually celebrate this festival by enjoying family dinner together, eating Yuanxiao (glutinous rice dumpling), carrying paper lanterns, and solving the riddles on the lanterns.

At the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi, I found the grand celebration with music, dance, light shows, 4D visual effects and the grand lanterns all around me magical. My Taiwanese friends said they sometimes write their wishes on the sky lanterns because it is believed as the lantern fly into the sky; it is a way to pass on your wishes to gods above.

A visit to the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum was a delightin Chiayi County. The museum is set on 70 hectares of land next to a large scenic lake with gardens. It has an unmatched collection of e artifacts and priceless treasures from distant places.

 

Another attractionlocated in Qigu District, Tainan is the Qigu Salt Mountain set close to Qigu Lagoon, the largest inland lake in Taiwan, which is rich in ecological resources and the habitat for winter migratory birds-black-faced spoonbills. There are a number of recreational activities like go-karting, antique machines exhibition and the Doo-doo trains making it an interesting Tainan tourist spot for visitors of all ages.

Other enjoyable excursions included exploring the Sicao Mangrove Preserve and the Taijiang National Parkwith ecological and cultural landscape alongside culture and history. The Alishan National Scenic Area was also memorable. 

Another breath taking experience was of course Taiwan’s largest Lake, the Sun Moon Lakelocated in the mountains of Nantou. I took a late afternoon boat tour and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The area around the lake is home to tribes and scenic views. Leaving Taiwan was not easy especially from the Sun Moon Lake.

From the UAE, getting to Taiwan was fairly easy on Emirates Airlines, which flies to direct to Taipei daily. The city is a great starting point to get to the other popular tourist spots.

 

#travel #hospitality #TravelJunkie #TravelTheWorld #wanderlust #globalista #wanderer #explore #discover #travel addict #destinations #adventure #GoingPlaces #aircraft #ShereenShabnam #Tourist #LuxuryTravel #Planespotters #TravellingIslander #TravelDiary #Fijian #AmazingPlaces #TravellingFijian #Globetrotter #SeeTheWorld #flight #Traveller#OffTheBeatenTrack #Shereen_Shabnam

Vibrant Kathmandu – The Charming city of Nepal

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By Shereen Shabnam

Exploring the city and outskirts of Kathmandu is an exciting and an intoxicating experience for visitors from around the globe with bustling streets, a large variety of flora and fauna, medieval temples and some of the best hiking and walking trails.

The city has character with old charm architecture intricately carved wooden doors and windows, lively narrow streets filled with shops dedicated to small yet thriving specialist businesses full of different colours, smells with sounds of tourists mixed with locals.

Although I have visited Nepal a number of times, this year I attended the Himalayan Travel Mart, organised with the objective to establish Nepal as a Gateway to the Himalayas and as a destination capable of hosting events at international level. The travel mart hosted around 74 Buyers from 36 countries and over 50 sellers, representing the Himalayan Region, Bhutan, India, Tibet, Indonesia and Nepal.

It is best to arrange a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City with a visit to the Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu DurbarSquare),an ancient durbar (palace) with its numerous old palaces, temples and pagodas. Visit the famous Temple of Living Goddess “Kumari”,and the Kasthamandap Temple, believed to be constructed from the wood of a single tree from which Kathmandu derives its name.

Nepal is a Himalayan Kingdom often referred to as the “Land of Mount Everest” and the “Land of Living Goddess-Kumari”. Abroad, the country is also associated with the heroism of its brave warrior ancestors – the talented “Gorkhas”.

My favourite part of the adventure was visiting a monastery in the mountains and meeting the resident monks. A definite must visit is the Boudhanath Stupa – an ancient colossal stupa and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world and the Pashupatinath Temple -the Temple of Lord Shiva situated on the bank of the Bagmati River.

The excursions take time but if you want good views, head toSwayambhunath Stupa, which is situated atop a hill from where you can get a bird’s,eye view of Kathmandu Valley. I also enjoyed the views from the Namo Buddha Stupa, which offers a serene ambience ideal to meditate in.

I fell in love with the local cuisine and yet surprisingly had some of the best international cuisine in the city as well. Who would have thought that the best pizza I would ever eat will be in a quaint restaurant called Fire and Ice in the streets of Kathmandu.

We visited an orphanage as well after a visit to a monastery. The orphanage is part of a CSR initiative called Mission Himalaya, which focuses in providing free education, free healthcare and poverty relief aid to the needy people from the remote and under-developed regions of Nepal.
I spent the last few days exploring the shops and markets with two fashionable and seasoned travellers and together we got fascinated and taken in with the beautiful gemstones, the colourful pashmina shawls, the soothing musical instruments and comfortable yet classic clothes designed to stay trendy for years in places like Indra Chowk to luxury boutiques.

The wide variety of products in all price ranges is attractive to all ages and tourists often head to the Thamel area for souvenirs and handicrafts.

Going back to Nepal ended up being a therapeutic and calming holiday cum work destination that I needed and meeting travel aficionados from all over the world who are passionate about the Himalayas was definitely an added bonus. I look forward to my next visit already.

 

#travel #hospitality #TravelJunkie #TravelTheWorld #wanderlust #globalista #wanderer #explore #discover #travel addict #destinations #adventure #GoingPlaces #aircraft #ShereenShabnam #Tourist #LuxuryTravel #Planespotters #TravellingIslander #TravelDiary #Fijian #AmazingPlaces #TravellingFijian #Globetrotter #SeeTheWorld #flight #Traveller#OffTheBeatenTrack #Shereen_Shabnam

Classic Elegance – Luxury at every turn at Villa Magna, Madrid

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By Shereen Shabnam

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On the way to my Spanish home recently, a stop in Madrid led me and my family to discover the luxury Villa Magna in Madrid where the ambience celebrates the old and new in a space that only be described as classically elegant.

In the last century, where this modern building stands today on the Paseo de la Castellana, was the Palace of Anglada which was demolished in the 1960`s. The hotel on the same site shows the same sophistication and after an extensive renovation, the luxury hotel has become a home to regular visitors who love the Bauhaus concepts and Chinese screens that combine to create a welcoming and luxurious atmosphere.

From the moment we were picked at the airport by a private chauffeur to the moment we left, the experience we had was more than amazing. The Concierge led us to the most interesting exhibitions and fashionable boutiques in Madrid but the highlight of the excursions was our teenage daughter experiencing the VIP shopper experience at El Corte Ingles…a must for all GCC visitors.

The hotel lobby is warm and welcoming with a large window offering a marvelous view to the Magnum Patio. To add a sophisticated touch the walls were adorned with Bauhaus and Vienna Secession designs. Different styles also combine among the furnishings: Louis XVI rosewood consoles, exotic screens and rugs with their geometric shapes give warmth to the marble floors.

The Restaurante Villa Magna has beautiful natural light, complimented by the choice of light colours and a large framed mirror that reflects the space as a painting. The beauty of the carpentry work and the relaxing upholstery combine to make a perfect ambience relaxing.

The Lounge, off the Lobby of the Villa Magna, is the ideal setting to meet friends, discuss business or enjoy a relaxing meal at any time of the day. We spent our lunchtime mainly there with a selection of snacks, light lunch dishes whilst enjoying views onto the Lounge Terrace and Paseo de la Castellana beyond.

The room we stayed in was spacious, comfortable and washed with soft lighting, bright colours and warm fabrics. It was tastefully done and every detail was taken care of…from attending to my love for chocolates to the availability of prayer mats in the cupboard.

 Our day excursions meant revisiting our favourite Madrid attractions starting from the “Art Triangle” the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, the Mercado and the Reina Sofia Museum to walking through Plaza Mayor and retail streets dotted with local and international brands.

The Villa Magna´s Fitness Club is equipped with the latest Technogym equipment and a team of fitness experts to provide a personalized fitness programme. The Wellness Club is a quiet area to be pampered with luxurious body treatments and skincare in a retreat of tranquility and naturally I opted for a massage on arrival.

Withthe city’s main shopping streets and attractions at the doorstep, the Villa Magna offers the most exclusive and ideal place to stay while visiting Madrid.

 

#travel #hospitality #TravelJunkie #TravelTheWorld #wanderlust #globalista #wanderer #explore #discover #travel addict #destinations #adventure #GoingPlaces #aircraft #ShereenShabnam #Tourist #LuxuryTravel #Planespotters #TravellingIslander #TravelDiary #Fijian #AmazingPlaces #TravellingFijian #Globetrotter #SeeTheWorld #flight #Traveller#OffTheBeatenTrack #Shereen_Shabnam

Rose Park Hotel – Al Barsha

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By Shereen Shabnam

Inspired from past success in hospitality and the enviable reputation for delivering excellence in guest service over the last 10 years, the award-winning Rose International Hotels Management recently introduced us to the Rose Park Hotel in Al Barsha.

Over a sumptuous lunch, Thameem Razick, Director of Sales & Marketing at Rose Hotels & Hotel Apartments tells us that the 4 Star hotel is the newest addition to the growing portfolio managed by Rose International Hotels Management.

Located close to Mall of the Emirates and only a metro ride away from Dubai’s tourist attractions and business centers such as the Dubai World Trade & Exhibition Centre, the hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the surrounding areas. Rose Park Hotel – Al Barsha gives guests a 360 degree access of Dubai. The cozy new hotel is easily accessible to the Ski Dubai, the largest Ski zone at Mall of the Emirates, one of the iconic shopping malls in Dubai, the Jumeirah Beach and to Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City.

Thameem hopes that locals, hotel guests and visiting tourists will enjoy the hotel’s exceptional hospitality services and feel at home during their stay in the city. The hotel’s target market includes travelers and tourists from GCC, Asia, Europe and CIS and fast growing markets such as Eastern Europe, Far East and Latin America who visit UAE for business or pleasure.

Combining fully equipped business space with luxurious rooms and premium facilities, the hotel meets the needs of those travelling for work as well as leisure. The 4 Star hotel comprises of 168 contemporary bedrooms with a choice of deluxe rooms, including 24 suites, all equipped with high speed internet and 49”inch LED TVs. Dining options include the ‘Bombay Urban Cafe’ restaurant with its lavish, fine dining ambiance. There is also a business lounge for busy executives.

A well-appointed meeting room with a capacity up to 20 – 25 guests ensures all business meetings can be handled with ease. Guests can benefit from complimentary access to the hotel’s health and leisure facilities, take a dip in the swimming pool on the deck while sipping fresh juices amidst Dubai’s panoramic skyline view. Accessible 7 days a week, guests can keep fit with gym equipment, weights, sauna and steam room.

Centrally located in Al Barsha, across the street and a minute away from Sharaf DG Metro station, and adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, guests can have a warm and relaxing haven to stay in. With its calming ambiance mixed with intriguing design elements, guests are in for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Rose International Hotels Management continues to strengthen its portfolio with a focus on acquiring and managing properties. Since 2006, the group has been in the forefront of the development of luxurious commercial properties across key locations in UAE & Oman. The group has about six more hotel properties in the pipeline with around 687 keys, which will be delivered before Dubai Expo 2020. These are being developed in Science Park, Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jaddaf, Bur Dubai and in Oman – Ruwi.

 

#travel #hospitality #TravelJunkie #TravelTheWorld #wanderlust #globalista #wanderer #explore #discover #travel addict #destinations #adventure #GoingPlaces #aircraft #ShereenShabnam #Tourist #LuxuryTravel #Planespotters #TravellingIslander #TravelDiary #Fijian #AmazingPlaces #TravellingFijian #Globetrotter #SeeTheWorld #flight #Traveller#OffTheBeatenTrack #Shereen_Shabnam

 

Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik, Croatia

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By Shereen Shabnam

Dubrovnik, prosinac 2017. Dubrovacki zimski festival 2017. za TZD Photo by Zeljko Tutnjevic – ++385 95 903 1000

Dubrovnik in Croatia is a city for all seasons and one of the world’s most prominent tourist destinations. Surrounded by unique medieval ramparts, Dubrovnik attracts visitors for its rich history, mild climate, traditional hospitality and its many festivals, open-air events and architectural treasures.

I explored Dubrovnik, a UNESCO registered protected world heritage site during the evening and in the day taking in the charm of bustling streets, art and different cultural events.

Walking along the promenade during the day meant coming across various art and artefacts on sale as well as live music performances. The open air performances add character to the different areas of the old town classical and jazz music and brings rhythm and charm into an already dazzling atmosphere.

While wandering through the markets, we toured the filming location of the ‘Game of Thrones’ television series and enjoyed some retail therapy of the related merchandise for fans back in the UAE.

The best part of Dubrovnik was exploring the old city, which had interesting markets, art galleries and city walls with fortresses offering beautiful views of the city, the open sea and the Island of Lokrum.

For panoramic views of Dubrovnik, visitors can take the cable car and set out on a scenic adventure that includes breathtaking views of the old town and enjoy the sunset. Make time to head to the Island of Lokrum and Elaphiti Islands or visit the Trsteno Arboretum, which is a protected monument of nature.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for adventure sports or active tourists who enjoy horse riding, hiking, cycling or sailing. A jeep safari or a canoe tour is also an interesting way to explore the area.

Dubrovnik was a gastronomic delight with an abundance of fresh and delectable food, often seasoned with olive oil. Try the naturally grown vegetables like courgettes, cabbage, aubergines tomatoes as well as seafood prepared in a simple way.

I had a full day exploring the old town and came across a Salvador Dali exhibition, which was an unexpected delight. Visitors who enjoy experience centres will enjoy The Cultural History Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Archeological Museum exhibition at Fortress Revelin, the Dubrovnik Natural Science Museum and the Dubrovnik State Archives.

The natural scenery in the area and panoramic views of the coast on the way to the old town in Dubrovnik were definitely some of the most memorable moments in Croatia.  I am already planning my next venture into the land of fortresses and medieval architecture.

Turkish Airlines recently added Dubrovnik, Croatia to its expanding network with three weekly flights for visitors intending to explore this beautiful city.

 

#travel #hospitality #TravelJunkie #TravelTheWorld #wanderlust #globalista #wanderer #explore #discover #travel addict #destinations #adventure #GoingPlaces #aircraft #ShereenShabnam #Tourist #LuxuryTravel #Planespotters #TravellingIslander #TravelDiary #Fijian #AmazingPlaces #TravellingFijian #Globetrotter #SeeTheWorld #flight #Traveller#OffTheBeatenTrack #Shereen_Shabnam

 

Buckle Up with Burberry

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Introducing The Buckle Eyewear Collection – the new collection of Burberry sunglasses and optical frames, detailed with a distinctive gold- tone buckle, inspired by design elements from our signature trench coat.

Featuring a distinctive gold-tone buckle, The Buckle Eyewear Collection is available in a colour palette that references the many shades and textures of The Patchwork by juxtaposing solid colours with different coloured tortoiseshells. The Collection features sunglasses in square, cat-eye and round shapes, with opticals in square and round, both with the distinct buckle as the focal point of design.

Iconic Lisa Corti

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Lisa Corti designs things that she experiences and feels during her many trips around the world: the connection with India, which has been with her forever, her memories of Africa, but also her eastern fascination with China and Japan and her love for Milan and Italian Renaissance art, a passion she has always worn on her sleeve.

Her home collection Spring Summer 2017 is a nod to China, a vintage feel and timeless classicism in perfect Lisa Corti style. Floral and geometric designs create worlds built on stories of lands that are far away but instantly recognisable.

The colours are intense and remain vivid in the memory. They speak of Lisa Corti, but also capture the essence of contemporary style in her Home collection for spring summer 2017.

The new collection offers four new designs, in line with her best tradition, in a myriad of multi-coloured, ultra-fine textile solutions for the home, all hand-printed.

The Damask design has been a must in many collections: Lisa Corti has presented a new take on its faraway origins that date back to ancient China and reach as far as Italy in the sixteenth century, giving it a light feel by adding stylised flowers and endowing it with a chromatic contrast created between the lines and the background.

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For the new collection it goes back to its roots and in the design Chinese Spring, in the two versions Geranio and Mustard, it creates a trait d’union between East and West, between damask fabrics and velvety, multi-coloured silks.

The Camelia design is inspired by a water lily, decorated with spiral shapes that bring movement to the composition. Another flower, with a strong Oriental taste and a sacred symbol for Hinduism and Buddhism, is presented in Ninphea.

Geometric, a vintage print, kept in the brand’s archives up until now gets a new lease of life. The ethereal aquatic flower is set alongside a series of rhombuses that define the fields of colour.

Instead, the Acanto Escher design combines two drawings of the garment collection into one, causing fragile acanthus and geometric patterns inspired by contemporary graphics to interact in perfect harmony – in the best Lisa Corti tradition.

The best-selling pieces by the Milanese designer, including her mezzeri, mandalas, quilts, curtains and canvases, are joined by a new limited edition summer gudri, made of organza, which is lighter and cooler, a fine, shiny fabric ideal for the summer season. An even more prestigious double-faced version juxtaposes a plain edge with the floral print in the centre.

The new ideas for spring summer 2017 also include an accessory for the table. The Camelia design is back, printed on an American mat in masonite enhanced by a gold leaf applied by hand. The new Lisa Corti Spring Summer Home collection represents tradition and also a new style – one that is always timeless and iconic, as only Lisa Corti can be.

British Polo Day celebrates its 9th event in Dubai at the Al Habtoor Polo Club & Resort

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Mr Ghazi Al Madani presenting the plate to to the victorious Bentley Habtoor Polo Team at BPD Dubai- Sam Churchill-17.jpeg

Friday 24th March 2017: British Polo Day, presented by RJI Capital, returned to Dubai for its 9th event. The British Polo Day 2017 Series was launched in style with Bear Grylls throwing the first ball of 2017, but British Polo Day began in Dubai in 2009, in partnership with Habtoor Polo. This was the first time that the event was held at the fabulous new St. Regis Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Some 450 guests and VIPs including Khalaf Al Habtoor, Mohammed Habtoor, Mr Ghazi Al Madani Paddy Meade, 8th Earl of Clanwilliam , and Randle Siddeley, 4th Baron Kenilworth came together to celebrate the best of UAE and British traditions.

The UK/UAE Year of Creative Collaboration was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HRH The Prince of Wales in October 2016, with the aims of increasing the visibility of the UK in the UAE and vice versa in order to give greater focus, depth and contemporary relevance to the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The unique cultural programme has been initiated to strengthen existing relationships and broker new ones between people, institutions and businesses.

The British Polo Days in the UAE provide such a platform, with the best of British and the UAE on display, with Harrods, Bentley, Royal Salute and Hackett all supporting. There was also a chance to introduce the new British Polo Day global partner, Chelsea Barracks, the exceptional new neighborhood development incorporating 5 new garden squares in Belgravia, London, to the guests. Other new partners included VistaJet and YPI Luxury Yachts, further cementing the British Polo Day community.

The event kicked off with a Cavalry v Guards Camel Polo display, a sport that has its biggest annual showcase at British Polo Day. Next followed a bicycle polo demonstration, a sport played in the Olympics over 100 years ago, with players from the regiments of Cavalry and Guards competing in Bentley and St. Regis Dubai Polo Resort and Club Teams respectively for The Thesiger Trophy.

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club said: “It is wonderful to see British Polo Day here at our Polo resort and Club. I was very happy to take part in the forming of this event back in 2009 with my Habtoor Polo organization. I am always glad to see the British Polo Day team come back to Dubai and now I am especially honored to welcome them to our brand new and excellent facilities.

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At 3.15 pm, Stuart Wrigley captained the Oxbridge team, sponsored by Chelsea Barracks, against the Gulf team, sponsored by Vista Jet. RJI Gulf beat Chelsea Barracks with 8 ½ goals to 6.

British Polo Day Dubai’s official prize giving ceremony saw the winning teams collecting the bespoke-commissioned British Silverware British Polo Day trophies presented by Richard Oakes from Chelsea Barracks, James Houghton of British Silverware, and Mr Ghazi Al Madani. The agile Don Juan, ridden by Guillermo Cuitino, was named Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Best Playing Pony’ by Marc de Panafieu, Brand Director for Middle East.

This completed the British Polo Day UAE events, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the 10th British Polo Day Dubai in 2018.

*British Polo Day Abu Dhabi took place on

Saturday 18th March at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

The event is presented by RJI Capital, and partnered with Royal Salute, Harrods, Bentley, Chelsea Barracks, VistaJet, YPI Yachts, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hackett London, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys, Nyetimber, British Silverware, True Luxury Travel, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Clinova, Taylor Morris Eyewear, DR Harris, Floris, Cassabo and Brompton.

 

The St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club to Host British Polo Day

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The recently-opened St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club will play host to British Polo Day on Friday 24 March 2017. The hotel, which has just opened will welcome 500+ polo enthusiasts at the event.

The Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, located in the heart of Dubailand is a luxury lifestyle destination which is devoted to equine sports. There are stables for more than 500 horses, a veterinary clinic, a polo club and academy, and a riding school offering multiples disciplines including polo, dressage, show jumping and traditional horseback riding.

The centerpiece of the resort is the five-star St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, an Andalusian-style hotel, comprising of 151 guest rooms including 30 suites and 25 St. Regis branded villas. The hotel features an exquisite range of culinary experiences inspired by global themes and influences. There are a range of indoor and al fresco dining options including Andalucia – offering flavours of the Mediterranean, The Grill Pit steakhouse, Taperia – a Tapas bar and restaurant overlooking the polo fields, St. Regis Polo Bar – a sports bar, Equestrian Lounge and the soon-to-open Oasis pool side restaurant.

The hotel marks the legendary brand’s first ever equestrian-inspired resort worldwide – reinforcing Dubai’s standing within the global polo circuit and the St. Regis’s rich polo history, which dates back to the Astor period. The St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is ideally placed within close proximity to Dubai’s main touristic attractions. The resort is designed around four international-standard polo fields.

This weekend also marks an exclusive invitation to the resorts neighbours to a Neighbourhood Cocktail & Canapé Event on Thursday 23 March 2017. Nearby residents will get the chance to view the facilities and experience the St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club’s bespoke hospitality while enjoying the Sport of Kings.

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group – the developer of luxury lifestyle destinations in Dubai, said, “We welcome the local community with open arms. This event will give them the opportunity to experience our latest luxury development in Dubai. The resort exudes relaxation and elegance, while at the same time it showcases some of the world’s best polo.”

The Neighbourhood Cocktail & Canapé Event will take place on Thursday 22 March 2017 from 4:40-7pm.

Residents from nearby communities should RSVP to:

Tel: (04) 435 4414

Email: joanne.madriaga@stregis.com

The Perfect Date

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Bateel Dates are known in the region as being the best for personal consumption and as the perfect gift to take to friends and families. We met with Tina Memic, General Manager, Retail & Operations Bateel International to talk about the brands gourmet food business; their expansion plans for luxury Boutiques and her journey with Bateel

Our meeting was at Bateel Cafe on Beach Road, which has a full range of gourmet products with an extraordinary selection of gifts suitable for all occasions. From high-quality dates and premium chocolates, pralines and truffles, to other exclusive fine food products such as date biscuits, nuts and dressings – it certainly is an invitation to experience the exceptional.

Tina is a German national, living in the UAE for over 10 years. She gained professional experience in China, Europe and the MENA region among cultural diversification and change management roles, which today are her key strengths.

Renowned for inventing and cultivating the world’s only gourmet dates, Bateel, according to Tina is the ultimate indulgence. Tina is passionate about healthy food, is an advocate of an active lifestyle and is regarded as the “Date Specialist” of the region.

She is on a mission of education. “Most consumers are not aware of the health aspects of dates and that it is a power fruit of nature. I am on a mission to make the date, tomorrow’s Banana. Bringing ever new taste sensations to the consumer, making them experience new tastes and flavours and seeing their facial expressions while they taste something for the first time in their life is price less, ”states Tina.

Tina is part of the Bateel International and leading their retail and franchise operations worldwide for over 6 years. She is now seen as a figure head who gets involved with training and is hands on with every aspect of the business.

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Empowerment for Tina is key for employee development and satisfaction. For her, staff members are often regarded as “exchangeable” into areas they best excel in and this has helped increase sales and customer satisfaction profoundly.

According to Tina, all Bateel products are free of any pesticides and all produced under fair conditions from suppliers honoring “fair trade” agreements. The brand remains fair to their staff as well and is one of few companies that do not ban staff.

There are now 600 employees and Tina maintains a open door policy and she gets involved in HR, Supply chain and Marketing roles. Tina mentions that Bateel will open in 20 new locations in the next 12 months mainly in GCC markets such as Saudi, UAE, three in Kuwait, three in Qatar in November as well as Oman, Bahrain and Jordan.

The brand is also in London and Tina is excited about shop openings in Geneva and Detroit. Taking the brand a step beyond gourmet products, Café Bateel now offers gourmet Mediterranean cuisine which is a worth checking out.

On Tina’s request, I tried some of the desserts and have been going back to the Cafe for a regular fix. It is not just about simple dates anymore with Bateel and I for one am glad that they have brought dates into our everyday cuisine as well.